An overworked-parents' guide to getting a great
nanny.
You're working even harder in the recession, but you have kids to raise too.
While computers, smart phones and other gadgets have made us more
productive, there just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all.
Finding a good nanny takes time, diligence and a little bit of
cash - all worth the investment in the long run. The good news is
that, in a recession, there's more talent to choose from.
Once you've decided to hire a childcare professional, you need to
narrow down exactly what you expect her or him to do. Are you
looking for a part-time or full-time employee? Do you want the person
to live in your home? Will she or he be traveling with the family?
Will there be any additional responsibilities outside of child care,
such as laundry, cooking or shopping?
I spoke to one mother recently who wanted to know if it would be
appropriate to ask her current nanny to start taking on some house
cleaning, allowing her to let go of her cleaning lady and save some
money. Generally speaking, that's something that should be worked
out in advance. And any nanny with a university degree is going to
hesitate to clean beyond messes made by the children. What is fair
game? Light housework, like the children's laundry, meal preparation
and tidying up bedrooms and playroom.
Word-of-mouth referrals are always nice, but they may not do the
trick. Nanny agencies charge a finder's fee, but they will provide
suitable candidates within a week or two.
If your budget is tight, you could always run your own
advertisement in a local newspaper for a smaller fee than going
through an agency. The downside: Running an ad will attract all sorts
of candidates, whereas agencies offer "pre-screened, ready-to-go
nannies".
When evaluating candidates' qualifications, look for experience
over a formal degree in early childhood education. At a minimum,
you'll want your nanny to be certified in CRB and first aid.
Next comes the interviewing process, which has several components.
The first meeting should take place without the children present.
Ask about the candidate's experience, schedule flexibility and any
heath-related issues that could hinder performance. The second
meeting is often a "working interview," in which parents
pay the nanny to watch the children for a few hours or a full day
while they observe. The final meeting can cover a range of issues,
from holidays to salary.
Even if you think you've found a perfect fit, don't go on instinct
alone. Before you trust a nanny with your children, do a background
check to ensure that their story adds up. Agencies earn their fees,
in part, by doing such pre-screening including the criminal-history
searches which will make the process easier.
Once you're satisfied with your selection, put together a written
work agreement that covers daily responsibilities, holidays, overtime
compensation and salary. To determine the appropriate salary,
consider the cost of living in your area, the number of children the
nanny will be caring for and the responsibilities you'll be asking of
the person, including overnight care, housework and daily errands.
Full time nannies earn between £250 and £450+ per week. Of those
responsible for overnight care, vast majority receive additional
compensation. Of those who travel with the family, again, nannies
receive additional pay arranged in advance.
One last step: make sure your new nanny is covered under your
homeowner's insurance policy in case of an accident in your home or
on your property.
The most common mistake parents make when hiring a nanny is "not
being specific enough about their expectations." If you want the
nanny to take holiday at the same time you do, come clean; likewise,
if taking children to school is part of the role, establish the
specific means of transportation ahead of time: "Absolutely all
contract details should be worked out in advance."
____________________________________________________
No comments :
Post a Comment