Obviously the more bonding time you share with Baby after birth the better, but sometimes you just need an adult date, and it takes a village to release you from the time consuming responsibilities of motherhood.

There are a variety of online agencies that provide background checks, and have vetted the competency, reliability and history of potential care-givers. Some agencies are more reliable than others, and checking references is extremely important to get a clear sense of the woman you are inviting to do well, the most important job on the planet!

Once you have narrowed your potential nanny to less than ten candidates, get off your keyboard, and make phone calls, Facetime, or Zoom, or another video platform can be valuable at this point in your search.

Pay attention to the presentation of your candidate; is she healthy looking, in good physical shape to keep up with your baby’s physical demands? Is she “high maintenance”, “lowkey”, “attractive”? All of these attributes have variable consequences. Is she fluent in your language? Good communication is imperative.

Equally as important is what is surrounding your candidate. Is her living space tidy? Is there art on the walls? Does she have children of her own, how are they behaved?

Have a list of questions prepared to ask her. These should include:

* Tell me about your education?
* What is your childcare experience?
* What was your relationship like with past families?
* Do you own your own vehicle? Is it reliable? Year, make, model?
* Do you have a clean driving record?
* Would you be open to reading material on the childcare approach I use?
* Would you be willing to adopt the childcare method I use?
* Are you comfortable helping me with chores and light meals, tidying and cleaning when necessary around the house?
* Are you comfortable with flexible hours, and working some weekends?
* Are you comfortable working late and possibly through some nights?
* Are you comfortable with pets? Specify.
* Do you swim?
* Do you have First Aid & CPR training? How current?
* Do you have children of your own? Ages?
* Are you planning on having children in the future?
* Are you in a long term relationship?
* Are you dating?
* Are you comfortable with responsibility?
* What is your definition of disciplining a small child?
* What are your other interests? Hobbies?
* What are your strengths and weaknesses?
* Why did you chose to become a nanny?
* Do you see this job as a career or a temporary choice?
* What do you feel children in your care respond well to?
* What struggles do you have as a nanny?
* Are you able to travel if necessary?
* Do you have a current passport?

The more you can put on the table prior to hiring, the less likelihood of miscommunication.

Whomever you decide to meet with in person, tell them your address (or a meeting place), and time. If they ask for directions, they are not the person for you. You are hiring someone to help you. They should be competent enough to find your address in a map Ap. You should not establish your aiding them, this will be indicative of your relationship to come.

When you meet in person with your final chosen candidates, after full background checks, ask for a copy of their driver’s license, if you don’t already have it on file. Only then should they enter your home.

Schedule around Baby’s nap, so you can see how your candidate interacts with him. How does Baby respond to her? Is she gentle with him? Does she talk softly, kindly?

Be vigilant as they meet and connect, this intuitional initial impression will likely tell you much more than educational degrees or model of car.

Have copies of your favorite Pikler® inspired books available to give or loan to your final candidates and ask them if they would be willing to read. If your candidate has connected with you and your child, she will likely be willing to do a little homework before you next speak. Tell her you’ll be in touch within the week and would like to hear her thoughts on the child care approach.

When you reconnect, ask her what she thought of the book? And mind her response, is it positive or negative? Does she have questions? Would she be interested in a childcare workshop?

If you have a couple of candidates that you are choosing between, don’t be afraid to ask each woman to come for a trial day with your family. Though this maybe time consuming for you, you will get a clear sense of the candidate that best fits with your lifestyle.

Even on her trial day, you should find your candidate helpful. Does she offer to help with the laundry folding, the dishes, or changing a diaper? Does she offer to make you a cup of tea? Or is she nervous, and waiting to be told what to do?

Look for someone that fits well, and feels right.

Don’t forget that you are spending hard earned cash to afford to have help. She is not a friend but an employee, even though you are sharing your home and most precious gift in your life.