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"A Heavenly Match; 5 Steps for Finding the Right Person for You and Your Family"

Good in-home childcare can truly transform your life; so it is worth doing the right things to find the right person.  Here are 5 tips to help you find that someone:

 

1. Don't Panic and Stay Calm.

If you panic you will make a wrong, rushed and desperate decision and quickly live to regret it.  You need to work hard on your search.  Put non-urgent things aside and if necessary find temporary cover.  It will help you keep things in perspective.

 

2. Be Honest about the Job you Really Want Done.

You must paint an honest picture of the job.  Making it sound more exciting or glamorous than it is will result in your new childcare being disappointed and unmotivated from the beginning.  Think about what you really want done as part of the job and draw up a job description.  If you want the kitchen floor cleaned after the children have eaten supper every day, include it in the description.  Whoever you finally employ should agree to this job description and so will be prepared to, or even looking forward to (such people do exist!), cleaning your kitchen floor on a daily basis. 

 

From your job description draw up a list of skills and requirements for the role, for example: a safe driver, someone who can work to a set routine, someone who enjoys keeping things tidy.  

 

3. Be Clear About The Kind of Person You Want.

Take time to think about what kind of family you are and the type of person who would fit in.  For example:

·         If you are very safety conscious; you want someone who has great attention to detail

·         If you don't like things too structured; you want someone who is flexible

·         If you work away from home a lot: you want someone who can use their initiative and think on their feet

·         If you are an active family; you want someone who enjoys being outside with the children

 

Whether using an agency or another method to find your childcare, thinking about what you want and then drawing up a list of skills and qualities, will greatly help you. 

 

4.  Ask Interview Questions around the Qualities You are Looking for.

Always be well prepared for your interviews and try to conduct them face-to-face where possible.  Ask a good number of questions to get a good sense of who the person is and whether you genuinely like them. 

 

Very importantly, ensure you ask questions around the qualities you are looking for.  For example:  ’I am very safety conscious, can you tell me what you feel are the top two hazards for young children in the home?’  ’Can you tell me of a time where you had to deal with a child who had had an accident’

 

’We are a very active family, how would you make it fun for young children to get fresh air everyday’  ’What new activities would you teach the children to do outside?’  If they have got the right qualities, are happy with your job description and you feel you genuinely like them, they could well be the one for you!

 

5.  Lastly, always, always Check References.

It is frightening the number of people who don't!

 

Georgina Walsh runs NannySuccess.com a web-based service helping people search for and manage their in-home childcare, all based on their own personal profile.  To find out more click here www.nannysuccess.com.

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