The Benefits of Using Online Nanny Services
When you begin your search for a nanny for your family, you will
find that you have several types of nanny services from which you can choose.
You can work with brick-and-mortar nanny agencies, online nanny services, or
more generic websites or newspapers that allow you to post advertisements. If
you choose to work with an online nanny service, you will need to proceed
carefully - but you may find that it is the ideal option for you, both in terms
of cost and in terms of benefit.
Online nanny services can provide interested families with the
widest range of candidates. The listings will not be limited to one location,
as they might with brick-and-mortar nanny agencies, which is of a particular
benefit if your family is seeking a live-in nanny who could travel from
anywhere to stay with your family. Because there are many nanny candidates
competing for a few positions, it is in your best interest to be able to view
as large a pool as possible so that you can carefully select the best nanny for
your family.
Save Money by Working with Online Nanny Agencies
Brick-and-mortar nanny agencies may charge $3,000 to $4,000 to
help your family find the perfect nanny candidate. However, there is an element
of trust that must exist between you and any nanny agencies with which you work
- trust that the agency will screen its candidates carefully and only present
you with qualified candidates that are suited to fill your position. Some brick-and-mortar nanny agencies are
extremely reputable, but not all are, so if you are going to choose to use one you
need to do extensive research about the agency itself before you begin the nanny
search process.
When you work with online nanny services, you will pay somewhere
in the range of $98-$150 for a membership to the site. This membership allows
you to view the listings of nanny candidates. Since you’ll be doing the
screening of candidates yourself, you are able to control the quality of your
search and screening process. You can check the nanny's references yourself and
feel confident in what you learn from your phone calls and emails. You can also
run your own criminal background check through many online nanny services, and
you can use the results to help you make an educated and informed hiring
decision.
In addition, online nanny services provide tools you can use while
screening and interviewing nanny candidates. The process of hiring a nanny can
take a great deal of time, but quality online nanny services can save you time
by providing you with the proper tools, like an interview guide and reference
checking form. Online nanny services may also provide resources about other
aspects of the hiring process so that you are well prepared to hire and manage
your household staff.
Online Nanny Services Are Specialists
A generic website that runs advertisements, such as Craigslist,
may be the cheapest option for finding a nanny, but such places also cover a
very broad scope of classifieds. Because they are not dedicated to in-home
child care and instead run ads for everything from used cars to tickets for
sporting events, there are no resources or support staff to help guide you
through the nanny search process.
Online nanny services specialize in connecting nannies and parents.
As a result, good online nanny agencies will guide you through the creation of
your online profile. It will give you a list of questions that you should
answer to ensure that you have provided the best, most complete information so
that interested nannies can read through it and know exactly what you are
looking for. Online nanny services will also make sure that you are being
concise and positive, and will even allow you to post a picture of you and your
family, which can add a level of authenticity to a family’s profile.
Security Issues with Online Nanny Agencies
Some people may have security concerns about working with online
nanny services. Before you commit to placing your ad with any online nanny
services, find out what information will be publicly accessible. For example,
if your last name and location are made available on the site, an interested
nanny could contact you offline by looking you up in the phone book - something
you may not want to happen. Instead, make sure that any online nanny services
you are considering will only list the information you wish to be available -
usually not your last name, your address, or your phone number (although some
families may elect to include their phone number).
If you want to include an email address in your profile, you may
want to create one dedicated to your nanny search that is hosted on a free site
such as Gmail or Yahoo. In the interest of security, some online nanny services
also will allow you to send and receive messages within the site, leaving it up
to you and your family as to when to reveal a more direct method of contact.
Conclusion
The search for a nanny can be time consuming, but it doesn't have
to be complicated. When weighing your options on how to find a nanny, you may
find that online nanny services provide the best value for your money.
Regardless of how you find your nanny candidates, the ultimate hiring
responsibilities lies with you. Research your options carefully and only work
with online nanny services that will take your security concerns seriously.