Parenting Pointers: Hiring a Caregiver

Nearly 11 million American children under the age of 5 are in outside care according to Child Care Aware in their 2012 report. I had a chance to interview Jo Barrow, the newly-named 2013 Nanny of the Year by the International Nanny Association, to get some great advice and tips for any parents exploring child care needs.

1)     Why is important to ask specific scenario-based questions in an interview for a potential new caregiver?
When interviewing, open-ended questions that require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response and scenario-based questions are useful because they help you gauge nannies/caregivers judgment. Some questions, I suggest are: What would you do if… How do you know when… What are your thoughts on….
A professional nanny or caregiver won’t be put off by these types of questions and should be able to answer you clearly and confidently. The more detailed your interview the better equipped you’ll be in making a decision to hire. You’ll want to be confident of how she will handle a situation should one arise and what protocol she will follow.

2)     How can someone do a background check?
For hiring a Nanny I suggest, The International Nanny Association (INA).  INA offers a complete list of recommended practices for background screening and has reputable members who provide these services giving you the peace of mind you’ll need.
Beware of instant online background checks, as their information can be out of date and likely won’t cover the full spectrum of suggested screenings available.

3)     Why is it important to work side-by-side with a Nanny before the Nanny takes the kids alone?
Even the most experienced Nanny will have questions that will only come up whilst ‘on the job’ and a parent will find there’s much to show her as they begin working together. Spending at least a few days side by side is comforting for the children and gives them a chance to get to know the new Nanny while in the presence of their parent. You’ll want to drive around and show her where to go for activities, school, groceries, emergencies etc.…. You’ll likely ensure a smoother turnover when Nanny knows firsthand the daily routines and the family’s preferences.

4)     Why are check-ins important? Do they have to be formal or can they be informal quick questions?
They can be both but today’s families are busy. On weeknights it’s not unusual that parents are getting home from work as the caregiver is starting dinner. The kids start clambering for their parent’s attention, the parents just need 10 minutes to regroup and change out of their work clothes and someone inevitably has to be dropped off or picked up from a baseball game! Turnover is a hectic time of day to be shooting for meaningful discussion.
Daily logs used to be great ways to share information and though some still prefer them, with today’s technology it often makes more sense to shoot a text for anything timely or an e-mail if more detail is necessary. However, technology does not and should not replace the value of meaningful face-to-face discussion. I recommend setting aside 30-45 ‘quiet’ minute’s every week to discuss scheduling, activities, ongoing issues or any other pertinent information that should be shared. This is a small investment for assuring that parent and caregiver stay connected and on the same page.