Finding a nanny does not have to be a difficult process. There are many ways to advertise your specific needs without having to put an ad in the paper and wading through mountains of resumes from unqualified teenage applicants. Many women (and some men) have made a profession out of being a nanny, and this is greatly to your advantage. You can now expect to find an adult who will take great pride in ensuring that you and your child receive the best service and care possible. Several websites such as www.gonannies.comand www.nannies4hire.com are in place that will allow parents to register, for a fee, and place their pictures and bios up for review by qualified candidates. You will also have to ability to search through very thorough resumes of website-approved candidates. You can specifically list every detail of what your specific job will entail on your bio, including whether or not you would prefer a non-smoking candidate to whether or not they will need to have their own transportation. You will also be allowed to contact the candidates that you feel will best meet your needs, and therefore will be able to cut down on the waiting time.
Now, once you have selected a few applicants to interview, there are several key questions to ask and characteristics to look for. When the applicant arrives at your meeting place, make sure that she is given a chance to interact with your child. Take notice as to whether or not the applicant remembers your child's name right off hand. This is a great way to tell as to whether or not she really wants the position. Then, take a look at the general appearance of the applicant. Did she show up in jeans and a casual shirt, or a skirt and professional looking top? The professional nanny will dress just as she would to an interview at any office. The inexperienced amateur who is only looking to make a little money off of you will not treat the position that seriously.
Most importantly, you absolutely must do a background check on any applicant that you are considering. Contact your local police department to see what information you will need to collect. It is important to tell your applicant that you will be doing a background check only after you have collected the necessary information. Otherwise, you will run the risk of receiving incorrect or modified information from them. Also, ask for a list of at least two character references that are not related to the applicant, and at least two employment references. The employment references must be from childcare related jobs, preferably in-home child care. Also, make sure to actually make contact with these references. Many parents assume that if the applicant is willing to give up these names that they must be legitimate, and they do not go through the trouble of calling them. Convicted child molesters know that lazy parents think this way, and will give false references because of this fact. Next, ask for two forms of identification to verify everything that has been written in the application form
Do all of this to ensure that your child is not subjected to a cruel, unfit caretaker, or even worse. While it may seem like quite a lot to ask, and you may fear insulting your applicant, it is more important to ensure your child's safety than anything else. A professional nanny will completely understand, and most will already be prepared for an intensive interview process. Remember that the point is to find a loving, respectable, and responsible adult to care for your child's well being. Never hire anyone who leaves any doubt as to whether they are capable of being such.