Top ten characteristics we look for in a nanny when we meet them for registration

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. Here are ten characteristics we look for in a nanny when recruiting for our clients.

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. Here are ten characteristics we look for in a nanny when recruiting for our clients.

• Love of children. Of course the top characteristic of a nanny is her genuine love of kids. Education, experience matter but none of those will make a person who doesn’t truly love working with children a quality nanny. Enjoying children is the foundation that everything else is built on
• Enthusiasm. Nannies work long days and often have a lot of responsibilities. 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. We like to hear can do comments rather than I do not!
• Fun loving. Childhood is all about fun. Look for a nanny that truly enjoys what she does and will plan fun, well rounded days for your child. Being silly, finding the humor in everyday situations, and having a upbeat outlook on life are all key.
• Naturing. 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. A nanny that is sensitive to your child’s individual needs but sets clear boundaries.
• Common sense. Your nanny will make endless decisions about your child’s health, safety and well-being throughout the day. You want a nanny who can accurately assess an emergency situation and decide the safest course of action. And one 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.
• Punctual. You rely on your nanny to arrive on time in the morning. Getting out the door when you’re supposed to helps you make the early morning commitments that are critical to your job.
• Trustworthy. Parents have to place an enormous amount of trust in their nanny. Of course the biggest show of trust is allowing her to care for their children. But they also trust her with their home, car, and lots of sensitive information about their family. We reference all nannies for this information.
• Flexible. This trait can make or break a nanny’s ability to work with a family. flexibility is often one of the main reasons parents choose nanny care over other types of care. When interviewing candidates, talk about what kind of flexibility they offer and what their comfort level is in regard to this.
• Communication. The success of the nanny / family relationship depends on the parents and the nanny to clearly communicate with each other. We search for a nanny that is comfortable asking questions and will.tell.you when she is unhappy about a situation.
• Relaiblity. One of the drawbacks of nanny care is that you’re solely relying on one person for so many important things. 
  
  

Kerry Barnham

Hummingbird Homestaff

07966 495438