Our passion is supporting people who love working with kids.
Smart Sitting is on a mission to redefine childcare — empowering the career goals of compassionate, talented, ambitious childcare professionals by connecting nannies with ideal job opportunities near you.
By facilitating placements with great families in the Chicago area and providing ongoing support with employee-employer relationships, we are elevating what it means to be a sitter or nanny. Whether you came to the Second City for the next step in your journey or you grew up here and know every corner of town, we know that there is a childcare position that will fit into — and strengthen — your life plan.
If you are looking for a long-term nanny job in Chicago, Smart Sitting can help you succeed in a meaningful childcare role that lets you focus on what you do best — caring for kids.
Why Work With Us?
Smart Sitting’s proven process helps you find great nanny jobs in Chicago with confidence.
The Smart Sitting team is made up of former babysitters, nannies, educators, and child specialists. We care about you as an individual, and we’re here to empower your career. From negotiating rates and benefits that align with the incredible professional value you provide, to establishing your role, responsibilities, and expectations with families, we have your back.
We know that pursuing your personal goals can go hand in hand with a nanny career, and we want to help you get where you’re going.
Let our knowledge be your strength in the job search.
Understanding families’ and nannies’ specific needs allows us to find our stellar SmartSitters jobs that will be just the right fit for them.
“It is very clear that Smart Sitting is equally invested in placing the sitters with families that fit their needs and families with the right sitter. They are patient while finding that perfect match which is something I really appreciate. They took into account my distinct experience and interests and made big efforts to understand and place me in a place that would utilize my skills as well as help me grow in the ways I wanted to. I am now extremely happy with my placement and feel like Smart Sitting has my back in case I need to advocate for myself in the future. Overall, I am extremely happy with my experience as a Smart Sitting sitter!”
— SmartSitter Lucie A.
Our Personalized Job Matching Process
Smart Sitting is proud to represent the best of the best. Everyone in our community has been thoroughly screened and personally interviewed - only 6% of our applicants are selected. Our hiring process invites loving, trustworthy, and skilled candidates from all backgrounds, as Smart Sitting values diversity and inclusivity within our network . Please take your time applying and be as thorough as possible. We also conduct thorough interviews with our families, to ensure our nannies are connected with families that embrace their individuality and skill set.
Step 1 | Discover and apply
Get to know how we work and fill out our online application so we can get to know you in return. We consider candidates on the following criteria:
Experience and educational background
Passion for working with children
Communication skills
Problem solving skills
Emotional intelligence
Reliability and punctuality
Step 2 | Interview
Those few candidates with exceptional applications are contacted to set up an interview with a Recruitment Specialist. Walk through childcare experience, discuss and evaluate core values, and discuss your ideal job expectations and current open positions with a job expert.
Step 3 | References
After a successful interview, we reach out to at least three childcare-related references. Transcripts of these conversations are kept on file for families to review. Only candidates with stellar references move forward in our process - and Smart Sitters love that these transcripts mean they no longer have to inconvenience their references when interviewing for new positions.
Step 4 | Background Check
All candidates undergo a National Criminal Background Check, Social Security Verification, Sex Offender check, and extensive Manual County checks which we keep on file for families to review. Our background check policies are modeled after best practices for the childcare industry.
Step 5 | Onboarding
Throughout the screening process, each candidate’s written and verbal communication are assessed. We require SmartSitters to respond to emails and text messages within 24 hours. Once in the network, you are invited to set up a profile while we help you finalize the process so you are ready to find your nanny job.
Step 6 | Position Matching and Community
After successfully completing all other steps, Smart Sitting Family Specialists get to know each nanny and babysitter one-on-one and personally work together to handpick positions that are best suited for your skills, experience, and availability, to ensure positive and successful connections for both sides. Once in our network, SmartSitters stay at the top of their game through ongoing training, group events, and mentorship, while we continue to support you in your professional journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smart Sitting helps childcare professionals in Chicago find great families and grow their careers with confidence.
What is the going rate for nannies in Chicago?
The average hourly rate for a nanny in Chicago is $16.50, with rates often in the $20-25/hour range. After the onset of the pandemic, the market has become very competitive, and many nannies are currently seeing travel reimbursement and sign-on bonuses as part of their hiring package. Rates for long-term Smart Sitting nanny positions in Chicago are $25-35/hr, and we negotiate on your behalf for additional benefits and perks as part of a long-term position. This includes paid time off and can also include travel stipends and health insurance contributions.
How do I find a nanny job in Chicago?
Nanny jobs are often listed on online job boards or nationwide listing services. Be careful when communicating with and interviewing for jobs when you do not know the family. Working with a nanny agency helps ensure your safety and gives you somewhere to turn with questions about your job offer, employment details or anything that comes up after the hire.
What kind of long-term childcare work can I do in Chicago?
A long-term, childcare job where you truly can let your personal skills, know-how, and love for children shine is as a nanny or babysitter with a family. In this line of work you get to help shape the children you work with, encourage and bring out the best in them, all while helping a busy family manage their everyday life. Other kinds of childcare work include working at daycare centers, after-school programs, or camps with groups of children.
Featured Smart Sitting Resources for Chicago Nannies
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