Frequently Asked Questions about hiring a Nanny
Some of these answers may assist in answering some of the nagging questions you have in finding the right nanny or housekeeper for your family.
No ONE solution fits every household and family - you need something different or you feel is not being answered here, please contact Happy Helpers on 083 602 0262 or celeste@happyhelpers.co.za to assist.
We are here to help you find the RIGHT PERSON and assist you where you need it.
Question: Is the nanny suitably trained to work with kids?
Answer: I will include CVs of candidates who have experience working in a home with young children, if this is what you require. Most of the candidates I have on my data base are primarily Nannies who have Housekeeping experience.
However I also have Housekeepers who specialise in Housekeeping, so you tell me what you need and I work around that.
Question: We have a firm policy of NO HITTING in our home, how do I ensure that the person will not hit my child?
Answer: I think it is taken for granted that the “house rules” are “no hitting.”
I do think it is important to sit down with a candidate and be very clear about what YOUR specific house rules are. Each home is different.
Some parents might feel a tap on the hand is sufficient, or a firm "NO", others feel more comfortable with time out or a star chart.
Other parents may feel a different form of discipline is required. Accept that candidates all arrive with a different experience.
It is your home, you set the rules for how the person is to work within your home and with your children.
Candidates are not restrictive when it comes to children, and do understand it is YOUR children, so be clear in how you would like her to work with your children.
Question: I would like the person to have previous training in First Aid – do you supply candidates like this?
Answer: Yes. If I put candidates forward for a position where they work with children, I would only refer candidates who have worked with infants and young children, and who have completed a recognised first aid/cpr course – but a refresher every two years is recommended.
Happy Helpers Training and Placement agency offers courses designed and geared towards Nannies and Childminders who look after infants and young children.
Question: How does it work in terms of reference checking?
Answer: I do reference(s) on each candidate I interview.
In some cases I can obtain 2 or 3 references, however due to circumstances – previous employers have left the country or are no longer contactable – I can only do 1 or 2 references. {if you have a nanny/housekeeper working for you that may be leaving, please ensure you always supply her with a written reference - it is invaluable for her moving forward}
Question: Can I request a criminal or credit check on a candidate?
Answer: We ask all our candidates to apply for a Police Clearance Certificate. The majority do - there is some costs involved, and in some cases a candidate might not have the money to do the application, which costs R114.00, then there is the additional cost of couriering the material to and from Pretoria.
You may want a specific test to be done. We have a company that specialises in this area who we can direct you to.
During the interview processes we ask the candidate to give permission for a criminal or a credit check to be run.
Question: Can I request the candidate to complete a Medical Check?
Answer: Yes and No. Yes you can ask someone to go to your medical doctor for a medical check, and in this way your doctor can ensure she receives the correct medication or vitamins.
She is within in her rights to refuse to go to your medical doctor and may choose to go to her own doctor or clinic.
No, you cannot ask to see anyone's medical records, nor can you ask her/your doctor to reveal any results to you, even if you pay for the consultation.
The patient/candidate has to freely give you the results.
You cannot ask someone to disclose their medical records/results to you and use it as part of your decision making to hire or retain a staff member. The only exception to this is TB, which you can test for, and can be privy to the results.
We go over this during the interview stage - and we explain to candidates that they can expect a potential employer to ask her to go for certain medical checks often subject to an offer being made - the candidates understand the process, and understand that you will be asking them for full disclosure.
Question: I am really nervous to interview someone, what if I pick the wrong person?
Answer: Interviews are often stressful for everyone concerned.
Not all candidates perform well at interviews - often they are nervous, and a wonderful candidate might interview badly.
I do not expect clients or candidates to be professional interviewers/interviewees. The CVs I supply are very detailed and I add as much notes as possible to give you a real guide to someone.
Interviews are the end of the day are about whether you "click" with that person. You often just feel a connection - and it is difficult to explain - but you know it when you feel it.
You recognise it when you meet the right person.
Candidates do not always have to be "right questions - right answer" situations. You will often realise 5 minutes in to the interview if this person is potentially the RIGHT PERSON for you.
We encourage you to a trial, so you have time to work with someone and this often gives you a clearer idea whether this person is a good fit for you and your family.
Question: How do trials work?
Following an interview, if you are interested in a candidate, I always suggest you take her on for a few days on a trial.
This means she works for you for 2 - 5 working days and you use this as an extended interview to make an assessment whether she is right for you.
Someone in your home, working alongside you and with your child will soon make it abundantly (sooner than later) clear if she the right fit for you and your family.
Trials are vital for decision making - if the candidate is working, then a trial will need to be conducted on a Saturday or Sunday, as she often will not be able to take time off from her present position to trial.
The candidate is not going to know how your home works, so you are not expecting her to walk in and be up and running in hours - the trial is you getting a sense of her in your space. Getting a feeling for how she deals with new interactions, your child, and so on.
Trust us, to find the right person for you and your family.
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Please contact Happy Helpers > Celeste 083 602 0262 or via WA, or email us on celeste@happyhelpers.co.za