This is a frequently overlooked concern in nanny employment and a nanny is wise to think this through before accepting a job offer. We hear so much about families being concerned about leaving their children in the care of a relative stranger; nannies considering relocating and living with their employer need to be just a cautious. Here are some tips:

Interview carefully! You should have at least two substantial telephone interviews before considering the job offer. It is your job to be prepared for these interviews ... and there are exhaustive interview tips on 4nannies.com. (Click Here)

Verify the name and location of the family you are speaking to. A listed phone number and a legal name can verify some of this information online at no cost. Public Records Now and Anywho.com are two such free resources. We recommend that these basic checks be done before you provide the family with your Release to Conduct a Background Check. We aren't trying to scare you - just keep you safe.
Related Link: Safety Advice for Online Job Searches
Check family references. For the family who has had previous childcare, ask for the names and numbers of their previous caregivers. These can be former nannies, family daycare providers, or center-based care. Explain why you are calling and ask them questions. Would they consider taking this job, or having their daughter take it? Were they paid on time? Is there anything about the family that they think you should know?

Are you going to live with the family? Ask about the living arrangements. Do you have a private room? (You should...) Is it really a bedroom? What level of the house is it on? Does it have a window and door? This sounds silly, but occasionally a family will offer living accommodations in the loft (no privacy OR storage) or the basement (perhaps no window to allow escape during a fire) and not really think it through. How is the room furnished? Do you have your own bath or do you share with other family members? Make sure you think through what it means to live with another family and are comfortable with this.

If at all possible, visit the family in person. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you ... even if you have to drive all day to do so.

Trust your instincts. If there is anything about the job or the family that makes you uneasy, keep looking.

Have an escape plan. It is just foolish to consider moving hundreds of miles away without at least having either a friend nearby or enough money for a few nights in a motel, just in case. Call this insurance, and don't leave home without it!


The vast majority of families are honest and caring, looking for the best care for their children. The parents should not object to your thoroughness and thoughtful consideration to the job offer, but rather see it as indicative of the care and caution you will exercise as their child's caregiver. If a family objects to you asking questions, remember, there are many more families out there who will welcome them. You are an adult considering accepting an awesome responsibility for someone else's children; make sure you take responsibility for yourself too

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