The process of hiring nannies can be overwhelming, but one tool you can utilize as an employer is a nanny contract, which will help to ensure that all of the terms and conditions of employment are understood by both you and the nanny candidate before hiring. The biggest mistake that you can make during the nanny hiring process is being vague or unclear about expectations. Communicating in a straightforward and direct manner with your nannies from the start will help to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises down the road for either party.

Communication is Key

One of the most essential components of a successful parent-nanny relationship is clear and open communication. Families who foster an environment where communication is not only expected, but praised will set a precedent for the nanny and the children as well. A thorough nanny contract that is agreed-upon before the hiring process is complete is the first real step in a successful nanny-family relationship. Continue Reading ->

When a family is considering hiring a nanny, one of the main issues that must be taken into consideration is the salary that the nanny will receive. The amount of a nanny salary can depend on a range of factors, from the nanny’s experience to the location in which the family lives. In addition, a nanny salary will depend on whether she lives in or out of the family’s home. And a nanny salary must always comply with the state’s minimum hourly requirements and federal regulations. Nanny salaries, in general, will range from $275 to $800 weekly, with the range of $400 to $500 per week being most common, and $7 to $18 per hour.

Figuring Out the Right Range for a Nanny Salary

There are several ways that a family can determine the appropriate nanny salary. First, the family can ask other families in the area what they are paying their nannies. Next, the family can talk to a nanny agency to see what the going rate is for nannies. The family can also do some online research to find out what nanny salaries are in the state - there are many parenting message boards and online nanny agencies that have informative articles and discussions that can help narrow the range. One can safely assume that a nanny salary will be higher in an urban area that has a higher cost of living and lower in a suburban or rural area that has a lower cost of living.

In addition, look for studies that have been done to see what an appropriate range might be for a nanny salary. For example, a recent study done by the International Nanny Association (INA) reports that nanny salaries across the country can range from $300 to $1000 a week and from $12 to $15 per hour (1). The survey also states that nannies who provide extra services get paid more - between $25 and $100 per night for overnight care (with some nannies receiving nothing extra for overnight care) and between $50 and $200 per day for travel (2).

Live-In vs. Live-Out Nannies

If one is hiring a live-in nanny, one should also take into consideration that the nanny will be getting room and board as well as her pay, and should adjust the salary accordingly. A higher nanny salary might also be considered if the nanny is offering services other than childcare, such as housekeeping or cleaning. For a live-out nanny, her salary will be higher if she has a car that she can use to pick up the children and take them to school or to activities. She also may be asked to do such tasks as cook a meal or two for the children, and her salary should also be adjusted for this.

Experience

The range for a nanny salary will also depend on a nanny’s level of experience. A person who has worked as a nanny for several families in the past will command a higher nanny salary than a person who is seeking her first nanny position. Nannies with previous experience will also, of course, want to make as much as or more than they had made with their other families.

Extras

Another factor that could raise a nanny salary is anything extra that she brings to the table. Does she speak English fluently? Does she know CPR and first aid? Is she a specialist in something that she could tutor children in (math, science, a foreign language)? All of these things can contribute to a higher salary - and are likely worth paying the extra fee.

What If You Can’t Afford the Nanny You Like Best?

So what does a family do if they find a nanny they love and want to hire but they find her salary range to be higher than they expected? In a case like this, the family could try to bargain with the nanny, offering her extra services in trade for a slightly lowered hourly or weekly rate. For example, a dentist could provide free dental work. In addition, some families share their nannies, splitting the cost of the nanny salary over several children. The family could also offer extra perks to the nanny, such as extra time off, use of the family car, or use of a second home. In this way, the nanny feels that she is still valued but may be willing to negotiate to a lower weekly or hourly rate.

Conclusion

It is very important to investigate nanny salaries before you begin interviewing candidates so that you know ahead of time what you can afford. Knowing about a nanny salary first also gives you the ability to bargain with your ideal candidate if you cannot afford the top of the range by offering additional perks or trades. If you base your salary offers on where you live, the nanny’s experience, and additional benefits the nanny can offer your family, you’re sure to find the perfect candidate.

Sources

1. http://www.nanny.org/2006salarysurvey.htm
2. Ibid

About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNannySource, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit www.enannysource.com.

New moms who work outside of the home will likely find that during their pregnancy and maternity leave, they will need to begin looking into hiring a nanny for their return to the job. Nannies have several advantages over daycare, but the idea of hiring a nanny may also bring with it a great deal of anxiety and concern for the new mother. However, hiring a nanny does not need to be traumatic, and in fact can mean expanding one’s family to include a loving caregiver for a new baby.

Common Fears

One of the most common fears a new mother is likely to have about nannies is that this person they have brought into their home will run away with the baby or will harm the baby in some way. This is simply not the case. While there have been notable high-profile cases in years past of problematic caregivers, the truth is that the overwhelming majority of nannies are kind, caring people who will treat their charges as if they were their own children.

Another fear that new mothers may have about nannies is that their children will grow more attached to the nanny than to the mother herself. While it is true that a nanny for the child of a mother who works full time may spend a great deal of time with the child, she will never take the place of the mother. In fact, it is a sign of a good nanny if the children come to care for her greatly - the alternative, a nanny that the children do not like at all, is hardly ideal.

The hiring Process - Where to Begin

The best way to abate any fears such as these is to make sure that all nannies are carefully screened throughout the hiring process. Whether the new mom is going through a nanny agency, which will handle the screening for her, or is investigating nannies on her own, this step is critical.

When hiring a nanny for a newborn, look for a candidate that has worked with newborns or infants in the past. Nannies with experience with older children may be acceptable candidates, but hiring a nanny with more specific experience with a baby can be helpful. Nannies with newborn experience also are more likely to come prepared with the endless calm and patience that is required to get through many hours with a baby.

Interviewing the Nannies

Once the pool of nannies has been narrowed down to a select few candidates, the parents of the child should interview each nanny multiple times. If possible, the parents should bring the newborn or baby to at least one interview to see how the nanny interacts with him or her. If the mom is still pregnant at the time of the interviews, this will of course not be possible. In such a case, checking references will be even more critical.

Checking Nanny References

Checking references of nannies is a step that many people may be tempted to skip because it can be time consuming. However, by checking a nanny’s references, a new mom may feel more at ease about hiring the candidate. Bear in mind that a nanny’s references will nearly always be other moms, so the new mom can feel comfortable asking questions and feeling out the answers mother to mother.

Before You Make the Final Decision

Finally, before hiring any nanny, you should make sure she has the proper legal documentation as required by Federal I-9 guidelines. You can also request that any nannies you are considering provide documentation of a negative TB test (or take a test if she hasn’t done so already) as well as any other medical tests or immunizations recommended by your family doctor.

Once You Have hired the Nanny

After the hiring process is complete and a nanny has been selected, the new mom can still take further precautions to protect herself and her child. One of the best things to do, if scheduling allows, is to have the nanny start before the mom goes back to work. Getting to know the nanny in this manner can do wonders for making the new mom feel at ease and can also help ease the transition for the baby.

Once the mom is back at work, she might want to stop by at home unannounced a few times in the first few weeks to see what is really going on. She will almost certainly be greeted by a happy nanny and baby, but she can also catch any problems before they worsen. For a more concerned mother, a nanny cam can be installed in the home (without telling the nanny) to catch any misbehavior.

Above all, it is important for the new mom to try to relax. This can be difficult, but the truth is that a relaxed mom will make both the children and the nanny feel relaxed, which can ensure a pleasant relationship between everyone.

Conclusion

Returning back to work can be difficult for a new mom as she will have to leave her child with someone else for the first time. However, by carefully searching through a pool of nannies to find the best candidate for her family - through interviews, reference checking, and other procedures - the mom can feel comfortable with the person she has chosen to watch her baby. Remember that most nannies are very honest and reputable and that a great nanny can become a loving member of your extended family.

About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNanny Source, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit www.enannysource.com.

Why is it that some families keep a nanny for years while other families go through multiple nannies without finding one that fits well with their household? There could be a number of reasons, but one that comes up time and time again is that the family did not do everything it could to keep the nanny satisfied and connected in her job. This doesn’t have to be a difficult task - there are many things that a family can do to keep a nanny happy and ensure that she works for them for a long time.

Establish Realistic Expectations for Nannies

Nannies who are confused about their duties, or who feel that they are being asked to do more than they were originally told, are not likely to want to stay in their situation. You want to set realistic expectations from the very start of the relationship in order to avoid this pitfall. The easiest way to do this is to create a nanny contract that both the family and the nanny herself will sign. That way, if there is ever any concern about something down the line, the nanny contract can be referred to for clarification. If a nanny is going to do housekeeping along with watching the children, spell out just what housekeeping she is responsible for - and then don’t add new duties until you have discussed it with her and made an addendum to the nanny contract.

In addition, if the family does need help with something out of the ordinary - an extra hour of babysitting one night, for example - nannies always should be asked about it as early as possible. That way, your nanny has the time to see if the request is feasible with her schedule. Do not assume that just because a nanny lives in your house that she will be available at all hours and for everything you need. She will expect you to stick to the schedule you established at the outset and will want advance notice if something has changed. An occasional night of both parents working late by a few hours may not affect your relationship with your nanny, but if this were to become a regular occurrence you might find you have an unhappy nanny on your hands.

Reward the Nanny Financially - and Emotionally

Nannies are making a living just like everyone else. Keep your nanny happy and willing to stay with your family for the long term by setting up a regular schedule of yearly raises - around 5 to 10 percent, depending on the standards set in your area (ask other families what they offer if you are not sure). Nannies also appreciate financial bonuses during the December holiday season.

Of course, there are other ways aside from money to reward nannies and keep them happy. You can give your nanny paid time off to go to the doctor or to run other important errands that she needs for herself. You can increase her vacation time each year. You can also give her more privileges, such as use of the family car while the children are at school. But most importantly, you can reward her by making sure she knows what a valued member of your family she is and how good of a job she is doing. Nannies who only hear criticism become unhappy in the exact same way that anyone else with a critical boss would become unhappy and might seek another job.

Rein in Jealousy

Often, nannies may be faced with a jealous mother. The child may appear to prefer his or her nanny on the surface, which could make the mother feel uncomfortable. Bear in mind two things when this happens: this means that the nanny is doing a good job with the child, and it is not the nanny’s fault that this is happening. You can take time to talk to the nanny about your feelings and concerns, but do not lash out at her. It is far better to have a nanny that makes your children happy while she takes care of them than it is to find a nanny who makes your children miserable until you walk in the door.

Treat Your Nanny with Respect

Above all and through everything else, nannies need to be treated with respect. Your nanny should feel as if she is a valued member of your household at all times. If you have a problem, you should discuss it with her directly. If you think she has done something well or gone out of her way to take care of something that was not explicitly part of her job, you should recognize that and let her know you appreciate her hard work.

It’s a hard process to go through nannies and to find someone who will be a great fit in your home. Once you have found the right person, you want to make sure she will stick around. By following these guidelines, you are more likely to have a nanny who is happy and who wants to stay with you and your children for years to come.

About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNanny Source, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit www.enannysource.com.

When you are starting to search through a pool of nannies to find the one who will take care of your children - whether it is for a few hours or full-time during the week - it is important that you complete a thorough screening process. While many potential employers will carefully run background checks of nannies, they may be tempted to skip or rush through another critical step before making the final hiring decision - checking references.

If you are hiring your nanny through a nanny agency, there may be someone in place who can take care of checking references for you. Such a person will be experienced in catching fake references that nannies may sneak into their resumes or in reading between the lines of what references say versus what they really mean. However, nanny agencies can be expensive, and you may instead want to find your nanny through an online service that allows you to do a lot of the legwork on your own. In that case, it is important that you have the proper mindset and tools with which to check the references of the nannies you are considering.

What You Can Learn from Checking References

You can learn a lot from checking references by listening not only to what the references do say but also reading between the lines about what they don’t say. Unlike other types of jobs, where someone serving as a reference is limited legally to what he or she can say about the person, those serving as references for nannies may be more forthcoming with information, both good and bad.

When you make the initial call, trust your instinct and listen closely to everything the nanny reference says. Most likely when you are checking references, you will be speaking to a parent just like you who will be eager to tell you about the nanny on both a personal and professional level. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions to cover not only the nanny’s demeanor and credentials but also details about the family for which she worked. In that way you can delve deeper into the nanny’s behavior in situations that most closely resemble those she may encounter with your own family. Pay attention as well to how the nanny reference behaves. The person may be rushed or distracted, and you should factor that into how you feel about the interview.

Questions to Ask When Checking References

Here is a short list of some of the more important questions that you should ask the references of the nannies you are thinking of hiring:

• Was the nanny reliable and dependable? Can you give me an example of when she was/was not?
• What was she like as a person? Was she warm, strict, upbeat, or energetic? Did she get along well with all of the members of your family?
• What additional duties did she perform for your family? How well did she do these?
• How well did she follow directions?
• How comfortable did you feel about her ability to handle an emergency? Did she ever have to react quickly to a medical problem or other issue? How did that go?
• Do you recommend that I hire this person to be a nanny for my children?

Before you begin checking references, you can also jot down notes about specific issues with which you may be concerned. For example, if your family has a pet, you can ask the reference how the nanny was around animals. If your family needs a nanny who can take your children to and from school, you can ask the nanny reference about the nanny’s driving abilities and find out how well she was able to keep to a schedule.

If you are working with bricks-and-mortar nanny agencies, they should be able to give you other tips about what to ask about nannies. If you are working with online nanny services, you may even be able to access helpful worksheets with additional questions and ideas about what to ask or what to listen for when checking references.

Red Flags when Checking References

Beware of phony references. Nannies with little or no prior experience may list friends or family members as prior employers. While it can be hard to recognize a fake nanny reference at first, there are some red flags. Check to see if the salary listed for the prior employer matches up with the going rates for nannies with comparable experience and education in your area. If it is much too high, you could possibly be looking at a fake reference.

In addition, when you are checking references, listen to how the nanny is described. There is a difference between an enthusiastic mother who loved the nanny and who ended the relationship only when her needs changed and a friend posing as a nanny reference who sounds like she is trying to sell the nanny as a perfect candidate.

Conclusion

When a family is searching for nannies, particularly if there are time constraints on the search - the mother is going back to work in a week, the nanny already in place just gave her notice, and so on - it may be tempting to skip the checking references step based on a “good feeling.” However, do not fall into this trap. Checking the references of nannies is one of the most important steps in the hiring process - it can give you insight into the nanny’s personality and work ethic that you would not otherwise be able to gain from an interview.

Bottom line, make sure you set aside time to call everyone the nanny lists as a reference on her application. While nothing is foolproof, checking references will help to make you feel more comfortable about the person you are bringing into your home to keep your children happy, healthy, and safe.

About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNanny Source, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit www.enannysource.com.

Nanny organization and nanny background checks

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Tips On How To Conduct Background Checks for Nanny Services

hiring a nanny is a sophisticated process that involves searching, interviewing, checking references and extending an offer to the right candidate. When the nanny has accepted your offer, the final step is conducting a criminal background check. Your offer should be contingent on the outcome of those results.

What to check? It’s hard to imagine that in this era of the Internet and computerization there is no reliable national criminal database that is accessible by the public. The “gold standard” for checking a nanny’s background is to first run a search using her Social Security Number to see where she has lived in the past seven years. This is done so that a decision can be made on which counties should be searched. Yes, that’s right, these searches are done county by county, not nationally. Few states have a reliable criminal index that is suitable for nanny background checking because nannies tend to commit misdemeanors at most. Many of these indexes only turn up people who have felony convictions and/or have served time. Many states don’t have statewide indexes at all.

Continue Reading ->

As a nanny looking for a job, you are likely to need to go on several interviews and meet with new families face to face. Therefore, it is extremely important to stay safe when you are setting up and going to a nanny interview and meeting people for the first time. Remember that a nanny interview is different from other job interviews in that you will likely be going to someone’s private home rather than a business location. Overall, it is important to keep your safety in mind while still being open to having a positive experience. What follows are safe interviewing tips for a nanny position.

Trust Your Instincts

If you are going to work as a nanny, then you probably already have pretty good instincts about people in general. Therefore, if you are setting up a nanny interview and something doesn’t feel quite right when you are talking to the family on the phone or via email, stop the process right there and look elsewhere for a job. It isn’t worth the risk to continue with the situation if you feel like your safety might be compromised, or even if you just don’t feel like the position is going to be best for you. There is nothing wrong with cancelling a nanny interview at any point.

Keep People Aware

Always let someone else - a friend or a family member - know where you will be and at what time you will be there. Leave information such as the address of the family’s home or the location where you will be meeting, the time the nanny interview will be starting, and the time you expect to be finished. Take your cell phone with you, if you have one, and make sure others have the number so they can call you.

Bring Someone with You

If you would feel uncomfortable going to a first nanny interview alone, take a friend or family member with you. They can wait in the car or, if the family agrees ahead of time, they can come in. Honest families looking for a nanny will appreciate your attention to safety and will likely agree to allow your friend to sit in with you.

Ask for References

You are entitled to ask the prospective family for references before or during your nanny interview. These can be from a previous nanny or from other household help. They could also be professional references from one or both parents’ employers. In this case, it is better if you can call the references and speak to them directly rather than just have a conversation through email.

Perform a Background Check

For a small fee, you can run a background check on one or both parents before your nanny interview. From this you can learn a great deal about the family and you can judge whether they are legitimately looking for a nanny and if they will be a safe family with which to work. If you are being hired by a single father, you may also want to check the National Registry of Sex Offenders (www.nsopr.gov) just for peace of mind.

Use All of Your Resources

Sometimes the simplest things can give you the most information. Before your nanny interview, go online and search for the family’s name - you may find out some interesting and helpful information, both good and bad. You can also do more in-depth searches about the family, the address where they live, the professions of the parents, and more. Take note of anything that concerns you, and either discontinue the hiring process or make notes to ask questions.

In addition, check online nanny listing sites to see if the family has a profile. If they do, you can gather more information from what they have included in their profile. Does the tone of the profile sound friendly or professional? Does the tone instead sound confrontational or difficult? Gather as much information as you can about the nanny position from what the family has made available.

Choose an Appropriate Location

If you do not want to go to a family’s home for the first nanny interview for any reason, you can request that you instead meet in a more public area, such as a restaurant or a shopping mall. You can then set up a second nanny interview at the family’s home at a later time. The fact is that you are a stranger to the family as much as they are strangers to you, so they may appreciate your concern and caution. This step may not be necessary, but it is good to keep your options open.

Ask Questions

At your nanny interview, remember that you will be working closely with this family as their nanny. Therefore, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the family and to listen carefully to their answers. If you feel uncomfortable about any of their answers, or if they hesitate before giving you some information, then you may want to reconsider working as their nanny.

Conclusion

The first time that a nanny candidate meets with a family for a new job can be exciting and enjoyable, but it is always important to put safety first. If you are careful about who you are meeting and where you are meeting them, you can ensure that you will be comfortable and safe. Then, you can focus the nanny interview on asking the important questions about the job and learning more about the family with whom you will be working as you begin to form a relationship that hopefully will last for many years to come.

About the Author

Steve Lampert is the president of eNannySource, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit www.enannysource.com.