Calling References
It's real important, it's real easy.

You will need to call applicant references whether you choose to hire through our service or another. Some important questions you may want to ask of childcare and previous employer references are:

1.) How long have you known (specified applicant)?

2.) What is your relationship to (specified applicant)?

3.) What is your occupation?

4.) How long was (specified applicant) employed by you?

5.) What duties were required by you of (specified applicant)?

6.) How many children do you have?

7.) Does/Did (specified applicant) obey your rules and regulations?

8.) How does/did (specified applicant) discipline your children?

9.) Do you know the (specified applicant's) family background?

10.) Can you describe (specified applicant's) appearance?

11.) Can you describe (specified applicant's) personality?

12.) Would you hire (specified applicant) again?

13.) Would you consider (specified applicant) mature, emotionally stable, and healthy enough to work as a full-time, live-in nanny away from friends and family for at least one year?

You can print a few copies of this page and jot down the reference responses to your inquiries while you're on the phone. Calling early in the day or around dinner time will help ensure someone is home if you are calling a private residence. Our questions to references, like our application procedure, is based on real nanny agency procedure. When calling references, it's good to keep in mind that these are busy people with families. Keep your conversation quick and to the point. Expect about 5-10 minutes per reference phone call unless you get wrapped up in congenial conversation. Unlike most agencies, we do also request email addresses for references on our forms. You may prefer that route to start. You can type up one basic letter based on this sheet and send it to multiple references before calling as an introduction. If the applicant you're interested in hiring has a good relationship with her previous employers they usually won't mind either your phone call or letter and may even desire to help the applicant find a good new placement with a new family. That is usually even the norm.