7 key mistakes to avoid when hiring a nanny

As the Director here at KiwiOz I've spoken to hundreds of employers in my time who've experienced various levels of success hiring nannies.

So, what are some of the key mistakes I've seen people make that you can avoid when hiring your next nanny?

1. Poor preparation for interviews
A good nanny employer will be well prepared for interviews. I can't count the number of times I've had great nannies call to say they're not interested in a job because the parents 'didn't seem to know what they want.' You should have a contract ready to review with potential nannies, or at the very least have an extremely clear job description outlining the days, hours, salary and job expectations. If you need help preparing this we recommend My Nanny Toolkit. If you don't know exactly what you want, you won't know if the candidates you're meeting are the right fit for the job!

2. Lack of background screening and reference checks
We check references for all of our candidates however we urge all parents to speak directly with referees as well. You might have specific requirements for your role that it's important your nanny has the skills for. You may only find this out by having a candid conversation with previous employers, and if you neglect to do this in order to speed up the hiring process you may regret your decision at a later date.

3. Unrealistic salary offers
Do some research on market rates before  you start your nanny search. Parents who expect long hour for a low market rate will find it harder to source for their role and often they will have a high nanny turnover. If you can't afford the market rate then consider how else you might make the role more attractive- can you reduce the hours, or offer a longer paid holiday period?

4. Unrealistic expectations about housekeeping
Of course it's realistic to expect the nanny to leave your home in a tidy state- dishwasher emptied, toys tidied away etc, but it's not realistic to expect that if baby is sleeping the nanny can mop the floors and do the parent's washing. Nannies work in isolation and need some time during the day to relax and get some adult interaction- whether that be by phoning a friend or sitting down with a cup of tea.

5. Poor inductions
Nannies need time to get to know your family and bond with your children. A good induction will ensure your nanny knows the basics about your family and can gain confidence quickly in their new role. If you need help giving your nanny a thorough induction, My Nanny Toolkit has all of the templates you'll need to achieve success.

6. Childcare and discipline styles
One of the hardest issues nannies face is working with children who don't have respect for their authority. I often hear the complaint- 'I'll say no to the children and they'll go to mum and she'll let them do it.' It's easy as a parent to take the easy route and avoid arguments with the children but this type of action disempowers your nanny and makes life extremely difficult. If you like to have the final say, then please ensure your nanny is prepared and understands that from day one. She can then simply refer the children to you instead of making a decision which may be over-ruled. If you want the nanny to take the initiative, then you must back her up on her decisions!

7. Contractual issues
Most families expect very high standards from their nannies and if that isn't reciprocated in terms of your employment agreement you may face issues. Ensure you pay your nanny tax, holidays, overtime and pay your nanny on time. A full time nanny should expect pay 52 weeks a year, on time, in full, with the appropriate taxes on top.