This nanny blog post is a continuation of the prior blog post with the same name. For those that didn\u2019t read part one, it was based on a recent incident of a nanny caught on a nanny cam dropping, kicking and hitting a baby.\u00a0 Fortunately the child wasn\u2019t physically harmed, but you can imagine the emotional trauma to this baby.<\/p>\n
In my prior post I mentioned that a well-respected full service nanny agency is your best defense against this type of horrible incident since they truly are professionals and have many built in safeguards to assure this won\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
Since a high percentage of families won\u2019t use a full-service nanny agency<\/a> because of the cost and perceived idea that they don\u2019t add value to their hiring, what can a family do to protect themselves? First of all, don\u2019t take yourself off the hook by saying you did a nanny background check<\/a>.\u00a0 I sincerely believe the nanny involved in the incident in NJ didn\u2019t have a criminal record. Very, very few nannies do. By all means do a nanny background check just to be sure and not sorry, but don\u2019t rely on that for your screening.<\/p>\n Remember, first of all nannies found on Craigslist, online nanny sites are not vetted in any way, in spite of what some of these sites may lead you to believe. \u00a0We\u2019re all DIY sites, so be prepared to do your homework!<\/p>\n What is the homework? Demand that the nanny explain gaps in employment and give you prior addresses where she lived and then compare them with the SSN address report from the background check.\u00a0 Get a copy of her ID, driver\u2019s license, SS card and immigration documents if they are not native born.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve saved the most important part for last. \u00a0Interview her first in a neutral place and then if you like her have her come to your home.\u00a0 Be sure if both spouses live together that both are at the interview, if not have a friend sit in on the interview.<\/p>\n Once she\u2019s passed all these tests, have her come back to your house and spend some time with your children to see how they respond to her.\u00a0 If you\u2019re still comfortable with her at this point, I bet you\u2019ve made a good decision, since you were thorough and NOT RUSHED.<\/p>\n Just to be on the safe side use a nanny cam<\/a> and drop in on her once or twice a day at different times just to see how things are going.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This nanny blog post is a continuation of the prior blog post with the same name. For those that didn\u2019t read part one, it was based on a recent incident of a nanny caught on a nanny cam dropping, kicking and hitting a baby. Fortunately the child wasn\u2019t physically harmed, but you can imagine the emotional trauma to this baby. Continue reading
\nUse a real nanny application not just the information provided by the online site.\u00a0 Look for inconsistencies such as when one job began and the other ended and the reason for the job ending.\u00a0 Be on the lookout, many job hunters use their friends and relatives as references, but don\u2019t say they\u2019re related.\u00a0 Use a nanny reference check<\/a> form so that you ask the right questions. Listen to your instincts, does the person feel like a salesperson to you?\u00a0 If, so it may be a phony reference.<\/p>\n