OK, breathe. It is time… You must find a competent, seasoned, and, dare we say, entertaining new nanny. Your nanny will accompany you on the unique adventure of growing your little bundles of joy to be joyful, healthy people.
We think you’ll agree, this is quite a big decision to make. A hefty proposition, that will last for a the next few years at least – provided you make the correct choice. A nanny is more than simply a worker. Your nanny is essentially a member of your family, who may or may not live with you, who will travel with you and who will be with you throughout the coming weeks, months and years.
You should be able to trust this individual. You’ll be letting them inside your house and giving them access to usually guarded items like credit cards and keys. That is not to mention, they’ll be taking care of your priceless children.
You must be able to communicate with them openly and honestly, even during challenging circumstances. You must make sure you choose the correct individual. However, your nanny will be a stranger at first. How can you separate the good nannies from the bad ones and choose the best one for your family?
When hiring a nanny, there is a process to follow. Yes, it may be challenging. You’ll may be surprised (and probably relieved) to learn it’s also simpler than you may imagine. Continue reading for our top 10 hiring suggestions for nannies. These are just a good starting point, please remember we are here to lend our experience and expertise in the ensuring you can find the perfect match for your children and your family.
Tip 1
Establish the precise requirements for your nanny role
Before establishing the work description for your new nanny, decide precisely what you expect from her or him. “Someone who is good with kids” is insufficient.
The more carefully you consider this, the more probable it is that you will meet someone who will be a suitable match for your family.
Checklist for the role of your nanny:
Identify the role’s precise responsibilities.
Do you prefer a nanny that lives in or lives out?
Select the hours your nanny will be employed.
When do they have holidays?
What personality traits would you want to see in your nanny?
How amiable would you want your nanny to be? Will there just be a professional relationship?
How much will you be paying your nanny?
Tip 2
Make sure your salary offer is competitive, and fair.
It is not advisable to save costs while hiring a nanny. Make sure you can afford it before proceeding.
Make an offer that falls within the appropriate range after comparing the compensation you are willing to give to the industry average.
It will be difficult to locate a candidate with the necessary abilities if their compensation is too little for them to live on, and your nanny will not feel valued if they perceive that their salary does not equate to their value.
PRO TIP: Are you hiring a nanny or a housekeeper?
Professionals in child care are nannies. Many nannies won’t anticipate taking on more cleaning responsibilities “when they get a minute,” particularly if they don’t include childcare.
Include housekeeping in the job description if you need it, and alter your salary as necessary. Similar to this, expect to pay extra if you want a candidate who is willing to walk your dog or give your children engaging, instructive activities.
Location, experience, and certifications will all affect rates. Browse other nanny ads and ask around to get an idea of the going pay.
Tip 3
Create an attractive job ad with us that pulls in the right candidate
In order to weed out the first pool of qualified candidates, it takes skill to write job advertisements. Try to read the job description from the viewpoint of a prospective nanny. To draw in the proper applicants, you’ll need to use the correct language and provide the right information in this description. Additionally, it will establish realistic expectations for the position.
What information will applicants be seeking? What will draw the ideal candidate? Work with us to create the perfect job posting, providing clarity on all factors that may qualify or disqualify potential nannies.
Include details that might possibly cause issues for your applications to save time, instead of finding out these issues exist later at the interview stage. For example, indicate if your household has a dog and whether you need them to have a valid driver’s licence.
ADVERT CHECKLIST FOR JOB:
Describe the position you are providing in great detail. Specify the abilities and credentials you need. Incorporate components that reflect your family’s personality. Include the pay, location, and working hours. Emphasize any advantages to make your position stand out. Have a second person review it and provide comments.
Tip4
Consider qualifications and certifications
While experience is important, you may want your nanny to have an appropriate childcare qualification.
There is no formal requirement to be a “nanny”, to determine whether a nanny is qualified to fill the position, there are a few more qualities you may look out for.
During the interview process, request any relevant certifications, and be sure to verify professional references before making an offer – The Northern Nanny Agency will of course take all of this stress away for you.
To determine if your applicant has a criminal record, your listing should require a current DBS check.
Tip 5
Establish the minimal requirements for the ideal candidate
You entrust a nanny to take care of your kids while you’re not there. Therefore, you want them to have every attribute you can think of.
You may not be able to locate the “absolute ideal” fit, however. Getting to know someone well takes a lot of time, and you’ll need to pick among the available options.
Therefore, setting basic standards for your nanny can aid in your selection process. You must identify them from “nice-to-haves” since they are items that you will not compromise on.
For instance, your nanny may need to be able to manage youngsters with severe allergies or adhere to a hectic schedule. Your nanny’s ability to play child-friendly games or their prior expertise with small infants might seem less important, but they are still significant skills and must be outlined in the requirements.
Once you’ve established reasonable expectations, minimal criteria will make it easier for you to assess candidates later and choose those who should go on to the next round.
Tip 6
Prepare a Professional Interview
Plan the interviews so you can really benefit from them. Determine the location, time, and number of interview locations as well as the length of each interview.
You may wish to choose a neutral location, such as a quiet coffee shop or public library, for security concerns. Try to pick a moment when you are not under work-related stress. If you’re pressed for time, you could use Zoom or Teams interviews to avoid travelling.
In order for applicants to grasp who you are, you should tell them about yourself, your family, and your children. Go through the job description in a little more detail and the applicant’s CV, you should be ready to respond to any inquiries your prospective nanny may have.
Mix skills-based and personality-teasing questions into the interview to get a better understanding of the candidate.
“How much experience do you have in looking after small children?”
“How would you deal with a difficult day in this role?”
To prevent issues later, make sure your childcare ideals are aligned. Your opinions on matters like discipline, education, and food are relevant here.
Ask them to bring copies of any necessary paperwork, such as their passport and DBS check, so you may evaluate it. To make it simpler to compare prospects afterwards, standardise each of your interviews and take notes.
Tip 7
Include your kids in the process.
In the end, it will be your kids, not you, who spend the most time with your nanny.
If your children are being looked after by a nanny for the first time, be careful to allay any worries they may have. If necessary, reassure them that you will still be there to take them to school or tuck them into bed at night.
Whether the interview process should include presenting potential nannies to your kids is something to think about.
Ask your kids what they want from a nanny, if you can. Children are more likely to warm up to your new nanny if you engage them in the recruiting process.
You may have a multi-stage interview procedure. Ask your new nanny to play with your kids during the latter phase of the transition so you may save them the anxiety of meeting too many new people.
Then, if they are old enough, ask your kids for their opinions.
Tip8
Create a Practical Contract
The cornerstone of each business partnership is a solid contract. Although it may all seem a little stiff and intimidating, it is necessary if you want to prevent a significant problem in the future. Additionally, it is a legal obligation.
Include provisions like the length of notice and severance compensation in your contract. Describe the costs you are prepared to cover, the job duties, and the working hours. Maybe be specific about when your nanny should take her holidays.
CHECKLIST FOR CONTRACT: Start date, notice period, number of hours, holidays, duties, salary, and severance compensation.
You may wish to add additional significant rules to the contract in a separate document or as an appendix. Although they aren’t actually a part of the contract, it’s still a good idea to put them in writing now to avoid misunderstanding later.
Describe, for instance, how much you believe is a reasonable sum to spend on your kids’ activities or snacks. Set a time for your kids to go to bed. Make it clear whether you would be okay with any visitors coming over and if your nanny has to get your OK beforehand.
Make clear the kind of meals you would want and any dietary restrictions if the job involves your nanny cooking for your kids. Anything else you feel is significant should be included.
Tip 9
Recognize and Understand Employment Law
Either a self-employed nanny or an employee will be hired by you. There are several regulations for each circumstance. A nanny would often be considered an employee.
You must register as an employer and set up a PAYE system before hiring a nanny as an employee. Additionally, you must comprehend payroll, insurance, and nanny tax.
Your nanny should be permitted to work in the country where you live. You must pay at least the minimum salary and provide statutory paid holidays, sick leave, and pension contributions.
Tip 10
Employ a Motivated Agency to Help You
The best person to choose the ideal nanny for your family is you. However, it might be intimidating to advertise for a nanny employment. What happens if you truly get a deluge of applications? It takes a lot of effort to interview people and set up screening interviews.
You can wind up with a bigger headache than when you began, and you might not even manage to locate a nanny you can trust to look after your kids.
When you hire a nanny agency, one of their many services is handling all of your advertising.
Additionally, agencies carry out any DBS checks and provide your nanny an employment contract. Also, they will check any references and visas for international applicants.
Some firms may also recommend trustworthy payroll, human resources, and legal services, saving you from the additional duties that come with being an employer.
You’ll greatly boost the likelihood that you’ll recruit the correct individual and save future hassles by fully comprehending the hiring process.
The Northern Nanny Agency will use all of our experience and expertise to bring together the perfect matches between clients and staff.