How to Hire a Nanny

Nanny Agency Tips

Are you wondering how to hire a nanny? Starling Agency Nanny Placement is happy to break down the process. From our family to yours, we hope you find the best nanny ever!

Organize

Before you begin the nanny hiring process, decide what type of caregiver will best suit your needs. Full-time, part-time, live-in, or live-out? What responsibilities will your nanny be in charge of? What are some must-have professional qualities? 

Calculate

What is your budget for employing a nanny? It is essential to honor minimum wage and overtime laws, in compliance with Fair Labor Standards.

Interview 

Carefully review cover letters, detailed resumes, and letters of recommendation. Then schedule interviews in a safe location. Be sure to review this deluxe set of nanny interview questions to help discover if a candidate meets your expectations. 

Research

Take extra care to inform yourself about background checks. This is one of the most important hiring steps. Not all sources are reliable and unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

Contact 3-5 professional childcare references. You’ll want to make sure references are indeed former employers. 

Confirm whether their CPR/FA certifications are up to date. Ask for proof of hands-on training.

Offer

Once you have found the ideal candidate, notify them with a job offer. If the offer is accepted, you’ll want to inform the other applicants that the position has been filled.

Employment

Your nanny is considered a household employee, not an independent contractor. As a household employer, you are responsible for paying employment taxes. You’ll also want to make sure you have insurance coverage for a household employee.

Help!

Consider working with a reputable agency in your area. Look for accreditation through the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) and review testimonials. Professional agencies will be experts in the field of household employment including federal, state, and local requirements. An agency with an excellent reputation will introduce to you a high-caliber network of professional candidates and help set your family up for success!

Did you know Starling offers a popular nationwide consulting service to support families in all things nanny-related? From 1 hour consultations to detailed strategy sessions, Starling can help!

Starling is a stellar nanny placement agency proudly serving Greater Seattle and the Eastside. Starling nannies are passionate about education and child development! We represent professional nannies, private teachers, newborn care specialists, household managers, family assistants, personal assistants, and more. Learn more about Starling’s core values.