What needs to be verified before hiring a nanny or baby-sitter?

Question

I have a one-year old...I work full-time ...my mom and mother-in-law took care of her so far. Now I am planning to hire a full-time nanny for the first time. Please suggest what I need to check before selecting and hiring a nanny. Is there any verification necessary? I am scared to leave my child with an unknown person...I am looking for unlicensed one (like college student...) because otherwise it will be too expensive.

Answer 1

1. Ask her to go to the Sheriff's Dept. to get Fingerprinted
2. Ask her for a copy of her Drivers License
3. Run a background check to include Nationwide Criminal and credit, previous address for last 10 years try www.ussearch.com
4. Check the Local Sex Offender Files available to you
5. Ask for 5 References to include family, previous employer's and if she is a student then Professors or Faculty
6. Ask three of your closest friends/family members to interview your candidate of choice to get subjective points of view.

Good luck! I am a professional career single mother who balances my career and my 6 year old daughter. I have been fortunate enough to have only my mother care for her since she was 1 month old. I wish you the best and hopefully the Nanny you choose will love your daughter like her own and treat her well..

Answer 2

a criminal background check will show any abuse history. Check references and make sure they are valid. Call at least three previous references whom they have cared for their children. Check CPR certification and make sure they have infant CPR. If they will have your child in a car at anytime check their driving record for any accidents or speeding tickets. When you interview them ask them questions like what would you do if and watch their face as they answer. Don't set interviews close together so you can observe them with your child, children have a sense if they like someone or not. When you do settle on one arrange to have your mother and mother-in-law drop by the house unannounced just to see how things are going and above all else go with your gut if you have any doubts the person is not the right one for your child, and maybe instead of a college student you could find a stay at home mom that would be willing to babysit. Leaving our child is the hardest thing to do and with the way things are today you can never be too safe. I babysit out of my home and I have seen a little of everything and I don't take offense to it either. I would rather a parent ask me 100 questions and stop by unannounced and have the feeling their child is safe than to have them wondering all the time.

Answer 3

Just be careful when choosing someone also,I would get a nanny cam so you can see what goes on while you are away.

I have a big trust issue with someone other than me or my family watching my kids,especially when my youngest can't talk.

Just be cautious when choosing though!

Do a back ground check on them also if,you can too!

A licensed nanny is your best option though,cause they have to be certified for there job,I know the ones out where I live do.Also if something should happen the nanny would be trained in CPR and other things that could save a life when needed......just think it through and make your best judgment!

Here are some things you should look at and get verified: driver's license, references, First Aid or CPR, criminal
check, and experience.

I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Be sure to set up an interview (in person). You can tell a lot from a person over the phone but you can tell more in person. Have a background check done, check ref., and be sure to ask lots of questions. (What is there "form" of discipline, do they have a daily routine - to tell if they are disciplined and keep things structured - what is there experience...etc.)
Don't worry there are many trustworthy people out there. You just need to find the right one. Good luck!

Answer 5

BE CAREFUL BE VERY CAREFUL.........

I have heard so many storys about this sort of situation.... maybe spending that little bit extra will be worth it in the long run....

check:
* I would try and get into there life abit so ask for atleast 4-6 verbal references and maybe 2 or 3 written references..
*previous employment
*first aid training.
*any experience with children if so what ages.
*and a police check if possible

Answer 6

Ask for references and numbers. Who she worked for? Why she quit? Is her first time? Select key questions and make your own interview. It's not a bad thing to do because your child is the most important so they need to know what you are looking for.
Good luck!

Answer 7

My friend has a daughter who was shaken by her babysitter at 8 months and she knew the sitter!!! Did you know a toddler can suffer from shaken baby syndrome??? there are income based day care for low income families . Please research the person very well observe her with other children and your own child good luck

Answer 8

You might want to do a reference check or backround check...now these days you can never be too careful....even the nicest one are the ones you need to keep your eye on...You might even want to consider getting a security cam for your home!!

Answer 9

-Make sure they know CPR [i used to babysit and parents really dug that!]
-do a backround check of you can
-ask for refrences (and make sure their specific, like a name AND phone number)
-have a sitdown interview
-leave the baby with the potential sitter, while your in the house [but not seen], to see if they mesh well.

Answer 10

If you go through an agency they do most of the work...

I'm looking for a nany job! e-mail me?