How to Find a Good Nanny
Making sure a nanny is the right person for your child may be one of the most important things you do this year.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Printers
- Telephones
- Internet Access
- Pens And Pencils
- Spiral Notebooks
- Computers
- Word-processing Software
Instructions
-
-
1
Evaluate your family situation and decide exactly what you'd want a nanny to do, then write these requirements down.
-
2
Contact a nanny agency, either online or over the phone. It's best to choose one that belongs to a trade association such as the International Nanny Association or the Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies.
-
-
3
Fill out an application and pay the agency's application fee.
-
4
Discuss your requirements with the agency and write a job description.
-
5
Undergo the agency's interview process, if applicable.
-
6
Read all the information the agency gives you about the prospective nanny, including his or her application, references and assurances of background checks.
-
7
Call the references and quiz them about the nanny.
-
8
If possible, interview the nanny in person. Discuss all your requirements and concerns, and encourage the prospective nanny to do the same. Note how the nanny interacts with your child.
-
9
If you are happy with the nanny's references, application and interview, agree to hire him or her.
-
10
Sign a contract.
-
11
Pay the agency's placement fee.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Although you can advertise for or hire a nanny yourself, you will need to do your own background and reference checks and draw up your own contract. Nonetheless, doing this legwork does save you the cost of application and placement fees.
If it's impossible for you to interview the nanny in person, do it over the phone.
Most agencies guarantee to replace the nanny within the first 30 days if the arrangement is not working out.
Expect to pay a full-time nanny at least $300 per week.
Agency placement fees can be as high as $4,000.
If a particular agency seems unresponsive to your needs or does not provide the information you seek about a prospective nanny, choose a new agency.
Comments
View all 6 Comments-
nelas
Apr 04, 2009
What's a nanny? Just kidding here. My wife has decided to stay home for our kids instead of hiring a nanny. I agree with her but for kind of different reasons. Her reason is just plainly not trusting anyone with our kids. My reason is that I feel like my kids would rather spend more time with their mother. I loved having my mom at home when I was a kid, no nanny could ever replace her. Sure, it's tougher financially with only me employed but It's all for the good. -
nelas
Apr 04, 2009
What's a nanny? Just kidding here. My wife has decided to stay home for our kids instead of hiring a nanny. I agree with her but for kind of different reasons. Her reason is just plainly not trusting anyone with our kids. My reason is that I feel like my kids would rather spend more time with their mother. I loved having my mom at home when I was a kid, no nanny could ever replace her. Sure, it's tougher financially with only me employed but It's all for the good.
-
Common Sense
Mar 21, 2008
The only "GOOD" nanny is YOU, the parent. Why did you have kids? So you could pawn them off on strangers all day so you can go work?
-
Common Sense
Mar 21, 2008
The only "GOOD" nanny is YOU, the parent. Why did you have kids? So you could pawn them off on strangers all day so you can go work?
-
Aug 08, 2006
Check out some of the Au Pair agencies out there. Au Pairs generally cost less than nannies, but provide a lot of the same live-in benefits. The cultural exchange aspect also often brings new languages, songs, games etc. into the family.
