The Importance of Nanny References: Why They Matter More Than You Think
When it comes to finding the right nanny, there are endless checklists. Families talk about scheduling, sleep training philosophies, CPR certifications, and the logistics of pickup and drop-off. Nannies themselves are navigating what feels like an entire relationship interview process—where trust and compatibility weigh far heavier than any bullet point on a résumé. But if there’s one piece of the puzzle that parents and caregivers often underestimate, it’s nanny references.
A reference is so much more than a “confirmation” that someone once worked with children. It’s a window into real-life moments: the meltdowns at the grocery store, the rainy-day indoor forts, the times a child only wanted their nanny when they scraped their knee. It’s a perspective that no résumé or polished interview answer can fully capture.
I’ve seen countless families on parenting forums like Reddit Parenting or in local Facebook groups for moms in Cincinnati or Cleveland ask the same question: “How important are references, really? If I feel good about the interview, do I need to go that extra step?” Every time, the parents who’ve been through the process respond with the same conviction: yes, references matter. They’re not a box to check—they’re the grounding foundation of your trust in a caregiver.
Let’s talk about why.
What References Reveal That Resumes Don’t
A nanny can list every certification in the world and still leave you wondering if they’ll really “fit” in your home. That’s the beauty of a reference—it bridges the gap between paper qualifications and lived experience.
Think about it this way: a résumé might tell you, “Handled twins from infancy to toddlerhood.” A reference will tell you, “She knew how to keep both babies on the same nap schedule while helping my older child with homework—and somehow managed to keep her cool even when I couldn’t.”
References often paint a more holistic picture:
Consistency. Did the nanny show up on time, every time, even through Ohio’s unpredictable snowstorms?
Adaptability. How did they react when routines changed or the baby refused bottles?
Long-term impact. Does the family still talk about the positive ways the nanny influenced their child’s development or behavior?
Parents on Cincy Mom Collective often describe references as the “gut check” moment. One Cleveland mom on The Cleveland Moms shared that she was nervous about hiring a nanny without “a long trail of professional jobs.” But when she called a reference, the parent on the other end shared a dozen heartfelt stories about patience, creativity, and how the nanny had become “like family.” That phone call shifted everything—it made her decision clear.
The Emotional Side of References
Hiring a nanny isn’t the same as hiring for an office job. You’re trusting someone with your child—the most important part of your world. That’s why references carry emotional weight.
For many families, hearing a former employer say, “My kids still ask about her every day,” provides reassurance no résumé bullet could deliver. It humanizes the process. You’re no longer looking at a candidate as just a potential hire; you’re hearing how they bonded with another family, how they navigated tough days, how they celebrated milestones like first steps or potty training.
On the flip side, references can also bring clarity when something feels “off.” If a nanny seemed polished in the interview but a former family hesitates when asked, “Would you hire her again?”—that hesitation is telling. One Cincinnati dad shared on Reddit Parenting that he almost skipped calling references because he “didn’t want to bother people.” But when he finally did, two families shared concerns about reliability. That saved him from hiring someone who wouldn’t have been the right match.
Why References Matter for Nannies Too
It’s easy to think of references as only serving families, but they’re equally important for nannies themselves. A glowing recommendation is a career cornerstone.
A nanny who has built strong relationships often finds that references become their best advocates. Families don’t just confirm dates of employment—they talk about how the nanny calmed their colicky baby at 3 a.m., or how they taught their toddler to share, or how they helped parents transition back to work with less stress. Those stories set a nanny apart in a crowded field.
In fact, many families trust references so much that they’ll hire a nanny with slightly less experience if the reference feedback is stellar. As one commenter on Reddit Parenting put it, “References are like character witnesses for how a nanny will treat your kids in the everyday chaos. That’s what matters most.”
For caregivers, this is a reminder: every family you work for becomes part of your professional story. Nurture those relationships. Even if you move on to a new job, those references remain one of your most valuable tools.
Red Flags Families Should Watch For
Not all references are glowing—and that’s okay. Sometimes a nanny wasn’t the right fit for a particular family, or circumstances changed. But there are certain red flags worth paying attention to:
Vague responses. If a reference can’t recall details or avoids specifics, it may signal a lack of impact—or a lack of enthusiasm.
Reluctance to rehire. The question, “Would you hire them again?” often reveals more than any other. Hesitation here should raise concern.
Inconsistent timelines. If the dates or responsibilities shared by the reference don’t match what the nanny listed, that’s a red flag.
Overly negative tone. No nanny is perfect, but a consistently critical reference should give families pause.
Parents in local Cleveland boards like The Cleveland Moms often advise one another to trust instincts when something feels “off.” One mother shared that she ignored a lukewarm reference because she felt rushed to hire. Within weeks, she regretted it—her nanny wasn’t reliable, and she had to start the search all over again.
How to Ask the Right Questions
When calling references, it helps to go beyond the basics. Here are a few thoughtful questions families often recommend:
How did your children respond to the nanny?
Can you share a time when the nanny handled a difficult situation?
Did you feel your nanny supported your parenting style?
How did your nanny handle discipline or boundaries?
Would you trust them with your children overnight or on vacation?
What stands out most about your nanny’s impact on your family?
The answers will give you a deeper sense of whether this nanny could truly fit in your home.
The SEO Piece: Building Local Connections
If you’re a family in Cincinnati or Cleveland, you know that the nanny community here feels smaller than in bigger cities. That’s why tapping into local networks is invaluable.
In Cincinnati, groups like Cincy Mom Collective often share recommendations and experiences with nannies, including discussions about references.
In Cleveland, organizations like The Cleveland Moms frequently highlight local family resources.
Even local businesses can tie into this conversation. For example, play cafés like Red Balloon Café + Play in Cincinnati or Play Grounds Café in Lakewood are common gathering spots for nannies and kids. Asking around in those spaces often leads to word-of-mouth references—parents swap stories, and caregivers build their reputation in real time.
And it’s not just cafés. Many nannies mentioned in references take kids to enriching places like the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden or the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. These outings often come up when parents recall how much their children loved spending time with their caregiver.
These local ties don’t just help families vet potential caregivers—they build a sense of community and accountability.
Stories That Stay With You
One of my favorite parts of reading nanny reference threads online is the stories families share—the little details that live on long after the job ends.
A mom in Cincinnati wrote about how her nanny once handmade costumes for her kids’ “frozen yogurt shop” pretend play and how her children still talk about it years later. Another parent in Cleveland said her nanny taught her child basic sign language before he could talk, and that gift made communication so much easier during toddlerhood.
Those aren’t résumé lines. Those are lived experiences that references pass on. And often, they’re the reason another family feels comfortable opening their home and hearts to a new caregiver.
How Hunny Nanny Agency Can Help
The process of calling references can feel daunting. Who do you call first? What do you ask? How do you weigh the feedback you receive? That’s where having support makes all the difference.
At Hunny Nanny Agency, we don’t just hand you a list of candidates. We guide you through every step of vetting, including thorough reference checks that go beyond the surface. Families deserve peace of mind, and caregivers deserve to have their hard work represented authentically.
Whether you’re a parent searching for your perfect fit or a nanny building your career, we’re here to make the process smoother, safer, and more personal.
If you’re ready to feel confident in your next hire—or to showcase your own experience as a nanny—view more about how Hunny Nanny Agency can support your family.
Because references aren’t just names on a list. They’re the heartbeat of trust in childcare. And at Hunny Nanny, trust is everything.
