A Parent’s Guide To Employing A Nanny

At Nannies Matter, we understand that hiring a nanny can be a daunting process, particularly if you've never done it before. That's why we're here to help with our guide on how to hire a nanny. Our step-by-step process, along with a couple of extra little tips, will make the whole process go as smoothly as possible.

We have 20 years of experience in placing professional nannies in households requiring assistance so we know exactly what to look for, even if you’re not sure yourself. 

If you'd like to speak to a member of our team about your nanny needs, call Nannies Matter today on 0800 121 4881 or complete our online contact form and we'll be in touch.

Understand what you need

Before you contact a nanny agency or publish a vacancy advert, you must first ask yourself “what do I need?”.

Is it to help with the children? Help with the housekeeping? What times of day do you need help? Do you want a live-in nanny? And what salary will you offer?

Having the answers to all of these questions will help to save time vetting any unsuitable candidates and will ensure that any nannies you speak with will be perfectly suited to your needs.

Contact a nanny agency

With a seemingly endless choice of candidates, sometimes it can be hard to find the right nanny for you.

Without the help of a professional agency, you might be unaware of the best way to find trusted child care providers. This can result in you being more likely to settle for a candidate that is available, rather than someone who is perfect for the job.

Nannies Matter will take the time to understand your requirements. Get in touch and we will help you to determine exactly what kind of support you need and then introduce you to a handful of candidates that are most suited to your and your family's needs. All you need to do then, is interview them.

The interview

The style of interview you conduct should reflect your household and personality. So, if you're a laid back household, feel free to keep things informal and casual. However, if you're more of a fan of rules and structure, a formal interview will set the tone with the candidate.

Remember, the interview isn't just a chance for you to make your decision, each prospective nanny will also be taking in their surroundings and  deciding if your home is the place where they want to work, so try to make it as inviting and welcoming as possible.

Before the interview, you should prepare a checklist of the qualities that you are looking for in a nanny. Here are some examples of qualities that we think a nanny should have: 

  1. A nurturing personality
  2. Flexibility
  3. Trustworthiness
  4. Punctuality
  5. Patience
  6. Positivity
  7. Organisation
  8. Good communication

Your requirements might differ to those listed above so it’s important to take the time to understand exactly what you need from a nanny, before arranging any interviews.

To avoid time clouding your judgement, tick the qualities you believe the candidate possessed straight after each interview. This, along with your gut instinct will help you decide who to choose in the end.

Read our ‘How to interview your nanny’ guide for more details on the format of an interview and lists of questions to consider asking.

Dotting the i's and crossing the t's

Once you've found the perfect nanny for you, it's time to draw up the employment contracts which will detail the terms of employment for both parties. Don't worry, we'll help you out with all the official documentation, leaving you and your family's nanny to settle into the new chapter of your lives.

If you'd like to speak to a member of our team about your nanny needs, call Nannies Matter today on 0800 121 4881 or complete our online contact form and we'll be in touch.

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