Using Social Media to Find a Nanny in NYC - here’s how to do it
Can social media find the right nanny just for you?
Last week, we gave you a whole guide of various ways to find a nanny. In the next few posts for parents, we want to dig into those different ways, get granular, and give you all the information you need regardless of which path you choose toward childcare. In this post, we are exploring the world of social media and giving NYC parents a few specific pointers on local resources for childcare.
Using Facebook to find a nanny
Facebook is a classic - tried and true, and sometimes a little overwhelming. You can start at the most basic level, posting your job to just your community of friends, allowing you - if you’re lucky - to connect with a nanny who you or your friends already know. This is a great way to already gather trust for someone. However, you may find that in your network of friends, only a fraction of them live where you live, and out of that group, an even smaller fraction have connections in childcare.
That leads us to Facebook groups. Facebook groups are essentially a useful messaging board, and you can find channels where nannies and parents in your area announce their skillset and recommendations. In groups, you may not know the nanny or parent directly, but there can be an added sense of trust in the community and in seeing people’s profiles.
Examples of open NYC Parenting Groups on Facebook
Brooklyn Babysitters club With over 11 000 members and an active community, Brooklyn Babysitters Club can be a useful place for Brooklyn parents and nannies to meet. Parents post their jobs, and nannies may either respond to posts or upload a summary of their experience, often as an easy-to-scan image.
Top Nannies/Babysitters of New York City This group for families in all boroughs has a healthy 6300 member count and a fair amount of activity. Job listings tend to receive dozens (if not hundreds) of replies from caregivers.
Upper West Side Parents Several family friendly neighborhoods have their own parent groups, some open, some private. Upper West Side Parents is one such example. In this large and active group you may find tips about all kinds of things going on - maybe too much to sort through if you are only looking for a nanny, but they are on here as well.
Things to look out for
The trick to parenting groups is finding the right group with the right vibe. If you can, apply to private groups which may have a higher threshold for entry and may keep clutter out of the conversation. Look through previous posts and discussions before throwing your own job listing in the ring.
Just because a profile has a name and a picture doesn’t mean the person writing to you is who they say they are. Always interview candidates and speak with references before moving on in the hiring process.
When you’ve found the caregiver that’s right for you, make sure to edit or take down your post. Otherwise you may be dealing with a lot of unhelpful - or incessant - follow-ups.
Finding a nanny via local parenting groups
It takes a village to raise a child, and NYC families know it applies to their village, too. Since New York is such a large city, parenting groups get hyper local. Here, you’ll find everything from fun events and playdates in the neighborhood, to information about the best summer camps and and a wealth of information supporting you on your entire journey in parenting. Job boards, classified listings, and other arrangements enable you to connect with nannies looking to work in the area where you live. Some groups require membership and may come with a fee.
Examples of NYC Parenting groups
Hudson River Park Mamas This group for parents in lower Manhattan (perhaps particularly TriBeCa, FiDi, and Battery Park City, but families from all downtown neighborhoods are welcome) is made up of verified local moms. They arrange playdates, parenting support, workshops, and an extensive classifieds board.
Park Slope Parents A must-know for Park Slope parents and families in the surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods, PSP is a large and long-lasting fixture in the neighborhood. Here you can find all sorts of groups, support, events, and - yes - nannies.
Can you find a nanny via Instagram or Twitter?
Instagram may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re looking for a nanny, but can actually be pretty successful. Twitter may be even more off the beaten path, but it may at least give you inspiration about where to look. The trick is to be deliberate in your search (and not get distracted by funny cat videos)
Top 3 Tips for finding a nanny via Instagram or Twitter:
Use relevant hashtags: Be sure to use relevant hashtags, such as #nanny, #babysitter, or #childcare to find nannies on Instagram. Ideally, use hashtags specific to your location, such as #nannylosangeles or #nannynewyork.
Follow nanny agencies: Many nanny agencies have Instagram accounts where they post job listings or promote their services. By following these accounts, you can get a sense of the agency's values and the types of nannies they represent, and potentially find free agent nannies among their followers.
Check out nanny profiles: Nannies who are active on Instagram may also have profiles dedicated to their services. This may give you an initial sense of the nanny’s qualifications, but always follow up with a more thorough interview process if you’ve found a candidate you feel may be a fit for your family.
I found a nanny candidate on social media, now what?
Connecting with one or several potential candidates over social media is a great start. The next step should always be to properly interview your candidates to get a solid sense of their experience, their skills, and how they relate to children. Use this handy guide for all the best nanny interview questions. Also speak with references and consider running a background check to confirm that this is the right caregiver for you.
This article is part of our series for parents about various avenues to find childcare. (After all, as a New York City based nanny agency with well over a decade in the business, we think we know a thing or two about how it’s done!) To make sure you get the rest of the series - sign up for our newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox.