There are eight essential steps to follow:
-
Ask friends and family for references. This is a great way to start your search and get some good leads on qualified candidates.
-
Determine what you want from your nanny. Do you need someone to pick up the kids from school and help with homework? Or do you need someone who can prepare meals and do light housekeeping? Once you know what you're looking for, it will be easier to find someone who meets your criteria.
-
Set some ground rules before the interview process even begins! This will help avoid any misunderstandings down the road about expectations on both sides.
-
Always do a background check on potential candidates--even if it's not required by law in your state. It's better to be safe than sorry.
-
Interview more than one candidate. This will help you compare and contrast different candidates, and it may even help you come to a decision faster.
-
Ask the nanny questions about her experience with children, as well as her childcare philosophy. This is an excellent way to understand whether she would be a good fit for your family.
-
Have the nanny meet your kids before making any final decisions. This will allow you to see how they interact together and if they are comfortable around each other.
-
Once you've decided, be sure to sign an agreement outlining the duties and responsibilities of both parties--this will help avoid any confusion in the future.
Discuss your preferences and parenting methods
When hiring a nanny, discussing your preferences and parenting methods with her is important. This will help ensure that you and the nanny are on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings later. It is also a good opportunity for the nanny to ask any questions she may have about your expectations.
Topics you should discuss include chore expectations, when the baby is allowed to move, TV use, phone use, appointments with visitors, and nanny lunches. Make sure you clarify with her what's okay and what's not, so there are no surprises later.
Pay attention to red flags
Red flags are a form of communication with yourself, whether in your gut or other signs such as eye-rolling. Red flags don't have to be deal-breakers, but they can help you and the nanny on the same page.
When hiring a nanny, it's essential to pay attention to red flags--those little things that might not seem like a big deal but could lead to bigger problems down the road. For example, if the nanny doesn't seem interested in meeting your child or establishing a good relationship with them from the start, that's definitely worth paying attention to.
It's also essential to ensure everyone is clear on what's expected of both parties before starting work. We recommend creating a nanny work agreement outlining hours, vacation days, and pay. This will help avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
And finally, don't forget about payroll taxes! Ensure you understand your household employee taxes and how they apply to your situation. Working with an experienced accountant can help make this process much more manageable.
Call the nanny's references
One of the best ways to get a sense of how your nanny will work out is to call her references. It's important to ask questions that are more telling rather than general. For example, you could ask, "What issues did she cause?" or "How many days was she late?"
The reference should also be from a professional, not a friend or family member. This way, you can get an idea of how the relationship between the nanny and the reference went. You might want to ask, "Did she often call out sick?" or "Was the experience positive overall?"
Be clear about pay, vacation, and other details
When hiring a nanny, it's essential to be clear about pay and vacation policies. Nannies need time off just like any other employee and should be paid regularly. You'll also want to discuss any holidays that are paid or unpaid.
Make sure you clarify details such as days off, vacation policies, and how they will be paid. This will help avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Schedule a few days for the nanny to shadow you
One of the best ways to ensure that your baby gets used to their new caregiver is to have the nanny shadow you for a few days. This will give them an idea of what your daily routine looks like and how they should care for your child. It will also help them get comfortable with the new environment.
Don't start your search too early or too late
It's important to find the right time to start your search for a nanny. If you start too early, you might end up with someone unavailable when you need her. On the other hand, if you wait until the last minute, you might not have enough time to find someone suitable. Try to aim for six weeks before returning to work, but don't wait until the last minute.
Interview more than one candidate
When you're looking for a nanny, it's important to interview more than one candidate. This will help you find the "right" person for the job. Don't be afraid to ask questions--you should base them on what the nanny is expecting and what you need from her.
You should assess the candidates' previous jobs, how they ended them, and what they liked/hated about being a nanny. It's also important to go through a checklist of questions to understand how the candidate would handle various scenarios. For example, would she take your child to activities or drive them around? Is she open to light housekeeping duties?
Make sure you ask each candidate their rate before agreeing on anything in writing.
Conclusion
So, if you feel overwhelmed when looking for a nanny in Switzerland and want to avoid costly mistakes, don't hesitate to contact us. We can walk you through the entire process from start to finish and make sure your family gets the best possible caregiver for your children. And remember, better safe than sorry - so book a free consultation with Packimpex Relocation Consultants today!
Book Free Guidance Call
Find out more ...
The Swiss School System explained