Nanny resource

[Disneysun]

We have always had an au pair, but I am considering a live out nanny instead for our next go around. The au pair system has been great for us, but it usually comes with a little more baggage than I care to deal with.

Anyway, I was looking on craigslist for some caregiver ads and many of them are agencies or screening services. Have any of you used these before? Do you have any recommendations? The one that I saw was care.com, but I know there are many different ones.

Thanks!

 

[JUJU814]

We have always had an au pair, but I am considering a live out nanny instead for our next go around. The au pair system has been great for us, but it usually comes with a little more baggage than I care to deal with.

Anyway, I was looking on craigslist for some caregiver ads and many of them are agencies or screening services. Have any of you used these before? Do you have any recommendations? The one that I saw was care.com, but I know there are many different ones.

Thanks!

agencies are super duper expensive. Why not put an add in the newspapers and interview different ones?

We found our nanny through a friend of my sister in law. She is amazing and has been with us for 6 years.

If I had to do it on my own again, I would interview through the newspaper, get a background check and carefully check references.

 

[msmama]

I personally have never used it but I've had friends who've had success with Sitter City (not sure if it's an agency or just a kind of matching service).

I would think coming from an Au Pair background, going through an "agency" would be more similar than just hiring a random individual.

Good luck!

 

[loveysbydesign]

I'd try care.com and sittercity.com, as well as Craig's List!

 

[Disneysun]

Thanks all. I posted on craigslist just to put my feelers out and got 7 responses - some of them even sound good. Thanks for your help.

 

[dmbfan]

My sister is a nanny and found her job on Craigslist. She has been working with this family for 3 years now, and they are like family to her...so I would just make sure you do a handful of interviews before you make a final choice. But Craigslist can be just as good or not better than an angency.

Good luck

 

[Disneysun]

BTW, I know it is often regional, but does anyone know what is the standard rate is for a nanny? We have paid the au pair/agency $350 a week, plus the room and board and other expenses.

Thanks

 

[MeredithMom]

We have always had an au pair, but I am considering a live out nanny instead for our next go around. The au pair system has been great for us, but it usually comes with a little more baggage than I care to deal with.

Anyway, I was looking on craigslist for some caregiver ads and many of them are agencies or screening services. Have any of you used these before? Do you have any recommendations? The one that I saw was care.com, but I know there are many different ones.

Thanks!

Hi, this is Meredith. I’m a member of Care.com’s Mom Force—a team of work-at-home moms that helps with safety and customer service. I may be biased but as a mom I think Care.com is an amazing resource for finding care providers. The site offers free background checks, uses the Mom Force to review all care providers and job posts before we post them online, and gives you access to recorded references and reviews to help you decide who to hire. They also have exclusive members-only features like Care-on-Call (for last-minute care), Care Exchange (to meet families who want to exchange babysitting and pet sitting services). Plus an amazing selection so you’ll be able to find a match that’s right for you and your family. Good Luck in your search.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am a professional nanny. Personally, I really like the individualized service I get from an actual agent, not some online matching site.

Yes, there are fees for agents, but they provide a lot of guidance to both nanny and family to make sure there is a good match for everyone. The agent will help you draft a contract, and will conduct all of the screening for you - references, criminal checks, etc.

Check out APNA for more info on placement agents. www.theapna.org

Nannies and au pairs are very different - definitely do a lot of research so there aren't any misunderstandings.

 

[shelly3girls]

We have been through the nanny search twice. I used online matching sites. Greataupair.com and another one that I do not remember. Both were excellent and made it very easy to do full background checks. The site I cannot remember was better so I will try to think of it. We did get many matches from internationals but the site makes them easy to ignore. We have had our current nanny for 3 years and cannot believe how fortunate we are. No one can believe that we found her on the internet.