The annual cost of childcare is double the cost of tuition at an in-state college. Childcare costs are up to almost $10,000 a year.
If you’re like most parents, you can’t afford not to work. Childcare is a reality of parenting.
Most parents choose a non-family member for their baby care needs.
Having a babysitter is good for your child. But how do you choose a stranger to raise your child while you’re away?
Keep reading for 6 tips for choosing the perfect caregiver for your little one.
1. Create a Job Description
Before you even start looking for a nanny for your baby, you need to take some time to think about what you expect and then clarify those expectations by creating a written job description.
This will ensure you are on the same page as your future nanny. Make sure you outline the duties and responsibilities you expect for your candidate.
Do you expect them to work full-time or part-time? If part-time, are you looking for morning or afternoon help? Will they also be expected to help out around the house?
Do you need baby care for nights as well?
Make sure to include information about your home and your rules. Do you have pets? Other children?
Spelling this out in advance for your nanny will ensure you get a pool of candidates who can meet your expectations and save you from stress in the long run.
2. Choosing Your Candidates
Once you received interest in the position, it’s time to narrow down your pool of candidates. We recommend narrowing your list down to around 5 or 7 candidates.
How do you decide who stays and who goes? Connect with your candidates via the phone.
While it’s understandable that some people aren’t comfortable talking on the phone, most of your candidates will make the effort. Speaking to your candidates over the phone allows you to get a glimpse of their personality.
These phone calls should be around five minutes each.
The most important thing is to trust your gut. Speaking with your candidates should give you a feel for their experience and style. If you think someone might be right for the job but aren’t sure, keep them in the running for the in-person interviews.
3. Meet in Person
Now that you have a smaller pool of candidates, it’s time to meet face to face.
We recommend meeting with your future hires somewhere public, like a coffee shop. Make sure all of the people involved in caring for your child are in attendance.
This meeting shouldn’t last longer than 30 minutes. You want to take this opportunity to discuss the basics of the position such as hours and salary.
You’ll also get a feel for the candidates. How they talk, how they dress, and what they say will all impact your decision. At the end of the interview, ask for a list of references.
4. Vetting Your Candidates
One of the best ways to test the potential of a future nanny is interviewing references.
You’ll learn a lot from other families who have worked with your candidates. Be sure to ask about any issues and whether they would recommend hiring him/her.
You’ll also learn about your candidates’ parenting style, skills, and habits.
It’s also recommended that you conduct a pre-employment background check. You can do this through a website like Care.com or through a consumer reporting agency.
You should check traffic records and public court records, especially if you want your nanny to do any driving. Finally, you can learn a lot by checking the social media accounts of your future nanny.
5. The Home Interview
The next step is inviting the candidates to your home for an interview.
Before scheduling these interviews, you should take a moment to collect your thoughts. Prepare the questions you want to ask in advance and create a list of the most important traits you would like to see.
This interview should be more in-depth and take more time. You’ll be able to ask more involved questions about the candidates’ backgrounds and how they handle discipline.
Most importantly, it’s another chance to test your connection and chemistry with your candidates. Be sure to take notes so that you can review them later.
After you’ve finished asking questions, you should introduce your child to the candidates. Pay attention to how they interact with your child.
Do they seem comfortable? Are they engaging with your child?
6. Choosing a Candidate
As we’ve mentioned before, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the person caring for your child.
Even if a candidate seems perfect on paper, they might not be the perfect fit for your family – and that’s okay. They may be perfect for another family.
Be sure not to make any job offers on the spot. Take time to think over your decision just to be sure.
When your candidate of choice accepts the position, be sure to make a phone call or send an email to the other candidates letting them know.
Providing the Best Baby Care
One of the most important aspects of baby care is choosing a non-family caregiver. Even if you are a stay at home parent, you’ll need a sitter at some point or another.
Another important aspect of caring for your little one? Providing them with the best baby formula and nutrition. To learn more about what we offer and how our products can help your family, contact us today. We understand how important caring for your little one is.
