What to Look for in a Nanny

Most parents only want what’s best for their children. However, not all parents can look after their kids all the time. Fortunately, busy mums and dads can entrust the care and safety of their little ones to qualified nannies.

The ideal nanny has a positive disposition, lots of patience, and a natural interest in working with children of all ages. In addition to these qualities, a nanny must have a clear idea of what to do in the event of an emergency. First-aid training, as well as decent driving skills, should come in useful.

Parents would do well to screen prospective nannies thoroughly. Apart from conducting a background check through a reputable organisation such as the International Nanny Association, parents may want to check for professional certifications such as a Diploma in Childcare and Education or a Level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare. These credentials can give added assurance about the nanny’s competence.

During the interview, parents should enquire about things like the nanny’s preferred disciplinary techniques as well as services she is willing (or unwilling) to perform. The important thing is to ensure that a nanny holds to the same values as the child’s parent(s) so that inconsistencies and mixed signals can be avoided.

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Choosing the Right Housekeeper for Your Home

If you need help in managing and completing chores around the home, you may want to consider getting the services of a housekeeper. In fact, you might need more than one housekeeper to perform various duties and functions in your household.

A head housekeeper, for example, is someone who can oversee the activities of other housekeepers. In addition to supervision, the head housekeeper can also train junior housekeepers, and make sure the latter perform their duties as well as possible. Qualified head housekeepers would have housekeeping experience for a number of years, and are adept at various tasks around the house, such as cleaning, washing, and laundry.

If you want to hire someone specifically to look after your children, you can hire a nanny. The most ideal nannies are those who have some background in child care or supervision. A nanny can look after just one of your children, or perhaps two or more children at the same time. The arrangement will all depend on your preference.

If you are more comfortable with less staff in your household, you can consider hiring a nanny housekeeper. This person can perform both nanny and housekeeping duties at the same time, and the right balance of responsibilities will be up to you. You may prefer that the nanny housekeeper spend most of his or her time looking after the children, and less doing housekeeping chores; or the other way around. 

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