Why do nanny background checks?

In recent years, news of abusive or dishonest nannies has become more common. Even though most home staff are trustworthy, it is extremely important to research a nanny’s background before leaving your children alone with one. The same can hold true for all other staff such as house managers, live-in housekeepers etc. Its not safe to hire any home staff without doing proper vetting of them.  Many online nanny agencies and staffing companies do not offer nanny background searches or other background searches to check the background history for any problems or convictions at previous jobs. While the most important course of action is checking a nanny’s previous references, a nanny background check is sometimes a good idea in order to uncover things that previous employers didn’t know about. Only a reputable nanny agency or reputable domestic staffing agency will be able to help with this.

By conducting a nanny background check, you can verify whether your potential nanny has any past criminal record or accusations of wrongdoing. You can also verify previous employment  and possibly even certifications they have earned. A nanny background check does for example,  include: reference checks (verbal and/or in writing), CRB checks (we do them in house at the agency), check of ID and certificates. We also meet with all our nannies in person or if we have to, on skype.
Many people don’t know that there are significant problems with stealing by domestic home staff that haven’t been vetted properly. Chilling statistics on theft and abuse by staff that haven’t been officially checked or placed by an agency offer motivation to only hire a nanny with a nanny background check or staff that are reference and CRB checked.
Keep in mind that these statistics still represent a small percentage of the annual cases of child abuse and theft. Don’t begin thinking that you shouldnt hire nannies or other home staff. Most domestic staff and nannies do not pose a threat. Nevertheless, using a reputable agency that will check the nanny’s or housekeepers previous employment and do a general background check is a good way to find out the facts.

Please call the nanny agency/maternity nurse agency and nanny training course school on 00442031670926 or email nannies@peekaboochildcare.com

www.peekaboochildcare.com

Please call the Butler and domestic staff agency and Butler training school (and yacht school) on 00442031670925 or email main@bespokebureau.com

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Newsletter May 2011

Ways to Appreciate your Nanny!

Ask the Best Nanny Agency Expert

Q: How can I show appreciation to my nanny for all the wonderful things she does for me and my kids?

A: Nannies, like teachers, can be subject to high expectations and low gratitude.  Many families, especially in this economy, have to really stretch their dollars to afford in-home care and avoid daycare.  As a result, to provide any extra bonus or gift above and beyond a nanny’s salary may seem really tough.  If you’re like me, my favorite gifts are not typically the ones with the highest price tag attached but the ones with the greatest amount of obvious thoughtfulness.  I love the bell pull that my mother-in-law needle pointed for me my first year of marriage and the stocking that my husband’s grandmother made before she passed away for my daughter, the gifts we will treasure and remember always for their sentimental value. 

Nannies, having entered this profession because of their love for children, will also treasure the gifts that show forethought.  Knowing how busy you are and that you took time out to think of them and plan something special means the world to a dedicated caregiver.  They are always caring for others and feel so valued when the roles are reversed and they are the ones being cared for.

You may plan a fun dinner at her favorite restaurant where each family member shares what they most appreciate about her.  She may enjoy a gift card to one of her favorite restaurants, places to shop, or even something as practical as a gas card or gift card to the grocery store, to help with every day expenses.  Most nannies live paycheck to paycheck and even something that may seem small and insubstantial to you may mean a lot to her.  You might also let her off early unexpectedly and give her a day for herself that she did not plan on.  Practically, this doesn’t “cost” you anything (if you can work from home or do without her for a day) but is very meaningful for someone who works all day for you and comes home fatigued, trying to then gear up for her own set of household responsibilities.  If it doesn’t break your budget, you might also have a spa treatment scheduled for her during that time off, where she can relax and unwind and come back refreshed and re-energized.  Homemade cards from your kids are a very special way to remember your nanny.  My oldest daughter loves to write acrostics for special people in her life and lists horizontally a character trait for every letter of their first name (vertical). 

I could list many more ways that you can show appreciation to your nanny but everyone is motivated differently and uniquely and the best way to determine what makes her feel most valued is to ask her!  Seems simple but we often give what we think we would like to receive rather than asking for suggestions!  At Mom’s Best Friend, we give all new staff a motivational survey that asks for “favorites” – favorite place to shop, restaurant, place to receive a £10 gift card, activity, collectible, scent, color, Starbucks drink, etc. and this helps us gear our appreciation efforts in a more targeted way to ensure the greatest degree of satisfaction.  I would highly recommend this practice with your nanny, and once you have gathered the Intel, then remember to act upon it, with enough frequency to keep her “in the game” and let her know that you truly value her!

So, don’t forget to appreciate your nanny in some special way!

Please call the nanny agency/maternity nurse agency and nanny training course school on 00442031670926 or email nannies@peekaboochildcare.com

www.peekaboochildcare.com

Annual Nanny Reviews

Nanny reviewsThe beginning of a new year is the perfect time for setting goals, cleaning out your closet, or taking up a new hobby.  A priority to put at the top of your list is to conduct a year-end review with your nanny.  We advise that families do this on a regular basis, informally at your monthly one-on-ones and more formally once or twice a year. 

The review is an opportunity for both parties to be open and honest, keeping the communication open.  Conducting a review allows you the forum to discuss obstacles, challenges, concerns, and to celebrate accomplishments and milestones, or to address any upcoming changes.  I enjoy having “one on ones” with my nanny each month.  We will either meet in a quiet place away from the kids at home or go grab a cup of coffee at the café down the street.  In this meeting, we can discuss each child and what is going on in each of their lives: school, activities, goals, concerns, etc.

Even if you do have reviews consistently, the year end review is a bit more formal and I would even encourage you to put your thoughts down in writing so that your nanny has a written “performance plan” to work from and understands clearly any areas you would like her to work on, in addition to areas in which you feel she is excelling and adding value to your family.  Some examples of important items to discuss with your nanny annually are:

» Have the job duties changed over the year?

» Are you adding items to her job description?

» Did you have a new child?

» Will you be changing her salary/hourly pay?

Please call the nanny agency/maternity nurse agency and nanny training course school on 00442031670926 or email nannies@peekaboochildcare.com

www.peekaboochildcare.com