Advice about getting references

[TheRealMrsJohnSimm]

I need to call up a few referees for our potential new nanny. What questions would you ask?

Apologies if this seems a bit dim. Am suffering from extreme back pain and need some extra brain power to get me through this so that she can get started asap!!

Check dates are correct and get a brief job description from the employers.

Time keeping/attendance record/sick days etc

How does she relate to the children? Initiative? Activities? Discipline? Cooking skills? Does she genuinely like children?

Why is she leaving? Would you employ her again? Why/why not?

If you had to give a negative point, what would it be?

If live in - what was she like to live with?

If there is anything that particularly bothers you .ie. Time keeping or tidiness are ultra important to you, check that.

Flexability?

Just remember to go with with your gut instinct when checking references. It's often what's NOT said that can be the crunch! Also if your Nanny is leaving a job and the employers don't want her to go or they parted on less than perfect terms then that may affect what previous employers say. I've had people check my references and ask if I had boyfriends just to check I wasn't a lesbian. I'm not by the way!

I'm sure there's plenty more to ask but these should get you started. Hope your Nanny works out.

Thanks Ebb. That's really helpful

Can't believe people give a fig about an employee's sexuality though .

Oh I got the job with that one but let's just say she was rather challenging - lovely but challenging!!! She was obsessed about lesbians though! It was quite strange and was completely convinced her stepson was gay. Bless her!