WWYD - Re: childcare (Long)

MrsAMR · July 2010

My husband and I are looking into hiring a baby nurse for after the babies are born. (To be clear, the person we would be hiring would not actually be a nurse - that's just the term that agencies use). We've narrowed it down to two agencies:

Agency 1: Does no advertising, run by a single guy for about 10 years through word-of-mouth only. Two couples that we know personally have recommended them to us and they are highly rated at our local Mother of Twins club. However, they provide no contract and do no background checks.

Agency 2: Has a big, fancy website, was highly rated in several magazines and also at the local Mother of Twins club. However, we don't know anyone who has personally used them. They provide a contract, training and background checks. However, they are 30% more expensive than Agency 1.

The women from both agencies would basically do the exact same things. Since we would be using a baby nurse (caretaker, helper, whatever) for about two months the 30% price difference is significant.

What would you do?

Thanks so much ladies!

GuitaristsGirl · July 2010

Would both agencies provide one nurse for the entire two months? If not, that would be a strike against them, imo. And, if so - could you meet the specifc nurse you'd be using before deciding?

Courted · July 2010

I think I would go with the second one just because of the background checks. That is kind of a deal breaker. Unless you have the ability to do a background check on someone yourself that is...then maybe you could try the first agency first. That is tough.

MrsAMR · July 2010

Both agencies would provide the same nurse for the whole time. We won't be able to interview them, but if we're not compatible, they would each provide someone else.

Aliki · July 2010

Not doing background checks is kinda a deal breaker for me, but that's just my gut feeling on the issue, esp. if you're getting just one nurse for the whole time.

jlc071903 · July 2010

Honestly, I think you should choose option 2..yes, they are more $$$, but that whole NO BACKGROUND check is skeevy to me. Maybe those other couples got lucky, but you don't want to be the couple that doesn't get lucky with no background check...KWIM?

LALASEPT05 · July 2010

Just because the agency doesn't do a background check it doesn't mean that you can't do one independently. In fact some nanny agencies do them as a side service if you find someone yourself. We work with an agency and they provide full time, part time, and temporary nannies and also will do back ground checks if you find a candidate yourself. I think the price was like $125 and $20 for each additional state. I think being recommended by people you know is huge and at a 30% cheaper price you can keep them longer which would be nice, but I wouldn't do it without a background check. They have to consent to it, but they should do so with no problem given their line of work. Good luck!

MewMew · July 2010

If you cannot do a background check on #1, then I would go with #2.

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WWYD - Re: childcare (Long)

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