The Advantages of Working with A Nanny Placement Agency
Childcare is tricky. To find an option that is a perfect fit for your family, able to accommodate your daily routines with work and school schedules, and most importantly, offering you a feeling of assurance that your child will be well cared for, will be one of the biggest decisions new parents face.
Often the flexibility of in-home, tailored, childcare by a nanny is the best option. Choosing between daycare and a nanny might seem like a huge decision, but that’s only the first step. Once you decide to go with a nanny, you will then encounter the daunting task of FINDING ONE: not just any nanny, but the right nanny for your family.
Finding a Nanny 101: Finder Sites vs. Placement Agencies
First and foremost, you’ve got options, each with pros and cons. Let us highlight the differences between working with a nanny finder site and a full-service placement agency.
Nanny Finder Sites: How They Work
Create a profile
While each online nanny finder site (Care and Sitter City, for example) is different, the majority will allow you to start by creating a profile for your family and posting a job listing for your desired nanny. Often, you can expand on this process by offering a full family biography and giving the nanny an overview of your home environment. Before setting this up, however, you’ll need to think through what you require in a nanny and what you’re willing to offer in compensation.
Scour through nanny profiles
Next, you scour. Nannies on finder sites are also required to submit a profile. Details of their job history, professional experience, any special skills or qualifications related to child care, and their complete resume are all inlcuded. Sometimes reviews or references are available to you as well. Begin the process of searching through the profiles of potential nanny candidates either by scrolling through the many messages from interested applicants or by viewing suggested candidates from the site. Once you find a few candidates that meet your requirements, you are then free to reach out, via message (or their contact information if they have provided it to you), to set up a trial day or interview.
References and salary
Do not forget to follow up with provided references! These sites allow references of the candidates to post a letter of recommendation or a statement of reference to the nanny profile. However, it is strongly advised to check the legitimacy of these by reaching out to the references directly. Finder sites run a fairly basic background check, usually with the option for a more in-depth background screening at your expense, or potentially at the expense of the nanny. Once you and your selected nanny have reached an agreement to work together with an agreed upon salary, you’re in the home stretch.
Employment agreement
There’s still one more looming task to tackle: the contract. An employment agreement between you and your nanny will clarify expectations of duties and a daily routine, as well the details of compensation, benefits, employment taxes, etc. Are you familiar with your state labor laws? If you pay your nanny more than a certain amount in one year, you’re also responsible for paying employment taxes. These issues should be agreed upon in advance and very clearly stated for the benefit of all parties, so this is no small task. Your agreement should include these basics at a minimum:
- Compensation details, including the salary, benefits, sick pay, vacation pay, overtime
- Insurance you will offer
- Employment taxes
- The length of time you are both willing to commit to the position
- Termination and resignation guidelines
- Expectations of duties
Obviously, these agreements do not provide a guarantee that there won’t be any issue which pops up during the course of the employment, but if a nanny is willing to sit down with you and construct an agreement, it’s generally a good indication the she is serious about working with you, and that she will be reliable and loyal. If all goes well, your life with your new nanny will be much easier! Keep in mind, however, if your nanny gets sick or is unable to work, you may have to return to the online hunt to find a replacement while your nanny is unavailable.
Nanny Placement Agencies: The Full-Service Option
Interview with the Agency, and let them bring you qualified applicants
A full-service nanny placement agency provides the same service of finding you a nanny, but with slightly different tools and a number of advantages to make your life a whole lot easier. Generally, a representative of the agency will come to your home to meet your family and discuss a set of detailed questions to gain a clear understanding of your needs. Once the agency paperwork has been signed, the agency will begin sending you profiles of pre-qualified nannies to review. Every nanny they send will have met all the standards of the agency. Every agency is different but most require a minimum of two years of experience within the Nanny or Childcare field, up-to-date Infant, Child, Adult CPR and First Aid certifications, 3-5 solid child related references, an in-depth background check through a professional screening service, DMV records to ensure a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance. In addition, they will have personally met with and interviewed every candidate. A high quality agency will only send viable candidates who match your needs.
Meet with only pre-qualified nannies, and the rest is taken care of for you
You are then free to personally interview the nannies, schedule trial days, and then select your nanny; some agencies even facilitate these procedures. Once you’ve chosen your nanny, the agency will advise and assist you with the job offer, including salary, taxes, benefits, period of agreement, etc. When a position is accepted, the agency will then construct work agreements/contracts between the family and the new nanny including everything that should be included in the employment agreement. The agency will advise on how best to pay your nanny, whether it is directly or through home employment compensation companies. Some agencies will even offer advice at tax time. If there is a time when your nanny is sick or unable to work, the agency can usually find a temporary nanny or sitter to fill in for you.
We at Windsor House Nannies are admittedly biased, and we believe nanny agencies offer incredible benefits for families searching for childcare. If you find that you could use the service of a nanny agency, we would love to assist you.
Victoria Harrison is the Co-Owner, Co-Founder and Director of Nanny Services for Windsor House Nannies LLC, a full service nanny placement and sitting service agency operating in Austin TX. Victoria has worked as a nanny and throughout the childcare industry for over 13 years. This experience has sparked her passion for finding the best, most responsible childcare for families, as well as supporting the professional growth of Career Nannies.
To learn more about Windsor House Nannies, check out:
Victoria Harrison / Co-Owner, Co-Founder and Director, Windsor House Nannies
5409 Fairmont Circle
Austin, TX 78745
512-831-6677
victoria@windsorhousenannies.com
Facebook: @windsorhousenannies
Twitter: @windsornannies
Pinterest: @windsornannies
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