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The decision to hire a nanny is one that no parent can take lightly. Most of us deliberate for years with a whirlwind of questions swarming around us. How can we trust a stranger with our children? Where would I find a nanny? Do they work all day? How much do they get paid?
The good news is that the answers are not as evasive as they may initially seem! The first thing to realise is whether or not hiring a nanny is the right decision for your family. Take a look at these simple pro's and con's that could well play a role in your decision:
Advantages
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Children will benefit from ready access to attention and stimulation from their nanny, many youngsters are able to form an emotional bond with long-term nannies. |
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A nanny can help a child adjust to parents spending long hours away from home |
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Children benefit from a familiar and secure daily environment |
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Qualifications can show if the nanny is committed to the profession and job |
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Parents can rely on nannies to take care of their children if they are delayed or there is an emergency keeping them from returning home |
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The nanny can help instil the parent's morals and values in the children on a daily basis |
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An au pair can assist with grocery shopping and cooking if necessary |
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Nannies can go with you on holidays to help ensure a relaxing time is had by all |
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There will be a reliable person, who your children already know and you trust, on call in case babysitting is called for |
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Having help with cooking, shopping, homework etc, will ensure a higher quality of child time for yourself |
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Your child will have the opportunity to take part in more extra mural activities that you would not have time to take them too |
Disadvantages
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It can prove expensive to hire a full or part time nanny |
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You will miss out on some of the day-to-day experiences of your child |
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Your child might have less peer interaction if they are around an adult all day |
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Having a live-in or full-time nanny can make you feel like your personal space and family life is being encroached upon |
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Even reliable nannies could get sick and leave you without a back-up option at the last minute |
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Hiring can be tricky, you don't know what qualifications to look for, how to check references, or what the labour laws would involve |
Luckily there are some great agencies that can eliminate at least some of the grey areas. There are many ways a good agency can help you. For example they send only qualified nannies to interviews with you, nannies who also have had criminal and reference checks already made. An agency can help you find a back-up nanny or babysitter at the last minute and even organise the labour laws surrounding the employment.
If you do decide to hire a nanny privately here are a few ‘top tips' for finding someone suitable:
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Check the applicant's references and qualifications carefully, this person will be taking responsibility for your children and should be the rightful recipient of your trust. |
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Set up a clear and logical contract. This will help your relationship with your nanny. Understanding what exactly is required is important for the nanny to fulfil your needs. |
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Make sure the person you hire has the correct skills for your needs, like experience with babies or a valid driving licence. |
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Provide the nanny with clear guidelines on your house-rules and discipline techniques to be used on the children. |
For more information contact Chanene at chanene@glamourc.com.
