Pertinent Questions For a Nanny Agency

There's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to the requirements and obligations of everyday life and how they affect the way that parents think about healthcare and childcare. After all, while most parents would much prefer to be at home, the simple reality is that a lot of the time, this is not the most feasible option. Therefore, it is important for parents to be able to consult a reliable source when it comes to hiring a child nanny to take care of one's children in a household, either full-time or part-time.

While a lot of people who are interested in nanny care might go out on their own and try to find the perfect nanny, even more opt to instead defer to a nanny agency, where trained professionals can be found to assist with childcare responsibilities at home. Though it can definitely be a relief to get in touch with a nanny agency, there are still a number of questions that responsible parents have for the prospective caregivers of their children. After all, you wouldn't just want to leave your child with just anyone, and hiring a nanny should definitely involve a rigorous questioning for whoever the prospective employee is in this situation.

But one of the most difficult aspects of organizing or arranging an interview with a nanny is knowing what questions to ask. After all, after references, it can sometimes be tricky to figure out exactly what questions are essential. For parents who are considering a nanny, it is often helpful to think of what you want your child to get out of the experience while you are not around. After all, you want a nanny who shares some of your values, because for better or for worse, this makes the nanny experience easier. Also, if you are envisioning someone as a full-time employee and she is only available for part-time, that might be a deal-breaker. So it is definitely not out of line to ask how much time someone has to put into the prospect of being the nanny to your son or daughter.

Aside from this, there are a number of simple and foolproof questions that you can employ when speaking to someone from a nanny agency. Ask how long he or she has been interacting with children, and what reasons he or she has for continuing to pursue this career path. Be sure to also ask questions about what seems more proper in a situation where a child is unattended and parents dictate that one thing should be done, but your personal moral compass points to a different direction. After all, it is important to figure out if your nanny is able to govern in the way you are hoping, or if he or she is only going to go on their own instincts, regardless of what your wishes are.

Above all, don't feel guilty for needing to even talk to a nanny agency. Any good parent will be able to admit when they need some extra help, and there's nothing wrong in requiring a little bit of assistance when it comes to child-rearing, especially if you have the common sense to go ask for it yourself.

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.