Hiring a nanny or governess: 5 mistakes to avoid
Hiring a nanny, a baby-sitter, a governess or a maternity nurse in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud is an essential step in ensuring your child’s well-being. However, when faced with an emergency or a lack of information, certain mistakes can be costly, both financially and in terms of your family’s safety. To help you avoid these pitfalls,
Vaïluna Daligault, founder of BeeBoo, a childcare recruitment specialist in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, gives us her top tips, illustrated with anecdotes from families who have encountered these difficulties.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes to avoid.
❌ 1. Hiring a moonlighting nanny to save money
💬 “We found a babysitter by word of mouth. One day the babysitter spanked herself. When we tried to report the incident to our insurance company, it was impossible: ‘Officially, she didn’t work for us’.”
💡 Why is this a mistake?
Without an official contract, there’s no legal protection or insurance in the event of an accident or dispute. What’s more, employing someone illegally exposes parents to severe penalties.
✅ Our expert says: “I understand that people want to save money, but hiring a nanny under the table is like driving a car without insurance: it’s fine… until the day it breaks! Think about your peace of mind, draw up a proper contract and declare your employee to the authorities.
❌ 2. Not checking the nanny’s experience and references.
💬 “We hired a nanny who seemed nice. But after a few days we realised she had no experience: she panicked when our baby cried and didn’t know how to react in an emergency’.”
💡 Why is this a mistake?
An unqualified nanny can put your child’s safety at risk. With no training or experience, she may be overwhelmed when faced with unexpected situations.
✅ Our expert’s advice: ‘Ask for verifiable references, talk to previous employers and give preference to candidates with first aid training. Because ‘I’ll Google it’ is not the answer you want to hear if something goes wrong!
❌ 3. Choose a nanny who accepts everything without question
💬 “We were delighted to find a flexible nanny who accepted all our requests. But after a few weeks she stopped responding and disappeared. In reality, she found a family more suited to her”
💡 Why is this a mistake?
A nanny who does not set limits runs the risk of not making a long-term commitment. If she accepts a salary or hours that are too low, she’ll leave as soon as she finds something better.
✅ Our expert’s advice: “Look for a professional who is clear about her expectations and committed to her role. A nanny who says yes to everything without asking questions is dodgy! A true professional knows her value and sets limits. A good exchange of views from the outset will ensure a long and healthy relationship.
❌ 4. Hiring a nanny without a valid work permit.
💬 “We found the ideal nanny for our family. But after a few weeks we received a fine for illegal employment and she had to stop working immediately. “
💡 Why is this a mistake?
Employing a nanny without a valid work permit can result in severe penalties (fines, prosecution) and an abrupt termination of the contract, leaving you without a childcare solution.
✅ Our expert’s advice: “Systematically check your employee’s right to work with the authorities before finalising the contract. A simple check can save you a lot of administrative and financial trouble.”
❌ 5. Focusing on salary and availability without assessing compatibility
💬 “We had an urgent need and hired a nanny after an express interview. However, after a few weeks we realised that her teaching methods were the opposite of ours: she didn’t set any limits for the children and didn’t respect our instructions”.
💡 Why is this a mistake?
A good relationship with a nanny isn’t just about her hours and pay. Her approach to childcare must be in line with the family’s values to ensure a harmonious relationship with the children.
✅ Our expert’s advice: “During the interview, take the time to discuss the nanny’s teaching methods, vision of education, conflict management and daily routine, and ask specific questions (‘What would you do if my child refused to eat?’). If she thinks ‘one sweet and she’s fine’ and you think ‘no sugar after 6pm’, things can get sticky!
How to find a reliable nanny or governess in Geneva and Vaud?
To avoid these mistakes and find a qualified nanny, here are a few tips:
- Go through a specialised agency such as BeeBoo, which will help you find a reliable nanny, draw up a proper contract and take care of the administrative management.
- Take the time for a thorough interview to assess experience and personality.
- Draw up a clear contract (nanny contract, maternity nurse contract, babysitting contract, governess contract).
- Make sure your employee has a valid work permit.
Bee-Boo simplifies the administrative management of your governess or nanny! Pay slips, contracts, declarations, holidays… we take care of it to free your mind and reduce your mental load 😉.
Discover our new human resources management service for nannies!
📞 Besoin d’aide pour engager une nounou en toute sérénité ou pour prendre le relais pour assurer toute paperasse en rapport avec votre employée ? Contact BeeBoo on +41 22 751 50 18 or visit bee-boo.ch for tailored support!
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