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2nd Trimester
Flyer256
member
Advice for hiring a nanny
Flyer256
member
Hi guys! DH and I recently decided that we're going to go the live-out nanny route for child care when I return to work. DH has a flexible start time, and I am a teacher and work in our community... so I will be home in the afternoons and school breaks. We send our puppy to doggy day care and use a laundry service, so we're hoping to consolidate some needs within our home! (Sorry if that was TMI!)
Anyway, I don't have the faintest idea on how/when to start this process. If anyone can share reliable agencies, interviewing tips, timelines and average salaries, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much!
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Re: Advice for hiring a nanny
Hey there! I was a personal nanny for about 4 years for a family during my college years. I did not live in the house (but would stay when necessary if the parents had to go out of town for work). I would suggest word of mouth to anyone you might know through church or within your community that may be interested or who know's someone that is. At least that would be more personable than going through an agency. The agency's now are very good, though, with matching the nanny with the family's needs.
It's important to know how he/she would handle discipline (even though he/she would be caring for a baby and not a child) it is important to know if they are on the same page with you as to what they would do; provide them a scenario for how they would react should something happen to your child (ie- choking) to see how/if they could handle a stressful situation; ask their experience with children; make sure you get references!
I hope that is a start! Good luck!
PS- I am still VERY close with the family I nannied for, we are definately like family now. It was a great experience and I charish the time I had working with the two children.
All this! I was also a nanny for quite a while. I just left my family in December. I would also look at local colleges. A lot of Education majors I went to school with, did this and it worked out perfectly. Pay is dependent on how experienced the nanny is. You can feasibly work out a pay rate with the person you decide. I was paid hourly as a live-out, but took a lump sum for overnights/vacations.
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I am a full-time live-out nanny in Columbus. I've been with my current family for 3 years. I found this job through the website nannies4hire. Like PPs, I would say word of mouth is a great way to find someone. If nobody has any suggestions, I would suggest going through an agency, website or placing an ad at the education department of a college/university.
The biggest difference between an agency and a website is that the agency will usually perform pre-screening for you (background check, drug test, require CPR cert, driving record, etc.). Agencies also typically offer a nanny-replacement guarantee within a few months if things aren't working out with the new nanny. Because of these things, you will typically pay more for a nanny through an agency.
If you go through a website, you will typically pay a flat fee to have a profile online and view nanny profiles for a certain amount of time. You will be able to contact nannies directly, but you will be responsible for all the screening. It is free for nannies to create a profile and search for families. Anyone can sign up as a nanny so you have to be careful about who you choose. If you are willing to do the screening yourself this might be a more affordable option, and you will probably have access to more potential nannies.
Placing an ad through a college newspaper or in the education department will be the least expensive option. Again you will have to do all the screening, but you will probably get responses from people who love kids/have nannied before. The biggest issue you will encounter with finding a college student is flexibility of schedule. Classes change every semester/quarter and so will the students availability to work specific hours. If you are looking for someone full-time long-term a college student might not work for you.
These are all just my personal opinion. I am certainly not an expert. If I were you, I would figure out your specific hourly/daily needs and then decide how much screening you guys want to do. I can give you the names of a couple of agencies in Columbus, including one I interviewed with. You could also checkout some websites before you decide which route to go. You can PM me any questions. Good luck!
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I was a nanny in Columbus too! My family recently just moved to Texas for a job and they paid to transfer my husband and I down here. We moved here the first of the year. I was with them for two and a half years before that.
I found them through greataupair dot com. They were the first and only interview I went on. I was a teacher before that, and had just be re-fingerprinted the school year before, so they just let me give them a copy of that. However, if you are wanting someone to do the full background check for you and do a lot of the logistics and dirty work, then I would go through an agency. I have had numerous friends go through Professional Childcare Solutions in Dublin. I've only heard good things about them. I think they are fair and helpful to both the nanny and the family and they will also help you come up with a contract.
I am on the opposite end. I had a nanny growing up and it was the most wonderful thing. We still keep in touch.
I am a tutor, and finding one works the same way as a nanny. Go through a few channels. Ask friends, post on facebook.
Also, remember. When you go on vacation or don't need him/her, he/she still has bills to pay. My parents paid the nanny half when we went out of town or didn't need her. Also, some guys make great nannies. I know a few (including my brother), so don't limit your search to just women (if you feel comfortable with that).