It can be difficult to understand the differences between the various types of nanny and to understand what levels of pay are both appropriate and normal. When you’re searching for nannies or other childcare options, you need to have a clear understanding of your options before you hire anyone. In addition, you should also know what to expect from both your nanny and the agency supplying them. Only when you’re comfortable with the various types and characteristics of nannies will you be able to make an informed decision about your new nanny.
The Different Types Of Nannies
When you’re searching for a nanny in your area, you’ll come across several distinct types. On the most basic level, there are short-term and long-term nannies. You may only need a nanny for a short period of time, to cover sickness for instance, and so you will only be searching for candidates who prefer short-term work.
Your next choice is whether you want someone to live in or not. There are plenty of candidates for both options when you’re searching for nannies. A day-to-day nanny won’t live in your home but will likely work up to 11 hours a day on a full-time contract. These nannies can perform additional babysitting duties if necessary, but these should be contracted for. You’ll be looking at up to $15 net wage per hour for a day-to-day nanny. However, if you’d prefer a live-in nanny, you’ll be looking at paying between $300-$600 net wage per week. Again, extra duties can be contracted for.
Nanny shares between different families are quite popular, and there are also options for junior nannies and nanny housekeepers if you need to fill such a role in your household.
What To Expect From Candidates Selected Via A Nanny Agency
Hiring a nanny, from your perspective, comes with certain expectations. When you’re hiring via a reputable and competent nanny agency, you’ll expect the best childcare possible, but what should this consist of? Essentially, what you want from any nanny agency or any individual nanny is the confirmation that your child is in great hands. A nanny should ensure that your child is physically and emotionally satisfied during their time together. This means cooking healthy food for them, ensuring they’re clean and hygienic, and that their clothes are washed. For babies, it can mean everything from feeds to diaper rash remedies. On an emotional level, a good nanny will be loving and understanding, yet firm in terms of protecting your child and teaching them safety, for example. Depending on the age of your child, they may also be involved in toilet training activities and developing your child’s communication skills. A nanny can be expected to look after your child in a safe and stable environment while you’re absent. There are numerous childcare qualifications available that indicate skills in childcare. However, unqualified nannies are also placed by many reputable nanny agencies as they have experience in the field and are often working towards qualifications alongside their duties.
Nanny Agencies – What Makes A Good One?
Nanny agencies have an important role to play in society. Our children are precious, and we deserve to know that they’re being looked after both safely and affectionately in our absence. In this sense, choosing a nanny agency is one of the most crucial decisions relating to your child that you’ll make during their childhood. An excellent nanny agency will understand this and take care to make the process as simple as possible. They’ll want to find your perfect nanny and will have been rigorous in their candidate selection process to choose only the best candidates for their clients.
Ideally, you’ll want to choose a nanny agency that has experience and knowledge in the field. They’ll be searching for long-term relationships with both candidates and clients, rather than offering short-term nannies who may not be suitable for a specified role. They’ll work towards their clients’ needs each and every time because your recommendations and feedback are what keeps them in business. A good nanny agency will ensure that you find a candidate suitable for your household and they may even offer a nanny replacement guarantee.
What Characteristics Are You Looking For?
A successful and competent nanny has certain personal qualities that lend themselves well to working in a childcare role. For example, they will have a warm and welcoming demeanor. They’ll be able to put a child at ease and ensure that parents feel comfortable with their childcare strategies at all times. If you’re employing a live-in nanny, they’ll adapt to their new environment and also be clear about what they are expected to do in terms of their live-in contract. A live-out nanny will be a punctual person, committed to their childcare duties, and easily contactable. It is worth noting that, sometimes, external issues such as transport problems may impact a live-out nanny. However, while a nanny isn’t able to foresee such problems, they’ll be able to adapt to them and act in a professional manner at all times. They’ll be an excellent organizer and have good social skills. They’ll also have knowledge of how a child’s development progresses and so can tailor activities and tasks accordingly. When you’re searching for such a nanny, you need to have trust in the agency.
Is It Possible To Trial A Nanny?
A nanny agency might be the best place to start your search for the perfect nanny. Every agency will have a different way of working, and it is important that you feel comfortable dealing with them. It is also important that you are comfortable with the nanny you have chosen.
Some families choose to have a trial period for their nanny. This can be useful for a variety of reasons, and a good nanny agency may even encourage a trial period. Although parents will have met the nanny before hiring him or her, once they are actually working in the household the situation can be different. It may be that the hours aren’t suitable after all, or that the children just don’t thrive with the particular nanny that was chosen. So a trial period is useful for everyone involved. It allows the nanny from the nanny agency to get a feel for the family and the job before agreeing to stay on for an extended period of time. It also allows the parents to find out whether they are happy with how the nanny works. For parents who have never used a nanny before, it is a good opportunity for them to ensure that they are happy with the arrangement in the first place. It may even be a chance to trial more than one nanny, to see who fits the family best. Beware, though, that this can be extremely confusing, especially for very young children, and unless everyone understands exactly what is happening it can cause more upset than it stops.
What Is The Difference Between A Nanny And A Babysitter?
Nannies aren’t something that every family needs or might consider to be helpful. But for many thousands of households, a nanny is essential. They allow for better quality family time, and they give both parents and children much needed time to themselves.
There is sometimes some confusion over the exact role of a nanny; are they similar to a babysitter, for example? Although there are similarities, there are also a number of differences too, and these are much more important to understand. If you aren’t sure, speak to an expert at a nanny agency for clarification.
Simply put, a babysitter is just about keeping the child safe and happy for a limited period, be it an evening, a weekend, or something else. A nanny, by contrast, is responsible for the entire wellbeing of the child – they must nurture the child’s social, physical, cognitive, and emotional needs as well as doing everything that a babysitter would do. A babysitter can be a great option for very short term care of your child, and they do not need to have all of the skills that a nanny does. They don’t, for example, need to know about educating a child, or how to deal with emotional issues. They simply make sure that no harm comes to the child when the parent is out. A nanny needs to know much more and is responsible for much more, which is why a nanny is a more expensive option, but a much better one for long term care.
What About Nanny Insurance?
Nannies need to be responsible for many different aspects of your children’s lives. Therefore, it is important that they are fully vetted and understand how to work with and live with children. It is also important that they are properly insured. In fact, it is essential.
It is not a legal requirement for a nanny to have public liability insurance, but it is always a good idea. Plus, it is becoming more usual to find nannies that have this insurance as opposed to those that do not. Not only does it give parents peace of mind, but it is a great way for nannies themselves to show how responsible they are, and how much they take their job seriously. Public liability insurance provides essential cover for legal costs and possible compensation should anything happen to your children whilst in the care of your nanny, assuming the nanny was at fault. These costs can be extremely high, and without having the correct insurance, many nannies would not be able to pay them. Although it is not something that parents need to worry about on a daily basis, it is still something that should be discussed at the interview stage. Accidents do happen, and it is best to be prepared. A nanny’s public liability insurance is something that she or he will pay for themselves, and should come at no extra cost to the employer.
