How to handle a childcare emergency as a working mother

Almost everyone has a story to share of a nanny or domestic worker who left them in the lurch at the last minute – especially after the holidays.

Domestic workers have become a pivotal part of a working mother’s life – they are trusted to keep the household running smoothly, look after the children and the house, and generally make life easier. That’s why it’s important to find the perfect person for your family; someone will also lovingly take care of your children.

We spoke to several nanny and domestic help agencies to help you find your perfect fit, alert you to the red flags to look out for, and offer tips for your Plan B options in case of an emergency – so you can avoid the fallout from the dreaded “I am not coming back” SMS message on a Sunday evening.

Zola Angel started her domestic cleaning business, ZEMUMC, in 2013 when she found herself without a job.

“As soon as I started my business, I realised that life for women has become so demanding and hectic that they do not have time to clean their homes – hence the demand for domestic help,” she says.

“There are many young professionals who live alone and do not even know how to clean, let alone have the time for it. Some of my clients already have domestic helpers, but they do not have time to train them, which makes the employer unhappy because they don’t clean properly.”

Looking for a new nanny? Here is what to do

Looking for a nanny can be really overwhelming, which is why you should start your search as soon as possible, unless it’s an emergency. Keep in mind that hiring a nanny means that you are entrusting a stranger to take care of your children and your household.

Here are a few important things to consider before you offer anyone a job:

Are they the right person for your family?

To answer this question, you need to interview more than one candidate so that you are able to identify red flags and choose someone who is a perfect fit for your household. You can also determine this by observing the person for a few days before they start work.

Communicate their tasks clearly to them beforehand.

Communication is important from the start. Do you need someone who will just look after the kids, or do you want them to clean as well? It is important to discuss this in advance to avoid misunderstandings and to find someone who is well-trained for the job you want them to do.

Check the person’s background before you engage them.

This is vital, because you do not want to inadvertently bring a criminal into your home. Conduct a thorough background check. Verify their references and find out where they live, and other important information in case of emergencies. This includes whether they have a police clearance certificate, as the Child Protection Act requires this.

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Discuss rules and boundaries from the beginning.

Rules give structure to any relationship, so avoid drama through good communication. Explain your house rules, their days off and holidays, and their pay and payment dates so that everything is clear from the start. Sign a contract so that both parties are safeguarded.

Step Up Nanny Placements, a nationwide nanny agency based in Cape Town, recommends that you ask the following questions:

• Why did you leave your last job?

• How old were the children you were looking after?

• What do you like best about being a nanny? What do you like least?

• Have you ever had to deal with an emergency or witnessed a life-threatening situation with a child? If so, what happened and how did you react?

• Do you have experience with dietary restrictions and avoiding food allergies?

• Do you have experience with introducing a baby to solid foods?

• Do you have experience in dealing with unusual or difficult family dynamics?

• Tell me about the working style at your previous employers. Was it a relaxed environment or was there a strict schedule?

• What additional duties did you perform in your previous jobs? Did you do light cleaning or run household errands?

• How do you communicate when you have something to say? Do you keep it to yourself or do you speak up?

Using an agency 

Duduzile Mathebula, from Gauteng, hired a nanny from an agency in 2005.

“I was a first-time mum and thought it would be easier to hire someone who had already been screened and vetted. I followed the procedure, filled in the form and told them what kind of person I wanted, and then some applicants were selected based on my criteria. Then there was an interview with the agency. This made my life easier and I felt that it was legit to use an agency,” she says.

According to Zola Angel, domestic workers work very hard to feed their families, just like all other workers.

She says, “This is the only industry that’s not considered ‘work’ by society, which means that domestic workers are often not recognised as employees who also need training to perform their tasks professionally. We expect them to keep our houses clean, cook our meals and look after our children, but they don’t receive proper training.”

She says her company, ZEMUMC Domestic Workers Academy, is changing this mindset.

“We train domestic workers so they can do their jobs with pride and confidence. It’s important that employers consider sending their nannies on various courses so that they’re equipped to handle anything that might happen, from administering medication, to resuscitating a child, to basic housekeeping skills. Various agencies offer such courses.”