Nanny interview. What if they are a crazy person?

[hannamaren]

I just made an appt for my nanny candidate to come for an interview tomorrow at my apartment.
Then I started thinking. What if she is a crazy person? Or comes with a man or team and kills me and steals my baby?
I can try to get my SiL to come, but should I change the location to a Starbucks? I wanted her to play with my baby and you cant really do that at Starbucks.

[karinothing]

How about a local park? Was she vetted through an agency. If she was vetted through the agency I would probably feel fine meeting her in my house.

[hannamaren]

Not through an agency. The costs are ridiculous for the agency. But now, I see why you need them.

Thanks for the idea. I will suggest the park instead since Layla loves the park anyway. Then if we chose her, she can come to the apt.

[Deleted]

She's probably wondering what if you're a crazy person. The park sounds like a good idea for an initial meeting, for both of you to feel more at ease.

And then if you like her, you can get a criminal record check, call her references, etc.

[Jem]

I agree on the park. I met a couple of babysitters there that I interviewed. I'm not sure what kind of building you live in, but instead of giving out my apartment number I told them I would meet them in the lobby. If they seemed normal, then I invited them to the apartment, but if I got a bad vibe then I figured I would chat in the lobby or go elsewhere. I felt like this gave them a chance to see I was normal too.

Are you vetting everyone and then having your husband meet them? I had my DH there for all our nanny interviews. For babysitters though I did all interviewing myself.

[rex]

When I was a nanny I was always more comfortable meeting a family in a public place first.

Trust me, she's thinking the same thing. It might be easier for both of you to change where you meet.

[hannamaren]

No lobby in my apartment.
I emailed her and explained for both of our safeyy, we should meet at the park.

[hannamaren]

Probably my H will meet the one I choose before we say 100% yes. He works late and it will be hard for him. But I wouldnt mind a second opinion. Maybe my MIL can do a final okay

[Deleted]

I interviewed 5 nannies, and not once did the cross my mind. It should have - but it didnt. All of the women I interviewed we're references from previous employers (but just on our neighborhood listserve - not personal refs). I think you're smart to think about it.

[ohgillian]

I did some interviews at home and some at a local coffee shop. I think that the other mom and I did it at home if one of our husbands was going to be there (b/c at that point, there were 3 of us, and we felt okay about it) and at the coffee shop if there were just the two of us moms there.