Choosing the right type of childcare solution for your family is a very important decision. There are so many options available, all with specific advantages and disadvantages. Hiring a nanny is one of the most popular childcare solutions, because a nanny will provide one-on-one childcare in your home.

How do you choose the right nanny?

First of all you will need to think about your requirements. Do you need someone part time, full time, live in or live out? What qualifications and how much experience are you looking for in a prospective nanny? Do you need them to drive and have their own car? What duties and responsibilities will your nanny have? Now is a good time to draw up a job description and if you are using an agency, their application process and guidance provided will make this a less daunting task than it sounds.

Next step is to begin with the interview process. Remember that any candidates whom you meet must be aged 18 or older, and must be legally entitled to work in South Africa. During the interview, you should get to know the nanny by chatting to them about previous work history, their own childhood, and what their future goals are. Handy Helpers provides all our clients with a comprehensive interview guide to facilitate the selection of the right nanny for your family.

One of the most important factors when choosing the right nanny is the screening of prospective candidates. Make sure that you check all references by giving previous employers a call. It is also advisable to request a police clearance. Remember that if you are using an nanny agency, they should do all of the screening for you. Handy Helpers verifies all references, and will perform a variety of additional checks on your request, including police clearance, education history, driving history, ID verification and credit checks.

Once you are happy with your prospective nanny’s credentials and references, don’t forget to trust your instinct, and choose the nanny who best ‘clicks’ with you and your family. Ask the nanny to spend some supervised time with your children and use this opportunity to observe how the nanny interacts with your children, and how your children respond to the nanny.

Contact Handy Helpers to find out more about how we can help you choose the right nanny for your family.