Finding an ideal caregiver can be challenging enough, but add the complication of having that person live in your home, and you could be faced with added difficulties.
Luckily, you can find the perfect live-in nanny for your family by ensuring everyone is on board and determining your needs.
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Know What You Want
You’ll need excellent planning when hiring someone to care for your children. And that goes doubly for live-in nanny placements. You must consider your child’s needs and wants and what personality traits and habits you want in a household helper.
For instance, if your children are shy and have separation issues, a warm, patient nanny may be better than an energetic extrovert who defaults to tough love. Likewise, if one of your kids has a learning disability or other health concerns, you’ll need to look for someone with experience in handling them.
Learning how to hire a live in nanny involves careful consideration of qualifications, conducting interviews, and establishing clear expectations to ensure a prosperous and harmonious arrangement for the family and the nanny.
Other factors to consider include whether you’re looking for a live-in or live-out nanny and your family’s schedule. For example, if you work late and often attend last-minute events that require childcare, you’ll need to find a nanny with more flexible hours.
Setting clear job duties from the start is essential if you’re going with a live-in nanny. It would help if you also established house rules about foods your nanny can eat, when she can have guests over, and whether she can use your home phone line for personal calls. You’ll also need to make sure your nanny has her room with an appropriate amount of privacy.
Know Where to Look
The balancing act that is parenting and work can be overwhelming. Someone who can help with the kids and household is invaluable to most families. Hiring a live-in nanny allows more time to focus on work and other family obligations. However, finding the right nanny to live with your children brings additional hiring complexities.
Live-in nannies must be compatible with your family’s lifestyle and be willing to adapt to how you do things. They also have to live within your house, so you must decide on issues like shared living space (do they have a separate bedroom or share the main living area), rules about friends visiting and overnight guests, and whether pets are welcome.
When you meet with potential nannies, don’t be afraid to take the interview process to the next level by inviting them to spend time at your home and observe how they interact with your children. Experts say you can tell a lot about a nanny’s personality during the interview, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their life, family, and hobbies. And remember, just like any job interview, a prospective nanny is also evaluating you during the process. They are looking for a fair, honest, and trustworthy employer.
Know What You Can Afford
As you search for a live-in nanny, you must consider what kind of experience and qualifications they need and what kind of living arrangement is feasible. The more comfortable she is, the more likely she will remain with your family for an extended period.
Generally speaking, a live-in nanny will be paid a salary that covers her basic expenses of housing, food, and utilities. It is common for parents to add extras like a cell phone or MetroCard if they think the nanny will be an asset to their family.
It’s also worth noting that a live-in nanny will evaluate you as much as you consider her during the hiring process. During this time, you will need to discuss what expenses of hers you are willing or not to cover. Will drinking alcohol or smoking be allowed? Will she have her private room or be expected to share it with other household members? Will she be able to use the family car during her off hours?
Know What to Expect
A live-in nanny can be game-changing for families who need a full-time childcare solution. It allows the parents to spend more time with their children, gives the kids a stable home environment, and can lead to lifelong friendships between the child and their nanny. It can also free up time for the primary caregivers to work or pursue their interests while knowing their children are getting the quality care they deserve.
During interviews, be sure to outline your expectations for the nanny. This will help alleviate miscommunications down the road. This will also help you find a nanny who fits your family.
You can ask the nanny any questions you wish during the interview. Still, there are some things you cannot discuss in an interview, like their age, race/ethnic background, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, and criminal record. Also, it’s essential to consider what living arrangements you expect the nanny to have. For example, will they have a separate apartment or room in the house? Will they be allowed to drink alcohol or smoke in your home? Will they have visitors, including overnight guests?
Remember that a live-in nanny candidate also evaluates the family during the interview. They’re looking for a fair, honest, and trustworthy employer.
