Help! How Do I Pick the Right Nanny?

3 key insights from our Senior Family Placement Specialist, Janine. 

Navigating the Journey to Find Your Perfect Nanny

Choosing a nanny for your family is a significant decision. The right nanny can enrich your family's life, provide invaluable support, and become a cherished part of your household. As a nanny agency, we are in constant conversation with families in the process of hiring a nanny, helping them along the path to find the right person for them. 

To help you, one of our seasoned veterans, our Senior Family Placement Specialist, Janine Cunningham is back with more advice for parents. She has boiled the decision down to three key insights, and she shares them here, to help you make the best choice for your family's unique needs.

1. Trust Your Instincts: The Power of Intuition in Choosing a Nanny

Why Your Gut Feeling Matters

When it comes to selecting a nanny, trusting your gut can be a powerful guide. It's common for parents to overthink or doubt their instincts, but often, your initial feelings about a candidate are insightful. Remember, it's not just about a nanny's qualifications on paper; it's about finding someone who genuinely connects with your family.

  • Gut feeling vs. indecisiveness: If you're naturally indecisive, this may get in the way of you hearing what your gut has to say. If you find yourself consistently uncertain or hesitant after meeting several strong candidates, it might be a signal to reevaluate your expectations or decision-making process. Try seeking input from your partner or a trusted advisor - like a nanny agency -  to balance your perspective.

  • Addressing guilt: It's normal to feel guilt or uncertainty, especially if a candidate seems perfect on paper but doesn't quite 'click' with your family. It’s not uncommon for families to feel bad about some of their preferences, but being up front with them makes it much more likely that you’ll be able to find the candidate that truly fits your family. If you want a nanny/housekeeper but don’t mention that in the hiring process, a nanny might feel like they’ve been misled, which might cause them to leave the position and you have to start all over.

2. Trial, Trial, Trial

Seeing a Candidate in Action Can Make All the Difference

A paid trial is crucial in assessing how well a nanny fits with your family's dynamic, especially if it’s your first time hiring a nanny. Observing how a nanny interacts with your children and manages day-to-day responsibilities can reveal a lot about their suitability for your family in a way that an interview just can’t fully do.

  • Trial multiple candidates: It's beneficial to trial more than one person to compare how each interacts with your child and fits into your family's routine. At Smart Sitting, we always recommend families to trial their top 2-3 candidates.

3. Collaborate Closely with Your Agency: Leveraging Expertise

The Value of Partnership and Honest Communication

Your family specialist is more than just a mediator; they are a partner in finding the right nanny for your family.

— Janine, C., Smart Sitting

If you are working with a nanny agency, you are already light years ahead into the hiring process. Your family specialist is more than just a mediator; they are a partner in finding the right nanny for your family. Open and honest communication with your specialist is key to a successful placement. They have the expertise to understand your needs and can offer valuable insights and advice based on their experience.

  • Trust in the agency's expertise: At Smart Sitting, most families find their ideal nanny among the first few candidates we recommend. This success rate is a testament to our understanding of families’ needs and our experience in matching families with suitable nanny candidates.

  • Building a partnership: Consider your family specialist as a sounding board for your thoughts and concerns. Their objective feedback can guide you through the decision-making process. Be honest with your agency or family specialist about what you need, about what did or did not work in a candidate, and keep in touch with them throughout the process. 

The benefit of working with a nanny agency is that you have someone holding your hand through the whole process: someone who knows the candidates you meet, who understands the requirements of families like yours but also tailors the process to your unique needs. Use this expertise! Talk it through with them. 

How Can We Help?

Selecting the right nanny for your family is a journey that combines intuition, practical assessment, and expert guidance. By trusting your instincts, conducting thorough trials, and collaborating closely with your nanny agency, you're well on your way to finding a nanny who not only meets your family's needs but also enriches your home with care, support, and joy.

If you are currently looking for a nanny and want a partner to walk you through it — reach out to us here at Smart Sitting. You’ll get to work with a dedicated Family Specialist who gets to know you, your family, and your needs, in order to select the candidates best suited for the job. Fill out your information via the button below and we’ll set up a consultation. Easy as that.

Cajsa Landin