How Do You Choose A Nanny, in England?

Firstly, as I inform all my clients; you will know within the first 20 minutes of meeting a Nanny, whether they are the right fit for you and your family.

Secondly, a Nanny should be someone who you feel comfortable around, as well as your children. You should be able to have a conversation with them, in a professional manor, but also as a person.

Next, do you know what you truly require of a Nanny. Are you sure it is a Nanny you are looking for, not a Nanny-Housekeeper or a Mother’s Help or another staffing solution? Do you know the difference between these roles? Do you know which hours you would require your Nanny to work? Have you factored in travelling times from the home environment to schools for drop off and collections? Do you know what you would like the Nanny to work in the holiday periods? If you have answered yes to all of these questions, then you are ready to start your process of finding a Nanny.

Charlotte Warburton, Owner of Little Steps Nanny And Events Agency

Are you aware of an Enhanced DBS Check? This is what was formerly known as a CRB or a Police Check. Do you accept a paper copy, which was printed a month ago? A year ago? 3 years ago? Or 5+ years ago?

Not many people are aware of this, but the paper copy is realistically only valid on the day of the check. Through Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency, we ensure all our registered candidates hold an Enhanced DBS check, on the government update service.

So, I can hear you thinking already, what is the government update service? This is a check conducted via .gov, with the candidates consent, to view a candidates’ convictions and whether there is anything which has been recorded since the original date of issue. If you employ a Nanny who holds only a paper version of a DBS, you will not be able to check and verify this.

Let’s talk qualifications. As a Nanny Agency we are overly familiar with the qualifications available to childcare professionals, although, as a parent; are you? Do you really know which are the genuine and relevant qualifications?

Did you also know, a Nanny does not have to hold a formal qualification? This still baffles me, as a Nanny Agency owner, to think that children are your most prized possessions and yet, a Nanny does not have to have a formal qualification. I would recommend you conduct some research on qualifications, as they do not all have the same content or experience associated with them and some are not relevant (even though they may sound as though they are).

One of the last steps, is to conduct a set of interview questions to ask your potential Nanny(s) at their interview. Remember that these cannot be discriminative or judgemental in any form. You are not allowed to ask certain questions; do you know what these are? A good Nanny Agency will be able to help you with a set of questions to ask.

Make notes at the interview stages, so you can remember the Nannies answers when you are looking back. Also ensure you have a copy of their CV and you conduct a minimum of 2 reference checks, with the Nannies’ consent. You will also need to verify their identity and that they have a right to work within the UK. If you use a Nanny Agency, they should have already conducted these checks. Although it is suggested you always check with the Nanny Agency if they have and the status of these documents.

Finally, once you have decided upon your Nanny and have offered them the position, you should assign them a formal offer letter. You are then required to adhere to your Employer Legal Responsibilities; do you know what these are?

To find out further information about employing a Nanny and your legal responsibilities as an employer in England, head over to Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency at www.littlestepsagency.com

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Bio

Little Steps Nanny and Events Agency is a UK Introduction Agency, owned and managed by Charlotte. Charlotte seeks to find and provide highly skilled, fun, caring and vetted childcare professionals for your household, your wedding day or your corporate event within the Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire areas. She holds an extensive array of childcare experience from her previous employment as a Day Care Independent Nursery Manager, Full time Nanny, Temporary Nanny, Proxy Parenting Nanny and an Event Nanny. Charlotte holds a FDA Early Years and holds a number of additional, recognised childcare qualifications including SEND, Speech & Language and likes to keep her foot in the door, through attending regular CPD courses.

Charlotte has recruited and vetted a number of childcare professionals throughout her career and holds a strong Nanny and Early Years network, with excellent knowledge of Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Charlotte understands the requirements of both families' and nannies, who are seeking the right match! She often finds the right match for families, within less than 3 Nannies and has recently been announced as a for 2 awards with Little Ankle Biters Hampshire: Best Local Independent Business & Best New Business.