Hiring a nanny is the one household placement where getting it wrong has nothing to do with money. You are trusting someone with your child, often alone, often for hours. Warmth at interview is not the same as experience, and the checks here are not optional.
Questions that reveal real experience
Generic questions get generic answers. Ask things that are hard to answer well without having actually done the work.
- What was the youngest child you've looked after, and what did a normal day look like?
- What would you do if a toddler had a high fever and you couldn't reach me?
- How do you handle a tantrum in public?
- What do you do when a child refuses to eat or sleep?
- Why did your last childcare job end?
Nanny or aaya?
A nanny usually runs a child's whole routine: feeding, naps, play, sometimes school runs and homework. An aaya more often supports a parent directly, with a narrower role. Be clear which you need, since the responsibility and pay differ.
The checks that are not optional
- Original CNIC, matched to the person
- References from previous families, called directly, asking specifically about reliability with the children
- A police character certificate
- A permanent address and a guarantor
- Basic first-aid awareness, or willingness to be briefed on it
Trial with your child present
Run a paid trial of a few days while a parent is at home. Watch how they actually are with your child, not how they describe themselves. Children often tell you more than any reference call.
Pay
In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, nannies typically earn roughly Rs 30,000 to Rs 75,000 a month. Newborn care and live-in arrangements sit at the top of that range.
After they start
- Write down the routine, rules and emergency contacts
- Agree what they should do if they can't reach you
- Check in often in the first weeks, then less as trust builds
Browse nannies and babysitters who have listed themselves, or read what nannies themselves are told to expect.
Families who want a vetted shortlist can find a nanny in Islamabad through Staffly.
Looking for actual staff or work, not just information?
Browse staff who have already listed themselves across Pakistan, or list yourself for free.