Whether you’re a busy single parent or a stay-at-home mom who needs an extra hand around the house, a nanny can help give you peace of mind concerning your children. How do you find the perfect nanny? There are several factors to consider, like qualifications, training, and background checks. But first, you need to think about what you’re looking for in a caretaker. At OC Home & Family you’ll find a wide selection of pre-screened candidates for childcare as well as elderly caretakers, pet sitters, chauffeurs, and personal assistants. Keep reading to learn more about OC Home & Family’s prescreening process and how to select the right nanny for your home.
To find the perfect nanny for your children, first, you need to determine what you’re looking for in a potential nanny. Do you need someone to watch the children for a few hours a week or will this be an daily need? Do you need a nanny who can pick up groceries or drop the kids off at school? If your children need help after school, can your nanny give them guidance on homework? Once you’ve determined your needs, look for nannies who meet those qualifications. Nannies with teaching experience will be able to help your kids with their homework while a nanny with medical knowledge will be able to care for children with special needs. For meal planning, look for nannies with cooking experience as well as nannies who will clean up after meal prep. Special certifications like CPR training and educational certificates are also a plus.
As you narrow down your list of potential nannies based on their qualifications, it’s time for a face-to-face interview. In-home interviews are the best because they give you the chance to observe the nanny with your children as well as learn why they want the job. Interview questions will help you determine if your nanny will be right for your home. Present specific “what if” scenarios and gauge how your nanny would handle those situations. What would you do if my child were choking? How do you handle tantrums or children that refuse to go to bed on time? Can you multitask between watching children and other household tasks like cooking or cleaning? It’s also important during the interview to outline your expectations for your nanny as well as informing them of any special needs your child may have.
Before you make your final decision, you need to verify your prospective nanny with a background check. Background checks will reveal a person’s past employment records, education, citizenship, and criminal history. Background checks will not only give you peace of mind, but they also protect your family. OC Home & Family goes beyond a standard background check as a part of the hiring process. Their screening includes tests for tuberculosis, immunization records, fingerprints, personal reference checks, and behavioral evaluations. Caretakers from OC Home & Family have a minimum of 3 to 4 years of stellar experience in the industry, so you can rest assured your little ones are in good hands.