Clarifying your needs

Before you reach the stage of choosing candidates, it’s best to start the process by writing down what you’re looking for. Writing down the list of traits that make your ideal nanny will help make it clear to yourself, and later on it will be easier to judge which nanny is the best for your family.

Your list should include things like the ideal age of the candidate, experience, skills, character traits, budget, and start date. Do you expect your candidate to cook meals or re-heat prepared food? If you require cleaning, what standards do you have?

When you think of the character you’ll want your nanny to have, think of words like reliable, solid, gentle, loving, experienced, clear, bright, or perhaps you prefer words like firm, strict or efficient. Whatever your preference, creating a complete picture of your nanny will help you later on to filter your online search and during interviews.