| Hiring a nanny is a special process that will mean more | | | | the references so you can also check them or follow |
| to your family than many people realize. There are so | | | | up to ask more personalized questions. |
| many things to consider when finding a nanny that will | | | | • Responsibilities – It is very important that you |
| be the best fit for you and your family. The entire | | | | put careful thought into the exact tasks you want your |
| process can take several weeks to several months | | | | new nanny to be responsible for. This is critical so that |
| depending on your overall needs and requirements. | | | | communication is clear from the beginning; it also |
| • Live-in or Live-out -The first thing to decide when | | | | ensures you will find a match that is interested in |
| hiring a nanny is if you want them to live in or outside | | | | fulfilling all of your needs. Are you looking for just a |
| of your home. This will alter the pool of candidates | | | | childcare provider? Or would you like you nanny to |
| available as some nannies are only interested in | | | | provide assistance with light house work, errands, |
| live-out childcare positions, while other narrow their | | | | cooking or other tasks? |
| focus to live-in positions. | | | | • See if it’s a match - It will be very important to |
| • Specific Requirements - The next most important | | | | see how the nanny candidates interact with your |
| thing to consider is your life style and the requirements | | | | children and entire family. Make sure you have set |
| that will create. Do you travel a lot? If so will you | | | | aside adequate time to get to know a potential nanny. |
| require a nanny that can travel? Are you able to drive | | | | Once you have narrowed your choices down, you will |
| your children to school and activities or do you need a | | | | want your children to be able to play and get to know |
| nanny that drives? Are you comfortable with a nanny | | | | the nanny as well. Whenever possible it is best to |
| taking your children on public transit? Do you work | | | | arrange a short term trial period for a few hours or a |
| from home or out of the home? Some nannies are | | | | day or even longer so you, your children and the nanny |
| better suited to work as a team with the mother than | | | | can truly get a feel of whether or not it’s a good fit. |
| others. | | | | Sound overwhelming? It can be, especially the initial |
| • Your Child - Your children may have special | | | | process of advertising for potential candidates. There |
| interests or activities that you want your nanny to | | | | are many childcare services that help find that perfect |
| focus on. Most nannies prefer to work with children | | | | fit for your family. For example, if you are living in |
| and families that have common interests or desire | | | | Vancouver, BC or many of its surrounding areas, you |
| attention in a specific area, perhaps art or an | | | | may wish to seek the assistance of a Vancouver |
| instrument, a second language or even help with | | | | nanny agency. They would be able to help you identify |
| specialized schoolwork or working with a child that has | | | | your needs, introduce potential candidates, make sure |
| special needs. Finding a nanny that can fit these needs | | | | candidates have common interests and meet all of |
| is usually possible. | | | | your families needs, complete background checks, |
| • Reference Checks. This is probably the most | | | | even negotiate a salary. Some Agencies will provide |
| critical part of your nanny search and placement. You | | | | sources for proper certification in First Aid and Child |
| need to make sure that a complete criminal and | | | | Safety to their candidates. Many families find having a |
| background check is done on any childcare candidate | | | | placement arranged by an agency beneficial beyond |
| that you are considering. Reference of past employers | | | | just the placement of the nanny; a good agency will be |
| should be checked as well along with driving records | | | | there to set a family up with payroll for the nanny or |
| and any other pertinent information. A good Nanny | | | | provide a payroll service and be there for advice |
| agency will do this for you and the share the | | | | throughout the duration of the nanny’s employment. |
| information with you, including contact information of | | | | |