Started a nanny agency

[Anonymous]

I wanted to get some advice from some of the families on here. I just started a nanny agency on the east coast. After being a nanny for 7 years, I wanted to move on to something new. I spent a week talking to the secretary of state, registering my business name, buying the domain, building a website, etc. Over the last 2 days, I have been advertising for nannies and have gotten over 50 responses, all of which I am slowly weeding through to make sure that I only accept the ones with my minimum requirements.

So far, to advertise for families, I am doing it by word of mouth. I have talked to a couple of previous families I have worked for and told them about my new business venture. I have also gave them business cards to hand out. My next idea was to go around to local high end childrens boutiques/toy stores and ask them if they'd be willing to take some of my business cards and a flyer to hang up.

My questions to families are:
If you were looking for a nanny, would you take a business card for an agency if you saw one to find out more?
How do you go about looking for an agency?

Also, I am making sure that my prices are very competitive. There is only one other nanny agency that is based out of my state. I have heard from many nannies AND families that the owner is not the nicest and that they have avoided going with her for that reason alone. I have made my prices significantly lower then hers are, as well as significantly lower then surrounding areas are.

What is a range that you would be willing to pay for a nanny agency that offers tax help, 90 day nanny guarantee, help with contracts, sets up interviews so you don't have to, etc.?

Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Any one referring to a "contract" needs to do a little legal research. It makes you look uninformed.

[Anonymous]

Would the nanny need to have a license?

[Anonymous]

I'm sure what most MBs would be willing to pay as an agency fee depends largely on the caliber of nannies that the agency can provide them with. Since your rates are lower I would have to wonder if the quality of nannies that you will have are going to be lower as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any one referring to a "contract" needs to do a little legal research. It makes you look uninformed.

family/nanny work contract** thank you for correcting me. I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any one referring to a "contract" needs to do a little legal research. It makes you look uninformed.

family/nanny work contract** thank you for correcting me. I appreciate it.

family/nanny work agreement**

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sure what most MBs would be willing to pay as an agency fee depends largely on the caliber of nannies that the agency can provide them with. Since your rates are lower I would have to wonder if the quality of nannies that you will have are going to be lower as well.

OP here: My rates are lower, but not so much lower. For example, my live-out nanny fee is $300 lower then the other agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would the nanny need to have a license?

OP here: Yes, that is one of my requirements. They must have a valid license.

[Anonymous]

What is a range that you would be willing to pay for a nanny agency that offers tax help, 90 day nanny guarantee, help with contracts, sets up interviews so you don't have to, etc.?

Whoa, bad idea on extending beyond being a recruiter/matchmaker. First most professionals would not hire a former nanny starting off her own agency to provide them with tax consulting or payroll services. You're not qualified to do this. You also need to carefully think through the financial and legal liabilities of every service that you offer. How are you going to afford a 90 day nanny guarantee and what does this guarantee mean? You can offer a sample work agreement but you need disclaimers that the employment negotiation and agreement is between the nanny and the employer. Professional agencies stipulate this because they understand the legal liabilities of crossing the line. If you offer temp nanny services where the employer pays you not the nanny then you need to legally hire and pay those nannies as employees. You need to look into insurance and bonding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What is a range that you would be willing to pay for a nanny agency that offers tax help, 90 day nanny guarantee, help with contracts, sets up interviews so you don't have to, etc.?

Whoa, bad idea on extending beyond being a recruiter/matchmaker. First most professionals would not hire a former nanny starting off her own agency to provide them with tax consulting or payroll services. You're not qualified to do this. You also need to carefully think through the financial and legal liabilities of every service that you offer. How are you going to afford a 90 day nanny guarantee and what does this guarantee mean? You can offer a sample work agreement but you need disclaimers that the employment negotiation and agreement is between the nanny and the employer. Professional agencies stipulate this because they understand the legal liabilities of crossing the line. If you offer temp nanny services where the employer pays you not the nanny then you need to legally hire and pay those nannies as employees. You need to look into insurance and bonding.

OP here: I am not offering to provide them with tax consulting. I reached out to a well known nanny tax company (like many other nanny agencies use) and came up with a agreement with them for me to send families to them for tax help, etc.

Many agencies offer a 60-90 day guarantee. I am guaranteeing that if a nanny they hire doesn't work out in the first 3 months for whatever reason, I will find them a replacement for NO additional charge/cost.

I have been working on this business idea for over 3 months now so I have talked to many different people, including my lawyer about all of this so I understand all the legal issues and what needs to be stated in agreements, work agreements, etc. Also, I registered as an LLC so I am good with that and I am not offering temp services where the family would pay me and then I'd pay the nanny. I have everything in writing saying that the family pays the nanny, etc.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to you, OP. We wish you all the best.