It’s not easy to take care of children. And as much as parents want to take care of their babies themselves, sometimes they can use a bit of help from a yaya or nanny in English.
A yaya or commonly called babysitter in English is the one who is hired by the parents to assist them in taking care of the baby. Having a nanny has lots of benefits for the family, especially for working moms and dads.
Most yaya has specialized childcare skills and a deep understanding of the love for children. They can also be an extension of yourself when it comes to introducing your child to your family values. You can train your yaya about the family values and morals that you want your children to imbibe.
However, finding the perfect yaya isn’t always easy, and you need to find someone that perfectly suits your needs and you can trust to take care of your baby. That’s why we created a list of some tips to help you find the perfect yaya!
Finding a babysitter: How to get a yaya that suits your needs
In finding a babysitter, it’s important to identify first what are your family’s needs and why you want to have a yaya for your kid. Here are some tips on how to get a yaya that is perfect for your baby:
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1. Know your priorities
It helps to know exactly what sort of work you want your yaya to do. Are you looking for someone to take care of your kids, or are you looking for someone who will take care of your kids and help out with the housework?
It’s important to set these priorities first so that you’ll have a better idea of what positive qualities to look for, and what negative qualities to watch out for.
2. Referrals are best
Before looking for the best yaya agency in the Philippines you have to remember this first: While there are a lot of reputable agencies that can help you when it comes to getting a yaya, it’s still best to look for someone who has been referred by a trusted friend or a relative.
If a relative highly recommends a yaya for you, then chances are that they’re actually a good fit for your needs, and will be more than capable of taking care of your baby. Of course, it’s still up to you if you want to hire the yaya they recommended or not.
You can also ask your friends and relatives for recommendations about the best yaya agency in the Philippines. It is better to ask people with first-hand experiences in getting a yaya from an agency. Always remember that the safety of your child is a priority.
3. Look for someone with experience
As with any job, experience is very important. That’s why when you’re looking for a yaya for your child, it’s important to make sure that they’re actually capable of taking care of your child, and that they know your child’s needs.
Experience also helps you trust your yaya better, since you’ll be confident that they will protect and care for your child as much as you will.
4. Set your expectations outright
In some cases, a stay-at-home yaya might not be what you need. So it’s best to set your expectations right at the onset. Another instance would be if you want your child’s yaya to just take care of your baby, or if you want her to also do some of the housework.
Setting your expectations right at the onset would help clear things out and ensure that they’ll be aware of the things that they need to do when they start working for you.
5. Ask for an NBI clearance
These days, it pays to know the background of the people that you hire, especially since they’ll be staying at your home, and they’ll be taking care of your kid.
Asking for an NBI clearance is pretty common for those looking for a maid or a nanny, so you shouldn’t have any second thoughts about asking your potential yaya for an NBI clearance.
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6. Age is an important factor
It’s up to you to decide on whether you want someone who’s a bit older, or someone younger. However, most mothers look for a yaya that’s around 30 years old on average, not too young to be irresponsible, and not too old to be hard-headed.
Though in some cases, some moms prefer someone that’s around their age since they can communicate with their yaya better, and they can understand their problems and concerns.
7. Trust your instincts
If you feel that the potential yaya seems out of place, or wouldn’t be a good fit for your kid and your family, then it’s best to trust your instincts, even if it seems that their credentials seem solid.
After all, your motherly instincts are there for a reason, and a mom should always trust her instincts.
Qualities of the best babysitter
Aside from choosing someone who is trust worthy, you need to look for the following qualities in choosing the best baby sitter for your baby:
Hygienic
How your yaya takes care of herself can be an indicator of how well she will take care of your baby. Good hygiene is essential when choosing a yaya for your baby. It is because your baby’s yaya will be their companion every day. She is the one responsible for managing your baby’s basic needs like food, environment, and safety.
Good communicator
It is also essential to pick a yaya that can communicate her thoughts and feelings well. The best babysitter is the one who knows how to communicate everything that concerns your child. It is important to talk to your baby’s yaya and ask for her feedback regarding her job.
Furthermore, if you are a working mom or dad, at the end of the day it is vital to speak with your nanny and ask her about your baby’s day. So, even though you’re not around the whole day, you still have a grasp of your baby’s development.
Teachable
Most yaya, especially those that came from an agency, has a set of valuable skills and practices when it comes to babysitting. But it is also essential to know if your yaya is teachable. Because not all parents have the same parenting style. You can teach her about your house rules and family dynamics.
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Patient and compassionate
We all know that taking care of a kid is not an easy task. Stressful days are part of it. That is why it is important to choose someone patient and compassionate to take care of your child. Of course, we do not like someone who will throw her stress toward our child.
In line with that, you can ask your yaya about her personal life, family background, and other things that may add to her stress or keep her from focusing on her task as a babysitter. Assess how she handles her personal problems and stress. In addition, you can also observe how she behaves in everyday situations.
When you find someone with that set of qualities stated above, she’s definitely the perfect yaya for your kid! But moms and dads, remember that employment is a two-way street. To keep the best yaya for your kid, you have to make sure that you are being the best employer too.
It is important to give your yaya all the government-mandated benefits and rights she has according to the Kasambahay Law.
Additional information by Jobelle Macayan