How should a family hire a professional nanny? It may take as long as a month to secure a nanny. The recommended approach is to use the services of a reputable nanny agency in your state. Good nanny agencies always keep previous client references that they can provide you to make an evaluation of possible candidates.
In your selection of an agency, find out how long the nanny agency has been offering nanny placement services, their turnaround with nannies, and how many nannies they have placed. You can talk to some of the nannies the agency has placed in homes or families that have used the agency to get firsthand knowledge, which is useful in making a choice. A secondary source of information on nanny agencies is better business bureau and the chamber of commerce in your area. You can also from an opinion of your own about the agency from the following indicators: Did the agency answer your message instead, how soon did they call you back? Did they give sufficient information to assist you in your nanny search?
Obtain as much information you need to find yourself a good agency before you move on to using their services. A nanny agency is a good tool to use, though it can be costly. Always make sure that you are advised ahead of time the fees associated with nanny placement.
A word of caution: do no fall into the temptation of hiring a nanny recommended by the agency directly to save on placement costs. Experience shows once you take matters in your own hands, the nanny you hire will most likely take things in her hands as well, at some stage. Your options for recourse when such a situation arises are then minimal. You may lose credibility with advice or services in future. On the other hand, should you find a nanny on your own, it is best to inform the agency that may have been offering your assistance immediately so that they can put your search on hold. The agency can reactivate the search should you need them again.
In your selection of an agency, find out how long the nanny agency has been offering nanny placement services, their turnaround with nannies, and how many nannies they have placed. You can talk to some of the nannies the agency has placed in homes or families that have used the agency to get firsthand knowledge, which is useful in making a choice. A secondary source of information on nanny agencies is better business bureau and the chamber of commerce in your area. You can also from an opinion of your own about the agency from the following indicators: Did the agency answer your message instead, how soon did they call you back? Did they give sufficient information to assist you in your nanny search?
Obtain as much information you need to find yourself a good agency before you move on to using their services. A nanny agency is a good tool to use, though it can be costly. Always make sure that you are advised ahead of time the fees associated with nanny placement.
A word of caution: do no fall into the temptation of hiring a nanny recommended by the agency directly to save on placement costs. Experience shows once you take matters in your own hands, the nanny you hire will most likely take things in her hands as well, at some stage. Your options for recourse when such a situation arises are then minimal. You may lose credibility with advice or services in future. On the other hand, should you find a nanny on your own, it is best to inform the agency that may have been offering your assistance immediately so that they can put your search on hold. The agency can reactivate the search should you need them again.