[covertlycrunchy]

Just looking for a poll of sorts to see what things decided them for or against a particular person when caring for their child.

We interview our #1 pick in person this Saturday & I'm nervous, I really want to think this is the right person but I don't want to be blinded by need.

 

[kathrineg]

I am a nanny. What I would suggest is a trial period, say, a week, to make sure that you mesh and get along.

 

[nabigus]

Her references! I find it hard to tell in an interview if we'll love someone or just like her. We went through a crazy number of interviews when we were looking for a shared nanny for ds, and I found that calling the references was a really good way to get information. I asked a lot of questions, and made sure to ask what they wish they'd known going in, and to close with "is there anything else you think I should know?" Then we only considered people who had awesome (like really really awesome) references.

The only issue was it was pretty clear to me that a lot of people have no idea what happens when they're not at home. There was a lot of "well, my daughter really likes her" and "the house is always clean when I come home."

 

[Michelle Renee]

For our current nanny -
We hired based on Ophelia's reaction. Ophie is 11 months old and literally hates everyone. I have to tell people at the grocery store "dont look at her" because if she doesnt know you she will SCREAM HER HEAD OFF! *snicker*
She is a little demon

As soon as she saw our current nanny she reached for her and snuggled her face into her. Wow. Hands down -wow. Seriously - my neighbor will stand on the sidewalk (when Ophie is in her swing on porch) and say "Hi Ophie" and ophie will sob.

Practical stuff for hires:
okay with donated breastmilk
when they walk in and see my child for first time - do they bend down and make eye contact with the child
is ok with my personality (im high needs and demanding in a little kind of a way)
can work with our pay (low for standard nanny wage)
Makes it clear they dont believe in crying it out
Discipline that works with ours

Dealbreakers:
unclean appearance
if children come to interview - kids are clean.
if children come to interview they dont fit with mine
poorly dressed (please dont come to my house looking like you should be going to the bar)
they sound like george bush
heheh

you know usually - you can feel it. if it fits -it fits.

 

[covertlycrunchy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nabigus Her references! I find it hard to tell in an interview if we'll love someone or just like her. We went through a crazy number of interviews when we were looking for a shared nanny for ds, and I found that calling the references was a really good way to get information. I asked a lot of questions, and made sure to ask what they wish they'd known going in, and to close with "is there anything else you think I should know?" Then we only considered people who had awesome (like really really awesome) references. The only issue was it was pretty clear to me that a lot of people have no idea what happens when they're not at home. There was a lot of "well, my daughter really likes her" and "the house is always clean when I come home."

We checked her references, however one person switched companies so his email doesn't work and the other barely spoke english (she was w/ them for 8 years though, so I kind of assume they liked her & they did say nice things when asked).

 

[Carita]

Quote:

Originally Posted by covertlycrunchy We checked her references, however one person switched companies so his email doesn't work and the other barely spoke english (she was w/ them for 8 years though, so I kind of assume they liked her & they did say nice things when asked).

ask her for more references - or an updated list... not out of the question