Childcare References.

[Supernanny19]

My 4 written references from previous employers have been sent via email.
Am i wrong in thinking they need to be signed?

some of mine are sent via email... but not the majority.
as long as they are contactable then I don't think its a problem - what did your current and previous employers think about your refs being emailed?

Presumably you are going to verbally check them? so why does it matter if the email version is signed?

As an ex nanny I have paper references that are signed..some of which I had typed into the computer to send along with my cv which of course aren't.

IMHO A paper reference isn't worth ANYTHING she could have made it up herself! You need phone numbers to speak to the referee

They were okay with it. But personally when i print them off to add them to my folder they look unproffesional but I guess your right aslong as they are contactable. Thanks WWOW

Sorry ...totally misread OP thought a prospective nanny had give you (the employer) unsigned refs

Sorry sorry sorry

No I don't think it matters if your refs aren't signed as long as they can be verbally checked :-)

LSC - I know they are not worth much but its just one of those things I like to take to interviews and was wondering if i need them signed Thanks evverryone.

We are now in the digital world, so I too am finding that written references are often being sent via e-mail.

If you copy the text and paste it into MS Word or some other wordprocessing application, you can modify the font to make it print out better on an A4 sheet. Also enables you to add on the appropriate contact details. It will still be unsigned but that isn't really a big problem, as parents/agencies will want to speak with recent referees anyway.

Thanks everyone all so helpful.

when you leave a job can you not ask them for a written refernece and then hopefully they will write one and sign it

though agree that tbh written ref arent worth the paper they are written on as ANYONE can write and forge one

so always good to follow up with a phone call

I think the main purpose of my written refs is that I have them scanned in as part of my initial 'application' package so that prospective employers have the chance to read them beforehand in their own time so they can get a 'feel' for my work+experience before I see them.

I have quite a few references so it would get in the way of an interview if they were to read every single one, but at the same time, I am bloomin' proud of them so I want them all read cover to cover! so emailing them all from the off assures that they read them all

I would also suggest having a few printed lists of your contacts which should have name, telephone numbers (landlines/work/mobile) and also email if the family have moved abroad which you can leave with an employer after an interview

hope all that helps