How Do I Find The Best Babysitter For My Kids?
The demands of today’s life, in most cases, force parents to leave the home to support the home. When the time comes and you cannot count on the support of a family member, one of the biggest concerns is how to find the best babysitter for our children.
The simple act of thinking about leaving our children with a stranger is hard enough. At least at first, we will be in doubt whether the care and attention they will receive will be adequate.
Furthermore, the struggle between the dilemma of going to work or staying at home always afflicts us. This even generates a feeling of guilt for the ‘abandonment’ in which children are left.
If you are one of those people wondering ‘how to correctly choose the best babysitter for my children’, we have good news for you. Here are some recommendations you can follow that will certainly help you make the most appropriate choice.
Analyze your priorities
Before you start looking for the best nanny, you need to be clear about what services are really needed.
In other words, specify the responsibilities that will be assigned to her, such as: picking up children from school, helping them with homework, preparing meals or even taking them to their extracurricular activities. Of course, you also need to determine whether she will be working full-time or part-time.
First Steps to Finding the Best Babysitter
First, search among people who have children and who have already used the services of a nanny. No doubt family, friends or co-workers can refer someone who has worked as a caregiver, or perhaps they know someone who can provide a referral.
This would be an excellent option, as having positive opinions from like-minded people gives a vote of confidence and greater security when leaving our children in the hands of strangers who are not part of our family or social circle.
If you do not receive any personal referrals, there are agencies specialized in providing this service that can guarantee the optimal fulfillment of your functions in accordance with the requirements established by each family. So consider this alternative as well.
Likewise, if you don’t have this type of company around, you can look for publications on the subject in kindergarten schools. They can certainly be what you are looking for, and once you get in touch, you can start a rigorous selection process.
What do I need to know about the nanny who will take care of my children?
The time has come to choose the person who will be responsible for your children during your absence and, understandably, you want to know everything you can about them. For this, the best thing to do is an interview, in which you must be together with your partner so that they can make the best decision together.
Request the person’s resume summary and have it ready. Also, check their credentials, experiences and references. After this analysis, ask the candidate a series of questions to learn more about her way of acting. Here are some examples:
- What led you to choose this profession?
- Do you have any training or courses related to child care?
- How long have you been working as a nanny?
- Why are you currently looking for a job?
- What was the reason you left your previous job?
- How old are the children you’ve taken care of?
- What kinds of tasks and activities did you do with the children in your care?
- Have you taken any courses or have basic knowledge of first aid?
- Is it okay if I decide to get in touch with the families you’ve previously worked with?
Take the decision
Have I found the best babysitter for my kids? After studying all aspects of the desired profile and having them fit one person, don’t doubt that this should be the one selected.
When all your previous requirements are met by the person who will be responsible for your children, it will translate, in the first instance, into a deep tranquility for you.
Always remember that nanny selection is a great first step. Next, you must deepen communication and trust with the chosen one. The best thing to do is to encourage more early encounters where she has first contact with the children to see their reactions.
When she’s already working, always talk to your kids to monitor the nanny’s performance and make sure your expectations are being met. All of this, obviously, for the benefit of the children and the tranquility that their well-being generates for the whole family.
