Problem
If your thought process is anything like mine was the first time we hired a nanny, you are thinking… “Why would I pay a nanny agency to find me a nanny when I can easily find one on my own?”
Having hired several nannies myself and running a 12,000 member Facebook group that connects parents and nannies, I now speak from experience when I say that most parents completely underestimate what it takes to find and hire a good nanny. I sure did!
There is one common mistake that parents make when they set out to find and hire a nanny on their own…
Parents fail to clearly communicate their family values and nanny job expectations, which prevents them from finding the right nanny and breaks down the childcare arrangement.
Unfortunately, I often see parents learning this the hard way, just as I did.
We found our first nanny on a popular childcare search website. And even though she came highly recommended by another parent, we had a terrible experience.
Luckily, I learned quickly how to get it right for the next hire; and even luckier for you, United Nanny Agency is one of our Village Connections!
Not only does United Nanny offer our community a discount on their nanny placement services and screening support (for when you find a nanny on your own) but the owner, Danny Rosenthal, is here to help parents avoid this and other common nanny hiring mistakes.
I DO NOT want you to have to learn the hard way like I did so please either utilize United Nanny Agency’s services or follow the guidance below closely so you can set up a childcare arrangement your child deserves!
Solution
How can parents more clearly communicate their family values and nanny job expectations to find a good nanny?
Whether you use a nanny agency to help you find the perfect nanny or find one on your own, you absolutely must be able to communicate what your family’s values are and the nanny job expectations.
I am happy to help guide you on how to do this. In fact, it is the very first thing we do when parents come to United Nanny Agency. We have them complete the Family Application form which helps parents reflect and express their family’s values and nanny job expectations.
There are so many good nannies out there but while one family might think a certain nanny is amazing, another family might have a terrible experience with that same nanny.
That happens when either the nanny isn’t a good match for the family, isn’t a good match for the job, or the communication of job expectations were vague and assumptions were made causing a breakdown of the arrangement.
Of course, the childcare arrangement can fail for a variety of other reasons. One reason being inadequate screening (reference and background checks) not revealing concerns that would have prevented hire. Another reason being misunderstanding due to an insufficient written nanny work agreement contract. But hands down, the foundation of a successful childcare arrangement starts with the parents’ clear communication of their values and nanny job expectations.
Can you provide guidance on the fundamental things a parent needs to be able to communicate in order to find the right nanny?
Sure! First there are the basic things like:
- Number of children, ages, medical conditions, and special needs
- Crucial job details such as location, days, hours, start date
- Rate, benefits, and whether or not you will guarantee a certain number of hours per week (to guarantee hours is standard in the nanny industry so the nanny can rely on stable income)
Then there are family specific needs, which I can provide more details on.
What is the going rate for a nanny?
This varies by location and is also based on years of experience and job expectations.
The starting rate for a qualified career caregiver in a metropolitan area like the Chicago area begins around $22 per hour. The rate a nanny sets is different from nanny to nanny and their starting point is usually based on 3 things; their background, level of experience, and the needs and requirements of the position you are offering.
It is also important to remember that compensation talks are a negotiation and shouldn’t be approached as a take it or leave it situation. Both the family and the nanny will, more likely than not, make concessions to create the best situation for both of them.
What if it’s not in the family’s budget to pay the going rate?
What I do NOT suggest doing is trying to find a nanny who will accept less than the going rate. While you might be able to find someone, they could take the job and be disgruntled about it and/or just keep looking for a better position that pays a competitive rate.
You also might be able to find a “babysitter” who will accept a lower rate but sitters are most often just casual caregivers that provide occasional care. When it comes to regular childcare, most parents are looking for higher quality care. Especially in the younger years when 80% of brain development occurs, you want someone who is going to engage with your child.
When a family can’t afford to pay a competitive rate, I suggest they consider one of these options:
- Explore more economical childcare options like in-home daycare.
- Nanny share. This saves each family money while the nanny earns more than they would working for a single family (e.g. If the single family rate $21/hour, each family pays $14/hour so the nanny receives $28/hour).
- If you cannot afford the rate that a nanny with experience commands, consider hiring a newer nanny and United Nanny can provide nanny training and on-boarding support.
What do you mean by “nanny training and on-boarding support”?
Nannying is one of the oldest professions and believe it or not, there are nannying best practices. Learning those best practices and standards are done in two ways: either learning them from years of experience on the job, or by learning them through experts. And, the best nannies are those with experience that continue to seek educational development.
Nanny training comes in a variety of ways: online classes, in person instruction, webinars, mentorship, nanny associations, and so much more. Each training tackles different areas of nanny expertise ranging from newborn care specialist, sleep experts, lactation experts, and professionalism. All of these trainings are created to help ensure a family and their nanny have a long lasting and successful partnership.
United Nanny is the only agency in Illinois and of only a few in the nation that require training for all of their nanny candidates. Every United Nanny candidate must take the Nanny ABCs signature class “Nanny Profection” before their first day with a family. On top of that, United Nanny offers all of their candidates access to a host of other ongoing support including 16 on demand video tutorials covering a plethora of topics like employee/employer communication and the best way to work an overnight shift. United Nanny supplies numerous downloads and access to educational events, plus the ability to schedule time to speak with a staff member any time.
On-boarding is when a new employee becomes integrated into their new position. For a nanny it is things like learning a family’s particular child care preferences, learning the children’s personalities, their expectations and how they should specifically perform their role.
United Nanny’s “Nanny Profection” goes over the best ways to approach a new position, from how to form high and clear expectations, cultivating employer and employee trust, and gaining the tools to properly onboard themselves into their new role.
What are typical nanny job expectations?
Nanny job expectations vary family to family. It is crucial for you to be very detailed when describing your expectations.
- Do you want your nanny to take your child to activities? Is your nanny required to have their own car or will they use your car?
- Will your nanny be required to travel with the family or provide any overnight care?
- If you have pets, will the job involve care of them?
- Will your nanny be expected to prepare meals for the family?
- Do you have a cleaning person?
- Will your nanny be required to perform any household management duties? Be prepared to define in detail beyond “light housekeeping”.
- Flexibility to come early or stay late.
- Provide pet care (even occasionally).
- Ability to go shopping and run errands.
- Scheduling of any sort (playdate, lessons, practices, etc.)
What else should a family be able to describe?
Be prepared to discuss the work environment.
- Describe your home, parking situation, and neighborhood.
- Does a parent work from home?
- Do you have any major household rules? What are your religious practices and discipline philosophies? Will there be any related job expectations to support them?
Why do parents hire an agency when they can find a nanny through word-of-mouth or for free/minimal cost online?
Great question. It is amazing when a parent can find a nanny through word-of-mouth but again, do remember that what’s ideal for one family isn’t necessarily ideal for another one.
A nanny agency’s main focus is to find the caregiver that will best help your family succeed, while also ensuring you are comfortable with the hiring process, and that you understand your responsibilities as an employer. We do the hardest part for you so you can simply meet caregivers and decide if they are right for your family.
There are many ways a family can find their next nanny. “Do it yourself” is nearly always an option but an agency is worth reaching out to if you do not have a lot of successful hiring experience, a background in management, or time to learn those skills while finding, evaluating, and verifying caregivers.
Anything else a parent looking for a nanny needs to think about?
We’ve covered much of it but there are a few more key questions. There are deeper questions we ask parents to help them tune in to what they value most.
A complete list of questions you should be prepared to answer before starting your nanny search can be found on the United Nanny Family Application here: https://unitednanny.enginehire.io/application-form/144/2895
I invite you to check it out or better yet, go ahead and fill out the form. After you submit it, we will then reach out to you within 12-48hr. We can then answer your questions, learn more about your needs, let you know where your description could use a bit more detail, and whether there are currently any available United Nanny candidates that match your childcare needs!
