Parents, what do you expect from your nanny or childcare provider?

Question

First meeting, what are things you look for in a potential nanny? What are things that your nanny does that you love and hate? Any tips!

Answer 1

I am not sure if you are asking about a nanny in your home, their home or a center, but here are some ideas...

First impressions are important. What does the place look like? How does it smell? If there are other children around, how are they? Happy? Clean? (for the most part!) Make sure you tour the entire center!
Remember, this is like a job interview!
Ask him/her about back up plans if they are unable to watch your child (nanny - not a center!), discipline techniques must be discussed. Give them scenarios and ask what they would do for each one.
Ask about toys and safety. Is there more than one of each kind of toy, so young children will not fight? Are the toys age appropriate? What kind of curriculum will they be using?
Ask how many children and what ages will be around your child, if it is a nanny in your home - go over guidelines for traveling with your child.
They should have all their policies - when your child is sick, emergencies, etc in writing. Ask to see it before you decide. It should also include cost and payment.
Do background info - many states have their inspection records of child care centers online - check your state portal. Here, you can research any concerns the state has had with the center and follow ups. You should also be able do a background check through your sheriff's office (for a fee ) for a Nanny - or there are some websites that will do it.

Ask for references for a nanny - and call them! Ask the parents about him/her. For a center, try to come back at different times of the day, and include either arrival or leaving times (before 9 and after 4). Talk to the parents you see leaving and ask them.
Ask if (center) they are accredited. NAEYC accredidation is a big deal and takes some high standards to meet.
Also, for a center, ask about staff turnover. You don't want your child in a room where the teacher is different each week!

This is a very important decision to make for your child! There are major safety concerns and you want to make sure they are with someone they can bond with while they are there.
I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I was a nanny for a few different families while I was in college and grad school. I think the smartest thing the parents did was ask me to come over for an afternoon to meet the children. They wanted to watch me interact with them for more than just a few minutes and see how I handled different situations that came up naturally.

If you expect your nanny to clean as well as take care of your child, make sure that you explain up front what will be expected of her! It's a big shock to start a job and then have a "chore list" thrust upon you after two weeks! One family told me I would just be responsible for the children's laundry. After a week, the mother gave me a printout of everything I was going to be responsible for in terms of cleaning. They had a 3000 sq. ft. house and on the first day of the "chore list," I was expected to vacuum the entire house. When the parents came home, they asked the 4 year old if I had played with her that afternoon. When she said no, the mother asked me what I had been doing instead of playing with Shannon. I told her, "I was vacuuming the house." She said, "That should have taken no more than 20 minutes!" I told her that it had taken me two hours and we obviously had very different standards of clean. LOL.

Anyway, I know this doesn't really answer your question, but it may help you after you've hired someone. Also be sure to contact references more than once. Some "nannies" will put their friends or relatives down on an application as references. You don't want to leave your child with someone who has no experience or who might harm your child! Pay for a background check or police report as well. You'll be glad you did.

Answer 3

About 50% of the love and attention a SAHM would provide. If you get 60%, you'll be doing way better than most.

Enjoy work, and don't worry that a stranger (or, more likely, a series of strangers) will be rearing the precious child YOU brought into the world. Report back here in five years and let us know how it's going.

Answer 4

That they care for my children as I do.

And, they don't bake them in the oven.