Making sure you have a nanny or au pair that is right for your family is essential for peace of mind for everyone’s safety.
Here are some tips to help you shift through the nanny candidates for your family:
Write up a job description
When you first realize your family will need childcare support, you may be tempted to sound the alarm to anyone and everyone you know. Before you start asking for help, write up a job description for the type of help you are looking for in a nanny or au pair.
Make sure you include all your expectations in the details and ask yourself:
Are you looking for someone to also clean/tidy up the house?
What is your pay rate?
Do the hours fluctuate from day to day or remain the same, Monday through Friday?
Putting this down on paper can help you better understand what and who you are looking for.
Talk to your insurance agent
The job description will be unique to your lifestyle. As you consider exactly what your nanny or au pair will do, talk to your independent insurance agent, like R.C. Keller & Company, to see whether or not to add or increase certain coverage options.
Ask your agent:
Is umbrella coverage against potential legal issues practical for me?
If the person I hire uses the family car, do I need to add him/her to my auto policy?
If I have valuables in my home not currently listed on my home policy, is this a time to do so?
Conduct an interview
Nannying is not babysitting for the night, it is a profession, so you should treat it like one.
Make sure you conduct the interview in person. Lay out your expectations to each candidate. If this your first time hiring a nanny, review an interviewer checklist to ensure you cover various topics. Get references and ask questions that span many different topics, like previous experience, their caregiving style and if there are any special considerations (religious holidays, allergies, etc.) you or the nanny want to talk about ahead of time.
You should also check their references to ensure you have done a thorough background check.
Seal the hire in ink
You found the ideal nanny or au pair for you, don’t settle for a handshake agreement. Help your family and nanny by spelling out all aspects of the job in a formal work agreement that both parties sign.
Make sure to include important elements such as:
Pay amount and schedule
Hours
Days off
Benefits (if applicable)
If the hired party is ever allowed to have guests over
Effective start and end date
Stress Safety
Once you have hired your nanny, set them up for success with an initial run through of important aspects of the job.
Give your nanny a tour of your home making sure to point out how to use safety devices in your house
(i.e. smoke detectors, locks, alarms). Show your nanny where certain devices are in the event of an emergency, like flashlights, first aid kids and fire extinguishers, write our an emergency action plan so both of you understand what steps should be taken. Review these plans together.
If you home has valuables or other items you wish to remain out of your nanny or au pair’s hands, be sure to lock them up every day. Consider a home safe for an extra layer of protection.
If your child takes medication, write out a clear action plan and review it regularly with your nanny to ensure correct times and doses are given. If your child has allergies, explain what foods are acceptable to make for them and if any foods should not be brought into the house.
Call R.C. Keller & Company
R.C. Keller & Company have been helping growing families with their home, auto and umbrella insurance since, 1910. We understand the risk you have by hiring a nanny or au pair. Give a member of our team a call at 847-907-4520 to determine the best option for you.