Choosing to hire a nanny in Canada is one of the most important decisions families make.
Whether you choose to do your own nanny search or work with a nanny agency, there are 3 things you must do and know before you start this process.
In our experience, ignoring these 3 things typically results in a lot of wasted time and frustration for both parents and nanny candidates.
Know Exactly What You Need
Hiring a nanny means hiring someone who has a specific set of skills and experience.
As a parent, you need to be clear on which skills & experience you need your potential nanny to have, focusing and prioritizing your “must-haves” over your “nice-to-haves”, before you begin your nanny search.
When you know exactly what you want it will be easier to identify which nanny candidates are potential good matches and which ones aren’t.
If you’re working with an agency, it will be a lot easier for them to find ideal matches for you, or to let you know if what you’re looking for in a nanny is unrealistic so that you don’t waste your time.
And speaking of time…
Invest Time In Your Nanny Search
Hiring a nanny, or any employee for that matter, is a process that takes time.
Make sure that you actually have the time and make the time to invest in your nanny search, whether you’re doing it on your own or working with a nanny agency.
With an agency, you will need time to fill out a family questionnaire where you’ll share information about your family and your specific needs. You’ll need to speak with the agency directly to learn about the hiring process, including your responsibilities as an employer.
You’ll need to make time to go over nanny resumes, to interview potential candidates, and to give the agency feedback after each interview.
You may need to make time to have trial workdates with potential nannies and give feedback about your experience with each.
You may need to make time to re-evaluate your needs and start the process again.
Sometimes you get lucky and find your perfect nanny match quickly. Other times it takes a bit longer.
Prioritize Communication
If you’re hiring a nanny on your own, be clear on your needs and expectations with potential nanny candidates.
If you’re working with a nanny agency, be honest about your family’s needs and expectations. Is your child anxious, or a picky eater? Do they have any special needs or require any type of special support?
Remember: Nanny agencies work hard to make the best nanny-family matches based on the information they receive from both families and nannies. Share any questions or concerns you may have in a timely manner and trust the advice you receive from them. They absolutely want you to succeed in your search.
As an agency, our goal is to help you make the right childcare decisions for your family and if you choose to work with us to help you find your ideal nanny, we want the experience to be positive and successful.
To learn more about how we can help you in your nanny search, start here.