Care.com is really about as safe as Craigslist, imo.

Anonymous wrote:I've been assuming I would just invite prospective nannies over to my house but then began to think that might make them uncomfortable. Many are names I'm getting from dcum and other public postings. Should I offer to meet at a coffee shop or something? New to this, clearly!

I have gotten my current position from care.com and two part time gigs. I WANT the meeting to take place at my potential employers house and I want to meet their children. I have never felt the least bit strange after a telephone interview that went well to go to a potential MB's home.

Another idea is to meet at a playground your kids like, especially if you have a friend who can help supervise your kids while you and the potential nanny chat.

Long tome nanny here. I would say 75% of interviews I've been on have been in the NF home, and 25% have been at coffee shops. I prefer to meet at the NF home, because it's hard for me to get a full sense of what their household is like unless I see it firsthand, and that is very important for me to determine just how good of a fit we will be (and how interested I am in the job). Many parents have brought their children to the coffee shop interview, which is NOT a good way to meet young children, because they are so distracted and not in a familiar/comfortable setting (and so often hopped up on coffee shop sweets as well). I've also found it very hard to hear parents over the coffee shop noise.

I understand not wanting to share your home address with strangers, but presumably you'd have vetted the candidate well before sitting down for a face to face interview anyway, right? I always do a thorough phone or Skype interview before an in person interview, and also they can see all my great reviews on care and sittercity (if they don't already personally know one of my clients), and they are screening me to care for their children so after all that if they don't feel comfortable sharing their address then we might not be a good fit after all.

Now, if potential clients ask me to meet at a coffee shop, I explain why I prefer to meet in their home, and so far everyone I've requested that of has been fine with it (and usually say they only suggested a coffee shop for my benefit anyway).

All the thoughtful advice is much appreciated! So far, I'm scheduling referrals only and will offer the choice of a coffee shop if they prefer.

MB here. I've hired a nanny twice. The first time I did a mix - met some candidates at a coffee shop and two candidates at my house. I did a brief first round interview over the phone w/ all of them. The two that came to my house were from neighbor referrals - one candidate actually was living and working on my street at the time.

One of the ones I met at a coffee shop I was very glad didn't know where I lived - she gave me the creeps.

One of the ones who came to my house was very critical of how I had the changing station set up. I didn't hire her but it was good to see that approach and know right away it wasn't a good fit!

When I hired a nanny again, years later, I was MUCH more thorough in the job description I sent all candidates, had some initial back and forth to narrow choices by email, and then did a very thorough phone interview. After that I was down to two top candidates, with whom I had established some connection so I had both come to my house.

Seeing them w/ my kids made the choice quite obvious, but I was totally comfortable with both of them knowing where I lived.

So you need to trust your gut OP. But in general, you can (and probably should) have a second round interview where you get to see your leading candidate in your home, w/ your kid(s). It never hurts to maintain some level of security in the first round if your knowledge of them is quite limited.

In the past, I've left it up to the nanny. Something along the lines of "I'd like to set up a second/final interview at the house, but I understand if you Would be more comfortable meeting in a public place since you don't know us!"

If I am given a full name and an address BEFORE setting an interview venue, I google to try and determine if the people are who they claim to be and if their home is in a decent area.

That said, often parents choose to meet elsewhere for the first interview, because they don't want every potential nanny knowing where they live.

I hold all the interviews at the house. There has been one nanny who said that she would rather meet at coffee shop. She was very young. That was fine with us.

One of our former nannies said "I would've suggested a coffee shop but I heard kids in the background so I figured it was safe." She turned out to be a little bit neurotic and this should've been an indicator.

I'm a nanny and have been on scores of interviews over the years. Most of them are at the family home. Occasionally they're at coffee shops. Some of the people who meet at coffee shops seem paranoid to me which won't be a good fit for my personality but others seem normal and taking due diligence. Personally I don't have a preference.

All of my first-round interviews were at the coffee shop a block from our house. I had a newborn so brought her and the dog with me. Second round interviews were at the house - half a trial day (paid).

If you can get a sitter, than offer to meet her in a coffee shop. You need to focus your attention on getting to know the nannies. And they should get to know you, as well.
Second interviews should include your children.

Anonymous wrote:Are you and your spouse both interviewing?
How old is your child?

It will depend. Hopefully, but potentially he can't make it due to work depending on the day. Two children under four.

Are you and your spouse both interviewing?
How old is your child?

I've been assuming I would just invite prospective nannies over to my house but then began to think that might make them uncomfortable. Many are names I'm getting from dcum and other public postings. Should I offer to meet at a coffee shop or something? New to this, clearly!