Finding a nanny for your family is serious business. That is why we have created the complete guide on how to hire a nanny! When hiring someone to look after your most prized family member(s) it’s imperative you take the right steps. And find the perfect fit. Your nanny will be a part of your everyday life. So hiring the right nanny will make your life much easier, and hiring the wrong nanny can make it harder.
One of the biggest pieces of advice is to clearly define the requirements for your perfect nanny. If this is your first time hiring a nanny, it’s a good idea to review the different types of nannies now. So you can find the best fit for your family. We also recommend these tips for finding the perfect nanny which outlines the top nanny qualities to look for when hiring.
Once you are clear on what type of nanny you’re looking for, you’re ready to start your search.
There are several ways to go about finding a nanny – we’ve created a complete guide on how to hire a nanny. So you can get a better idea of what option might suit you best.
Self-hire a nanny
With self-hiring a nanny you are in completely responsible for the full process of finding a nanny – from getting a job specification spread out – to selecting and vetting candidates, checking references and verifying qualifications, to setting up interviews. You can take our word that it is a lot of work – but you definitely do not want to miss out on any of these steps.
Yes it can be time-consuming, but you are inviting someone into your home and it’s important to make sure they are safe and qualified for the job. Unfortunately there are people out there faking CVs, making up references and creating false qualification, so diligence and persistence is key in distinguishing the right from the wrong people.
To start the process, you can create a detailed job specification and post this on websites like Gumtree. From there, the real work starts as you will have to go through all applications, making sure you select the right candidates to potentially take further in the process.
We always advise speaking to candidates and references. If candidates are overseas, a good option is to set up some Skype pre-interviews, to get more of a feel of the candidate and how they present themselves.
If you’re planning to self-hire, this staffing template will help you through each step of the process.
Find a nanny via your network
Another option for hiring a nanny is reaching out into your network. You can use social media like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to find out if people know of any good quality nannies and on occasion, candidates may find your post and get in touch with you directly. While referrals are almost always higher quality leads than from Gumtree, you still need to go through the self-hire steps outlined above.
Work with a professional agency
Your third option for hiring a nanny is to work with a recruitment agency. An agency will take the hard work and pre-selection off your plate, saving you a considerable amount of time. While using a professional recruiter will save you time and stress, there are still a few things to consider.
- Avoid nanny recruitment agencies charging a registration or other form of upfront fees. This tends to be a technique employed by agents trying to make a quick bit of money before they start the work, without you knowing if the agency is actually going to provide you with the proper service.
- Always read the agency contract or terms and conditions, and understand them clearly before you sign. Once you enter into the legally binding contract it will be difficult to debate this later if you are not happy with the service. A good agency will have a clear and straight forward service contract.
- Value personal contact with your recruitment agency. It’s critical that you can convey your nanny requirements to your recruiter and filling out a form online just doesn’t cut it. You’ll be working closely with your agent to find the right fit so it’s important that you understand each other and can communicate clearly. If you don’t feel comfortable with your recruiter, you should consider other options.
If you’re going to work with an agency you may want to learn about the process of working with a domestic staff recruiter or the benefits of working with a domestic staffing agency.
Why use Polo & Tweed?
Was this complete guide on how to hire a nanny helpful? If you have any further specific questions about hiring a nanny for your family, feel free to reach out to one of our recruitment professionals. We would love to speak to you and help you hire a new nanny for your family.