How to find a nanny
To find a nanny, start by defining your family’s needs and creating a clear job description outlining the skills and qualifications you’re seeking.
1. How do I find the perfect nanny?
The perfect nanny is someone who aligns with your family’s values, meets your childcare needs, and builds a genuine connection with your children.
They should be experienced, dependable, and have a personality that complements your household. Families in search of their perfect nanny should conduct thorough interviews and carefully check references and background information.
With years of experience in placing nannies with families, here at Sommet Nannies we firmly believe that the key to success in finding the perfect nanny is in the screening and selection process. Over 90% of applicants to our agency are eliminated as part of the vetting and recruitment process, and our matching service has a success rate of over 95%. Not quite perfect, but we're immensely proud of how close we are!
2. Where's the best place to find a nanny?
There are several ways to search for a nanny, and the best method for your family depends on how much time you can dedicate to the search and how confident you feel in assessing a candidate’s qualifications:
Personal networks
Many families find nannies through recommendations from their personal networks, with experienced and highly sought-after nannies being snapped up as soon as they become available. While this method can yield trustworthy results, it may limit your candidate pool.
Online job boards
Online platforms allow families to post nanny vacancies and review applications. These give access to vast numbers of potential nannies but require a significant time investment in screening and vetting candidates.
Nanny agencies
Nanny agencies can offer the most thorough and hassle-free approach to finding a nanny. Look for an agency that matches families with pre-vetted candidates, saving you time and ensuring high-quality results.
3. How to find a nanny: Step-by-step guide
If you're new to the process of finding a nanny, follow our step-by-step guide for guaranteed success!
a) Create a job description
A well-crafted nanny job description ensures potential candidates understand your expectations and helps attract the right match. This is also a great opportunity for you to consider your family's needs and the benefits a nanny could bring.
A strong nanny job description typically includes detailed information about the following areas:
Schedule
Duties
Essential qualifications and prior experience
Desired traits and skills
Salary range and benefits
Ironing out these details at the start will help you find candidates who are aligned with your expectations, and will make the screening and interviewing process much smoother.
b) Post your nanny job
When finding a nanny, parents have two main options: posting their job on reputable nanny websites or working with a specialized nanny agency. Posting on job boards gives access to a broad range of candidates, but it requires more time for reviewing applications and conducting background checks. Parents will need to manage the hiring process from start to finish, including application screening, background checks, and finalizing employment contracts.
Alternatively, working with a nanny agency can simplify the process significantly. Agencies have access to pre-vetted candidates that are matched to suitable families, saving you the effort of sorting through numerous applications. They handle much of the legwork, including screenings and background checks, allowing you to focus on finding the best match for your family.
c) Screen candidates
When screening nanny applications, focus on candidates who meet the specific requirements you outlined in your job description. Carefully assess each resume, paying attention to experience, skills, and qualifications to create a shortlist of candidates who could be the perfect fit for your family.
Screening candidates can be a time-consuming task, so it is helpful to have a clear set of criteria to guide your choices. Keep in mind that experienced nannies are in high demand, so don’t wait too long to reach out to promising candidates. At Sommet Nannies, we streamline the process by pre-screening candidates based on your needs, offering one carefully selected resume at a time to simplify your decision-making.
d) Conduct interviews
Interviews are a key opportunity to assess whether a nanny candidate is the right fit for your family. It is a good idea to begin with a phone or Zoom interview to cover basic details, followed by an in-person meeting if the candidate seems promising.
During the interview, focus on the candidate's experience, childcare philosophy, and approach to the responsibilities outlined in your job description. Pay attention to their communication style, enthusiasm, and understanding of your family's needs.
To help parents during the interview process, we provide a mix of open-ended and scenario-based questions to gauge the candidate's responses. For example, parents may ask the candidate about their inspiration for working with children or how they'd handle children of varying age groups.
e) Check references & run background checks
Even if you're convinced you've found the perfect nanny, it is crucial to conduct thorough background checks to ensure the candidate’s qualifications and trustworthiness. When entrusting someone with the care of your children the following key details must be verified:
Reference check and validation
Social media screen
All 50-state background screening
Sexual misconduct record check
Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) driving record check
Social Security verification
Residency history search
Infant/child CPR and First Aid certification verification
At Sommet Nannies, we conduct this rigorous vetting process for every candidate before they are matched with a potential family, so you can confidently trust that every nanny you interview is suitably qualified and of the highest caliber.
Paying attention to every detail is the key to finding the perfect nanny, enabling families to form lasting and meaningful working relationships with a professional childcare provider. So, if you're interested in the benefits that a top-class nanny can bring to your family, don't hesitate to contact us today!
While you can search for a nanny through online job boards, working with a professional agency like Sommet Nannies ensures a stress-free process with access to thoroughly vetted candidates.
Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
● If you enjoyed this article, you might also like 'How to hire a nanny'.
● If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.
● If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.