When
you are looking for a nanny or caregiver for your children or elderly relatives
you know it is important to find the right one. But how do you do that? How do
you know who the right one is? What do you look for? While every family is
different and has different needs, there are a few qualities that all families
should look for in a caregiver. Those are:
1. Knowledgeable –One of the first things you should
look for in a caregiver is their knowledge. Do they know what to do in the job?
You certainly do not want to hire someone who does not know what they are
doing. Try to ask pointed questions about their history and experience. Give
them example situations and ask them how they would deal with it. Often times
you can get a good grasp of their knowledge and attitude by their responses to
your questions. If they seem impatient, annoyed or puzzled then they might not
be the right fit for you.
2. Experienced – Part of knowledge is experience.
What children or elderly have they cared for before? How long did they work for
them? Do they have any other relevant experience such as volunteering? Many
times experience is more than just jobs held. Perhaps they have children of
their own or have cared for a relative in similar circumstances. Do not dismiss
a possible fit just because they have not had a job in the same field. However
you do not want to hire someone who does not know what they are getting into
either.
3. References –Whenever you ask about a
candidate’s past experience you should also ask for references. You should get
at least two or three previous employers names and numbers and check with them.
Ask them about their experience with the candidate and what issues might have
come up. Try to keep things light and positive, but watch for warning signs.
Always ask if they would be willing to hire the person again. If they pause,
try to find out why. It could be a sign of bigger problems.
4. Caring –If you are looking for a
caregiver, for children or the elderly, then they should be caring! This
attitude will be apparent during the interview. Do they show interest in the
children? Do they seem genuine and helpful? Do they ask questions about their
possible charges or is everything focused on them? A good caregiver will be
caring and unselfish.
5. Patient
–A good caregiver
will also be patient. If the candidate seems impatient or in a hurry during the
interview then you can be they will be the same way when trying to help the
elderly get dressed or waiting for a child to finish their meal. You do not
want someone who is always in a rush. Instead, hire someone who takes their
time and does things right, with a caring attitude no matter how long it takes.
It takes a special kind of person to do this, but that is what you need to find
in a caregiver or nanny.
6. Responsible – You are trusting your nanny or
caregiver with the life of your children or elderly relative. That is a very
important position. Therefor the caregiver should be a responsible person. They
should be able to deal with situations as they arise in a trustworthy manner.
You should try to make sure that the person you hire has a strong sense of
responsibility and will be able to function in a largely unsupervised
environment.
7. Safe
– Background checks
are very important for any potential hire. You want to make sure that the
candidate has no criminal history or even a history of repeated car accidents
or driving violations. These could be signs of a bigger problem. A history of
violence, theft or drug abuse is also a big red flag. It does not cost much to
run a background check and it is well worth your time and effort. Do not trust
free background checks or ones that come back within a few minutes. Those are
not reliable and do not give you the whole story. Instead, invest wisely in a
paid background check and make sure that you get the whole picture.
8. Intelligent –Another important thing to look
for in a caregiver is intelligence. Not only are you hiring the nanny to watch
over your children but they should also be able to help them to learn basic
life skills like reading, writing or help with homework. The caregiver should
also be bright enough to keep track of any medications, know the warning signs
of illness, and know what actions to take in an emergency.
9. Good
Language Skills
–You need to be able to communicate clearly with whoever you hire. They should
have good language skills and the ability to read or write to communicate with
you. They should also be able to follow simple instructions such as mediation
times and driving directions. The easiest way to determine language skills
beyond just talking to a potential hire is to have them fill out a form or test
with you. That way you can assess their skills without difficulty.
10. Transportation – Last but not least is
transportation. How will they get to your home? Will they live with you? Do
they have their own vehicle or means of transportation that is reliable? Do
they expect you to supply them with a vehicle for transporting the children or
elderly? If so, do they have a valid driver’s license? All these questions need
to be addressed before hiring.
These
are just a few of the things you should look for when looking to hire a nanny
or caregiver for your family. Though different families have different needs,
we all share some needs in common. Find the caregiver that fits with your
family and that you feel comfortable with. Hopefully they will be a round for a
long time.
Author Bio:
Jack
Meyers is a regular contributor for www.nannybackgroundcheck.com. As a detective he wants to spread the knowledge of terrible things that can happen when people don’t
fully verify the credentials of a caregiver or any employee. He also writes for
various law enforcement blogs and sites.
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