So, you have decided you want to hire a nanny! NOW WHAT?!
Choosing the right nanny is never easy and the process can be challenging even for the most organized of families. Each family has different expectations that need to be met based on their situation and budget. Before you start your nanny search, we recommend you get a general sense of your household’s wants and needs. To understand what would work best, see below for some general questions to keep in mind when beginning this process.
- What kind of nanny support would best serve your home? I.E., being a nanny for a newborn vs. a third grader is a very different role that often requires a varied set of talents and experience.
- What kind of coverage and schedule are you looking for? I.E., afternoon/afterschool support, full-time Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm, or just an extra set of hands-on weekends.
- What type of home do you have (e.g., formal or laidback) and what personality type would be the best fit?
- When it comes to the basics, do you need someone who can drive, swim, is CPR/First Aid certified, and/or can travel with your family?
- What special skills does this person need to have for this role? I.E., someone with education experience, a nanny who speaks a specific language, or someone who is seasoned in caring for children with special needs or maybe multiples.
- Are you working within a specific budget, and do your expectations meet that budget? Note: at the end of the day, nannies dictate their salary requirements, which are typically based on their background and experience but also take into account their economic needs (e.g., cost of living, etc.) as well as the requirements for each role.
Other questions to consider: How soon do you need someone to start? Do you expect your family to be growing? Are you looking for a long-term fit?
How an Agency Can Help Find a Nanny
Note, if you are still a little undecided about your exact needs, no problem! Part of our job at the Nanny Authority is to help a family figure out what sort of nanny support may best suit them. As an agency, we know what kind of questions to ask you to get a better sense of your needs.
Finding the right nanny for your family can sometimes be tricky, which is why an increasing number of parents and guardians will stray away from sources like social media and apps to enlist the services of an agency. A nanny agency provides families with a more personalized approach, one-on-one support, and guidance in all phases of the placement process. Below are some reasons as to why many parents choose the Nanny Authority when making this critical decision:
- Many working parents don’t have the time to research and interview candidates and, instead, rely on the assistance of professionals. A reputable agency will have amassed decades of experience in the caretaking field, passing along their knowledge to the family. At the Nanny Authority, our dedicated placement counselors review hundreds of nanny resumes weekly, weeding out those deemed unfit, and only about 15% of applicants make the cut.
- There is a certain amount of trust between the parents and the placement specialists they work with. Taking stock of the family’s style and preferences, the agency will present only the most appropriate candidates matching the parents’ criteria. It will refine the search until a match has been made.
- Vetting your candidate: The placement counselor will verify the nanny’s background information and driving record, giving the parents a copy of the obtained data. The nanny also must provide us with a complete chronological history of employment. Conducting reference checks is time-consuming. Parents can become distracted on the phone and forget to ask specific questions or even be unable to reach a past employer. An agency is skilled at asking the right questions and can get the family the answers that they need.
- Employment Agreements: Once a candidate has been selected, the agency will work with the parents to draft an employee agreement covering salary, bonuses, vacation days and holidays, health insurance, and severance pay. The contract will also address state labor laws and taxes, helping you ensure that you are doing everything lawfully. Both parties should mutually agree upon all responsibilities before the start date.
Tips for Families Finding a Nanny
Patience and communication are key during your search for the perfect nanny. Interview as few or as many applicants as you want, and bring your favorites in for a tryout in your home. During the interview and tryout process, you may meet a few nannies who are not the right match, and that’s ok! You may also interview someone who doesn’t feel your family would be the best fit, and remember, this search goes both ways and must be satisfactory for all. When talking to your placement specialist, be sure to provide feedback. We want to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. At the end of the day, it helps us ensure we find the best match!
Be mindful of the time you’re putting between interviews, trials, and start dates. If your placement specialist or a candidate doesn’t hear from you, they may assume you’re focusing in another direction. Communicating clearly and promptly if you’re interested in a particular application (or not) can help alleviate any frustration and provide guidance in your search. Please be mindful that looking for employment can be stressful, and the applicants you meet deserve to know your intentions so, like your family, they know where to best direct their energy.
Picking a nanny is a huge task and not something to be rushed or taken lightly, and working with a professional agency can mutually benefit both parties. Using an agency such as the Nanny Authority relieves stress and offers professional and personal guidance. Our team is dedicated to finding the best match for everyone involved, working tirelessly to ensure we exceed expectations. For more information on hiring a nanny, visit our website today! Parents can also contact a placement specialist at 973-466-2669 or via e-mail so we can help you find the best candidate for your home.
For more information, check out Why Use an Agency? , Nanny Screening Process and our FAQ
