How long did it take you, three months or so?

Anonymous wrote:Care and sittercity are for highschool and college kids, not for professional nannies.

I found an excellent, well-paying, completely legal (on the books) professional nanny job through Care.com and I am not a high school or college "kid". It did take more time than, say, going through an agency though--just as families have to sift through hoards of unprofessional or inexperienced "nannies", nannies have to go through hoards of unprofessional, low-paying families--so it's definitely not for everyone, but I think it's a great resource if you have the time for it.

+1

While it is not a guarantee, if you can/ want to offer top-tier pay, you usually attract the best. It's the same in every field. Even though a couple of very vocal folks here, will deny that obvious truth.

care.com -- I post what I'm going to pay in the ad, and it is NOT in the $5 - 10 range. It's $15-20, depending on experience. I'm sure some nannies here will say that's low -- but I definitely get qualified, experienced Nannies responding to the ads. But I agree the key is casting the net widely -- I would say I'm really impressed by about 10% of the folks who respond to my ads ... but that gets the job filled! We're a military family, so both we and our nannies have moved at various times, so we've been through the process more times that I'd like!

Talk with your friends and neighbors. And yes, take the time to hang out at the parks and playgrounds. Talk with the best caregivers (parents or nannies) that you can find. Ask if they can recommend anyone. You never know.....

Anonymous wrote:Care and sittercity are for highschool and college kids, not for professional nannies.

What is for professional nannies then? We posted on sitter city and have not had any luck. We need an experienced, FT CAREER nanny - we don't want someone who's just nannying until they find a "real" job.

Anonymous wrote:Regarding Care.com, what is up with all the $5-$10 hour an hour jobs?! That should not even be an option on there. Cheap ass parents.

That is so sorry.

It's usually only the parents who pay poorly or treat the nanny badly, who need to worry about losing her to a higher bidder. The more respected the nanny, the longer she stays. It's the secure and successful nanny who outperforms all the wannabes.

Isn't that how it is in your field?

Found mine on here. Honestly her ad was very well written. It said what she would and would not do. She had good solid references and so glad to have her. I've had people try to hire her but she says no thanks and tells me about it.

Referral from a friend. Also ask your friends with older kids to send around to the parents of their classmates -- maybe they are outgrowing their nanny.

To the poster who stole the nanny at the park, so uncool. We have had quite a few instances of people trying to hire our nanny out from under us. A few weeks ago, someone approached our nanny at a class while she was waiting for our DD to finish and told our nanny that she had been observing her for awhile and that as the kids are getting older, our nanny probably would be out of a job soon and this woman wanted to interview her. Not cool. And to nannies thinking of workng for someone who will pay $3/hr more, think what it might be like to work for that stalker. Bet she's watching your every move.

Care and sittercity are for highschool and college kids, not for professional nannies.

Regarding Care.com, what is up with all the $5-$10 hour an hour jobs?! That should not even be an option on there. Cheap ass parents.

Anonymous wrote:I went to the park everyday for a week to observe the nannies. By Friday I knew which one I wanted. All I had to do is increase her pay by 3 dollars an hour. Not a big deal. Now we've got who we want.

Are you serious? That's some pretty questionable ethics you got there.

OP, don't do this if you want any friends or respect.

I went to the park everyday for a week to observe the nannies. By Friday I knew which one I wanted. All I had to do is increase her pay by 3 dollars an hour. Not a big deal. Now we've got who we want.