How to find a nice nanny?

[StarryFay]

We're going to need a nanny in a couple of months for our baby who will be 11 months by then. I just wondered if anyone had any tips on how to find a great nanny? I'm just feeling a bit sad about leaving the baby and really want to find someone kind and loving. I've registered with a couple of agencies but can anyone tell me what to look for in interview? I just have no idea how I will be able to tell in such a short time whether the nanny is the right person to look after our baby. It feels like one of the most important decisions I'll ever make and I have no idea how to begin!

Any tips/shared experience from parents and nannies would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!

I feel you will know - sort of a gut feeling - when you meet the right person.

Interviews can be hard for everyone involved. Avoid interviewing too many people, especially if using an agency as the agency should be doing the sifting out of unsuitable applicants and only putting a few (the best matches to your job criteria and your personality) forward for interview.

Your baby can help choose. I like children to be present for interviews (not always possible I know but when it is possible it can help) as then I can interact with the children and the parents can just mostly watch, ask occasional questions, make some coffee (see if your baby has noticed you left the room - do they kick up a fuss?).

Try to be as normal as possible. Don't pretend you are someone different, just be you. The nanny needs to see what you are like, decide if they can get along with you... not some false you who is putting on a show for the interview.

I used an agency and they were really good at putting forward candidates

I then did a first interview in a cafe to see if i liked them! Then the second interview was at home with the kids.

My nanny immediately sat on the floor and played with the kids. She also gushed about her previous charges. i really felt she would love my kids (and she does!)

It is gut feeling but I'm very happy with my choice.

Gut feeling. whether you get on with them, and like PP say, how they describe their previous jobs and children.

Where are you? We just interviewed someone very nice and clearly good but went with another candidate for non-child care related reasons. I'm in SW London.

Thanks for the replies - it's great to hear of others' experience. Great idea to ask them to describe their previous charges. And I will definitely make sure the baby is there for at least the second interview if not the first.

I didn't have baby at the first because I wanted to gauge how we would get on as adults first and in a potential employer/employee relationship. I thought DD would distract

You will see by the way he/she interacts with your baby.
Maybe ask questions about where the nanny grew up, what her interests are, to see if you will be a cohesive team, because after all that is what you will be albeit a tag-team.
My most successful positions as a nanny myself, have been where the parents have similar (obviously not identical!) ethics and approach to my self, ie, I am very interested in nutrition, outdoor life, childhood education and meditation SO are the parents that I nanny for so there is enough common ground to form a good relationship.
Good luck