Friday, May 11, 2012

10 Reasons Hiring a Nanny on a Plane is Silly

Whether it’s a plane or simply on the fly, hiring a nanny on the spot without proper reference checks and background investigations is a bit on the reckless side. Though the fast pace of today’s busy world might warrant cutting a few corners, selecting a childcare provider is not a process that can be fast-tracked. Here are ten of the reasons why you’ll want to take your time selecting the nanny that cares for your children.

  1. To Make Sure She Has Experience – In order to rush through the hiring process, you’ll have to take your prospective nanny’s experience at her word; without taking adequate time to review her resume and paperwork, you won’t be able to ascertain that she has the working knowledge she claims.
  2. Waiting For the Background Check to Come Through – Background checks are very important when it comes to hiring an in-home childcare provider. By checking her criminal history, you may find larceny charges that stemmed from her habit of stealing from her employers or a few DUI cases that would make her ability to transport your children from one activity to the next questionable.
  3. Because Your State Has a Child Abuse Registry – While these databases don’t exist in all states, there are registries similar to those dedicated to sex offenders that list those who have been convicted of child abuse. States that maintain them will return results for everything from negligence to physical abuse, but getting those results will require a bit of patience.
  4. She Doesn’t Carry Her Red Cross Certification on Board – Kids get injured; sometimes, they may even choke on food or small toys that they feel belong in their mouths. Handling these emergencies will require first aid and CPR training; hiring in a hurry may cause you to neglect this important step.
  5. Checking References From Those In-Flight Phones Can Get Pricey – Professional nannies take great pride in their impeccable references. If she doesn’t want you to check them, there’s probably a reason. If you choose not to follow up with them because you’re in a hurry, you might miss out on valuable information that would have affected your decision.
  6. To Protect Against Motion Sickness – High turnover rates can leave you feeling as if you’re moving at the speed of light. Nannies that leave their posts suddenly will have a track record of doing just that, but you won’t know if you don’t look into her employment history.
  7. Her Diploma Isn’t in Her Carry-On – Anyone can say that they have an Ivy League education, so it’s essential that you obtain diplomas before making your decision if your nanny’s level of education is a deal-breaker for you.
  8. TSA Doesn’t Screen For Scam Artists – The private childcare industry has its share of hucksters, so it’s important to be on your guard when hiring a nanny. It’s easy to miss those red flags if you’re rushing through the hiring process, so it’s a good idea to slow down to protect your assets as well as your children.
  9. You Can’t See Her in Action – Part of any nanny’s interview process should be a supervised session with her potential charges in order to ensure that everyone gets along and is on the same page. Skipping this step can lead to unhappy children, nannies and parents.
  10. Turbulence Can Make Drafting a Nanny Contract Difficult – The nanny contract is an essential part of your relationship with your new nanny. These documents cover every aspect of her position, including responsibilities and requirements. Having a contract to refer back to can be a lifesaver in the event of disputes, so it’s not a good idea to forgo one in the interest of speed.

There are an endless number of situations that can lead to desperate parents in need of immediate childcare, but it will always pay off in the long run to take your time. A hastily hired nanny may prove unfit, unstable or even to be a fraud, leaving you back at square one.

Taken From live Out Nanny

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