Finding a qualified nanny is vital to your child’s health and long-term development. While there are many questions a potential nanny must answer during the interview process, here are two of the most important traits a caregiver should possess to find a great nanny:
1. High Understanding of Child Development
This is usually how bonding between a parent and a baby works: When your baby is hungry, he or she might cry. You feed them and they stop crying. When you want to share a memory, you setup playtime and then take a picture. These parenting procedures may seem harmless, but are they? Is this the appropriate way to respond to a child’s needs? And further, will this response help a baby grow into a mentally strong child, adolescent and adult?
An article on HelpGuide.org cites a 2000 report by the Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development that indicates connecting with a baby must go beyond the old-fashioned bonding process.
The keyword is the moment. Researchers believe that too many times, caretakers opt to stay at their current pace in life (e.g., focusing on future goals and personal needs) without taking the time to slow down to a child’s much different pace in life.
2. Up-to-Date First Aid and CPR Training
Are your nanny’s CPR and first aid certifications up-to-date? Her certification should be current because it’s a skill parent shouldn’t overlook. When reviewing a nanny’s CPR and first-aid training, remember to dig deep into their background. Ask them what kind of first aid they know and the situations they’ve encountered in the past.
RedCross.org offers online Advanced Child Care Training courses geared toward sitters, nannies, and caregivers 16 years and older for nannies who may find it difficult to train at a brick-and-mortar classroom. Many other reputable associations also teach official infant CPR and child CPR training classes specifically for nannies.