Perhaps you’re returning to work. You might be searching for a new babysitter. Maybe you’re moving away from family. Or maybe you finally feel comfortable trusting another person to take care of your baby when you’re not there.

Choosing a nanny for your child is a major decision for your family. You may feel that you’re bearing a lot of responsibility, and it’s true, you are. But it can still be manageable. The bottom line is: It’s important to find a person who makes both you and your baby feel comfortable.

Start with Your Needs

Before diving into the search, take some time to think about your family’s practical needs. Answering these questions for yourself will help to filter out the caregivers whose circumstances might not be a good fit.

Take out a sheet of paper and write down your answers so you can clearly see your family’s requirements for a caregiver.

• Hours: How many hours of care do you need per week? Are these fixed hours, or do you require flexibility? Do you need a live-in, full-time, or part-time caregiver?
• Children: How many children in your family need care, and what are their ages? Do your school-aged children need care before or after school?
• Responsibilities: Beyond basic childcare, will your child’s caregiver need to cook meals, run laundry, do light housework, transport children, go to play dates, or monitor older children’s homework time? Are there any other responsibilities the caregiver will need to take on?
• Budget: What can you afford to pay? Do you have wiggle room in case of unexpected changes to your schedule resulting in more hours for your child’s caregiver?
• Philosophy: Is it important to you that your child’s caregiver adheres to Montessori principles, or another school of thought?

Finding the Right Fit

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to start looking. This part can seem overwhelming, but start with these steps to narrow down your search.

Step 1: Recommendations and Referrals

Begin by asking friends, family, or trusted colleagues for recommendations. Personal referrals are often a good starting point. Tell the people closest to you that you are looking for a new caregiver, and they might be able to help you find someone in your community.

Step 2: Check Out Online Resources and Communities

Reputable online platforms like The Nanny League or other placement agencies can provide a wider range of candidates. Be sure to research the agency's background, philosophy, and reputation to make sure it aligns with what you’re looking for. Your neighborhood may also have a presence on Next Door, where you can ask for referrals. 

You can also seek guidance from other parents on Facebook Groups, particularly if they’re local to your area. Care.com is a great resource for finding caregivers for your whole family, including your children, pets, elderly parents, and home.

Step 3: Work with Placement Agencies

Looking for professional help? A placement agency can handle the application process for potential nannies, background checks, reference verification, and more. However, their services can come with a higher price tag, so make sure to factor that into your budget.

Preparing to Interview Potential Caregivers

Now that you have recommendations and potential candidates, it’s time to move to the next step: interviews!

There’s no exact science on how to choose a good nanny because every family is different and has different priorities. The best nanny is the one who you feel most comfortable with.

Start with these questions that will help you get to know the candidate.

• Experience: How long have you worked as a nanny, and with what age groups?
• Certifications: Ask for child protection certifications (like a background check), first aid training, CPR, and any other relevant qualifications.
• References: Always ask for references from previous childcare jobs and follow up with them to get a well-rounded picture of the candidate.
• Motivation: Why did you choose to be a nanny? What do you like best about childcare? What is most challenging?
• Hypothetical Scenarios: How do you handle challenges like discipline, emergencies, or disagreements with a child?

Then, ask questions that will help you assess if the candidate is a good fit for your family’s needs.

• Hours: How many hours per week are you available to work? Are these fixed hours, or do you require flexibility? 
• Children: What number of children do you prefer to care for at one time? Are you able to do school pickups and dropoffs? 
• Responsibilities: Are you able to do additional duties, like cook meals, run laundry, do light housework, transport children, or monitor older children’s homework time? Are there any other responsibilities that you expressly will not perform?
• Budget: What is your hourly rate? 
• Philosophy: How do you approach childcare overall? What guides you in helping children develop skills? How do you like to play with children?

Remember: The interview is a two-way street. The nanny is also evaluating you and your family too! Always provide time for the nanny to ask questions and answer them honestly.

After the interview, speak with your partner about their impressions of the interviewees. The best caregiver is one that you can trust, as choosing a nanny is an important decision for your family’s well-being. Some qualities that good caregivers have are: 

• Love for Children: Of course, this is important. The adult caregiver will be spending the majority of their time with children. 
• Patience and Kindness: Not every day will be perfect, so patience and kindness are essential for managing the ups and downs of childcare.
• Reliability and Trustworthiness: You need to be able to rely on your caregiver so that your family’s schedule can run smoothly.
• Organization and Time Management: Respect for your household and schedule is necessary to build a good relationship with your child’s caregiver.
• Communication Skills: Open, honest, and clear communication between you and your child’s caregiver means that you can build trust together. 
• Professionalism: Though they’ll be in your house, a good caregiver is still professional as a sign of their commitment to their role and your family.

Getting Started with a New Caregiver

When you and your family have chosen a new caregiver, write out an agreement so that everyone is on the same page. 

• Compensation: Offer competitive and fair payment. Outline details about when and how your caregiver will be paid. Research local averages to ensure you're in line with industry standards.
• Schedule and Overtime: Be clear about expected hours, overtime rates, and holiday pay. Let your caregiver know what will happen if you have to work late or any large chunks of time that their care won’t be needed, like your vacation time or during end-of-year holidays.
• Communication Policies: Tell the caregiver how you will communicate with each other about the children's daily activities, any issues that arise, and changes to the schedule.
• Trial Run: Arrange a trial period where the caregiver can interact with your children and you can observe their skills.
• Background Checks: Thoroughly check all references and verify any credentials.

Taking the time to find the right fit ensures that your children are safe, happy, and well-cared for, giving you peace of mind.