Monday, June 17, 2013

How to Find a Nanny

Source : http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-find-a-good-nanny_5933.bc

The key to find the right caregiver for your child? Be willing to keep looking until you find the person who will be the best fit for your family.

You shouldn't compromise on this issue one bit, so be prepared for a long search. You'll need to be patient and resourceful, and consult everyone from friends and family to online nanny agencies to find possible candidates.

This list may help you find the nanny of your dreams:

Step one: Identify your priorities

First, decide what you want. Talk to your partner about what your ideal nanny would be like. Do you want someone older who's mature and experienced? Is a nanny with a degree in early childhood education your top choice? Make a list you can refer to when you start interviewing applicants or talking to nanny agencies.

Step two: Do your research

Get the word out. Have friends and family let their contacts know you're looking for help – personal references can be the most reassuring. Put a notice in school newsletters and post a flier at local parenting resource centers and even on bulletin boards in gyms, shops, and cafes.

Go to the pros. Find out if there's a nanny training program in your area, then call the staff for referrals. In many communities, nanny and babysitting training programs are run by community centers, charities, and other organizations that may not be easy to find on the Web. Also ask friends and neighbors or call your local community recreation organization.

You can also contact a private nanny placement agency. These firms screen candidates before agreeing to represent them and can help you find candidates who meet your criteria. They verify a nanny's work experience and should check for any driving violations or a criminal record. Some also require nannies to have a physical exam including blood and tuberculosis tests.

You'll have to pay a hefty fee for this service – between $800 and $5,000, depending on where you live and which services you want – but you'll save time.

Go online. Try Web sites such as 4nannies.com and enannysource.comOnline nanny referral services like these – which post listings from parents and prospective nannies – are less costly than local agencies, but not free. Fees range from $20 to $800 or more, depending on how long you keep your listing active and the type of service you need.

Basic services usually include helpful guidelines and forms, with background checks available for additional fees. Some services make you pay a finder's fee. But websites sometimes run promotions to waive fees or offer discounts, so check back from time to time.


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How to Find the Best Nanny for Your Family

Source : http://pregnant.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/newborn-basics/articles/how-to-find-good-nanny.aspx

Start Out Right
You can begin your nanny search by asking friends and family for recommendations; by going online to caregiver listings websites, local message boards and college job boards; or by registering with a nanny placement agency. Katie Bugbee, executive editor at caregiver listings website Care.com, recommends that parents give themselves three months to find a nanny. It can take awhile to find someone you love. Plus, it’s not uncommon for there to be heated competition with other families, so the right one could get away, lengthening your search.

Caregiver Listings Sites
Websites that provide listings of prescreened nannies let you in on a lot of information about a caregiver -- such as their experience, availability, salary requirements, background check and references -- to help you decide whether you want to meet them. These are a few popular ones:

Sittercity has a database of over 2 million caregivers, including nannies, babysitters and pet sitters. For $35 a month, $70 for three months or $140 for a year, you can post a job and get access to caregivers’ profiles that include a description of experience, a photo, availability, a background check, references and referrals.
Care.com has a free basic membership that allows users to post a job description and to have access to prescreened caregiver profiles. In order to contact a caregiver and be able to view basic background checks, a user must upgrade to a premium membership for $35 a month. For an additional $59 fee, members can get a comprehensive background check that includes a search of county, state and federal courthouse arrest and conviction records. Want a deal? The Bump readers can use coupon code “thebump2012” for 20 percent off the usual cost of a premium membership (expires March 31).

Nannies4hire.com offers three different member packages. All memberships allow parents to post jobs and view caregiver profiles, save their top picks and conduct an advanced search. Basic membership is $100 for 30 days. For $130, members receive 60 days of access to a multistate criminal history search, and for $200, members receive 99 days of comprehensive background checks.

University Job Boards
Most universities have job boards that allow individuals to post for a position that they’re seeking to fill. If you’re looking for a part-time babysitter or a graduate student who’s available for a full-time nanny position, this may be a good option for you.

Local Message Boards
If there are local message boards for new moms in your area, chances are they’ll feature “nanny available” listings. These are usually posted by moms who are trying to find a new position for a nanny they no longer need. These boards are also an ideal place to put up a “nanny wanted” post. If you live in a small community, the recommendations for nannies that you receive might even come from an acquaintance or a friend of a friend.

Nanny Placement Agencies
Agencies offer the highest level of service, and with that comes a hefty price tag. So what’s the advantage of using an agency? According to Kathleen Webb, cofounder of the company that runs NannyNetwork.com, “Agencies are a great route for families that are pressed for time and especially for first-time nanny employers. The agency can cut 40-plus hours of effort out of the hiring process.” An agency prescreens nannies and interviews couples to get a detailed snapshot of what they’re looking for and will send only those candidates’ portfolios that meet their requirements. Once a nanny is selected, agencies will help their clients prepare the employment offer and work agreement.

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