While every parent believes that no one can take care of their child better than they do, most will also agree that parenting is extremely exhausting leaving one with no time for anything else whatsoever. With working from home becoming the norm, parents are keen to find a competent nanny so they don’t need to step out to drop their kids off at a day-care. Hiring the right nanny can take the pressure off parents while allowing them to enjoy having their children around. But sadly, finding a good nanny is as rare as spotting a unicorn in the wild. If you’re wondering how to identify a good nanny in the first place, here’s a list of qualities you want to look for :
1. Punctuality – What use is a great nanny who doesn’t show up on time? You won’t be able to plan your day and get any work done if your nanny is always late or generally unreliable. Also, children thrive on having a routine. It helps when they know what to expect every day at a certain time. Punctuality is a quality that is expected of employees in any industry and this one is no different. It is essential for nannies to know how to manage their time to be able to carry out school drop off and pick up, be on time to attend hobby classes with the child etc.
2. Love for Children – This is a no-brainer. Of course, you expect a nanny to enjoy the company of children. If not, she is in the wrong line of work. No amount of training and experience will make one a good caregiver if they lack a genuine love for children.
3. Patience – Nannying can be extremely stressful what with temper tantrums, meltdowns, fussy eating, arguments, fights with siblings…the list goes on. Patience is of paramount importance while dealing with children. Someone who easily loses his shirt, is simply not right for the job. Remaining calm under pressure and being able to diffuse the tension is an attribute one must look for in a nanny.
4. Communication – The best nannies are those that can communicate effortlessly with the parents as well as with the child. Look for a nanny who doesn’t keep secrets from the parents and clearly communicates any issues they are facing and also provides feedback regarding the child’s progress from time-to-time. Nannies who communicate well are essential for the child’s speech development as the child spends a large chunk of their day exchanging words only with the nanny.
5. Common Sense – Unfortunately, not as common as it should be. A nanny needs to respond to multiple situations throughout the day that require her to think on her feet and take the right decision in matters relating to the child’s safety, health and well-being. Knowing whom to call if there is a power outage or if the flush doesn’t work or knowing what to do when the child has a minor accident requires common sense and sound judgement which is something one must look for while hiring a nanny.
6. Flexibility – Life as a nanny is full of surprises. No two days may be the same while taking care of children. Some days, children may nap for hours; other days, they may not nap at all. Being flexible and adapting to the variable nature of the job is a crucial part of being a good nanny.
7. Energy – Chasing after a toddler or pre-schooler requires a lot of energy. Ensure your nanny gets enough nutrition to meet the demands of her job. Make sure she packs a healthy lunch and/or snack to keep her going throughout the day and most importantly, is sprightly enough to keep up with your little one.
8. Trust-worthiness – Parents trust their nanny with their most precious belonging – their children. It is but obvious that the nanny needs to inspire such confidence and trust that parents feel comfortable in leaving their home and child in their care. In order to do so, the nanny must be act in a responsible manner while taking care of the child both at home and while outside.
9. Creativity – Engaging a child can be dreary for someone who lacks imagination. Someone who merely follows instructions and goes about their job without introducing any new activities and games can be terribly boring for the child. A competent nanny always uses her imagination and comes up with new, innovative ways to keep the child engaged constructively.
10. Organized – Nannies have several duties that they need to fulfil every day and being organized is the only way that they can complete all the tasks and responsibilities assigned to them.
If your nanny ticks all of the boxes mentioned above, you’re one lucky parent!
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