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Original poster

Nanny references: what to ask?

34 replies

Eleusis · 23/03/2007 11:21

Give me some idead please! I'm talking to a Canadian girl who doesn't quite tick all the boxes on experience, but she is high on the "clique factor". She's got some childcare experience, but not full time, and not live in.

So, what should I ask the references? Any ideas welcome.

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Bink · 23/03/2007 13:07

Would you employ her again?

(and listen very carefully to the answer, including whether there is any hesitation)

Millarkie · 23/03/2007 13:04

Questions I would like to be asked of me about a former employee would be:

  1. Are they reliable? How many days off sick did they have - what were they for? How many 'domestic emergencies' did they have which they needed time off for at short notice?
  2. Are they suited to working with ..whatever relevant age of children you have (I've known 1 nanny great with babies but lost with school age, and another great with pre-school/school age, lost with babies).
  3. What were their strengths and what weaknesses?
  4. Why did they leave?
MrsWobble · 23/03/2007 13:01

what i generally do with references is give them a very brief outline of the job and ask them if they think the person would be suitable and if they would have any hesitation in recommending them for it. The conversation then generally goes from there. Don't know if that's particularly helpful for you though.

WanderingTrolley · 23/03/2007 12:53

I have spent long enough working in childcare to be quite frightened about how few people and agencies check references.

Thank God I'm trustworthy.

Original poster
Eleusis · 23/03/2007 12:49

What, Doesn't any one else take up references?

Thanks for your response Victorvictoria. Adaptablity is a good idea. I'll ask about that.

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Original poster
Eleusis · 23/03/2007 11:53

You know, I was going to write "click" and then thought no that's probably the American spelling and someone will come on here and give me stick.

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VictorVictoria · 23/03/2007 11:50

Eleusis -

We hired our full time nanny 18 months ago larhely on the "click" factor (not clique!). she was 22, had some limited live in experience but no sole charge and had never lived in London. We wanted full time 11 hrs a day stuff. She was however fully qualified. The things we checked out with her referees mainly centred on trustworthiness, reliability, willingness to learn. We also took GREAT comfort from the fact that she had a close, large family with a mother who used to be a childminder.

Not sure if that helps in anyway. But 18 months later she is still with us and fabulous.

WanderingTrolley · 23/03/2007 11:48

Well if she isn't v experienced as a nanny, you might want to ask how adaptable she is. Maybe give details of your job and ask her referees how they think she might find it.

Original poster
Eleusis · 23/03/2007 11:45

nobody?

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