Suggestions for interviewing and hiring a nanny

IBackBevo

I am going back to work in 2 more weeks.  Between DH and I, we are going to try to work it where we just need child care for 2-3 days a week.  We had originally planned on putting him in daycare and had even found one we liked, but due to a variety of reasons (LO had intra-uterine growth restriction due to my pre-e; had to be taken a little early; I have not been able to give him more than a bottle a day of breast milk due to supply issues, etc.)  we have decided that we would prefer to get a nanny to stay with him in the home. 

So...I was looking for suggestions on how to find one, questions to ask when interviewing one, etc.  I have looked on care . com and found several that look like they could be possibilities.  Also, if there are any websites/resources good for this sort of thing, please let me know.

Oh, and I know this is late in the game, but my Mother can cover for a few weeks if we don't find one before I go back to work. 

Thanks for any input!

 

NicoleWI

We also used care.com. I have posted once for FT and once for PT, and at least here, I got WAY stronger candidates for the PT position. If you have any way to find someone through word-of-mouth, that would be awesome, of course. Our first nanny was a former daycare employee who we'd kept in touch with after she left to go to nursing school. Our second was from care.com and our third will be as well. 

I second PP's suggestion to set very clear expectations--even beyond what you think you need. We were super loose w/ Nanny 1 b/c she was always just so great and responsible and self-directed. Then, with the second one, there were many things we wished we had been more clear about. This is going to sound crazy anal, which I am totally not, truly--I'm more scattered and disorganized myself and very easy-going--but I will even explain things this time like how we'd like the laundry done and folded, and spell out how to clean up after lunch, and how the toys should be put away. Just saying, "try to keep the toys organized," for example, has led to a complete disaster of unmatched toys and broken stuff thrown haphazardly into bins, and in different rooms all over the house. Also rules re: TV and computer usage. You won't need to deal with these things as much with a newborn, but it's still good to keep in mind.