Safety and Legal Issues

Nanny Hiring Guide: CPR Training for Your Child's Safety

Emergencies and accidents happen. From a piece of food getting lodged in the throat to an unexpected, allergy-causing bee bite, when a child's breathing is affected it's a scary and potentially fatal situation. When breathing is obstructed, the brain will only survive 4 to 6 minutes unless oxygen flow is restored.

For many hours of the week, the life of your child is in the hands of your nanny or childcare provider. It is absolutely necessary that your nanny or childcare provider have current CPR training and certification. Certifications typically expire every few years, so it's important to be sure the certification is current.

When interviewing nanny candidates, parents should ask for proof of current CPR and first aid certification. If the provider they wish to hire does not have up to date certification, your job offer should be contingent upon her completion of a Red Cross or American Heart Association training program that ends with certification. If you receive a card from an organization or association that you are not familiar with, contact the listed trainer and inquire as to if they are accredited to teach CPR and by whom.

During the interview, parents should ask candidates if they have experienced an emergency situation and how they have responded to emergencies they have faced. Parents should also ask situational questions that test the candidate's knowledge of accident prevention and emergency readiness.