Nannies do you give out references?

[Anonymous]

We are looking for a nanny for our infant son. We would like to check references prior to candidates coming to our home. A couple candidates seemed fine with it, but a number of nannies said no. Is it a red flag that maybe their references are bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are looking for a nanny for our infant son. We would like to check references prior to candidates coming to our home. A couple candidates seemed fine with it, but a number of nannies said no. Is it a red flag that maybe their references are bad?

It is customary to offer a reference AFTER meeting in person. I'd be more worried about the nannies who offered their references before meeting. They seem more likely to be more desperate for a job or have less experience. Any nanny who waits to offer references until after the in-person meeting is someone you want to consider more seriously. Would you want someone offering your contact information up to a stranger? I treat my references like gold. I only allow people I'm EXTREMELY interested in working for have access to them.

[Anonymous]

I would hesitate to give out references until I was fairly certain I wanted the job. If I'm interviewing a lot of families, I don't want my references bombarded with phone calls.

Also, if rates and job specifics aren't discussed beforehand, I wouldn't want to waste anyone's time if the family and I aren't a good match.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking for a nanny for our infant son. We would like to check references prior to candidates coming to our home. A couple candidates seemed fine with it, but a number of nannies said no. Is it a red flag that maybe their references are bad?

It is customary to offer a reference AFTER meeting in person. I'd be more worried about the nannies who offered their references before meeting. They seem more likely to be more desperate for a job or have less experience. Any nanny who waits to offer references until after the in-person meeting is someone you want to consider more seriously. Would you want someone offering your contact information up to a stranger? I treat my references like gold. I only allow people I'm EXTREMELY interested in working for have access to them.

Op here. What about sharing recommendation letters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are looking for a nanny for our infant son. We would like to check references prior to candidates coming to our home. A couple candidates seemed fine with it, but a number of nannies said no. Is it a red flag that maybe their references are bad?

It is customary to offer a reference AFTER meeting in person. I'd be more worried about the nannies who offered their references before meeting. They seem more likely to be more desperate for a job or have less experience. Any nanny who waits to offer references until after the in-person meeting is someone you want to consider more seriously. Would you want someone offering your contact information up to a stranger? I treat my references like gold. I only allow people I'm EXTREMELY interested in working for have access to them.

Op here. What about sharing recommendation letters?

No.