As you begin your nanny search, it is important to find a reputable childcare agency to help assist in meeting your childcare goals. In doing so, a professional nanny agency will be able to successfully match your list of criteria with the perfect candidates.

Before you enlist an agency, make sure you are aware of the services the agency provides along with the corresponding fees. Some questions you should raise follow:

• How long has the agency been actively placing nannies and childcare givers?
• What is the nanny agency’s success rate? How many? Where at? How long do the placements last?
• Is the agency accredited or licensed by the state?
• Where does the agency draw their pool of nanny applicants?
• What experience and skills are required for the agency to accept nanny applicants?
• Does the agency provide training for employees such as CPR, time management, etc?
• Does the agency provide on-call nannies for clients in case of emergency?

After you have asked these questions, and you find you are comfortable with the agency’s qualifications, then it is time to get down to details.

Contracts, Payments and Finder’s Fees

Never hire an agency without understanding the entire process from start to finish. Here is the reason why:

Let’s say you spend ample time working with an agency and ultimately find a nanny you are thrilled with. Great! Your next step is to enter the paperwork process. Upon completion of the paperwork you find out that there is a 10% finder’s fee in addition to your initial investment, unbeknownst to you. If this is the case, chances are good that you will be frustrated with the agency and the nanny from the start. This is not a good way to initiate a household employment situation with your nanny. Make sure there is no room for a miserable misunderstanding. Find out details to the following questions:

• Determine the agency’s practices: How many candidates will the agency provide? Will there be a replacement opportunity should the initial hired nanny not work out?
• What are the fees and what do the fees cover? Do fees include background checks, reference checks and employment verification, etc?
• Does the agency provide any support after the nanny is hired? (Training, payroll assistance, etc).
• Does the agency require payment only after a nanny has been placed or are there additional fees? If there are additional fees what are they and why?
• Is there a payment schedule involved?
• Does the agency have any sort of “guarantee” policy to insure the hire is a successful investment?
• Does the childcare agency uphold any type of refund policy?
• Does the nanny agency have any candidates on file to fill the position, now?
• What is the standard time frame to fill a childcare provider position?
• How does the nanny agency screen candidates? Are potential nannies screened via phone; face-to-face interviews, etc?
• How many references are required by each nanny and how thoroughly are those references checked?
• Are thorough background checks made by the agency? If so, does this include medical exams, drug screening, personality profiles, etc?
• Who pays for travel expenses if a nanny is brought in for interviews (the candidate, employer or agency)?
• How is information about the hiring family gathered? Does the family submit information or does a member of the agency visit the home or check references, etc?
• What is the average candidate’s hiring profile (age, education, salary range, qualifications)?