Things To Watch Out For When Hiring Any Help To Look After Your Baby

Before you hire household help, look out for a few things to ensure that your baby has safe and trustworthy childcare.

If you want to hire help from a particular region or someone that has the same religious beliefs as yours, make your position known to the agency or friends before you shortlist a maid.

As for other factors that may help you make a decision, this interview guide may be helpful.

Always ask for proof of identification

A ration card or a voter's identification card would be helpful.

Using a registered and reputable agency for maids may further ensure that you are getting someone experienced and vetted. Ask to meet the potential help at the agency beforehand. This will give you a chance to interact with her and the staff.

Check that the agency has a valid licence and provides all the necessary paperwork. Watch out for agents who try to place children as young as eight or nine years old as household help. Hiring a minor is a crime punishable by law. The maid you hire should at least be 18 years old.

Ask for police verification

Hiring household help without any verification can be unsafe for you, your child and home. Police verification can take anywhere between one week and six weeks (especially if the maid is from out of town).

Some agencies have candidates who are already verified by the police. Others may offer to get the verification done for a new candidate at an additional cost. Whatever the case, ensure the paperwork is genuine and keep an extra copy of the verified documents in a safe place.

Make sure she is medically fit

The help you hire will be in close contact your family, especially your baby. This makes it important to ask the agency for a letter from a certified doctor, confirming that she is mentally and physically fit to care for children. If the help is recommended by friends or neighbours, you may want pay for a medical check-up.

Ask your doctor to ascertain the potential maid's level of health and hygiene. This will help rule out any communicable diseases, especially tuberculosis or whooping cough.

 Also check if she has any addictions such as smoking or drinking.

Give her a clear job description

Be very clear about what you expect her to do on a daily basis. Are you hiring her specifically to look after your baby? Or is she expected to sweep and mop the floors, wash the dishes, make the beds, iron, cook and generally keep the house tidy? A well-defined job description would also help you to decide on her salary.

Ask for referrals

Talk to referees and previous employers. This is a good way to know if it is easy to establish a good working relationship with her. Also, you may find out about behaviour you aren’t comfortable with.

Look for a literate maid

Hiring a maid with basic education can be useful. She’ll be able to follow written instructions for the routine you maintain for your child, recheck grocery bills or even teach your child, if needed. But if you can’t find such a maid, try getting someone who speaks and understands your language and instructions clearly.

Find out about her hygiene habits

When you do meet a candidate, ask about her home and lifestyle. This may give you a glimpse of her attitude towards important things such as hygiene, security and discipline. Also asking her how she does certain tasks may prepare you for training her, if needed. For example, you may not agree with the way she sterilises bottles or changes nappies. Once you know what the key issues are, you can work on them.

Pay the market rate if you are hiring help

The compensation should suit her expectations and your budget. Over paying does not ensure you will get the best and most reliable help. However if you’re happy with your maid and the way she works you could reward her. Offering her a bonus or paying for any essentials she may need are just some of the ways you can show your appreciation for her hard work.

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