Finding the right babysitter or nanny can feel like hitting the jackpot. But you don’t have to take ‘potluck’ to find a great match for your family. By following these eight simple steps you can find your very own super sitter!
1. Write a List!
Write down the key features you need in a babysitter or nanny. Think about personality, gender, character traits, experience, availability, age, skills, hourly rate. Consider your children’s ages, stages and needs. Questions you might as yourself at this stage would be:
- do I need an experienced carer, or a person I can train myself?
- do I prefer to work with mature-aged carers, middle-aged or younger nannies?
- do I need this person for set hours, or do I need flexibility for any additional work?
- do I prefer a calm, quiet personality, or an energetic, upbeat person?
- do I want a person who is skilled in other areas? E.g., Music, sport, craft, cooking?
- do I need the one person for the role or can I split the job between two? (eg for before and after-school care)
- do I need the person to live nearby (for emergency calls) or am I happy to recruit further away for the right carer?
These questions are very simple, but give you a starting point to think about the things you are looking for. Prioritise your list of criteria from most important to least important and use this list to guide your recruitment process.
2. Capture Attention!
The first step in attracting applicants is writing a job advertisement. Write a creative ad that captures attention, so it stands out from the rest! This is particularly important when there is such a high demand for carers and unemployment is so low. Give reasons why a carer would enjoy working for your family. Mention the ages and stages of the children, the fun activities that are part of the role and the great aspects of your home environment. Importantly think about the well-known WIIFM “What Is In It For Me” factor! Are the hours great for a university student, leaving plenty of time to study? Is the location convenient to public transport, making it easy to get to and from work? Will you offer flexibility for holidays/study? My favourite job ad (posted by a parent on my site) was a beautiful children’s poem that stood alone as the job ad! It created interest was emotive and appealing. The ad received overwhelming interest and is just one example of a clever way to attract applicants.
3. Phone Screening
A phone screening is a great way to narrow down the list and prepare for a face-to-face interview. It will eliminate unsuitable candidates early on so you don’t waste your valuable time later. Start the phone call with some informal conversation to establish rapport. This will put the candidate at ease and allow a more natural flow of conversation. Remember to ask the ‘deal breaker’ questions during your phone interview. This way if a nanny does not meet one of your important criterion, then you can rule out this applicant immediately. The best prospects will stand out for being prepared for their phone interview, communicating well and providing information you’ve asked for. Based on a successful phone interview go ahead and set up the face-to-face meeting. Remind the candidate to bring copies of relevant documents (Qualifications, Drivers License, Police Check/Working with Children Check).
4. In-depth Interview
Schedule interviews with several of the final candidates. It is wise to keep your options open at this stage; you never know which nanny might present best at interview. Confirm the time and date with the carer one day before the interview. Prepare your list of questions and think about the key things you are looking for during the interview. Don’t be afraid to use a checklist to ensure you cover everything. A good way to find out how a carer will manage a certain situation is to ask how she has dealt with this previously. These are called behavioural questions and begin with “Tell me about a time…” or “Give me an example of a situation when you….”. E.g., “Tell me how you have managed a child’s separation anxiety in the past.” “Given me an example of a ‘routine day’ with a child you’ve cared for”. My favourite interview questions are listed in the box! (Sonia to insert a box on the page with 10 good questions I’ll provide)
5. Observe
Some of the best information is collected from observation. Remember to involve your child or children in the interview if possible! Step back and allow the nanny to interact with your child alone. This will give you invaluable information about how the nanny interacts with your child. Is she comfortable with your child? And vice versa? Does she communicate easily with children? Does she get down to the child’s level (literally!) to interact? You may even plan to take the interview to a more natural setting like a park or a backyard! This is a great way to allow more relaxed interaction to occur.
6. Credential Check
During the interview ask the nanny for copies of her resume and any other documents (police check, drivers license). Look through these as you ask questions. If she doesn’t have the documents with her ask for copies before you proceed any further with employment arrangements. It is much better to do this upfront than to worry about it later. This also gives you more information about how responsible and organized the applicant is in completing tasks as requested. The best babysitters I’ve met have arrived at the interview with all of the documents ready in a folio.
7. Reference Check
This is a very important step. Don’t be tempted to rely on written references alone. A phonecall to a referee takes only 5 minutes, but it provides some genuine information. Referees are always delighted to share knowledge with others, it is a great way to gain input from another parent. Ensure you speak to two referees who have employed the carer recently. Remember to ask about areas that are important to you, or that you were uncertain about post-interview. Questions you might like to ask include
- What was her role with you? (e.g., how many children / ages / duties)
- How long did she work for you? Why did she leave?
- What were her strengths and weaknesses as a carer?
- Would you employ her again and why/ why not?
These simple questions will elicit some great information to confirm your decision.
8. Listen to Your Instincts
Take note of any ‘red flags’ and act on them. If you have been unable to contact referees, ask the carer for more contact details and don’t proceed until you have done this. If an area is unsatisfactory (e.g., the carer has not given you a copy of the police check, if she is late for interviews, if she doesn’t perform well during a trial day) then give this feedback to her immediately. Give her the opportunity to improve, but if the problem persists then act upon this immediately. If you simply have a ‘gut feeling’ that the carer is not the right match for your children and home, then listen to your instincts. Early action is much better than an uncomfortable and difficult situation down the track. There are many other babysitters and nannies to choose from; new carers are looking for jobs every single day!
At the completion of these eight steps you should be confident in selecting the ideal carer for your family! The process is not difficult or complicated. It just requires a methodical approach. By recruiting well you can create a wonderful support network of trustworthy babysitters and nannies to call on!
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