Finding the Ideal Nanny: the Ultimate Guide for Parents
Finding a nanny is easier if you know where to start.
Stressing about finding a nanny? No need with this handy guide!
Hiring a nanny is a significant decision for any family. First you have to decide if daycare, nanny shares, or your own nanny is the best option. If you land on hiring a nanny, you have to find the right person who will meet the requirements of the role - as well as be a lovely presence in your child’s life. All of this takes time, effort, and research.
As a longtime nanny agency, we have followed parents on this journey for well over a decade (and several in the Smart Sitting team have been on the journey themselves!), weighing pros and cons, going through various experiences, looking in every nook and cranny for the perfect person. To make this search easier for parents, we’ve put together this complete guide to the various ways you can find and hire your ideal nanny.
Social Media Sites
Social media sites are popular platforms for parents to find nannies. Longtime stalwarts like Facebook, but also less traditional means like Twitter and Instagram, allow parents to connect with people in their networks or search for individuals through hashtags or groups. Parents can post job listings or ask for referrals from their friends and family, or find nannies directly through their own posts. The same goes for other community-run sites that may be their own websites but grew out of an organic parenting group or organization.
Facebook groups are a super popular way for parents to connect with other parents for recommendations or sitters who may be in their extended network.
Instagram and Twitter may be less expected sources to make your way to your families ideal nanny, but by using the right hashtags and following nanny agency or local parent group accounts you may find a great lead.
Parenting community groups like Peach head in LA and Park Slope Parents in Brooklyn, NY, have been around for ages and have the answer to most things you need to know - including classified for local nannies looking for work.
Pros and cons of using social media to find your nanny
Pros:
Social media sites are free to use
You probably already social media, know how to navigate it, and have personal accounts
You may find a nanny who is in your extended network - meaning there is already some trust shored up and you can ask for recommendations from people you know
Cons:
There are no background checks or verification processes required from those who post or find you there
It may be challenging to find nannies with the right qualifications
It can be difficult to find the most helpful community, especially if you live in a large city with countless parenting and nanny groups
Social media profiles may not always give you the most accurate idea of who a candidate is, especially in regards to their childcare skills
Childcare Platforms
Childcare platforms, such as Care.com, Sittercity, and UrbanSitter, are online services that connect parents with babysitters and nannies. These platforms offer a searchable database of caregivers, and parents can filter their searches based on their preferences, such as age, experience, and certifications. Many platforms also provide background checks, reference checks, and online reviews to help parents evaluate potential candidates. However, while the platform may be well known (so you can, for instance, trust the background checks that they perform), there is no thorough vetting process as to who is on the site.
Pros and cons of using childcare platforms to find a nanny
Pros:
Childcare platforms offer a convenient way to find qualified nannies, often with many candidates in the area, especially with the larger platforms.
They provide additional resources, such as background checks, reference checks, and online reviews, to help parents make informed decisions.
They may also offer additional services tax and payroll management, to simplify the hiring process.
Most larger platforms also have a babysitting app for greater ease.
Cons:
Childcare platforms can be expensive, with some platforms charging membership fees, commission fees, and extra fees for background checks and other premium services.
Some platforms have limited options in certain geographic areas and are mostly localized to larger cities.
Parents need to do additional research to confirm a candidate’s experience and references.
Due to the number of candidates, many parents feel overwhelmed by the amount of unqualified profiles they have to sort through.
Agencies
Nanny agencies are professional organizations that specialize in matching families with nannies. These agencies typically offer a comprehensive range of services, including candidate screening, background checks, reference checks, and contract negotiation. Some agencies also offer ongoing support and training for both nannies and families. Agencies may perform a la carte searches, where they find a candidate after outlining your position, where others may offer candidates from a network of already vetted, qualified candidates who match the job description and family’s ideals.
Pros and cons of using agencies to find a nanny
Pros:
Nanny agencies provide a high level of personalized service and support, often with a dedicated, real live coordinator to help the parent through the entire process
They typically have a large network of qualified nannies with varying degrees of experience and expertise and are able to tailor the group of presented candidates to the family’s need and pay range.
Agencies often offer a range of services beyond matching families with nannies, such as ongoing support and training.
Some agencies will handle the employment of the nanny, paying them directly and managing payroll taxes. This is especially common for part-time and short-term positions.
Cons:
The most common con that families mention is that agencies can be expensive, with fees ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
The screening and hiring process can take longer with agencies, if they begin the vetting process after speaking with the parent about their need.
Depending on the agency, parents may have less control over the selection process when working with an agency.
What works for you?
In the end it all comes down to what works for you. Will a larger up front investment to get a qualified, vetted nanny actually be more cost effective for you in the long run? Would you feel most comfortable hiring a nanny who has already worked with your neighbor down the street? Give yourself a moment to really think about it, maybe start putting out feelers in your network, get to know a few agencies and what they’re all about. It may seem daunting at first, but never fear - keep an eye here on the blog and we will keep giving you all the info you need to make solid decisions and get great childcare.
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Ps. Once you’ve figured out which route you want to take, get all the info you need about hiring a nanny in this comprehensive guide!