Warning signs - Safety first, hiring a nanny or manny

Safety first

When selecting a good nanny or 'manny' (male nanny) it's absolutely vital that your follow these basic checks. Many ex-pats abroad, have a nanny also known as a 'childminder'. The list below may seem obvious but surprisingly many people don't follow all of these basic checks and warnings. Hiring a manny or nanny who is not a loony or bad with kids, is vital for your child safety and for your peace of mind. Here are some of my recommendations, some of them are serious, some of them are my attempt at humor, although some of the suggestions below, no matter how funny, have actually happened. Read and enjoy.


The basic things when hiring
 
1) Get at least one work reference
2) Take a photocopy of their passport and visa
3) Give them a full list (translated into their language if needed) explaining your child's daily routine, including their afternoon nap and bedtime sleeping times
4) Show the manny or nanny around your flat or house and show them where you keep the nappies, creams and other products
5) If the manny or nanny cooks for your child, make sure you show them how to turn on/off the gas cooker valve and show them how to use the microwave
6) Make sure your kitchen has a fitted child safety gate
7) Make sure all kitchen knives are out of reach of small hands
8) Make sure all dangerous cleaning products are out of reach of small hands.
9) Make absolutely sure that all windows have window locks or at least fitted Mothercare window safety devices
10) Show your manny or nanny where the local parks are and take them for a trial walk, to see how they interact safely with your kid
11) Make sure you tell your manny or nanny not to answer the door to unknown people
12) Make sure your manny or nanny has a good command of your native language and/or can interact and play with your child in an educational way for their language development
13) Put your manny or nanny on a two week trial. Arrive home without warning one day in the first few weeks to check they are looking after your child as you want them to. It has been known for a parent to arrive home to find the manny or nanny sleeping or have their friends around at your flat or house.

14) Make sure any heavy or dangerous furniture, is secured to the wall and that it cannot fall over and onto your child.

15) Make sure all electrical items and electrical sockets are child safe from inquisitive touching hands

16) Show your manny or nanny how to use the stroller pushchair.

17) Never assume a manny or nanny knows how to keep your child safe, show them and make sure they understand your safety requirements
18) Give your manny or nanny at least two contact numbers in case of emergency
19) If your child goes to Kindergarten or school and the manny or nanny will take/collect them from school, make sure the kindergarten school knows their face and that the kindergarten or school will not allow any other person to collect your child. Introduce your manny or nanny to your child's kindergarten or school.
20) If you can trust your manny or nanny, give them a key to your flat or house
21) Don't let your manny or nanny feed your child any nuts and warn them of any food allergies
22) Only allow your manny or nanny to bath your child if you have watched them do it and feel absolutely comfortable about it, Bathing a child is dangerous, especially when it's not you doing it.
23) Follow your instinct when hiring a manny or nanny it can often be right


Warning signs when selecting and hiring a manny or nanny
 
1) Your manny or nanny show an unhealthy interest in bathing your kids
2) Your manny or nanny is attracted to matches and knives
3) Your manny or nanny shows you photos of his/her weapon collection
4) Your manny or nanny was recently been released from a secure state facility
5) Your manny or nanny watches sport on TV while your kids plays in the kitchen
6) Your manny or nanny feeds your kids McDonald's and beer
7) Your manny or nanny has many tattoos and gold teeth
8) Your manny or nanny tries to convert you to Jesus or Islam
9) Your manny or nanny has an imaginary friend
10) Your manny or nanny has a nervous twitch or hook for a hand
11) Your manny or nanny puts your child to bed in a wet nappy
12) Your wife or husband becomes jealous of your manny or nanny
13) Your husband or wife arrives home to find you in bed with the nanny or manny
14) You arrive home to find your manny or nanny sitting in the kitchen with their friends drinking your tea or booze
15) Your child starts to call your manny or nanny, "daddy" or "mummy"
16) You find a collection of strange DVD's left behind by the manny or nanny
17) Your manny or nanny has a Face Book page dedicated to your child or some strange Face Book hobby page
18) Your manny or nanny talks on their mobile all day while your child plays alone on the floor


If they have any of the above habits - Fire them today!


Follow the advice and relax

Follow the above check list and everything will be OK with your manny or nanny. Male nannies, are a new and popular trend in childcare. They can offer your child a balanced system of caring and can act a surrogate father and mentor where the actual father is absent or too busy to see or play with their child. Many female nannies only watch your child and can have little interaction with your child. It is best to hire a manny or nanny who is an experienced parent or who has had good experience of looking after children. Avoid expensive agencies when hiring a manny or nanny try to hire one on recommendation if possible. Select wisely and be careful.

Related stories see: Raising a child abroad index rating, Ten common mistakes when hiring a nanny, Hiring a nanny, the hand that rocks the cradle, 

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