photo credit: DepositPhotos
By Keli Schurman-Darby
So you are ready to find your Mary Poppins but the process seems a bit daunting or you simply don’t know where to start? Let me help you with that. The great thing is that whether you are located in the Puget Sound or beyond there is an abundance of nannies so you needn’t worry about not finding one. What you need to begin with is a solid idea of who your perfect nanny would be.
What qualities do you desire in your nanny?
● Are they a warm and affectionate type?
● Are they more laid back or type A?
● Are you in need of someone who is aligned with your belief systems or culture?
● Do you want or are you open to a nanny of any gender?
● What kind of education or certifications should they have?
Prepare a list of the ideal qualities someone who is helping to raise your child(ren) needs to have.
Next, I want you to prepare a list of questions that will help you determine if the nanny you are interviewing has these qualities. A great place to start is usually asking them to describe what type of nanny they are. I will include a short list of questions here as a good jumping off point but you should definitely add things that are more specific to your families needs. Google is also a great resource for example lists of questions to ask potential nannies.
● What kind of nanny would you say you are?
● Tell us a little bit about you.
● What has been your best experience as a nanny thus far and what made that family right for you?
● Tell us about a time that you had to solve a problem under pressure and how you handled that.
● Do you have any access needs that we should be aware of? Such as religious or dietary needs, allergies, etc?
● What are your beliefs around discipline?
● What would you say your weaknesses are? Your strengths?
Paying Your New Nanny
Consider also what type of compensation package you are able to offer your nanny. Research local rates based on experience level and skill set as well as basic benefits such as insurance stipends, paid time off, sick days, etc. If you choose to use an agency they will help you put all of this together, but if you are finding a nanny on your own here are some great resources on how to do all this:
Care.com is a great place to start your nanny search as they serve all areas and they have lots of resources as well. Facebook is also a great place to find a nanny as there are several groups you can join that are area specific. Seattle parent/nanny village is a great group to start with but you can search based on your area and find several groups for nannies and parents such as East Side or Snohomish County. There are also groups specific to potential nanny share situations as well which can be ideal for families who need a more affordable option (splitting the cost of the nanny with another family allows you to pay your nanny a top package without breaking your bank). Nanny shares would be an entire separate post but google away to see if this might be right for you.
If you want the help of local agencies in finding and hiring a nanny then I would recommend starting by contacting several to get estimates of their service prices. Annie’s Nannies and Starling Agency are two of my favorite agencies to work with in the Greater Seattle area! West Side Nanny and Seattle Nanny Network are great as well. Agencies are a great resource not only for vetting nannies but generally offer help with payroll, etc. as well.
Hopefully you feel much more prepared now to begin your search for the right nanny for you!
Keli Schurman-Darby has been a Nanny in the Seattle area for 16 years and is also a Newborn Care Specialist and trained Birth and Postpartum Doula. She grew up as a natural nurturer and began babysitting at the age of 9. Her favorite part of being a caregiver is the trust and peace of mind she provides the parents of the families she serves in knowing their little ones are well cared for and loved.