Locating Nannies
Use a nanny agency
Locating Nannies So, how does one begin a search for a nanny? There are generally two ways to go about it. You could go through a nanny agency or you could seek out nanny candidates on your own. The advantage to using an agency is that they do the recruiting and screening legwork for you, although you will still want to check the candidate's references yourself rather than leaving this to the agency.
The disadvantage with an agency is the expense. Some agencies charge a flat fee, which may start at $1,000 or more. Other agencies may charge a percentage of the nanny's salary, in some cases up to 25%. Usually, the fee is payable upon the signing of an employment agreement, or sometimes after the nanny has been employed for a certain period of time, such as ninety days.
There are a number of ways to locate a nanny on your own and save all those fees. Finding your own in-home caregiver, however, can be a great deal of work. You may have to advertise for help or search advertisements of nannies looking for positions. If you find a candidate who appears to be suitable, you will have to research her background thoroughly.
Agencies
If you are not familiar with any reputable nanny agencies, you should be able to locate some in the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory. Look under "Nanny Services." The Internet is another good resource for agencies. Some agencies will be local, and the nannies they place already live in your area. Other agencies operate nationwide, and can connect you with nannies from out of state as well as close to home. This will give you a greater pool of candidates from which to choose, but you probably will be required to pay an out-of-state nanny's relocation costs.
As already mentioned, agencies can make the screening process much easier for you. Aside from the background checks the agencies perform, they also can take into account your preferences regarding the personality and other attributes of your nanny. For example, if you prefer a caregiver who is an outgoing person to someone with a quiet, introverted disposition, an agency can provide you with a pool of candidates with the desired quality. This will save you the effort of weeding out incompatible applicants on your own.
Having a nanny whose personality fits in with your family is important under any circumstances, but it is especially important if you are looking for a live-in caregiver. Not only do your children have to spend a great deal of time with the nanny, but if she is living under your roof, so will you. It is difficult having a nonfamily member residing in your household day in and day out, even a conscientious and agreeable one. If the nanny's demeanor does not match your preferences, it could make for a difficult living situation.
Aside from the day-to-day routine your family will share with the nanny, you may want to take her along on family outings and vacations so that she can provide childcare for you while you are on the road. For that reason, it is not just a personality match you will want to look for. You will want your nanny to share some of the same interests as well. If your family is an outdoorsy bunch, a nanny that prefers needlepoint to hiking and biking might not be the best candidate. Again, a good agency will have profiles of its nannies and will keep you from wasting your valuable time interviewing unsuitable candidates.
Do your own nanny searchFinding a Nanny on Your Own
If you choose to forgo the agency and do your own nanny search, you will have to be resourceful in order to assemble a good-sized pool of candidates. Classified ads, whether yours or those placed by people looking for nanny positions, can provide you with some leads. Nanny ads can be found not only in large city newspapers, but in local papers and specialty classified publications such as the Penny Saver. If you live in an urban area, your prospects will be more numerous than if you are in a suburban or rural area.
Want ads can be an extremely hit or miss method of finding worthy applicants. The more ads you have, the tougher your job will be, because you will have to sift through them all to decide which candidates you will make initial contact with. A better process for finding potential nannies is to conduct a more focused search, if possible. To do this, you should direct your efforts toward several good sources of candidates.
Often, nannies have friends or acquaintances who are also nannies. They may know other nannies from spending time in the park, at preschool, or at other activities with their employers' children. If you have friends or coworkers who are employing in-home caregivers, ask them if their nannies can refer you to others who are looking for childcare work.
Another way to obtain nanny leads is by asking around at the type of establishments that typically cater to people who might be able to connect you with potential caregivers. Examples would be your local park district, YMCA, or other organization where you might find families with young children participating in activities. Talking with the director or even the receptionist might lead you to a family who uses a nanny, which may in turn get you in contact with the nanny's friend, who also works as a childcare provider, but is between jobs. If you have a community center, church, or coffeehouse that has a designated area for posting ads, staple up a few flyers stating that you are looking for in-home childcare. Include your phone number and the ages of your children, but no other personal information.
An even better place to contact and to post ads would be a college in your area, if possible. Call the employment placement office at the school and ask if you may place a job posting. Some colleges that grant degrees in early childhood education even have services that match early childhood students who want to earn extra money and gain childcare experience with local families looking for nannies or babysitters.
Nanny schools themselves may be one of the best places to look for an in-home caregiver on your own. There, you have a pool of prospective nannies, presumably eager to work. Of course, the downside to nanny students and recent graduates would be their lack of experience. If that is not a problem for you, however, your family can give a new or aspiring nanny that all-important first job.
Contact nanny training programsWhat follows here are some nanny training programs around the country. This list is not inclusive. Some of the training programs listed are part of a community college or university's curriculum. The website link may be just to the school, where you can contact them for further information. You should conduct your own search for programs located in your area.
Nanny Training Programs
(noninclusive)
American College of Early Childhood Education
760 Market Street
Suite 1009
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-677-9717
www.nannycollege.com
Calibar Training Institute Nanny and Childcare Program
500 7th Avenue
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10018
212-564-0500
www.caliberny.com/prog_child.html
Domestic Workers United
c/o CAAAV
Nanny Training Course
2473 Valentine Avenue
Bronx, NY 10458
718-220-7391 ext. 11
www.domesticworkersunited.org/samplenanny.htm
English Nanny and Governess School
37 South Franklin Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
800-733-1984
www.nanny-governess.com
Middlesex Community College Childcare Specialist/Nanny Certificate
Bedford House
Room 105
Bedford, MA 01730
781-280-3563
www.middlesex.mass.edu/AcademicCatalog/PDF/ Certificate/CSNC.pdf
Northwest Nannies Institute 11830 S.W. Kerr Parkway
Suite 100
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
503-245-5288
www.nwnanny.com
Southeast Community College Early Childhood Education 8800 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68520
800-642-4075 ext. 2603
www.southeast.edu/Programs/Curriculum/ECED.htm
Sullivan University Professional Nanny Diploma
3101 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
502-456-6504
www.sullivan.edu/louisville/programs/education_nanny_d.htm
Vincennes University Professional Nanny Certificate
1002 North First Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
800-742-9198
http://216.37.53.162/factsheets.asp?cid=25&ctid=153
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This checklist will help you ask the right questions when interviewing a potential in-home childcare provider. Download now Download now
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