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[quote=Anonymous]I am a nanny and I just served as a reference for a nanny who works as the backup/weekend nanny for my current family.  I did her initial interview and she works alongside me a fair amount so she asked that I speak with a prospective employer.  I spoke with the employer at length and it came down to this:

Me: Nanny is all about the kids.  She is very present and they live being with her.  She is great at preparing engaging activities and always has a plan for her time with them, blah blah blah

Employer: We have a baby and she didn't start with you until your twins were one.  Can she handle a baby?

Me: "I can't speak to that either way, but I feel confident that many of the positive traits I have seen like X, Y and Z would apply at any age."

Employer:  "Can she sleep train?"

What I wanted to say but did not was this:

No one hires a nanny in a vaccuum.  Obviously you will be looking for someone in the right region, within a certain pay range, willing to work certain hours, etc.  If you have all the money and flexibility in the world, then sure: hold out for Mary Poppins.  But if you are at the point of checking references for a nanny with no infant experience, then presumably your options are limited by pay or something else.  In that case: hire for personality; train for skill.  I can guarantee that you will be better off with a loving and engaged caregiver who is willing to read whatever books you want and follow your lead wrt sleep training than with someone who has cared for lota of babies but is less than ideal in some more fundamental way (attitude issues, etc.).  If you don't like any of the candidates then adjust your offer in some way and widen your search, look at shares or daycares or accept that this is your pool and prioritize what matters.[/quote]

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