Congratulations! You've identified a fantastic nanny candidate after a successful trial period. But before finalizing the decision, a crucial step remains: verifying nanny references. Nanny reference checks are essential for ensuring the candidate's qualifications and fit for your family. However, a common question arises: How reliable are nanny references?
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Evaluating Referee Background
When checking nanny references, consider the referee's background. Ideally, references should include past employers and not solely consist of family members. Look for recent references (within the past 2-3 years) whose responses align with the information provided by the nanny. Discrepancies in details, like work duration, warrant further inquiry. Multiple professional references for a nanny are more reliable than solely family members. Even if the nanny lacks prior childcare experience or relevant references, references from other jobs can showcase their work ethic and organizational skills.
Engaging Responses: A Sign of Reliability
Detailed and informative responses from references often indicate their reliability. This shows a strong understanding of the nanny's capabilities and potential shortcomings. It also suggests a positive, ongoing relationship between the nanny and the reference.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
While not all references might be overly enthusiastic, be wary of specific red flags. Hesitant answers or avoidance of certain questions could signal the reference withholding negative information about the nanny. Alternatively, they might not know the nanny well and be providing biased, positive answers. In both scenarios, the reference's reliability is questionable.
Importance of Reference Checks
Nanny reference checks may seem like a formality, but they offer valuable insights. References can shed light on the nanny's work experience and performance in different environments. In most cases, if the nanny aligns well with your family, their references will reinforce your confidence. However, reference checks remain a crucial step for making an informed hiring decision.
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