Sourcing a nanny

Searching for a nanny? Where to start?

Sourcing reliable, affordable child care can be daunting, challenging and more importantly needs to fit with your family needs.

When it becomes time to look at finding care for your child there are many options.

There is Family Day Care, Long Day Care, Preschool, Occasional Care, family and an ever increasingly popular option is employing a nanny.

Employing a nanny can be a great option and the right fit for your family.  A bonus of employing a nanny is that the care takes place in your own home. It generally enables a more personalized one on one care.

How do you find a good nanny?

Where is the best way to start the search?

Most families will use the more common ways of sourcing a nanny. They are generally:

Using an Agency:

Using an agency takes out a lot of the work, and ultimately the stress out of it for you.

There are an abundance of nanny agencies around.  We recommend doing your research to find the best one that suits you and your needs.

The costs associated with using an agency may vary. You may find that there is a difference from one agency compared to another agency. It’s important to note that while the charges may vary, be aware that just because an agency costs more does not always mean they are the best or offer more.

A good agency does all the vetting such as reference checks, pre-employment interviews, etc.

It’s recommended you keep open communication with your agency so that they are not only up to date with your requirements but they keep you up to date with the search.

There are many advantages to using a good nanny agency.

A nanny agency will do their own advertising and  most have a similar recruitment process. A nanny agency generally will cover the employment requirements. They can mediate, provide advice on the interview you conduct with the candidate they send you and they can have a higher caliber of nanny register with them based on their good reputation.

This is their livelihood so it is their business to provide good candidates.

It is a business so it is key to be clear, flexible and honest with the nanny agency should you employ them to source your nanny.

We have top tips when using an agency:

• Find a reputable agency that does personal interviews, checks references, carries out the appropriate checks, etc.  You can also see our list of some agencies as a starting point in our Nanny agency directory.
• Ask lots of questions of the agency. Questions such as how long have they been operating? How do they register a potential nanny? What is the process? What happens if you don’t connect with the nanny you employ- what do they do? How many nanny’s will thy provide for interviewing? Do they physically meet and interview every potential nanny candidate as they register with the agency?
• Establish the costs for using their agency. Some agencies use a placement fee while others have a registration fee. What is their rate of pay?
• Establish what is on offer aside from them finding you a nanny. Such as do they offer a trail period? What happens if the nanny doesn’t work out?
• Contact a few agencies to compare their rates, processes and the general feeling of the first contact with them.

Advertising Privately:

If you have the time, energy and you want to do all the leg work yourself, then advertising privately may work for you.

Local papers and through local colleges are often great routes, although online is generally the more popular option. This may be through job websites such as https://www.seek.com.au/ . It may be through other online avenues which also includes apps. Or it may be through more traditional online options such as FB jobs, Gumtree, etc.

Whichever way you source your own nanny it is important to be aware and prepared to spend the time and effort.

It can take a lot of work. You are responsible for all the HR requirements. All the vetting, the costs, the interviewing and the checks are all your responsibility. It includes sifting out the ones that are completely not suited but who still reply to your advert.

Our top tips for advertising yourself for a nanny:

• Be clear in your advert just what you are looking for, the hours, the rate, etc. This will help to reduce the amount of inquires from those that are not suitable or looking for more hours or wages.
• Decide on the way a potential candidate can contact you such as only via email/phone, etc. Be prompt in your response as this may make the difference as to whether they are still available or not. Ensure that you check the point of contact regularly as you may find the best nanny is a wanted nanny they are that good and if there is a time lapse you may have lost them to someone else.
• Allow plenty of time to find the right nanny for you and your family. Ideally it won’t take forever to find a nanny. At the same time don’t leave it to the last minute as you may not find the one for you in the first few interviews.
• Decide on a back up plan. If your advertising for a nanny just doesn’t seem to be working or providing you with the type of nanny you require do you have a back up plan? Are you going to go through an agency? Do you use family? Do you look at other care options?
• Decide what is important to you. Do they need to have childcare qualifications? What level of experience?
• Ensure they can provide recent relevant references?
• Do they have a police check? This is important as depending on where you live they may not be able to obtain other forms of verification such as a Working With Children Check.
• Have a list of interview questions that delve deep into their knowledge and expertise. Pose scenarios to gain an understanding of how they would react and if they fit your families philosophy.
• If they have gaps in their resume can they explain it?
• What is your gut initial feeling and how do the children initially respond to them?

Word of mouth:

Often the best way of finding a nanny is to employ someone who has been recommended by a friend, colleague or someone you know that has had success or knows someone suitable.

Speak to local childcare/nursery teachers or directors, see who runs the creche at your local health club; investigate with local parent and toddler groups.

The best reassurance can often come from another local mother whose word you trust.

Although, even if the nanny does come from word of mouth it is still vital to do your own checks.