Hiring a nanny can be an anxiety producing experience for most parents. The idea of hiring a stranger to be your child’s caretaker for one night is hard enough to make, let alone the idea of having a live in nanny. Having someone you’re not completely familiar with watch your child and live in your house unsupervised can be difficult on the nerves at first, but if you structure your search and hiring process right you’ll find the results you need to make everyone happy.

Know Your Expectations

Grab a piece of paper and write down what you normally do for your child on a day to day basis. Anything that requires more attention than you feel most children would or is very special to them, put a star next to it. Below that, write out the following:

• What characteristics would your ideal caretaker have? Personality, education, past experience?
• How will your family interact with the caretaker?
• What additional jobs will you require the caretaker to do?
• What hours are mandatory for them to be there, what are not?
• Set what you can afford to offer them for a salary and benefits as well. Be descriptive.

Screening Your Nanny

Start scheduling appointments to meet the nanny’s you’ve found through your search. When they arrive at your house, treat the situation like an interview. Use your sheet to provide them with information about your child and the responsibilities to make sure they’re up for the task. Then, ask them questions that will provide you with the information you need to see if they fit your requirements. Having a checklist for each interview will allow you to go back and determine which candidate is best suited to be your nanny.

After you narrow your candidates down, invite them back for a second interview. This time, include your child. Watch how they interact and see how your child reacts with them. Don’t assume that just because your child doesn’t like them that they don’t have the necessary skills, but again, don’t rely solely on their resume.

Background Check

If the second interview went well, request the following from your prospective nanny:

• References
• Information to do a criminal background check
• Information to do a driving record check
• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number
• Drivers license number and state
• Signature
• Any hesitation on the part of the candidate should result in you no longer considering them.