Nanny agency question

[Anonymous]

webbkathy wrote:In 20+ years in the industry I don't know one that background screens the parents. Many will require a face to face with the parents at least once, and some will visit the work place (home) prior to referring candidates - especially for live in positions - to have 1st hand information, but there is no hard and fast rule.

An applicant should ask the agency what their specific policy is. And of course applicants should always keep their safety in mind, and when interviewing make sure someone else knows where they will be when, and then check back with the friend/family member when they leave the interview. This is particularly important if the applicant is using an online referral resource, but should apply across the board.

Sorry, but this needs to stop. Every au pair and nanny agency should be required to do some degree of background checking before representing families. We have a system out of control here with no minimum standards in this regard.

Who knows how much dirt is getting swept under the rug because these young women are to afraid to report their abusive employers. Some fear getting sent home. Others fear being put on the street with nowhere to go. This system needs oversight, as these agencies are not policing themselves.

[Anonymous]

Agencies, don't caregivers deserve some assurance of safety?

[Anonymous]

Which agencies do checks?

[Anonymous]

webbkathy wrote:In 20+ years in the industry I don't know one that background screens the parents. Many will require a face to face with the parents at least once, and some will visit the work place (home) prior to referring candidates - especially for live in positions - to have 1st hand information, but there is no hard and fast rule.

An applicant should ask the agency what their specific policy is. And of course applicants should always keep their safety in mind, and when interviewing make sure someone else knows where they will be when, and then check back with the friend/family member when they leave the interview. This is particularly important if the applicant is using an online referral resource, but should apply across the board.

This is truly appalling that our "most reputable" agencies do zero background checking on any families. At least the au pair agencies must do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:5k is actually low, most fee's is between 10-20% of the yearly income. Many that go to on-line ask the same question.

How do they earn that much?