When Should You Start the Nanny Search?
Janine C., Smart Sitting Director of Client Relations knows.
Returning to work with a new baby can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. You’re balancing leave dates, sleep deprivation, and a big decision: when to start the search for your family’s first full-time, long-term nanny. We asked Janine, our Director of Client Relations, to share a clear timeline – and the strategy that keeps you sane (and, dare we say, excited!).
Note to parents: this advice about when to hire a nanny applies to parents of newborns hiring a full-time, long-term nanny. Hiring for older kids and part-time roles will look different and are often quicker hires!
The short answer
“Start three to four months before your desired start date. That’s the sweet spot,” Janine explains. “You’ll interview agencies, launch your search, trial candidates, and still have breathing room.”
She adds that this first hire is a uniquely valuable moment. This is your chance to learn what matters to you, what doesn’t, and what ‘fit’ really feels like (it might not be what you expected!), so it’s worth making the most of the process now. As your kids get older, you won’t need such an involved search; with your previous experience in your back pocket, you’ll know almost instinctively who fits and who doesn’t.
The best strategy to finding your ideal nanny
Here’s the process that gets it done.
Week 1: Meet agencies, not nannies
“Give yourself a week to interview agencies before even starting your search," Janine says. “Talk to a few agencies about screening, references, and matching. You want a partner who understands you, not just a database of resumes.”
Once you pick, it’s time to launch the search. Working with a professional nanny agency means you’ll get all the help you need in defining schedules and duties, outlining compensation, and nailing down any must-have experience.
After interviews, leave time for trials
Janine recommends families to invite their favorite two to three nanny candidates to a paid trial.
“The person you love in an interview isn’t always the person you – or your baby – loves in the thick of it,” she says. “During trials you see the real chemistry: how they read cues, how you feel in the room, how your baby settles, and that may really be what helps you make a decisions.”
She also recommends leaving room to change your mind after the interview process gets going “Give yourself time to pivot. At the onset, maybe you thought you wanted a career nanny with 30 years of experience, only to find that what really resonated with you was meeting candidates earlier in their career but with an energy that really meshed with your family. Let yourself experiment as you go through the process.
Build in transition time
“One thing we see that can really set new families up for success is scheduling in one to two weeks of overlap before returning to work,” Janine continues. “The nanny learns routines, baby cues, or your preferred methods for soothing and feeding while you’re still home. Meanwhile, you (and your baby!) get to ease into having a new person in your home, building trust and relief into every day. That transition makes D day much calmer for everyone.”
The short version: a successful strategy:
Spend one week meeting agencies and choosing your partner
Finalize job details → launch search (yay!)
Review candidate applications and conduct interviews
Schedule paid trials with top 2-3 candidates
[Opportunity to pivot: adjust the brief if your preferences shift.]
Talk to references and confirm background checks
Find your persona and make your offer! Align on contract and start date.
Transition overlap at home.
Start date: You head back to work; your nanny starts on familiar ground.
Peace of mind and success!
BONUS tips for smooth sailing
Janine knows the ins and outs of hiring your first nanny. Here’s two things you may not have thought about!
Timing within the year matters: While not as seasonal as after-school positions, there is some seasonality to full time nanny hires. Q1 is the hottest time to find a nanny. The holidays get trickier and the candidate pool starts to slim in October. That said, we place great nannies all year; it just takes more focus near the holidays!
What if we find someone way too early? Congrats! Newborn nannies know parents are looking well in advance and that the start date may be further in the future. My advice is still to not draw it out too long. If you know a candidate is a yes, move into an offer and set a clear start date so everyone is on board.
Final word from Janine
“If I can leave parents with just one thing, it’s that you don’t need the ‘perfect’ nanny on paper. You need the right person for you,” she says.
Janine C., Director of Client Relations at Smart Sitting
“Hiring your first nanny is a great chance to learn what really matters to you, and it might surprise you. Having an experienced nanny agency with you can really be the key to staying on track, pivoting when needed, getting to talk through your thoughts and questions with someone who’s seen it all before. Our job is to listen, adjust, and help you find the ideal caregiver for you. All you have to do is figure out who feels right.”
Are you looking for your first nanny? Or are you a seasoned parent who wants personalized support for your next hire? Click the button below, tell us about yourself and your family, and one of our dedicated team members will take it from there.