So you want to hire a Nanny? Now what?
The first step is to decide what your real needs are. Be realistic in what you are looking for. Most household employees are looking for full time work. Some will be willing to work for two days with one family and three days with another, while others prefer to work full time for one family. The more challenging the schedule the more difficult it will be to find someone to fill your position. It is customary for nannies to request higher salaries to work odd hours, just like any other field. Sometimes, we have found that a family can hire a full time nanny for only slightly more than an odd schedule might cost. It really does pay to think through your needs carefully since hiring around a standard schedule can give you greater flexibility at home, increase you selection of nannies and sometimes even save you some money.
Besides the schedule you should consider what you need the person to do.
· Do you just need someone to watch your children or do they need tutoring skills to be able to help with the homework?
· While most nannies will help with light housekeeping, they will not scrub you bathroom. If deep cleaning is what you really need, you may want to find a good housekeeper. And while some housekeepers will keep an eye on older kids occasionally, I am sure you do not want someone with chemicals on their hands from scrubbing the toilet to start changing a diaper.
· Does the nanny need to drive the kids anywhere or to run errands?
· Will they need to use their own car or will you provide a car?
· Have you planned on a mileage allowance, insurance or both?
· Do any of the children have special needs that a nanny should be prepared for?
· Are you a stay at home mom that just needs extra help or are you planning to be out of the house and need a full charge nanny?
· Does the nanny need a passport to travel with the family?
· Will the nanny need to be flexible for overnight stays?
As you can see, there are many questions to think about before hiring someone. The above is just a short list of common questions. The more you think through what you are looking for in a nanny or housekeeper the easier it will be to find the right person for you. Give us a call at Dedicated Domestics and we will be glad to review your needs and help point you in the right direction.
Tags: Families, housekeepers, Nannies, sitters