Finding someone great to watch your kids when you can’t is probably one of the biggest challenges as a parent today. If it’s not a close family member or friend, how do you find someone reliable who can watch your kids in your absence?
This seemingly difficult task can be made much easier with a few helpful tips. Read on for five pointers to help you find a great nanny for your kids.
Outline your Needs
Do you need someone to come watch your children daily or just for the occasional date-night? Knowing in advance what kind of help you will need (and in what capacity) is the key to finding a great sitter. When advertising for the position, knowing what you need in advance is crucial. Nothing is worse than finding someone great who can’t meet your availability needs.
Be Upfront
Are there specific qualities you’re looking for in a sitter? Don’t wait till after you hire someone to say something. If you’re looking for someone from a particular background, being upfront in the beginning is important. You may have certain requirements for the type of person who will be spending time with your children in your absence. Rather than hiring someone you hope will adapt to your expectations, be upfront about these things during the interview process.
Hire From a Reliable Source
Word-of-mouth is a great way to find a reliable sitter. But what if you don’t know anyone with a good recommendation? This makes finding someone you trust even harder. One solution is to use a reputable household staff agency. By hiring a member of a vetted agency to watch your children, you’re investing in a company with years of experience offering just the kind of expertise you require. Make sure that the company you choose does background screening of their employees with the help of agencies like Checkr. You can never be too cautious when it comes to the safety of your kid.
Read Reviews & Check References
Just as with any service we use today, do your homework when hiring a nanny. Does your sitter have any personal recommendations or reviews? Do they have references listed with contact information? Find out and then follow up on these outlets. Doing your homework when hiring offers a great secondary piece of mind to hiring from a reliable source. You don’t want to result in hiring someone who turns out to have a hidden criminal record. Ensuring you’re hiring someone with a recorded check from a police check qld way, or wherever their location might be, is crucial to keeping your mind at rest.
Follow on Social Media
One of the fastest ways to get to know someone is to follow them on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. This seemingly friendly gesture is actually a great way to check what your candidate is really like. People are usually more honest in front of their friends, and social media also offers a semi-anonymous platform to share views. If your candidate has been sharing discriminatory posts or spreading unreliable information, they’re probably not someone you want around your kids. Sterling Check and other services similar to it can carry out a social media check for you if you don’t have social media yourself or if you want to be a little more discreet. It’s the perfect way to get to know what someone is actually like behind closed doors.
Get a Second Opinion
Even after all this homework, you may still be nervous that you haven’t found the right person to watch your little ones. The good news is there’s no reason to make these decisions all alone. One of the best ways to know for sure you’ve made a good choice is to get a second opinion. Take along your spouse, parent, or friend when interviewing candidates and make sure they feel as comfortable with your choice as you do.
Although not fool-proof, following these tips when hiring is a great way to be sure you feel comfortable every time you leave your child in a sitter’s care, and to know that you made the best possible decision.
