As a brand new mother enjoying the first few months of your baby’s life, you quickly realise you’ve taken on a new role – you’re now 100% responsible for someone else. But, who will be looking after your baby when off to work and having events to attend? What’s the solution? That’s easy! Do what most South Africans do – hire a nanny. As a country, we’ve come to rely on the nanny as a vital ‘member’ of our family – but choosing the right person to trust is daunting. Whether you’re hiring a nanny from an agency, or considering someone using word-of-mouth, be prepared for a lengthy and in-depth selection process. Our checklist of six key points will help you make the right choice.
Priorities
There’s no such thing as the perfect nanny, but it’s important to prioritise your needs and choose someone with a personality that matches your family. Important qualities include: a good attitude, honesty, reliability, and someone who shows initiative. Experience and training is essential, but skills can be taught and fine-tuned to suit your way of doing things. Reading is a must as a nanny must be able to read medicine instructions and labels on formula packaging. Cleanliness and good hygiene are paramount when taking care of a new baby, so test the nanny by asking her to hold the baby, and see if she insists on first washing her hands.
Checks
* Legal status (ID or passport) – to know that they are who they say they are, and if they are foreign, that they are legally in South Africa with a valid permit.
* Criminal clearance – This can be done through a nanny agency or police station, and costs about R300.
* References – Ask the nanny specific things about her last job – like the names and ages of the kids, her work hours, salary when she ended, and reason she left the position (this is very important). Call her references immediately after your interview with her. Don’t allow time to pass, as this can help in collusion between nanny and referee, if the reference is fake.
*Health tests – This can be tricky as you can not force an employee to reveal their HIV or TB status. The best approach is to ask the nanny if she has any illness that she goes to the clinic for. Once she is working for you and displays signs of being sick, ask if she would be prepared to have medical tests, explaining that this would not mean she would lose her job, but as an employer you are able to handle a situation you know about.
Expectations
It’s important to hire a nanny who has the same outlook on raising children as you. You don’t want to hire someone whose heart is not in the job. Find out why she’s a nanny, and if she enjoys babies and children.
Questions
As a guide, most nanny websites list dozens of questions you should ask. But as you are the employer, you can ask personal and interfering questions to find out about the nanny’s character and background. Be careful of someone who plays the sympathy or guilt card. If a nanny triggers these emotions in you, don’t hire her; because you’ll be employing her for the wrong reasons.
Training
A nanny from an agency will have some form of basic training that you can build on, but it’s best to hire someone who has previous experience with children. Knowledge of baby matters is also a big advantage. A quick test would be to ask what a baby’s normal temperature should be and what a dangerous level would be.
Gut feel
According to Ruth, your gut feel is important. ‘If you immediately like or dislike someone, listen to your instincts,’ says Ruth. Anyone being interviewed for a job is there to impress, to win you over, to sound knowledgeable, caring and ‘just right’. Look past the charming exterior – after all, this person will be taking care of the most precious little bundle in your life.
Written by Lungile Khumalo
Also see: Activities to help you educate your child
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