What should I look for in a Nanny Agency?
When dealing with an agency, is it best to deal with one at a time or put in applications with a few?
Some agencies charge you a non-refundable deposit when you sign on with them. If this is the case, I doubt you could afford to deal with several agencies at a time. However, many agencies do not charge any deposit fee.
Why do some agencies charge a nonrefundable fee and some don’t?
Some need to justify their time (expense) in searching for a potentially good candidate. Many feel that an upfront FEE will eliminate those that do not have any serious intentions of using an agency. A family is more likely to remain with the one or two agencies they are “registered” ($$$) with.
What kind of support can I expect after my nanny is hired?
This is a question you need to ask when you are considering working with an agency. The following comment is from an agency owner who offers the type of support you should look for.
“We do not abandon our clients once their new relationship begins. We will follow up with phone calls and Email messages, essentially dropping in on them periodically. This is done weekly for the 1st month, then once a month for the following 3 to 4 months. Our clients can contact us via Email or voice mail pager to discuss any relevant matters where we may be of some assistance.”
An agency owner advised me not to pay taxes, should I listen? These comments from agency owners say it all:
“An agency owner should NEVER advise someone not to pay taxes, if they do, use another agency.”
“As far as taxes go, why on earth would other agencies push families to pay under the table? What do the agencies get from it? If anything, I push for my families to pay taxes, and I strongly suggest to them a reputable company that handles nanny payroll. One that I have investigated, and know well. It just does not make any sense! And if a nanny requests to get paid under the table, my explanation to her is simple. I tell her how I would love to not pay taxes also, but I have to. So does everyone else. ”
Where do agencies find their nannies?
A good agency with several years of experience should have a good reputation with nannies they have placed. Nannies they have worked with will return when looking for a new job and will refer other nannies. Agencies also find their nannies the same place you would, through classified advertisements and Colleges & Universities, but they also acquire nannies through referrals from other agencies that they have cooperative agreements with. Many nannies will sign on with several agencies and answer ads on her own at the same time.
What kind of paperwork is required of the parents?
Don’t be surprised when some (if not all) of the following are required of you and your prospective nanny.
Drivers license or International permit ……….. parents & nanny
Social security card~police report (local/foreign)……….. nanny
Fingerprint card ……………………….. parents & nanny
Educational diploma or certificate……………… nanny
CPR & First Aid certificate…………………. nanny
Recent photographs ……………………. parents & nanny
Preliminary work agreement ……………. parents & nanny
Domestic or International Air Tx ……………………… nanny
Medical (health) clearance ………………………… nanny
Health Insurance (mandatory if foreign nanny)………. nanny
Application & personal information ………………..parents & nanny
What are the extras and what do they cost?
An agency should be able to offer to perform certain background checks on your prospective nanny. These services are usually included in the placement fee. Some additional checks such as drug testing, may be requested by the employer and performed for an added fee. Some agencies even offer payroll tax services for an addition fee.
One of our PWN Agency owners offered the following information on some of his extra’s:
“Background checks in CA are mandatory (Trustline) $150. I offer it as an option outside CA. We warranty the Nanny placement for120 days “unconditionally”. Should a family need the reassurance knowing that the warranty covers 6 months or 10 months it is available for an additional $250 and $500 respectively. In home- Interviews are scheduled. This is done prior to a nannies arrival. The non-refundable fee ranges from $0- 300 USD (depending on travel distances and costs)”
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Questions to Ask a Nanny Agency
What types of caregivers do you place?
(Full-time, part-time, live-in or live-out, temporary?)
How do you gather information about nannies? Do you interview them in person? Is a written application part of the process?
How long does it usually take to make a placement? Do you believe you will be able to find a childcare provider within the time I specify?
Will you assign one person to be my contact at your agency throughout my search?
How long has your agency been in business?
How long have your staff members been in the placement business?
How many placements have you made during your years in business? In the last year? In my geographic area? What percentage have kept their positions for at least one year?
Do you have the names of some families who have used your agency whom I can call for references?
What is the minimum age requirement to be listed as a childcare provider with your agency?
What kind of education or training must the applicants have? High school? First aid? CPR? Other? What kind of training does your agency provide?
How much and what kind of childcare experience do you require of applicants?
Do you work only with people who can legally work in the United States?
How many references do you require from the applicants? Are these written or phone references? Do you verify all written references with a phone call? What questions do you usually ask the references?
Will you give me a copy of the written references, along with the names and phone numbers of the phone references so that I can check them?
What background checks do you conduct? Driving record? Criminal record? Credit history? Others? In your state, what do these records include?
Do they reveal convictions only? Do they include in-formation from out of state? How far back do they go? Does this agency do these background checks before or after I interview candidates?
Do you conduct any other types of screening? Do you ask for a physical examination? A tuberculosis test? A psychological or personality profile?
How do you recruit your candidates? Do you recruit just in the local area, or from other areas as well? Do you use recruiters in other parts of the nation? If so, have those people been trained by the agency?
Will I be able to interview all the candidates in person? If the candidates have to travel to these inter-views, who pays the travel expenses?
Will I have to pay a registration fee to begin the process? If so, will this fee be applied toward the placement fee if I hire one of your candidates? Is the placement fee billed as a lump sum, or can the payments be spread out over time? What is your refund or replacement policy? Do you have any exceptions to this policy?
What support services do you provide for the nanny and/or the family after placement is made? Do you have a nanny network or support group organized in my geographic area? Do you have regular social or educational events for the nannies or families? Do you have a newsletter? Do you provide telephone support?
What does my fee pay for? How much of it does your agency devote to assuring the quality of the candidates? How much to your support services? How much to your thoroughness of screening?
Where do you make most of your placements?
Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Nannies
Where do I find nanny agencies in my area?
One of the best resources for researching nanny agencies is our own Nanny Agency Locator. You can compare Application fees, placement fees, replacement policies, date established and services provided before every making contact with an agency.
