When it comes to childcare, nanny care is the most customized and personalized care model there is. Parents employ nannies to care for their children in their home, abiding by their parenting principles. Unlike with daycare, where caregivers must meet the needs of many children, nannies are dedicated exclusively to your brood.
Since parents are the employers of their nannies, they establish the nanny’s schedule and provide the framework of care which the nanny works under. With nanny care, children aren’t forced to adapt to the regimens or philosophies of the program; instead the nanny adheres to the care preferences of the family.
Once parents have made the decision to hire a nanny, the real work begins. Parents must carefully consider the role, duties and responsibilities they wish their nanny to assume. Some parents prefer to hire full-charge nannies who take complete responsibility for everything child related while on duty, while others prefer to more closely manage their nanny by providing a daily schedule which the nanny implements.
Parents must determine what minimum qualifications they wish their nanny to possess. Some parents prefer a college educated nanny with an advanced degree in early childhood education, others prefer a nanny who was formally trained in a private nanny school, and still others prefer a less experienced nanny who hasn’t yet had a chance to lock into her own care giving style.
Since parents and nannies work so intimately together, finding the right nanny for your family is essential. Parents should feel that they can completely trust their nanny and her judgment, and need to be comfortable spending time with her. For the employment arrangement to last there must be some chemistry between the nanny and the parents.
For this reason, parents must choose their nanny carefully. Parents should use several avenues when looking for a nanny so that they can secure the right nanny for their family. The more nanny candidates they connect with, the more likely they are to find the right match.
10 Ways to Find Nanny Care
Leaving your child in the care of a nanny can be a scary proposition, but when you select the right childcare provider, it certainly becomes a lot easier. For parents seeking a nanny, connecting with several nannies can help ensure that you find a qualified caregiver who is the right fit for your family. As you consider your nanny search, utilize these ways to find a nanny:
- Ask parents with nannies about their experience. Nanny employers typically know where the best place to find a nanny is, and they also generally know if any of their nanny’s friends are seeking employment. If you let parents who have nannies know you’re searching, chances are you’ll get a few leads.
- List with a local agency. While the placement fees typically run in the thousands, placement agents do the recruiting and prescreening of potential nannies for you and present you with qualified applicants whom they believe will be a good match.
- Use an online nanny recruiting website. For parents who are the do it yourself types and can commit to properly screening nanny candidates, browsing online nanny profiles can be an excellent way to connect with potential caregivers.
- Check online classifieds. Search online classifieds for nannies seeking employment, or post an ad of your own. Some classified sites, like nannyclassifieds.com, are dedicated to childcare.
- Reach out to a nanny group. Local nanny groups exist across the country and provide networking and educational events for members. Some even pass on job opportunities from parents seeking a nanny.
- Opt for family and friend care. Many parents prefer to hire someone they know to work as their nanny. Consider those in your close circle and approach them about the care giving opportunity.
- Use social media to your advantage. Don’t underestimate the power of a well crafted status update. Let those in your social network know you’re looking and you’re almost guaranteed to get a few good leads.
- Reach out to preschool teachers. Nannies typically earn more than daycare workers and teachers. While the care environment is certainly different and needs some getting used to, early childhood educators have many of the same skills that would transfer beautifully to nanny work.
- Ask around your place of worship. If you are a member of a local church or synagogue, ask other members if they know of any nannies seeking work. This is a good way to find a nanny who shares your family’s belief system.
- Check out community bulletin boards. Another way to find nanny care is to check out community bulletin boards. Many coffee shops and grocery stores have bulletin boards where community members can post job listings, and you could advertise for a nanny or look for experienced nannies advertising their services.
Although finding the right nanny to take care of your child can often be time consuming, if you utilize several different resources, you should find plenty of candidates to choose from. After a few interviews, a background screening, and a trial run, it should be clear which nanny is the best fit for your family.
