How can I find the perfect nanny for my child?

You’ve been racking your brain for hours. Your work schedule has changed, and you can’t pick the children up from school. Someone needs to look after them for at least 3 hours every day. You’ve decided to hire a nanny, but you don’t know where to start.There are so many options to choose from, but how do you make sure you’re picking the right nanny for the job?

As much as you want to spend time with your children, sometimes work simply gets in the way. Because of this, you may think it’s best to hire a nanny. They can provide you with the extra time you need, and make sure that your child is safe in your absence. But there are a lot of ways to find nannies, and you should know what you’re signing up for when you hire one.

We’re here to guide you through the best ways to hire a nanny, and how to communicate and negotiate effectively to get the most out of their services.

What should I consider before hiring a nanny?

Before you even look into hiring someone to provide childcare, it's helpful to ask yourself if a nanny is even the best option for you and your family. To do this, consider the following points:

Where do you want your child to be during the day? At home? At a nursery or preschool? And how far away from you?

What days and hours will you need childcare? Do you need it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Or just for the occasional few hours on an unexpected day?

Set your budget. A good nanny will expect good pay. Could it make more sense financially to sign up for an after-school club, or a nursery program?

How much structure and stimulation do you want your child to have during those hours you’re not there? Would you like them to be actively learning and playing, or do you not mind them watching TV for a bit?

If you’ve done all these checks and still decide a nanny is the best option for you, let’s have a look at what you can do to make sure you hire a good nanny for your little one.

What should I look for in a nanny?

Hiring someone to care for your child is no small thing, so treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Make sure to consider the following:

You can hire nannies through agencies, where there will usually be reviews about the company and its service, or even specific nannies.

A lot of nannies post their availability on social media, such as community Facebook groups. Whilst this can prove useful, be aware that they are freelancing, and therefore are not held to the strict standards of an agency.

You can also ask your support network if they have any recommendations. If someone who has used a nanny recommends them, there’s a good chance they’re a reliable nanny.

When hiring a nanny, check their references. Professional nannies should have references and documented records of their work.

When you approach a nanny, it’s okay to ask about their views on discipline, feeding, comforting, and planning activities. See if their views and values align with your own.

Make sure they have CPR and first-aid training.

Finding the right nanny is one thing, but building a positive and professional relationship with them is just as important. Once you have found a nanny that you think will make a good fit, here are the things you can do to ensure a healthy relationship:

Remember to extend basic courtesy to your child’s nanny. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice and decent towards them.

If the nanny has ideas for activities or crafts, then you should offer to provide or buy materials, within reason. They shouldn’t have to pay out of their own pocket.

To help your child’s nanny develop a strong and healthy bond with your child, tell them about your child’s character quirks, their favourite toys, how they’re getting on at school, and anything else about your child. If there’s a funny story to tell, it can be great for you and the nanny to have a laugh about it!

Set aside time at the end of every nannying session for you or your nanny to discuss anything good that happened with your child that day, or if there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. Make sure this is factored into their pay.

How can I find the perfect nanny for my child?

Unii shares advice for those parents lucky enough to be able to afford paid childcare help at home.