They say it takes a village to raise a child but in today’s world, building that village can feel harder than ever.
For a parent, a nanny or manny becomes one of the most important people in a child’s life. You’re inviting someone into your home, your family, your routine, your values, and your child’s memories. The dream for every parent? Finding someone that fits seamlessly into your family, stays with you forever, genuinely loves your kids, and becomes a trusted part of your everyday life.
While a beautiful vision and dream, the reality is finding the right fit isn’t always that simple.
Today’s childcare landscape is more competitive than ever, and exceptional nannies and mannies are hard to find. So how can parents ensure they are taking the necessary steps to find that perfect nanny or manny?
With over 11 years of experience as a premier boutique nanny and manny agency, Mannies of L.A. has helped hundreds of families find the perfect fit. What began as a pioneering agency focused on placing exceptional male role models has evolved into a full-service boutique agency offering both outstanding nannies and mannies.
Below, Mannies of L.A. will share their top 3 tips for finding the perfect nanny or manny for your family based on years of experience.
1. Trial the nanny
A resume and interview can only tell you so much. The real experience often appears during a trial period. Don’t just do a one-day trial, do a week-long trial that mimics the schedule that’s needed. This trial will allow you to observe how the nanny or manny interacts with your child in real time. Are they warm and engaging? How do they handle transitions, discipline, and unexpected moments? How does your child respond to them?
Remember, chemistry matters. A trial gives both you and the caregiver an idea of the day to day and whether the fit feels natural before committing long term.
2. Asking the right questions during the interview process
Interview questions should go beyond just logistics and years of experience. It’s important to understand their philosophy and personality. You’re looking for someone that complements your approach and aligns with your family values.
Here are a few open-ended questions to ask:
- How do you handle conflicts between siblings?
- How do you approach discipline?
Ask hypothetical questions. These can provide valuable insight into how a nanny or manny might respond and how they quickly think on their feet. As we all know, things can change on a whim when dealing with children. It’s important to know how the nanny or manny will respond on the spot.
Here are few hypothetical questions to ask:
- You’re at your employers’ home and the child is doing his/her homework in his/her room. The child says he/she doesn’t need any help. What do you do?
- You’re at the store and the child is ignoring your directions and is constantly running ahead. What do you do?
- You’re working on an art project in the kitchen with paint and the child throws the paint brush on the ground and laughs. What do you do?
3. Be honest with the things that really matter to you
Sit down and go over your non-negotiables. What qualities, values, instincts are you not willing to compromise on, no matter how impressive a resume looks?
Does it truly matter that a nanny or manny has 10 years of experience or would you feel comfortable with someone who has fewer years of experience but brings warmth, energy, and strong references? Is it more important to have someone highly qualified on paper or someone you genuinely connect with and think your child will adore?
These are essential questions you need to ask yourself before beginning the interview process.
The more transparent you are at the beginning, the more likely you will attract candidates who genuinely fit your family’s needs.
Finding the perfect nanny or manny does take time, energy, patience, and intentionality. With thoughtful preparation, a clear understanding of your family’s needs, and using the tips above, you can be one step closer to finding that perfect nanny or manny.
Thanks to our partners at ManniesOfLA for writing this informational blog post. As part of their ongoing commitment to providing all families with the perfect nanny or manny, Mannies of L.A. is providing all families of The Pump Station & Nurtury a 10% discount off the Placement Fee. Please contact us at info@manniesofla.com, 310-773-8895, or www.manniesofla.com. Make sure to mention The Pump Station when you contact them!
