Source : http://babysittersaustralia.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-choose-canberra-nanny.html

Find a nanny in a city like Canberra is not easy as you think. Your Canberra nanny should be able to take care of your children and should be very professional. There are people who had made wrong decision on selection of nanny for their loving children. However, if you are very clear on your requirements as an employer and clearly explain it to candidate which will help you to find a nanny to fit with your requirements and needs. But, it is not easy as saying. So, here are some ideas, on what are the things to be taken into account when choosing a nanny.

#1 Ask about their experience as Canberra nanny

Get clear ideas about candidate's experiences as nanny is very important. An experienced nanny only knows how to handle children, how to take care of them, how to treat them when they are doing some “child play”, like spit-ups, tantrums and etc. Inexperienced nanny may not well aware about child play and may become rude with child when child spit-up, tantrums or any other similar actions from child. It is advisable to ask questions on all the boundaries like how nanny will treat the child during  tantrums, how to teach child, how to feed child, what to do during child is sick in conditions, what to do when child is wet and etc. There are young babysitters who take care of children mostly as part-time also may be one of your candidate, but it is not better to go for them rather than a full-time nanny as far as your need is to find a nanny. You are going to leave your baby on others arm for few times, so you should take full responsible on selecting perfect nanny.
 

#2 Is your nanny living near Canberra?

Finding a Canberra nanny will make your and nanny's life easier. There are chances for her to be late, if she is near, it is easier for her. Apart from that, if she is near by area of you, she is very much friendly with the areas, that helps during an emergency. There are cases, where nanny is great in all the aspects, but she has to travel about few hours to come – but that may bring issues as she needs to take long time to travel and she may not comfortable on long run, on the other hand, she may not familiar with your area and may find difficulty on finding stores like pharmacy and etc.

# 3. Verify references
An experienced Canberra nanny will not hesitate to give you references of her previous work. If an experienced nanny hesitates to give references or does not have any, it is better to stop at that point and go for next candidate. Why do I say so? If you have good experiences with a nanny, you will recommend her, but if you have bad experiences you will not.


#4. Ask for ID and fingerprints for background verifications
At the moment, many Canberra nanny agencies providing these things (You can check some websites), because background check is must as you are going to leave your loving children with some unknown people. So, you should have very clear details about that person. Sometimes, some may not like to give such details, if so, you can ask them to explain why? If you find the explanation is reasonable, you can hire them under your own risk, but that is not recommended. Also, even if you find nanny with the help of nanny agencies, it is important to ask for ID and fingerprints for a background check.

#5. Ask more details about previous job
There are people who are fond of children mostly choose their career as nanny, such people may express their views on taking care of children for her previous employer. As well as she may explain about how she was treated well by her previous employer? Tailor more relevant questions related to personal, emotional things and etc, that will show you very clear picture of your candidate, apart from that, it helps you to understand well. You can ask about her struggles with her previous employer. Even a nanny is well experienced and very qualified with good degrees and other qualifications, there are chances to work with a bad employer. Give a chance to explain those in detail before make a judgment about your candidate. More friendly questions will make her to open up her mind more widely, that helps you to listen and learn about her and decide whether to hire her as your Canberra nanny or not.
 
Also, note that there are experienced nannies (aged nannies) do not desire to change their way of care-giving as they still in thought that their old methods are still best. It is wise to put up front all your needs and requirements at first point on such things. If your Canberra nanny agrees, she will go further on your interview phase, otherwise go for next.

Find a Canberra nanny may be difficult without asking above mentioned questions in detail. Also, keep in mind, relationship between your family and nanny is kind of long -lasting relationship, as it is very important to put additional care on nanny selection. Good luck on finding your nanny.