Unsure what to look for when hiring a nanny? As a top nanny agency in London, don’t miss the key characteristics we think you should look for. 

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to look for when you’re hiring a nanny. There are so many things that are important, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the process.  

However, with over 25 years of experience in nanny recruitment, our team are here to help you take the stress out of the process and ensure your journey to hiring a nanny is a seamless as possible.  

From enthusiasm to reliability, read on to discover 10 of the most important characteristics we look for in a nanny as a top nanny agency in London when recruiting for our clients... 

Top 10 Characteristics We Look for in a Nanny 

1. Love of Children

Of course, the top characteristic we always look for in a nanny is a genuine love of kids. Of course education and experience matter but none of those will make a person who doesn’t truly love working with children a quality nanny.  

In our opinion – and with decades of experience working in nanny recruitment - enjoying children is the foundation that everything else is built on. 

2. Enthusiasm

Next up, enthusiasm. Nannies work long days and often have a lot of responsibilities, and unfortunately for some, that can quickly kill their excitement about the job. Others take it all in stride and let their natural enthusiasm for working with children lead them through the day.  

That’s why, when we meet with potential nannies, we always like to hear ‘can do’ comments rather than do not! 

3. Fun Loving

Childhood is all about fun, which is why we believe it’s always important to look for a nanny who has a sense of fun and adventure.  

If you look for a nanny that truly enjoys what they do, you can rest assured that they will plan fun, well rounded days for your child. Being silly, finding humor in everyday situations, and having an upbeat outlook on life are all key.

4. Nurturing

The idea of nurturing a child is at the heart of a nanny’s role. Being able to connect on a deep level, build a safe, loving relationship and offer a stable environment are all important elements of nurturing your child and helping them get used to a new nanny too.  

That’s why when you enlist the help of Hummingbird to help you find your perfect nanny, we will always take the time to get to know you and your family so we can ensure we find a nanny that is sensitive to your child’s individual needs but sets clear boundaries.

5. Common Sense

When you welcome a nanny into your family home to look after your children, your nanny will make endless decisions about your child’s health, safety and well-being throughout the day.  

Therefore, it goes without saying that you want a nanny who can accurately assess an emergency situation and decide the safest course of action. Plus, you will no doubt also want a nanny that can make good choices about simple things like what to make for lunch, how to handle a surprise and who to call when the heating stops working!

6. Punctual

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a nanny is that they will help make your life easier and ensure things run smoothly, which is why punctuality is another key characteristic. 

You rely on your nanny to arrive on time in the morning, enabling you to get out the door when you’re supposed to, so you can make the early morning commitments that are critical to your job – and rest assured that all school runs are complete on time too!

7. Trustworthy

There’s no denying that parents must place an enormous amount of trust in their nanny - and of course, the biggest show of trust is allowing them to care for their children.  

But that’s not all. You will also trust your nanny with your home, car, and lots of sensitive information about your family – which is why we always reference all nannies for this information. 

8. Flexible

This trait can make or break a nanny’s ability to work with a family. Let’s face it, flexibility is often one of the main reasons parents choose to hire a nanny over other types of care, so it’s vital that your nanny is flexible.  

When interviewing candidates, we always talk about what kind of flexibility they offer and what their comfort level is regarding this so we can ensure everyone is on the same page from the very beginning.

9. Communication

When it comes to hiring a nanny, communication is key. In fact, the success of the nanny/family relationship depends on both the parents and the nanny clearly communicating with each other.  

That’s why, here at Hummingbird, we always search for nannies that are comfortable asking questions and will tell you when they are unhappy about a situation. 

10. Reliability

Last but not least, reliability. One of the drawbacks of nanny care is that you’re solely relying on one person for so many important things – which is why it is so important to find a nanny who you can count on. 

As a top nanny agency in London, here at Hummingbird, we’ve helped hundreds of families find the perfect nanny for their needs, so you can always count on us to find nannies that you can rely on.  

Find Your Perfect Nanny with the Help of a Top Nanny Agency in London 

If you’re ready to make the leap and hire a nanny, contact us today to learn more about how we can help.  

There’s lots to think about when it comes to hiring a nanny. However, as a top nanny agency in London, we’ve got years of experience in matching families with their ideal nannies, so you can rest assured that our expert team will always find the right nanny for you and your family. 

Top ten characteristics we look for in a nanny when we meet them for registration
Kerry Barnham
Posted by
Kerry Barnham on 19th Feb, 2018