Hiring a Nanny
The benefits of employing a nanny includes the fact that your child remains in your home and maintains a familiar routine. Having nanny care also relieves a great deal of stress on parents, especially working parents or parents of multiples.
Before starting your search for just the right nanny, carefully assess your needs. What hours will the nanny need to work? Does the nanny need to speak fluent English? Does the nanny need to be able to drive? What household tasks would you like the nanny to be responsible for? Be realistic about your expectations.
Next, consider the cost of employing a nanny and examine your budget. You can call local nanny agencies to get an idea of what nannies are earning in your area or you can visit the International Nanny Association’s web site, www.nanny.org and review the INA’s Salary Survey.
There are different types of in-home childcare available: Newborn Care Specialists to help you get through those first days/weeks at home or to help you to get an occasional good night’s sleep; live-in nannies; and live-out nannies. A live-out nanny usually works set hours, whereas a live-in nanny works out well for people who have schedules that may call them out during the late evening hours or for those that travel on business frequently. There are part-time and after-school nannies as well.
When choosing a nanny, it very important to check her identification and verify that she is who she says she is. You should speak to every reference that she gives you — even if you use an agency that has checked her references. The agency should present you with a written copy of her references’ comments. Be sure that a background check has been completed. A good background check should include a state and county criminal record search, a verification of identification, and a driving history. When using a nanny agency, insist that they give you the nanny’s background report before she starts work.
Pave the way for a smooth transition by taking a day or two off from work or activities to stay home with your child and the new nanny. When you return to work you can keep in touch by calling home from time to time during the day, and you can ask the nanny to keep a daily journal for you to review in the evening. This open communication will foster a healthy relationship between you and your nanny and will benefit your child.