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.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Printers
• Telephones
• Internet Access
• Pens And Pencils
• Spiral Notebooks
• Computers
• Word-processing Software

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.

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.

[cconn227]

on 4/13/2009 However...a great agency is http://www.aplusnanniesinc.com You're paying the agency to save yourself from a ton of hassle and making mistakes by hiring an inexperienced nanny.

[nelas]

on 4/4/2009 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.

[happynanna]

on 1/14/2009 If you don't want to pay try something like craigslist. A bit of a pain to use to find a nanny but its free. A more powerful nanny search site that is 100% FREE is www.freenanny.net - You can contact nannies and babysitters for free. It is also free for nannies and babysitters to join as well.

[thenannysden]

on 8/21/2008 An agency does minimize the work that goes into finding a nanny and nannies who usually use agencies sometimes expect to be paid more...but I went through craigslist and found the perfect family!!!

[SFOtraveller]

on 7/30/2008 I've been researching finding a nanny for my child and I'm pregnant with my second - A good guide I found to considering a nanny v au pair (v babysitters)
hope this help you out:
http://www.halogenguides.com/family/guide/the-nanny-quest