Adding a nanny to your life can be an important step for many families who are seeking additional help with childcare. Whether you are returning to work, seeking someone to help you with your children around the home, or simply looking for reputable childcare for a few hours out of each day, it’s important that you hire a nanny you can be confident in and one that is safe to be around your loved ones. Our article gives you an overview of what to know and consider before you hire a nanny.
What to Consider Before Hiring a Nanny
As you start to think about adding a nanny to your lifestyle, there are a few essential considerations you need to make. Think about the following questions in relation to your needs and wants in a nanny to help direct your search when you start the hiring process:
- What kind of help do you need? Do you need help with pickups from school, do you need help around the house, or do you need both?
- How many hours a week do you need help from your nanny?
- What is your budget for a nanny?
- Does your nanny need any additional qualifications, such as experience working with special needs children?
- Do you want your nanny to live in your home like an au pair?
Remember, you should always pay your nanny a fair wage for the tasks you need assistance with. Doing this helps you find the best care and ensures that your nanny is well-qualified for their position.
Can I Pay My Nanny in Cash?
It is possible to pay your nanny in cash, but this is not recommended if you are attempting to avoid taxes or try to pay your nanny a less-than-fair wage.
Operating under the table with nannies puts you at a greater risk of liability if something goes wrong, as there are no records, and it can land you in serious federal trouble if you are attempting to misrepresent your information on tax documents.
Steps to Take When Hiring a Nanny
When hiring a nanny, there are a few different steps that you should keep in mind. These steps can help you conduct the hiring process professionally and ensure that any nanny you hire is well-suited for the job.
- Evaluate your needs and figure out your budget for a nanny
- Collect references and recommendations for a nanny, or consider putting out a job listing on a reputable hiring website
- Conduct interviews and use this time to evaluate a nanny’s experience and fit with your family
- Conduct background checks and pre-hiring checks on the nanny you wish to hire
- Create a contract for both you and your nanny to sign, including details on benefits and fair wages
- Officially hire your nanny and get settled into your new routine
Can I Conduct a Background Check on a Nanny?
It is legal, and even recommended, to perform a background check on a nanny you are thinking about hiring. Not only can a background check help you ensure that your chosen nanny’s experience aligns with your needs, but it can also show you any concerning criminal records, civil records, and personal details that may raise a red flag.
Pulling a background check on your potential nanny can also be a more convenient way of searching public records for their details, as you will be able to view it all in one convenient report, as opposed to looking through local criminal and civil records by yourself.
How Do I Ensure a Nanny Is Safe to Hire?
You can also make sure that a nanny is safe to be around your children by conducting basic interviews, asking for references, and looking up their online presence on background check sites like Information. Many nannies who are dedicated to providing services and do a good job will have an online presence with reviews and experience noted.
This isn’t to say that someone who is a bad nanny will not have these things, too, or that someone must have an online presence to be a good nanny, but researching this information can help you make a more well-rounded and informed decision about whom you hire.
Hire a Nanny the Safe Way
When it comes to hiring a nanny, you no doubt want to ensure the person you hire is safe to interact with your children and is qualified to provide the nannying services you need. It’s important to perform your due diligence in interviewing and researching the background of each nanny you are considering; this helps you eliminate nannies who are not aligned with your needs in terms of care, qualifications, and experience.
Additionally, keep in mind that if you wish to perform background checks on your nanny, you must go through an official channel and comply with all state background check regulations to ensure this process is valid.