Where do you find these exceptional nannies?

[Anonymous]

I was just reading a thread on the GPF posted by a nanny looking for ways to improve her teaching skills with a toddler. A few weeks ago, on the same forum, I read a thread started by a nanny asking for recipes for homemade foods that would add weight to her toddler charge. I am always reading comments made by nannies on this forum about how they are never late, keep their personal lives private, and don't live on their phones.

I am sure that we employ an average, passable nanny. She is adequate but nothing like these nannies you seem so interested and dedicated to their charges.

I thought I chose the right candidate with rigorous interviewing and reference checks -- but I got a just okay nanny. We offered $19 an hour to start with vacation, sick days and paid holidays.

How did you who have exceptional nannies find them? What did I miss?

TIA

[Anonymous]

Our secret is that we hired someone with zero nanny experience who was very driven to do a good job and open to both coming up with their own ideas and implementing ours.

[Anonymous]

I have seen a few of these threads as well. I am moving to a new city soon, and I would love some pointers on how to find an exceptional nanny, or what I can do to have my nanny thinking in this way.

I was thinking of offering a high hourly rate with an ad that spells out that we are only looking for someone up to the challenge. Maybe giving specific instructions in the beginning with the assumption that she will take on more of this work herself as time goes on.

[Anonymous]

Our secret was that we hired an older nanny. She is in amazing physical shape and has worked in other fields in her life - both related and unrelated to childcare/teaching. But she has the heart of a teacher. Maybe because she is older, she is never on her phone and just has a better attitude about work and keeping her private life private. She is 59 and a no-drama woman who truly is dedicated to doing and being the best for DS.

[Anonymous]

Through a friend. They were moving and I was heading back to work after being a SAHM for 18 months. Friend knew I was in the market for a nanny and her referred hers to us. We were/are incredibly fortunate.

[Anonymous]

I required a college degree. I know that alone helped us find an exceptional nanny. We did offer a starting rate a little higher than you, OP ($20 in Falls Church) for one newborn and NO household chores (except those directly child-related). We also chose an older nanny.

[Anonymous]

The namny trying to put weight on her charge sounds like she works for neglectful parents. In no universe is that at all a nanny's responsibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I required a college degree. I know that alone helped us find an exceptional nanny. We did offer a starting rate a little higher than you, OP ($20 in Falls Church) for one newborn and NO household chores (except those directly child-related). We also chose an older nanny.

A degree doesn't necessarily mean that they will be an outstanding nanny.
Most people with degrees work as nannies until they find a job in their field.
Here's how you do it...you look for a nanny with at least 3-5 years of experience. The more longterm jobs she's had, the better. You want someone with some staying power. Ask for lots of childcare related references. Ask what types of activities she did with the children. Ask them for ways in which she took it upon herself to do things like make homemade food. Ask them if she seemed to understand child development. If all of her references rave about her, you most likely have a great candidate.
Here's the thing you need to understand...I'm a very good nanny. I've had 3 jobs in my 10 years in this industry. I performed my job duties happily in all 3, but was an absolute rockstar for the 2 families who verbally thanked me and treated me like a valued part of their child's life.
You can offer all the money in the world, but unless you actually trust and value this person, they most likely won't have any incentives to go above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The namny trying to put weight on her charge sounds like she works for neglectful parents. In no universe is that at all a nanny's responsibility.

You should read the thread before you make such a comment. Parents, pediatrician and nanny were all in agreement and nanny made the child food from scratch every day for two meals and two snacks. Nanny was just asking for calorie-dense recipes from mothers as well as other nannies.

[Anonymous]

Interestingly we found our exceptional nanny in part by hiring an older nanny as well as a college graduate. She chose to be a nanny and didn't see it as a stepping stone or temporary career.

And part of finding her was also just dumb luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I required a college degree. I know that alone helped us find an exceptional nanny. We did offer a starting rate a little higher than you, OP ($20 in Falls Church) for one newborn and NO household chores (except those directly child-related). We also chose an older nanny.

A degree doesn't necessarily mean that they will be an outstanding nanny.
Most people with degrees work as nannies until they find a job in their field.
Here's how you do it...you look for a nanny with at least 3-5 years of experience. The more longterm jobs she's had, the better. You want someone with some staying power. Ask for lots of childcare related references. Ask what types of activities she did with the children. Ask them for ways in which she took it upon herself to do things like make homemade food. Ask them if she seemed to understand child development. If all of her references rave about her, you most likely have a great candidate.
Here's the thing you need to understand...I'm a very good nanny. I've had 3 jobs in my 10 years in this industry. I performed my job duties happily in all 3, but was an absolute rockstar for the 2 families who verbally thanked me and treated me like a valued part of their child's life.
You can offer all the money in the world, but unless you actually trust and value this person, they most likely won't have any incentives to go above and beyond.


I'm a nanny, and this such great advice. It makes me feel like a million bucks when I am appreciated and not taken for granted.

[Anonymous]

I used an agency.

[Anonymous]

Another endorsement for the older nanny. Our nanny is a former preschool teacher with graduate school credits in Early Childhood Development. She has a masters degree in Liberal Arts but hasn't finished her ECD masters (and probably won't due to the internship requirement).

I found out about her from the librarians who do story-time at our library. I asked if the knew any great nannies and her name was the first the both said! I met with her but she was not willing to leave her charge -- so I had to hire another nanny -- but would use this nanny on weekends whenever possible to keep up the relationship (I had just a newborn at the time and knew we wanted another child at some point). The day she told me that her charge was starting school and she would be looking for another job, I grabbed her!

[Anonymous]

Can we please PLEASE stop with the older nanny trope? I'm surprised none of you have also said the key is hiring a white nanny. Stereotypes are stupid, and the QUALITIES that make an excellent nanny can be found in a nanny of any age, any race, and any background. There are amazing 50 year old nannies with many years of experience and degrees. There are also mature and professional talented 20-something nannies who take direction well and want nothing more than to do a good job. Try not to be an ignorant bigot.

[Anonymous]

Thank you I agree with you!!100
They are bunch of morons talking about age !