Saturday

Deciding Between Two Candidates

     I am going back to work after having taken a two year pause in my career. I have only used daycare previously and this time I am hiring a nanny. I have narrowed it down to two nannies, both of whom have great qualities.
     Candidate #1 is Portuguese, with a green card, fluent in English and has worked 3 years as a nanny and five years as a housekeeper in the United States. She has great references. Her references describe her as a hard worker, dependable, loyal and unbeatable. She speaks Portuguese and Spanish. She is in her 30's, presents as quiet and polite, with a nice smile. She is asking for $16. per hour.
     Candidate #2 is French, her mother lives in France and her father in Brooklyn. She speaks French and Spanish. She graduated in December with a BS in Psychology from a SUNY college. She is in her early 20's and likes to play beach volleyball and she wants to work with special needs children. She has been a nanny for four summers. She offered four additional babysitting references. Her references describe her as adventurous, sweet, loving and fun. She is asking for $15 per hour.
     
     I have two children, both girls; ages 2 & 7. We live in Park Slope. I am in part torn because Candidate #1 has always blended some aspects of housework with nannying, and having less housework to do would give me more time with my children. Candidate #2 does not do any housework but I could see her being at the playground with the children and climbing on apparatus with the girls and making them laugh. Both candidates are likable, but I would imagine, if candidate #1 liked working for us, she would stay for a long time period whereas candidate #2 has other goals.
     Can anyone help me make the right call? My husband works overseas and so I often feel like a single mom due to his constant traveling.
     Send your nanny sightings in now to  isynblog@gmail.com. 

7 comments:

Sarah said...

Do a trial date with each of them seperately. Have your girls help you choose... Afterall, the girls will be with her daily. Keep in mind; the things you may want done during the day. Housekeeping: choose candidate 1. Good Luck

MANHA MAHMA said...

No offense but green card gal will be easier to control.

Anonymous said...

If you like the second better then call her and let her know you have decided between her and another individual. That you are doing a final phone interview to decide. That you NEED a nanny who is willing to help with some household things. Like the children's laundry and other small things that pretain to the children along with helping load and unload the dishwasher. Possibly on an occasion help vacuum if needed. Let her know In return you are offering 16 an hour instead of the 15. That way she will feel like you are offering something for the extra she would be doing. Make sure you write up a contract that spells everything out along with vacation time and holidays. That way you can go back to it if needed. Best of luck!!

Angi Martin, nanny of 30yrs said...

O.o WTH?!?! We are people....not slaves!

Angi Martin, nanny of 30yrs said...

I day #2 because of her deepened desire for childcare. Regardless, I sure hope youre going to pay more than what you posted here. Park Slope, 2 kids, nanny and housekeepe....without housekeeping you should be paying about $17ph and with housekeeping about $20. Demand they get CPR/1stAid certified too.

Angi Martin, nanny of 30yrs said...

Minor basic cleaning after the kids is not housekeeping. That comes with the territory. Doing laundry start to finish, household cleaning, cooking for the entire family, grocery shopping, errands....this is housekeeping.

Anonymous said...

For 16 an hour vacuuming occasionally, doing the kids laundry, taking care of the dishes and other child related things is more then enough. Otherwise you over work your nanny and take away from the children.