Agreed PP. Sometimes, a family can’t be contacted at all, due to an NDA. Agencies will verify that the family and nanny mag her through them, and that it was great fit.

Our nanny came over one afternoon, asked where she could wash her hands, and then reached out her arms to hold our newborn. After a marathon three hour, totally enjoyable meeting, with my son tucked happily in her arms, we offered her the position pending reference checks (she’d supplied us with fingerprinted background check and CPR certification in the meeting).

BEST DECISION ever. She told us later if we’d asked for her references before an offer was extended she would have passed on us. Some of her previous employers are pretty high profile.

I am MB.
Agreed wholeheartedly with the OP

I would set up in person inter with a nanny candidate in public places has coffee shop first. If things go well, ( I have good vibe and confident with the candidate, candidates agreeable hours compensation, job description) then I asked for reference . Meanwhile I would do a background check at the same time.
After passed background checks and satisfying reference letter, then I will invite a candidate into my house to meet my kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time on an applicant without knowing how they preformed at their last job and were there any issues? You are dealing with someones kids. Absolutely references and a copy of driving record and criminal background (and nannies should check criminal background for both parents too).

How would you feel fielding 20 to 30 phone calls from potential employers after your nanny moves on? And these are from people you don’t even know if your former nanny would consider.

All good nannies give their references as a final step.

If she was good, I’d be happy to help her. That’s what decent people do.

It’s a waste of time, PP, and decency has nothing to do with it.

NP here and, regardless of your opinion, the standard is to check references as a last step. But you do you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time on an applicant without knowing how they preformed at their last job and were there any issues? You are dealing with someones kids. Absolutely references and a copy of driving record and criminal background (and nannies should check criminal background for both parents too).

Nannies should also check employer credit record and ask to speak to former nannies.

Credit has nothing to do with getting paid. Someone can have great credit and not pay you. Someone can have poor credit and make sure you are paid. But, an employer could check a nannies credit to see if they are responsible before giving them a credit card.

You either meet your financial obligations on time, or not. You sound like one of those people who pays the nanny late.

Good try. I have excellent credit and no debt. How about you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time on an applicant without knowing how they preformed at their last job and were there any issues? You are dealing with someones kids. Absolutely references and a copy of driving record and criminal background (and nannies should check criminal background for both parents too).

How would you feel fielding 20 to 30 phone calls from potential employers after your nanny moves on? And these are from people you don’t even know if your former nanny would consider.

All good nannies give their references as a final step.

If she was good, I’d be happy to help her. That’s what decent people do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time on an applicant without knowing how they preformed at their last job and were there any issues? You are dealing with someones kids. Absolutely references and a copy of driving record and criminal background (and nannies should check criminal background for both parents too).

Nannies should also check employer credit record and ask to speak to former nannies.

Credit has nothing to do with getting paid. Someone can have great credit and not pay you. Someone can have poor credit and make sure you are paid. But, an employer could check a nannies credit to see if they are responsible before giving them a credit card.

You either meet your financial obligations on time, or not. You sound like one of those people who pays the nanny late.

Anonymous wrote:Why waste your time on an applicant without knowing how they preformed at their last job and were there any issues? You are dealing with someones kids. Absolutely references and a copy of driving record and criminal background (and nannies should check criminal background for both parents too).

How would you feel fielding 20 to 30 phone calls from potential employers after your nanny moves on? And these are from people you don’t even know if your former nanny would consider.

All good nannies give their references as a final step.