A good nanny is worth her weight in gold. She must be prepared for every situation, loved by the child, and meet the parents' expectations. How can you find such a treasure? We'll tell you!
Nanny only on recommendation
The best recommendations will come from other parents. Ask a friend who has older children and has used paid childcare for a good nanny's contact information – no agency's assurances can replace such recommendations. If you're looking for a nanny online, reading other parents' reviews is essential. Choose those with the highest ratings, but also check out their negative reviews. Isolated negative comments can be malicious after a failed collaboration with, for example, an overly demanding family, but they're worth considering as they may contain important tips for working with them. For example, if you read in a review that a candidate was very kind to the children but was constantly late, and punctuality is essential for you, don't work with them. Above all, be guided by the candidate's attitude towards the child.
Experience is a prerequisite
A nanny's experience is crucial, especially when caring for infants, toddlers, and children with special needs. A friendly student might be a great companion for a school-aged child, but she won't be able to handle an infant if she hasn't cared for toddlers before. When meeting with a prospective nanny, ask questions specific to your child's age and needs to assess whether she can handle the challenges ahead.The nanny's personality is tailored to the child and his or her needs
The nanny's temperament should largely be compatible with the child's, and the goal isn't to have identical personalities. A calm nanny will simply be boring for a hyperactive toddler. A loud and energetic nanny, on the other hand, may prove too overwhelming for a shy child who needs their own space.
The nanny's personality should also be tailored to the child's needs. If the nanny will also help the child with homework, she must be thorough and relatively demanding, as well as have the ability to explain things. A nanny whose primary responsibility is playing with the child must be creative, active, and willing to get dirty while playing on the floor.Availability and readiness for special tasks
Another task before hiring a nanny is to thoroughly assess your family's needs and the nanny's capabilities. All terms and conditions should be thoroughly discussed before the collaboration begins. The nanny should know what you expect from her beyond standard childcare, such as making dinner, helping with homework, or taking the child to extracurricular activities. Don't hide additional responsibilities from the candidate, as they will become a source of friction later in the collaboration, which will in turn impact your relationship with the child.
On the other hand, listen carefully to what the candidate says about herself. If, when asked about preparing a meal for a toddler, she says she can't cook, don't optimistically assume she'll manage somehow. Find someone who better meets your needs, or if this is the only problem, eliminate it, for example, by preparing meals for the children in advance, which the nanny will only need to heat up.Approach to raising children
Be sure to check whether your family and the caregiver share similar approaches to raising children. Ask the candidate a few screening questions that are important to you, such as:- How do you react when a child is naughty?
- Do you think a child can use electronics and should there be any restrictions?
- What do you do when your baby cries?
- What was your most difficult moment while caring for children and how did you get through it?
The most important nanny exam - your child's opinion
If everything's agreed and the candidate seems perfect, the most difficult test awaits you – the child's acceptance. Ask the nanny for a trial meeting with the little one. You'll immediately see if the two of you like each other.
Knowing your child will help you easily determine whether further collaboration is worthwhile. Pay attention to how the prospective caregiver addresses your child, whether they participate in playtime with them, or simply observe from a safe distance. If your child misbehaves, don't react – see how the prospective caregiver handles the situation. Also, remember that a shy child may not be immediately charmed by a new person and may remain reserved or even cry. In this case, we recommend using adaptive techniques similar to those used in preschool. Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right about a person but you can't pinpoint what it is, they're probably not the right person for your family. However, if you see that your child has established a rapport with the nanny, you've found an exceptional nanny who will provide excellent care for your little one.
Podziel się:
What bedding should I choose for my child?
How to prevent obesity in children - the role of parents