Where to find a nanny??

[Anonymous]

I am striking out on finding a nanny. I was hoping to go the referral route but no one seems to know anyone looking for a full time position. I even succumbed to looking on care.com which has been equally fruitless. Any recommendations on sites or agencies? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Here is what have proven to be my best resources, in order of best to least valuable:
- neighborhood listservs. Far and away the best resource. Put a posting on yours, and ask all your local friends to put something up on theirs. Hired both of our permanent nannies this way.
- Agencies. I use MetroParentRelief and have used them for a few years for emergency care, and also for longer term help when our nanny took an extended vacation
- care.com - had a few candidates from here who were very good, but I ended up hiring someone from a neighborhood referral
- DCUM - put up a position listing here and got lots of response but lots of flakiness and lack of attention to the ad I posted. I had some phone interviews but no one made it to an in person interview.

[Anonymous]

What are you offering, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are you offering, OP?

And what does you position entail, OP? Without having a general idea of what kind of position it is and your pay range, we can't point you with any confidence. For a strange schedule, special needs, special circumstances, an agency might be the way to go.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the list! I have exhausted those avenues too except for the MetroParentRelief option. Will have to check it out. It just pains me to go through an agency that takes a high cut of the nanny a salary but I guess it is worth it for a better selection.

I am offering hourly pay based on experience as I have a range of ages of children. My dream situation would be before and after school help by the same person but I know that's a tough schedule. Otherwise its a full time schedule with light housework, meal prep, etc. Just not finding anyone this time around and I don't want to resort to getting an Au pair.

[Anonymous]

Please define "light" housework. That is a turn off for many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the list! I have exhausted those avenues too except for the MetroParentRelief option. Will have to check it out. It just pains me to go through an agency that takes a high cut of the nanny a salary but I guess it is worth it for a better selection.

I am offering hourly pay based on experience as I have a range of ages of children. My dream situation would be before and after school help by the same person but I know that's a tough schedule. Otherwise its a full time schedule with light housework, meal prep, etc. Just not finding anyone this time around and I don't want to resort to getting an Au pair.

The agencies don't take a cut of the nanny's salary. The agency fee is separate and above the salary you'll pay the nanny. Some agencies charge a flat rate depending on whether you need part-time, full-time or 24 hour care. Others charge a percentage of the nanny's salary for the first year.

[Anonymous]

If you have exhausted all options OP then something may be wrong w/ your position, or the compensation package you are offering.

Talking with an agency might help you learn whether your package is competitive, or the combination of job responsibilities you're seeking to fill is a challenge.

[Anonymous]

Op-where are you located?

[Anonymous]

My nanny family and I hooked up via sittercity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are you offering, OP?

And what does you position entail, OP? Without having a general idea of what kind of position it is and your pay range, we can't point you with any confidence. For a strange schedule, special needs, special circumstances, an agency might be the way to go.

OP?

[Anonymous]

I am looking for someone to help before school and after school. Looking for one person is proving to be the problem so I am now focusing my search on trying to find two people, one for each shift. Regardless of the schedule though, I am just having trouble find available nannies even if it were to be a full time gig. Getting some feedback this week, so hopeful. Thanks all for your help!

[Anonymous]

You are looking for part-time work, either a split shift or two people. Because it's part-time work, you'll need to pay slightly more per hour than you would if the person was working full-time.

There are plenty of nannies who want part-time positions, either before or after school, and most are willing to work split shifts. Yes, there are plenty of nannies who only want full-time work, but you can find part-time.

If you're having trouble finding a nanny, are you willing to consider alternatives, like a live-in nanny or an au pair?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are looking for part-time work, either a split shift or two people. Because it's part-time work, you'll need to pay slightly more per hour than you would if the person was working full-time.

There are plenty of nannies who want part-time positions, either before or after school, and most are willing to work split shifts. Yes, there are plenty of nannies who only want full-time work, but you can find part-time.

If you're having trouble finding a nanny, are you willing to consider alternatives, like a live-in nanny or an au pair?

No, I disagree. There are very few nannies who want PT positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are looking for part-time work, either a split shift or two people. Because it's part-time work, you'll need to pay slightly more per hour than you would if the person was working full-time.

There are plenty of nannies who want part-time positions, either before or after school, and most are willing to work split shifts. Yes, there are plenty of nannies who only want full-time work, but you can find part-time.

If you're having trouble finding a nanny, are you willing to consider alternatives, like a live-in nanny or an au pair?

No, I disagree. There are very few nannies who want PT positions.

College students, retirees, nannies who only need to work part-time due to a spouse who makes a good salary. Yes, they do exist.