Friday, May 31, 2013

Choose the Perfect Nanny in Five Easy Steps

If your family is sure a nanny is the way to go for home childcare, then the next step is to follow these five easy steps towards finding the perfect nanny candidate. Instead of starting by seeing what is out there in terms of nanny professionals, begin by turning your focus in on your own family for step #1, analyzing your childcare needs and family situation. Know before ever contacting a nanny agency or other means whether you want a nanny to live-in, or live-out; what kind of schedule the nanny is needed for; what extra tasks like housework the nanny will be required to perform; whether the nanny need to be provided a car, etc. Think about exactly how much you can afford to spend on a nanny's services and take all that information and write it up in a formal job description. With this written description in hand, it's time to find a nanny.

A great place to start when looking for a nanny is with other families and friends that are currently employing a nanny. It is likely that good reliable nannies working in your social circle or neighborhood will know where to refer your family to find the same, whether it be a friend, a former coworker, or a great nanny agency. With step #2 completed, it's time to move on to the technical end of things.

There are many legal and technical details to consider when hiring a nanny, including the International Nanny Association standards which constitute step #3. For example, a proper nanny must be at least 18 years of age, have proof of immunizations, be in good health, and have received a high school diploma or equivalent. If these bases are covered move on to a nanny background check (it's always a good idea to do your own), a thorough interview, reference and work history check, and a review of everything from the nanny's driving record, criminal history, and educational background.. Always be sure a new nanny candidate is legal to work in the United States before accepting her as an employee.

Should everything check out, it's time to move on to step #4 where the nanny spends some time with your family. The child nanny relationship is one of the most important in this situation. Spend time with the nanny including one interview with the her alone, and another with her and the child together. Always be upfront and honest about expectations and job conditions during the interview, and don't be afraid to ask tough questions. This person will be taking care of your child, so you'll want the best possible nanny candidate for the job.

Lastly, don't neglect the fact that you will now not only be a parent, but an employer. As such, you will have to comply with step #5, complying with Nanny Tax laws. This not only encompasses taxes nanny will have to pay, but the payroll taxes like federal and state unemployment insurance tax, and FICA you as an employer will have to pay. The bottom bracket for the tax is any nanny making more than $1,500 per year. If looking to hire a full time nanny she will likely be making quite a bit more than this, meaning you will have to comply with Nanny tax. Most families hire either a personal accountant, nanny agency, or purchase computer software to assist them with the Nanny tax registration and payment process.

enannysource.com/nanny-safety-legal/nanny-salary-taxes.aspx enannysource.com/nanny-safety-legal/nanny-salary-taxes.aspx








About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNannySource, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert has been helping nannies find nanny jobs and families find nannies. Steve has been in the nanny agency business since 1994. Prior to founding eNannySource in 2001 he ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To find an excellent nanny or to find nanny jobs please go to: enannysource.com enannysource.com.

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