In order to be a great nanny, it is necessary to genuinely love children and upholds the trust that parents put in them by leaving their precious ones in their care. Parents may be in a dilemma when interviewing many people for the post. Here are some tips on how to select the perfect nanny for your kids.
Conduct an interview
If you find that the nanny asks the right details about the way things should be done when a parent is out, you will feel more reassured that she knows her work. She should be communicative and clean. Introduce her to your child and observe her carefully to see how she responds and your child’s reactions. This is important as you should feel that comfort level when you see them both together.
Nannies should be trained in CPR and know how to react in an emergency
Parents are much more at ease when they know that a nanny has a CPR certification and does not panic in an emergency. Generally they have had experience with their own children and are able to understand and cater to the needs of a child.
Nannies should know how to interact and keep children happy
A nanny should be able to integrate play and keep a toddler occupied and have fun. They should have an understanding of child development at different stages and learn how to take care of them. Interaction is very important.
Provide the necessary contact details and rarely take leave
Once a child gets to know her nanny, she leans on her for many things. She will not take easily to a substitute and therefore it is not a good idea if she repeatedly reports ill at the nth hour and you have to resort to emergency childcare.
Cleaning up and performing daily chores and tasks
A nanny should be able to clean up and tidy the place after a child has been put to bed. She should also be able to warm up the food or prepare foods that she knows will please the child. She should not try to encourage the child to eat junk food but try and persuade her to eat nutritious foods instead. It is also the duty of the nanny to keep tabs on the food and other supplies for the baby and keep the mother informed when stocks are low. Some nannies also offer to prepare simple meals or pick up the groceries on the way to the client’s home.
A nanny should never try to override the parent when correcting the child
A nanny should know her place in the house and never interfere when a parent is correcting the child. The best way to handle this situation is to let the person in charge at that particular time be the boss. She should respect her boundaries in the home and learn not to gossip or carry tales.
Provide good references
Generally nannies come through references given by word of mouth or through a community service or agency. They begin to care for their child as their own and continue to take care of them when they grow up. They develop a healthy relationship with the family for a long time and they keep contact even after they have left the service.
Nannies should support a positive attitude
Always maintain a positive attitude and be flexible. Sometimes a nanny may notice that something is wrong and help the parent even though it is not her job. These attitudes are what keep the peace and happiness in any home.
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