Hiring a nanny to care for your children is not an easy task. You want not only the best possible care for your child, but you want someone who will care for them the way that you would care for them. The ability of nannies to be able to accommodate personal requests and tailor their services to meet the needs of the family is one of the things that make hiring a nanny such a good idea. The top priority is the safety of your children and your home.
Many people use the services of a nanny agency in London which guarantees the certification and background of the nannies on their list. Whether you choose to utilize an agency or find a nanny on your own, there are some hiring mistakes you don’t want to make.
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Not Performing a Background Check
Finding a qualified nanny is no easy task and ultimately the decision and responsibility are yours to undertake. When you have found a nanny that you are considering, do not forego the background check just because you really like the candidate. This includes speaking to their former employer candidly and openly about their experience. The nanny should also have certain personality traits or qualities that ensure they are going to be a good fit for your household. The following questions can help you make the right decision:
- Does she have the ability to communicate honestly and openly?
- Does she have an acceptable level of patience?
- Does she allow more TV time than play time?
- Does she have good reading skills?
- Does she gossip?
- Does she take initiative and show problem-solving skills?
You want a nanny with a clear background not only when it comes to the law, but also in her previous work. It is important to make sure you can communicate with your nanny and that she responds appropriately to you and your family.
Not Paying the Standard Rate
The professional nanny services in the UK have a standard market rate or average price range for their services. These rates change depending on the type of contract agreed between the parties and the area in the UK in which the agency and the family are located. Paying less than the average rate will make it considerably harder for you to find and keep a reliable nanny. If you require a qualified and experienced nanny, it is important that you are willing to pay the standard rate.
Make sure that you discuss wages and taxes when talking about salary. The amount you tell the nanny you will pay for her services should be clear that it is the salary before taxes. Make sure the nanny is clear on what her actual take-home pay will be. It is also important to discuss what the overtime rate will be as well as compensation such as sick days, holidays, and vacations.
Additionally, it is a good idea to set aside a certain amount, or an allowance for things that the child may need during the day, or for an occasional outing. Don’t expect that because you pay the nanny, she should use her paycheck to buy basic necessities for your child or foot the bill for a movie outing.
Requiring too Much from the Nanny
Be careful that your expectations of your nanny are realistic. Your nanny is there to provide the best care possible for your child and that includes cleaning up after them or maybe emptying the dishwasher. Do not expect the nanny to spend the time your child is sleeping to be doing household chores such as vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms. Remember the only interaction the nanny usually has in a typical day is the interaction with your child. There are no adults to converse with and breaks are rare. It is important to allow time for her to make a call or have a quiet cup of coffee or tea during the day. Make sure that your expectations are clear and acceptable to both parties.
Not Outlining the Terms of the Contract in Writing
It is important to ensure that you have some sort of contract for both you and your nanny to sign. Regardless of whether you are planning on hiring the nanny for a short time or the whole year, a written contract binds both the parties involved and outlines what is expected of them. The contract does not have to be a legal document. Even a few pages, outlining what is expected of the nanny including the terms and conditions with respect to payment terms and job duties would suffice. Any qualified local nanny agency in your area can help you in drawing a written contract.
