Tips for Finding the Right Caregiver

Tips for Finding the Right Caregiver

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Finding the right person to care for your children while you're away from home can be a daunting and sometimes a stressful task. Use these five tips to help find the perfect sitter for you and your family:
1. Set your priorities
What's most important to you and your family? Ask questions related to your parenting style to address topics such as discipline, safety, learning activities, and engagement.
2. Discuss the job basics
You should treat this interview like any other job interview and discuss pay, vacation, sick time, hours and schedule, etc. Laying out these details in advance will provide clear expectations on both sides, as well as help avoid future issues.
3. Come up with an appropriate pay rate
Nanny and sitter pay rates depend on many different factors. Is your nanny full-time or part-time? Do you live in a city or out in the suburbs? How many kids do you have and what are their ages? A good way to determine the going rate in your specific area is to ask around to find out what other families in your area are paying.
4. Listen to your instincts
When you talk to a candidate, try to get a good sense of their personality. Trust your initial instincts on whether a potential nanny would be a good fit or not.
5. Practice open communication
In any successful working relationship, communication is essential. Issues often arise when clear expectations are not set from the start. If you're uptight about a spotless house, say so. If you’re a stickler for teeth brushing, say so. The easiest way to avoid this is to discuss all relevant topics during the interview, and again after they've been hired.
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