Top 10 Qualities of a Great Nanny

Choosing just the right nanny for your child is not for the faint of heart. This caregiver will, in many cases, spend more daytime hours with your child than you will and because of that will exert a tremendous influence on him/her.

Just like any parent, you probably have carefully thought out certain qualities that you feel are essential in a prospective nanny for your children.  You might want somebody who is older and more experienced, but then you realize that an older nanny may not be able to keep up with an active child. So then you consider someone who is younger; but then there is the problem of ability and experience. At the end of the day, you want to go with what your instincts tell you and base your decision on your opinion of the candidates. 
    
        Here are the top ten qualities of a great nanny that many parents look for.
    
        
            a love of working with children
        
            have an interest in children as individuals
        
            a confident and positive personality
        
            have experience of working with children of various ages, in a variety of different settings  
        
            have first aid training
        
            be able to plan and arrange safe, fun learning opportunities
        
            know how to plan and prepare healthy meals and snacks
        
            be trustworthy
        
            respects your parenting philosophies
        
            exhibit patience, humor and sensitivity
        
            the ability to communicate well and connect with both children and parents
    
    
        Realistically, hiring a nanny with all of the above qualities would be like finding Mary Poppins. As parents you need to prioritize your "must haves" and take the appropriate time to interview and evaluate the candidates to find the best nanny for your children.