Considerations When Hiring A Caregiver

By Anna Vandiver, Itsabelly Carolina





Considerations When Hiring A Caregiver

Hiring a nanny or mother's helper can be a daunting task for even the most experienced parent. There are so many factors to consider - experience, technique, interests, requirements, offerings...just to name a few!  Having been a nanny for several families over the years, here are a couple of things to consider when looking for that special someone to help care for your pride and joy.

Do they have experience with a child or children of similar needs to yours?  Don't just ask who they have worked for and for how long, ask about the families and their family dynamics. Consider how those families compared to yours - in what ways were they similar and/or different?  This will allow you to not only get a feel for the candidate's experience, it will also allow you the opportunity to get a feel for how the nanny felt about the families he/she cared for.  Consider the tone and expressions which your prospective candidate uses when talking about his/her experiences.  Is she happy, sad, or frustrated?

Many experienced nannies have a true passion for caregiving.  What does this mean to you?  Will you welcome someone who is passionate about the development and enrichment of your child/children?  Or, do find it intimidating?  Newer parents may feel threatened or intimidated by a caregiver who shows more interest or experience regarding their child's development and well-being than they do.  More than likely it's not because parents aren't interested, rather that they are new to the task.  In searching for a caregiver, consider your feelings and needs regarding their experience and educational background.  The hope would be that everyone learns something from your relationship and your little one has someone who not only cares about their well-being but also their developmental needs.

Consider how comfortable you would feel about a caregiver taking your little one out and about - whether to the neighborhood park (within walking distance) or to the store or to visit you during the workday for a lunch date (by car).  It's important that you and your child's caregiver have a comfort level that meets both of your needs and interests.  It may be important to him/her to have the flexibility of getting out of the house on occasion, beyond the backyard; however, it may be just as important to you that they remain close to home and do not venture past the backyard.  Both can be perfectly acceptable, just make sure that you establish your boundaries and levels of comfort before making a commitment with a caregiver.

There are hundreds of questions that you will ask yourself and a prospective nanny/caregiver.  No list of questions is too large. Ask for advice and tips from family and friends who have been in the same boat.  Agencies and directories can also be very helpful.  In the end, it's the comfort level of you, your caregiver, and your little one that matters most.