Should I use a nanny agency?

How exactly do you go about sourcing the best and most suitable nanny position for yourself?

Do you go through an agency or source a position privately?

There is no hard and fast rule that says to obtain a nanny position you must go through an agency.

There are plenty of privately advertised positions in many avenues.

Going through a nanny agency does not guarantee you will find the right role. As with any role in any professional it is about finding the right fit rather then where you sourced the role from.

How do you find a nanny position if you choose not to use an agency?

Where is the best way to start the search?

When sourcing your own nanny position be extremely vigilant about your own safety. This applies to if you are replying to an advert as well as your interview with a family through an agency.

It is vital to ensure you do not provide your personal information when initially contacting a potential family as well as during the interview period.

It is key that until you have decided to work with a family do not share your personal details.

If you embark on finding your own nanny position you need to be clear about the position and what it entails.

It is important to go into your search for a position with your eyes wide open.

There are many reasons families do not use agencies (and they do not need to), a family not using an agency is not a red flag. It is important to be clear and alert to the conditions, job description, etc when sourcing a position privately.

• Word of mouth.
• Newspapers adverts.
• Internet searches.
• Private advertisements.
• Classifieds.
• Job sites such as www.seek.com.au or www.gumtree.com.au for example. or the online nanny options as well as apps.
• Friends, etc.

We would recommend being prepared, clear of what you are looking for and willing to accept.

We also suggest doing your homework by knowing what is the trend, the going rate of pay, conditions, etc. In addition we advise on a nanny contract.

It is important to be confident to be able to ask prudent questions early on in the interview process. Some find this quite unnerving.

One point to make note of is that going through an agency is that it covers both parties and is very handy if any dispute does arise, but it is by no means essential to use an agency.

The more you can give a prospective employer the better.

We recommend also obtaining a National Police Clearance. Most families will require one as well as citing your qualifications and any certificates you hold.

We also recommend ensuring you have a current First Aid Certificate, including Asthma and Anaphylaxis when working with children.

Registering with an agency is a good idea if you are new to being a nanny. It is also a good point of contact if you are travelling to a new country. There is no guarantee that the better positions are with nanny agencies but sometimes prominent families will use an agency for the ease, convenience and confidentiality.

Generally going through an agency can provide you with a back-up type safety net. An agency is also able to give advice about the positions and the legalities of working as a nanny and they may have a broader range of positions.

However, if you have been a nanny before and/or know what is required legally and are comfortable not to go through an agency it is more a choice of doing the leg work and finding the right position for you.

Registering with an agency is generally a safer and more reliable way of finding employment rather than using personal ads, as good agencies will look into your potential employers and look after you should anything go wrong.

It also means they are doing all the work for you in terms of making the calls, setting up interviews, etc. They can also go into “bat” for you if needed and have a good idea of what is going to work as they do it on a regular basis and they would have had more contact with the family before matching you with them for an interview.

However, be prepared to wait until you get what you want whether going through an agency or not. Be picky and choose carefully. As you will deal with the family on a very intimate level you need to make the right match.

Agencies are a good way to start in finding or becoming a nanny and the right position. It’s good to know about the benefits of a good agency when you start as a nanny as there is a vast difference between a good and a bad agency.

Check out the agency thoroughly first. See how thorough they are when interviewing you or in their initial response to you as this gives you a good idea about the type of agency they will be in helping you obtain your position.

It is really important to choose a good agency. Ideally you should have a good, relaxed relationship with the staff at the agency. They are there to help and support you and be able to give you sound practical advice.

Agencies should not pressure you into taking job you really don’t feel happy about.

Take your time choosing an agency.

• To meet with you in person.
• At least two references.
• They’ll want to know about gaps in your CV.
• They will call your referees.
• A self declaration about your health which is usually a letter from your GP stating that you are in good health or note any health conditions. It should include if you are on any medication and the reason.
• Current Working With Children Check or police clearance depending upon the state. This will incur a cost if you do not already have one.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• The agency should inform employers about their legal obligations towards you in terms of tax deductions, sickness pay, maternity rights, minimum wage requirements, holidays, trial periods, salary reviews, and contracts of employment and review of work within the first three months.
• This may sound like a lot of hoops to jump through – but remember if an agency is thorough about finding out about you and your personality, then they are bound to be more careful about where they place their child carers.
• Registering with an agency should NOT cost you.