As a parent, finding a trustworthy and qualified nanny for your child can be a challenging task. That's where a nanny agency can be an invaluable resource. By working with a nanny agency, you can save time, reduce stress, and find the perfect caregiver for your family. In this blog, we will explore the many benefits of hiring a nanny agency based on our experience working with clients and our own expertise in the industry. Whether you're a new parent or have been through the nanny search process before, we hope to provide you with valuable insights and information to help you make the best decision for your family.
SAFETY// Ensuring the safety of your child is undoubtedly a parent's top priority. When hiring a private caregiver for your home, it is crucial to ensure that the person you hire is safe and puts your child's well-being first. As an experienced agency owner, I have seen that there are individuals who should not be working in the childcare industry. It's disheartening, but we maintain a list of such individuals who should pursue different career paths. Unfortunately, some of these individuals slip through the cracks due to fake references, and that's where hiring an agency can help. A reputable agency thoroughly vets’ nannies to ensure that only trustworthy and reliable caregivers are referred to their clients. While every agency has its own vetting process, we pride ourselves on being the most thorough in the industry.
When considering an agency, it's important to ask thoughtful questions about their processes and approach. Inquire about what sets them apart, how they conduct nanny interviews, and their reference-checking methods. Are these checks completed in-house or through online questionnaires or phone calls? It's also a good idea to seek out references from the agency itself. I know many of my clients have asked for references over the years, and I’m always happy to provide them.
We take great pride in our comprehensive screening process, which we believe is the most rigorous in the Seattle area. Our process begins with the collection of the nanny's application, resume, CPR card, certificates, degrees, and any written references they may have. Next, we require candidates to complete a detailed questionnaire consisting of 13 to 15 essay questions tailored to the position they are applying for. Once this is complete, we conduct a personal interview where we aim to connect with the nanny on a deeper level, learn about their needs, and understand what would help them thrive in their new role. We then conduct in-house reference checks via phone, which we believe is essential since fake references are all too common in this field. Our approach involves comparing notes from the references to the nanny's application and resume to ensure everything matches up. At The Nanny Consultant, we only send over nannies to our clients that we would trust to care for our own children. In fact, there have been occasions where we have invited nannies we've screened into our own homes to babysit for us. We hold ourselves to the highest standards to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care for their children. In establishing The Nanny Consultant nearly nine years ago, my focus was always on prioritizing quality over quantity.
TIME// We know that finding the perfect nanny for your family can be a daunting and time-consuming task. From advertising the job to screening potential candidates and checking references, the entire process can take up a lot of your valuable time.
That's where a great nanny agency comes in. We have a pool of experienced and qualified nannies who come to us when they are looking for their next job. We have a repeat pool of nannies with loads of experience and glowing references from our clients themselves. Moreover, we know the best places to advertise and are part of the best community groups and job advertising sites, which ensures that we attract the best applicants for you.
We also rely heavily on referrals, which is a main way that nanny agencies get applicants. This is something that families, unfortunately, aren’t always privy to. We take care of all the tedious work, such as coming up with a job ad, finding where to advertise, and getting approval for posting.
The next step in the process is weeding through applicants. Remember, for every amazing applicant, you cycle through three or more that are not qualified. This can be time-consuming as we carefully read through resumes, gather important documents such as certifications/trainings, and get answers to preliminary questions that are important to know before meeting with a nanny. However, when you work with a nanny agency, we take over this entire process and only send over fully vetted candidates that fit your specific needs.
Completing references is another part of the nanny hiring process that can be extremely time-consuming. We understand the importance of conducting references over the phone, and we take care of that for you, as we gather a minimum of four references for every candidate. This is important as it verifies the validity of the references and ensures we gather reliable information for each candidate. Many nanny agencies try to save time by using an online questionnaire or completing references over email. However, at The Nanny Consultant, we do not recommend this very potentially dangerous practice.
Finally, putting together an offer letter and a nanny contract can also be time-consuming and tedious. When working with our agency, we provide you with a template offer letter and an all-inclusive nanny contract that you can personalize to fit your family's needs. This saves you a lot of time and effort, allowing you to focus on finding the perfect nanny for your family.
LEGALITIES AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS// During initial consultations with clients, I am frequently asked about Washington state laws pertaining to hiring household employees and the benefits that should be offered. A trustworthy nanny agency should be able to guide you through the relevant domestic worker laws and regulations in your area. Moreover, they should offer assistance in understanding the tax implications of hiring a nanny and can refer you to a reliable payroll service provider.
In the nanny industry, there are standard benefits that every family should consider providing. An experienced nanny agency can help you determine which benefits to offer based on industry standards and what would make your job opportunity more attractive to nannies in the market. It's important to note that the hourly rate isn't the only factor that makes a job appealing to nannies. A competent nanny agency should also provide a comprehensive document containing essential legal information and remain available to answer any questions throughout the hiring process.
REPLACEMENTS// We understand that utilizing a nanny agency involves a significant investment, and concerns can arise regarding the need for a potential replacement. However, after nearly nine years in the business, we can confidently say that we prioritize quality over quantity, which minimizes the need for replacements. Our goal is to match your family with the perfect nanny on the first attempt. Nevertheless, if a replacement is necessary, we offer full coverage for 6-9 months, depending on the package chosen. Our replacement policy is the longest in the area, reflecting our belief in the quality of service we provide.
ON-GOING SUPPORT// After hiring a nanny, it's not uncommon for questions to arise for both the family and the nanny. Whether it's a week or six months after starting, support or mediation may be necessary. When you hire a nanny through our agency, you can rest assured that we will be here to provide assistance with any concerns that may arise. We value maintaining strong relationships with our clients, and ongoing support is just one of the many benefits of using an agency to find a nanny. Additionally, when your contract with your current nanny ends, we offer a 20% discount on our placement fee for your next nanny search. We prioritize the satisfaction of our clients and strive to provide exceptional service throughout the entire process of finding and hiring a nanny.
When it comes to hiring household support, it's not just about finding a qualified candidate but someone who aligns with your family's values, parenting style, and needs. This is a highly personal task that requires careful consideration and research. Luckily, a reputable nanny agency can make the process much smoother and less daunting for you and your family. With an agency's assistance, you'll save precious time and have peace of mind knowing that a safe and trustworthy nanny is in your home. Furthermore, a good agency will prioritize your family's unique requirements while answering any questions you may have along the way. So why not take the stress out of hiring a nanny and trust an agency to find the perfect fit for your family?
If you have any further questions about using a nanny agency for your nanny search, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at kyla@thenannyconsultant.com.
Thanks,
Kyla Lopez
Kyla is the founder and owner of The Nanny Consultant, Seattle's premier nanny agency. She lives in the PNW with her three children and two cats, Oilver and Tilly.