Before You Hire: 5 Characteristics and Questions to Ask a Nanny {Guest Post}

A nanny doesn’t need super human powers or a Mary Poppin’s bag that holds life’s secrets to rear children. Being a nanny is not easy and not everyone is cut out to do it. Here are a few important personality traits that nannies you hire should possess:

• Patience: Not only is it a virtue but its key in Nannydom. If a nanny has little to no patience, the nanny will not last more than 10 minutes. Children are young and learning what it is to grow up and that can be frustrating for both parties. A nanny must be able to keep calm and remain patient.
• Positivity: Children are sponges. They soak up everything, including your nanny’s attitude. Adults don’t react well to someone that is negative so why should a child? Even if the situation is difficult and bothersome, keeping positive will keep the situation under control and over before you know it.
• Trustworthy:  Whether being trustworthy means your nanny arrives on time or there to pick up the loose ends, this is important. Parents want to be able to hold the nanny accountable. You pay nannies to step in your child’s life when you cannot. A nanny needs to be there at all times, on all different levels.
• Imagination: Kids thrive on creativity and imagination. Their heads are bursting with ideas and fun thoughts. To keep up with the kids and to challenge them, a nanny must be able to operate on the same creativity level. A nanny that is imaginative and creative will also keep the kids from getting bored.
• Organized: Nannies oversee the children’s chores, activities and homework. Being organized is very important of keeping a normal and functional home environment. A nanny that not only carries a calendar planner but that is always one step ahead is the key to a successful daily life.

Once you find the above mentioned traits, here are 5 important questions to ask your nanny before you make the decision to hire:

• Do you have experience? Be sure they have been a nanny before and for how long. Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you want about their previous job, such as did they like it, how long they were there, why they left, things they did not like and etc.
• Do you have a list of references? Ask for a list of references that are not just full of family members. Be sure that they have previous employers listed. Use that list and start making calls.
• Can I run a background check? If the nanny says no, then do not hire. Anyone that does not allow a background check has something they are not telling you.
• What is the Nanny looking for in the position? It is very important you ask what the nanny is looking for and that you are on the same page as far as what is expected in this relationship.
• What do you expect for the family to provide you, the nanny? This is a chance for the nanny to tell you what they want. Whether it has to do with pay rate, vacation or how they discipline your child.

 Author Bio

Heather Smith is an ex-nanny. Passionate about thought leadership and writing, Heather regularly contributes to various career, social media, public relations, branding, and parenting blogs/websites. She also provides value to nanny services by giving advice on site design as well as the features and functionality to provide more and more value to nannies and families across the U.S. and Canada. She can be available at H.smith7295 [at] gmail.com.