How to hire a nanny for your family - the complete guide
Hiring a nanny from start to finish - from the agency that knows it all.
Hiring a nanny can be stressful for parents. You love your children more than anything, and the idea of handing off their care and safety - whether for an hour or a day - is nothing short of nerve-wracking. It’s no wonder then that you want the absolute caregiver on board, and for them to stay around as long as possible.
As a nanny agency in New York, with families and nannies across the country, we have helped countless families find and hire their ideal nanny, and we’ve picked up quite a few valuable insights along the way.
In this guide we share our top tips for the nanny-hiring process, so you can forge ahead with as much confidence as possible. And should you find yourself wanting a hand to hold through the hiring process, reach out to us and let us take it from there.
Find a nanny by knowing what you need
In order to hire the ideal nanny for your family and your situation, you need to know what you need. Figure out the best form of childcare coverage for you, which responsibilities the nanny should handle, and any non-negotiables you may have, to better outline the position you need to fill. In practice, this means you’ll have a better chance of finding someone who fits the bill.
Things to consider when looking for a nanny:
Would a part-time or full-time nanny be best? Some families try piecing together a part-time nanny with slightly flexible work hours or friend pick-ups, but end up more frazzled as a result. Read our post “Do you actually need a full-time nanny? to see why a full-time nanny might be the best solution for your family.
Looking for a part-time nanny? Get our tips about finding a part-time nanny and learn how to keep your part-time nanny, plus why it’s often harder to find a consistent, part-time caregiver than a full-time nanny.
Could a nanny share work for you? Nanny shares might be a helpful setup when you are trying to reduce childcare costs, but there are quite a few things to know about how nanny shares work: Do your childrearing philosophies align with the other family’s? What happens in case of illness or conflicts? Does your child’s schedule line up with theirs?
Will you will be working from home? Make sure a nanny candidate has the experience and flexibility to work with you in this unique scenario, which is becoming more and more common. Our post about working from home with a baby covers all the tips you need to create a successful setup - for you and your child, as well as your nanny.
Will your nanny be caring for a new baby? Our short guide about nannies for newborns is absolutely crucial to get you up to speed on what to look for in a nanny, how to shape the role, which questions to ask specifically for a nanny for infants, and what to put in a contract.
Do you have older children? You may be unsure if a nanny is the right investment, even though you know you need the help. Read more about what a nanny for older children can do and how that relief might fit into your daily life.
Nanny interviewing tips
Once you have outlined your position and found your candidates (whether using online job listings, parent message boards, or recommendations), it’s time to get to know your prospective nannies.
Holding interviews can be daunting if you’ve never done them before, but there are a lot of standard questions that will really dig into the candidate’s experience, attitude, abilities to think on their feet, and be a great caregiver.
Our list of the best nanny interview questions is all you need to get to know your nanny candidates. It covers everything from experience and attitude, to personality and interests. Even more important, it tells you how and when to trust your gut.
Be thorough with interview questions and talk with a few references to feel confident moving forward in hiring a nanny who will really shine.
How much should you pay your nanny? And other hiring considerations
Once you’ve found your ideal candidate, make sure you offer them a position they cannot turn down. Your fantastic and fun children will certainly get you halfway there, but to really convince your prospective nanny, you’ll want to make your offer special.
How to create an attractive job offer for your nanny:
Offer a competitive salary. How much do nannies make? Nannying is a job, first and foremost, and getting the rate right will help you woo stellar candidates on a competitive market. This updated post has all the latest information about how much you should pay your nanny, babysitter, or backup help.
Include benefits. If you want to attract top talent, expanding your compensation package beyond just an hourly wage can really make a big difference. Add these benefits to your nanny job offer and see how it translates into an experienced, nurturing caregiver as well as a loyal employee.
Cover their health insurance. More and more families are including health insurance as part of their benefits to caregivers. Not sure where to start? We guide you through the maze in our post how does health insurance for a nanny work?
When you find the right nanny, they can become a vital and lovely part of your family’s daily life. As a parent, It’s not just a relief to know that your kids are safe and taken care of – finding a nanny you love can take your whole family from great to brilliant.
Hire your next nanny with Smart Sitting
If the hiring jungle is just too much, our nanny agency has your back, all the way from your dreams of an ideal candidate, through the hiring process to signed job contracts and beyond.