Изхранване на детегледачката
18.01.2023
A complete guide to conducting an interview with a babysitter
Once you have reached the stage of nannies selection where you have suitable candidates, you need to interview them in order to get acquainted in person, check if they meet your requirements and whether you will fit each other. There are several key moments in conducting an interview that it is good to be familiar with in advance in order to conduct a really worthwhile interview that will benefit both sides.Therefore, we have prepared a useful text for you with guidance and practical tips that will save you a lot of conundrum and help you make the right choice.
- Telephone Interview
The point of conducting a telephone interview with the would-be nanny first is that it will save you a lot of time instead of negotiating a place to meet, and it will help you to cut down much easier and faster completely unsuitable babysitters for the position.The telephone interview is scheduled at a time appropriate for both parties, and the place where you will conduct it is absolutely free — from the living room to your car, as long as you have a little time in peace. Do not neglect the importance of a telephone interview and do not “pat” it, so as not to make you a bad impression too, which can repel a serious and suitable would-be sitter for your child.
During the phone call, it is good to say a few of your key criteria, which are essential to find out if with the other side it makes sense to go further with the selection.Share the following information and ask if this suits the nanny: the neighborhood in which you live; the number of children she needs to take care of and their age; do you have a pet; what transport can be reached to you and will you provide transportation costs such as a public transport card fuel costs, fees.
In case you fit so far, go on and find out the following information: what exactly is the experience of the nanny — is there experience with children with special needs if you are looking for just such a babysitter; is there experience with a newborn, if you rely on her to help you with babysitting; with children in which age groups has the greatest experience and is accustomed to watching. If you need a nanny to take your children to a garden, school, additional activities, ask her if she has a driver's license, if she is an active driver and whether she would take such an engagement.Interrogate her in detail about her acquired certificates, including an earned BRC course, diplomas and trainings.
- Video interview or live interview
The next step in the selection of a babysitter is to arrange a video interview or live interview with those candidates you like after the phone interview.A video interview you might prefer if you have at least two more candidates, and if you don't have enough free time right now to meet live.But remember that a direct appointment is almost mandatory and inevitable to hire a nanny, so you won't get away with just a viber, skype or messenger interview.
Requirements for the nanny
It is important to share at the outset your requirements, what you expect as a babysitter profile, with the specific candidate so that you have a basis for comparison, and to be able to “sift through” the applications according to your views.Be sure to specify and discuss the work schedule to ensure that the nanny can take care at the exact specified time and period. If you necessarily want it to be a non-smoker, mention it. If you prefer your nanny to have a driver's license, be an active driver and have her own car (or you can give it) to drive your kids around, share this with her and ask her if she agrees with your intentions too. Discuss her experience again. If you are looking for one to take care of a newborn or children with special needs, specify with the applicant whether she is qualified for this and whether she can take such care. If you need someone to help your children with homework, prepare at home, gain knowledge in a specific language, be aware whether the babysitter has the necessary knowledge and skills to do so.
Nanny duties
Along with the usual care activities for a child, babysitters tend to take on many other tasks as long as this is discussed in advance and agreed with parents. So here's the place to mention to the nanny if you're going to require her some household chores related to the child, such as cleaning, preparing his meals, washing dishes, launching a washing machine, ironing and putting his clothes away. If you use food provided by a children's kitchen, would you require the nanny to go to the place where she needs to take the food for the day?
If you often happen to be absent at night or travel and want to have professional care for your child at these moments, then be sure to ask the nanny if she is willing to stay overnight in your home or to travel with you on holiday or professional engagement, under the appropriate conditions and pay.
Operating Conditions
First of all, discuss the subject of the work itself, namely the child.Describe in detail his habits, how a normal day at home takes place, what is the exact schedule of his daily activities or is missing one. What your child likes most to deal with, what he plays with the greatest pleasure, what attracts his attention for the longest time.Be sure to share with the babysitter any allergies or intolerances to food or medication if the child has any.Explain in detail to the nanny what you want her to teach or teach him — self-care, certain responsibilities, skills.
Inform the nanny whether you will sign a contract for the work with her and under what conditions.How much will be her remuneration - gross and net, what will be her insurance. If you have decided not to bind your relationship to a contract, then also tell her your intentions.
Discuss pay.Exactly how much the nanny will receive for the care of your child, how will her salary be formed — as a firm amount, relative to the working days of the month, as an hour rate. If you need to use her services in the future in extra days or hours, it is good to agree on the additional payment from now on.
Regarding transport and transportation costs, at this stage it is also advisable to share your views with the nanny — will you provide her with transport or the costs of it, or leave them at her expense.
If you have decided to give bonuses for a job well done, additional privileges, 13th salary, sports card, then tell her that, she will surely like the idea, and it will emphasize your good intentions and seriousness.
Verification of recommendations
If you hired an agency to find a babysitter, then this point will “fall” off your shoulders, and the agency will do the job for you. But if you do not rely on assistants, then you should necessarily check the recommendations of would-be babysitters.Which means you should call the families she worked for before the nanny, who gave good feedback on her.Conduct a short conversation with them and get informed about the strengths and weaknesses of the babysitter.
Require to show you their documents
There are several standard documents that are required when hiring a babysitter, and which it is right to ask and look at well.
A criminal record is the first basic document the nanny must provide you with.The main reason for its requirement, as well as for almost any job, is that it will take care of your child, so her clean past is of utmost importance.
A medical certificate is also required by presumption. Through it you guarantee the physical health of the nanny who will spend hours alongside your child.
Testimony from a mental health psychodissary may be beneficial to certify the babysitter's emotional and mental stability and her suitability for working with children.
Certificate of passing a course in BRC ensures your peace of mind that your child will be in safe hands, even if an unforeseen and unexpected accident occurs, in which he will receive timely and adequate first aid.
- Sample questions to ask the babysitter
For your convenience, we have prepared a list of questions you can ask during the interview with a nanny, exactly how to formulate and arrange them. You can print the list and stand at your fingertips during the meeting to help you and help you remember not to forget something important and essential.
- Tell us about your previous jobs
- How long have you worked for previous employers
- What were your previous duties?
- Experience How many years do you work with children?
- In which age groups do you have experience?
- Do you have a diploma/ certificate/ stage or other training in the field?
- Can you provide recommendations?
- What do you want in the employer/family?
- Why do you like to take care of children?
- What will you teach them?
- What are you going to educate them to?
- What do you think is the best way to deal with anger?
- What are your favorite activities with kids?
- Trial game with the child
Very useful for all countries (for you as parents, for the child and for the nanny) may be the introduction of the baby to the babysitter at the very interview.You can let them play a little together to see how both sides will behave, whether the child will be able to easily relax and quickly accept the nanny, as well as whether she will find in a short time the right approach to the child and attract his attention.Keep in mind that mutual fit and acceptance is far from taking 10 or 20 minutes, so don't bet on big expectations, especially if your child is more restrictive, but you may still get some insight into the nanny's viewing style and your child's eventual mindset.
A common mistake is a direct meeting with the child, while he “pike” - to specify the official relationship.Then most often you forget questions, and it comes to “But I didn't know I had to iron!” or “She didn't realize that when the kid was sick, I'd be with him and she wouldn't get paid.”
And once the babysitter starts working and caring for your child, a reasonable option would be to stay the first days with them, or at least for a few hours, so that the transition for your child is less stressful and painful.It all depends on the natur of your child, on how you will prepare him for the change, on your mutual attitude and your understanding and desire.
It is good that between each of the stages there is a day or two for calm reflection, so that both sides can start clean, with confidence and get to know each other a little bit.
- Questions you can't ask
reasons, there are also questions you can't ask so they won't accuse you of discrimination - religious, racist, sexual. So do not ask questions of the type of:
“ Are you married in a relationship?”
Why it's bad: Questions of marital status can be seen as discriminatory or that you are trying to learn what sexual and preferences are.
“ Do you have children?”
Why it's bad: a babysitter can claim that you discriminated against her if you don't give her the job, but give it to someone who doesn't have children.
“ Are you planning to have children soon?
“Why is it bad: Although you are trying to reduce the impact of an employee with whom your children are just going to approve and he should go on maternity leave, it is illegal to ask this question.
“ Do you have a disability?”
Why it's bad: asking someone if they have a disability violates equality legislation.
“ How old are you?”
Why it's bad: Knowing someone's age can lead to a risk for age discrimination.You have to focus on someone's ability to do the job, whether they're old or young.
“ Where are you from?”
Why it's bad: Nationality and ethnicity should have no bearing on someone's suitability to perform their babysitter duties
“ What kind of religion are you?”
Why it's bad: This question is grounds for discrimination allegations
- When you stop at any
If you have reached the point where you have a suitable candidate to whom you are going to offer the commitment, then you have done much of the work. But follow a few more steps that you need to go through, and in no case do not underestimate them.
To begin with, inform the other candidates you have not chosen about your decision that you have decided on a specific babysitter, with whom your requirements and the offered conditions have approached the most.Be correct and polite, a little diplomatic, because you never know when you will need the services of another babysitter and you will address exactly the ones you currently reject.Always leave one door open, just in case.
Repeat the terms
You may repeat yourself, but it is necessary to reiterate the working conditions with your chosen nanny.Make sure that everything you've talked about has not changed, and that both sides agree to the agreed terms.It is recommended that they be described in a contract, which is an official document of your relationship, as it protects both parties. But if you have decided not to sign anything documentary, you should be aware that you are responsible for the risk taken.
Detailed information on hiring and subsequent management of the babysitter can be read in our Complete Guide to hiring a babysitter.And remember, when conducting an interview with a babysitter, you should also proceed from your desire to ensure a happy viewing of your child and a calm daily routine for you.
