It is a fact that most parents hate that they have to leave their child in daycare or with a sitter, but it is also a fact that most often it takes two incomes to raise a family. And, of course, you have many single parents who have no choice but to leave their child in someone else’s care while they work. One option is to find a nanny and many believe that the best way to do that is by using the services of a nanny agency.

If you are considering the possibility of hiring a professional nanny, then the first thing you want to do is locate an appropriate agency. There are several questions that you may want to ask or things you may want to look for before deciding which agency to use. For instance, when you call a placement agency, does a live person answer the phone, or do you have to leave a message on an answering machine? This can be important if you hire a nanny and you have a problem with the services provided and need to speak with someone right away.

Be sure you ask the nanny agency what type of screening process they use before they even send you a candidate to interview. You do not want to have any unscreened candidates coming to your home to apply for a nanny live in or live out position. Find out what type of contract they offer and be sure it is clear about any type or refund and/or replacement policies they may have.

Also, be sure to ask the nanny service how their interviews with the nannies are conducted. It has been recommended by the International Nanny Association that a nanny placement agency conduct their interviews in person; if this is not done then they should tell the client exactly how the interview was done, i.e., by an agent acting on behalf of the agency, by telephone, etc.

You may also want to consider asking them how long they have been in business and even though every business has to start somewhere, it is much more comforting to know that the nanny agency you are considering has been in business for awhile. Ask them what their procedure is regarding reference checks and how many references are called. The International Nanny Association suggests that for a nanny position a minimum of 2 references should be checked and that the agency should tell you all of the information that they have about the candidate, including the results of a background check.

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Often, parents are not realistic about the effort and time that it may take to find a nanny. This is mainly due to the fact that pretty much anyone can call themselves a nanny, yet that does not mean that they have the qualifications that you are seeking. Unlike most day care locations, there are no licensing requirements to work as an in-home child caregiver. That is one reason why many families will choose the option of going through nanny agencies, instead of trying to locate one on their own.

However, you should keep in mind that some of the nanny agency services may require a large placement fee. While you may be in the financial position to afford whatever is charged for professional, in-home childcare, the cost can be a prohibitive factor for some parents. If you are able to and want to go through a service to find a nanny, then be sure that you check several out before making your choice.

Good nanny agencies will return all of your calls promptly, tell you what you can realistically expect, provide you with excellent references and have a good clean record through the Better Business Bureau. All conversations and information should be clearly stated so that both parties understand everything completely.

You also want to find out how long they have been in business. The longer they have been around usually means that they have satisfied clients. Be sure that your interview with each and every nanny placement agency is in-depth and complete. This is essential so that they will know exactly what your requirements are and will send candidates to you based on your specific needs.

In your nanny search, you should always ask a prospective service what type of procedures they use for screening their applicants; such as when they check their references do they do personal interviews or are they over the phone. They should also provide you with a written summary of any and all information that they have on a potential nanny. A good placement service will be a member of some kind of professional organization, such as the National Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies or the International Nanny Association. Keep in mind that while these organizations do not have a licensing procedure, the members do agree to follow the guidelines that have been set forth.

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