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Nanny Needed? How to Find a Nanny.
Published: 12/15/2009 by Jill Manty
Hiring a nanny to take care of your children is a very important task, and it may take you a while to find a professional that you think is qualified and can trust. This person will be responsible for your child's safety when you're not around and will likely form a bond with your little one that could last a lifetime. One of the first decisions is whether you want a live in or live out nanny. There are pros and cons to both choices, so the main thing to consider is your lifestyle. Do you have a job that requires you to travel for weeks at a time? Do you need someone other than Dad who is available to help at 2 a.m.? If so, finding a nanny that is willing to live in the home may be best. If you only need a few hours of help a week so that you can run errands or spend time with friends and business associates, a nanny that lives outside of the home is probably best. Using a nanny agency is a great way to go. Talk to the agency about your requirements and find out the steps that are involved in the placement process. Find out how the agency conducts background checks and get details about the screening process. Nanny agency charges vary, so get a clear understanding of how much cancellation fees will cost you, as well as the overall fee schedule. Even when using an agency, you'll want to review resumes and check references. This is a professional job, and you need to know that the nannies you're considering have worked with other families that can speak about them favorably. You may not want to check refences until after the interview process, but when you do, don't be afraid to ask questions. Their least favorite thing about the nanny may be just as important as their favorite thing. You can ask the nanny to provide you with a background check, or you can conduct one on your own to determine if you feel safe leaving this individual alone with your child. When hiring someone to care for an infant, you may also want to check for first aid certifications. If you like what you see on paper, it's time to start scheduling in-person interviews. During the interview, you should make your expectations very plain. In hiring a nanny to watch after an infant, you'll want to make sure they've had plenty of experience with very young children. You'll also want to make sure they will respect your parenting philosophy-- if they agree with it, that's even better. Most importantly, trust your gut instinct. Watch how the nanny interacts with the baby and see how you feel about it. Leaving your baby with someone is a major responsibility for you and for them. But if you follow your instinct, do your homework and ask questions, you can find someone who will be a help to you and a friend to your baby.
