As a parent, the last thing that you may want to consider, is hiring a stranger to come into your home and care for your child, and in many cases, having a stay at home parent is not an option. Inevitably, for many parents the only alternative is to find a reliable, experienced, and certified nanny to care for their child/ children in their absence.
There are a few precautions that a parent can take, as they begin to interview qualified applicants. By following these few simple steps, a parent will have the necessary information about a potential nanny.
Application Development
Verified References:
* Always ask if the candidate has prior experience caring for children.
* Ask for authentic contact information of previous employers, so you may contact them at your discretion.
* A parent should always verify references and make inquiries about a nannies previous work experience.
* Always ask the earlier employer, "Would you hire this individual again." If for some reason the answer is no, as a parent this should be a warning sign to either proceed with caution, or do not proceed at all.
Background Check:
* In many instances, a nanny will already have an up to date background report, which he/ she will supply the parent during the interview.
* If the applicant does not have a recent background report, the parent has the option to request that the child care provider supply the necessary data prior to employment.
* The parent also has the option to either pay for the background test and accompany the applicant to the nearest state facility that conducts these tests, or list the background check in the advertisement as a qualifying part of the job description.
* A parent will most likely want some personal information about the child care provider, before making the decision of hiring someone to care for their child. A background check will give the parents vital information that may be relevant to determining whether to hire an individual or not.
Education and Certifications:
* Many parents do not consider the importance of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), until it is too late and something fatal has happened. This is one reason, a parent should insist that a nanny or child care provider have CPR training, particularly child and infant training.
* A nanny should be able to perform first aid if needed, until medical help arrives. This is a situation that should be acknowledged as a possibility. No one knows when an accident will happen, and being prepared for anything is an important qualification.
*And finally, an educated and experienced child care provider will have a seasoned understanding to nurturing a child while the parents are away. Child care experience is probably one of the most important components when searching for the perfect nanny, and is most likely more important than a degree in child Development.
By taking a few simple precautions and asking vital questions, a parent could be well on their way to locating the perfect child care provider to care for their child/ children.
A Guide to Finding a Certified Nanny
