Questions & Answers

Passwords and Logging In

Account Administration Joining eNannySource Today's Matches Searching My Top Picks Memberships Background Checks Fees & Costs The Hiring Process Online Payments Security, Privacy and Safety Site Errors Other General Issues

 

Passwords and Logging In

I’ve lost my password. How can I find it?
Go to the home page. In the space where you normally provide your User Name and Password, there is a link that says "Need Help?" Clicking on that will take you to a form where you can enter your e-mail address. We will then e-mail you your User Name and Password.

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How do I log out?
When you have a membership and are logged in to the site, you will see a "Log Out" button on the upper right corner of every page. Click it at any time to log out of the system.

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Can the computer save my password and user name so I don’t have to login every time?
Yes! In fact, when you first go to the enannysource.com home page, you can check the box that says "Remember Me" below the boxes where you fill in your user name and password. Then, every time you go to http://www.enannysource.com, the site will automatically log you in.

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Account Administration

How do I renew/deactivate my account, or make edits to my contact information or job posting?
To renew or deactivate an account, or to edit your contact information and job posting, simply log in to the site, go to the My Account section and look for the appropriate items in the left menu. Once you click on the appropriate item, the instructions will tell you how to proceed.

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How do I upload a photo?
Log in to the site and go to the My Account page. There you will see a link on the left called "Upload My Photo." Click on that and then follow the instructions. The photo must be JPG format and less than 300MB in size. This needs new updated wording since there is no size limit now and we accept another file format also. Please rewrite as necessary.

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What is the "Report Card" system?
Most nannies on our site keep their information current, but occasionally some families find candidates who do not respond to e-mail or phone inquiries, or even fail to show up for an interview. Since we are not a traditional agency and we do not screen or manage candidates, we can't control whether or not a nanny responds to your inquiry. However, we make every effort to create opportunities for feedback and efficiency.

To keep our database filled exclusively with nannies who are actively looking for a job, we have created a unique system that helps to weed out candidates who have signed up at eNannySource but have not responded well to families, kept appointments or deactivated their account when they’ve found a job. The Report Card allows you to click a button in My Top Picks or the Search Results to report the nanny to us. We'll send an e-mail to encourage her to either respond more quickly or to deactivate her membership if necessary. All nannies begin their membership with a "A" rating, and most want to keep this favored status. (Nannies with an "A+" rating have completely filled out their profile, uploaded a photo and have no points registered against them.) After a nanny fails to respond to a family, her grade is lowered by half a point. When she’s accumulated 3 points her account is automatically deactivated.

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Joining eNannySource

What types of membership do you offer?
We offer three levels of membership to suit any need:

Free Trial
We're so confident in our service, we offer a free, 30-day trial membership to get you started. Use it like a paid membership — the only difference is that you won't be able to access contact information for nannies. With a trial membership, you get to try out these popular features:

  • Search
    Use our powerful search engine to browse and read from over 6,150 nanny resumes, so you can quickly identify the best candidates for you.
  • "Today's Matches"
    Get notified daily by e-mail when new nannies matching your criteria are added to our database.
  • My Top Picks
    Allows you to manage your search process by keeping favorites in a personal list. You can also make notes and save your list for future use.

Gold* – 30 days, $49.85
This affordable introductory-level plan gives you instant access to over 6,150 nannies. Gold membership includes:

  • Job Posting and Unlimited Nanny Resume Access
    Complete access to nanny postings and nanny resumes. With more nannies than any other online destination, you'll be sure to find a large number of excellent candidates. And unlike other web sites, eNannySource only lists nannies, not dog sitters, house sitters, or other non-nanny services. Your time spent on our site will be more efficient, and your search more successful.
  • eNanny eMail
    Our exclusive eNanny eMail system allows you to contact nannies while keeping your personal contact information confidential.
  • Nanny Success Kit
    Screen nannies using the same forms and guidelines that are used by a top, award-winning professional nanny agency. This kit includes hiring guidelines, suggested interview questions, a thorough job application template that allows you to create a detailed job posting, a reference checklist, and an employment contract for when you've found the right candidate for your family.
  • Search
    Use our powerful search engine to browse and read from over 6,150 nanny resumes, so you can quickly identify the best candidates for you.
  • "Today's Matches"
    Get notified daily by e-mail when new nannies matching your criteria are added to our database.
  • My Top Picks
    Allows you to manage your search process by keeping favorites in a personal list. You can also make notes and save your list for future use.
*All subscriptions are automatically renewed until cancelled.

Platinum* – 90 days, $119.85
Our most popular package, the Platinum membership allows you to buy yourself more time and extra security. It includes all of the features of a Gold membership, plus:

  • Extra Time
    You want to make sure you've found the right person for your household, and with this 90-day membership, you'll be able to carry out your search thoroughly. If the nanny you hire does not work out, the 90-day Platinum membership even allows you the necessary time to find a new candidate.
  • Criminal Background Check—A $54 value
    When you've found a nanny and are ready to hire her, use our Gold Standard nanny criminal background check to give you extra peace of mind and security. One background check — a $54 value — is free with Platinum level memberships. We'll search over 245 million records throughout the United States, as well as the criminal records at one county courthouse where the nanny has lived. (Important exception: All searches done in the State of New York incur a charge of $95 above and beyond the cost of membership.) All our searches are fully FCRA compliant.
*All subscriptions are automatically renewed until cancelled.

Platinum Plus* – 90 days, $219.85
This special plan is for busy families, especially professional dual career parents and parents of newborns. With Platinum Plus, you receive 30 days of personalized, professional concierge service. Save hours of tedious work because you no longer need to spend time and energy screening candidates who don't meet your criteria. Instead, we'll deliver the best applicants to you. This plan offers everything included in our Platinum service plus:

  • Personal Concierge Service Just For You
    Platinum Plus members obtain the services of a personal concierge. Our professional will respond to nanny e-mails, contact nannies that meet your specific requirements, and add nannies to your Top Picks list. We'll save you hours of time and deliver only interested and available candidates directly to you.
  • Appropriate Candidates Identified
    Our concierge will contact you with candidates that meet your criteria once we have determined the nanny's interest and availability for the job. Please note that this service does not guarantee a match and does not include screening of the candidates. Families are strongly urged to carefully screen each candidate fully.
  • More Help When Needed
    You also have the option to purchase additional Concierge 30-day memberships for $98.85 so long as your Platinum account has at least 30 days remaining
*All subscriptions are automatically renewed until cancelled, except for the Plus account which expires after 30 days.

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Can I make changes to my information later, after I’ve finished filling out the membership forms?
Absolutely. In fact, we encourage you to experiment with the information in your profile to see what yields the best results. All you have to do is log in to the site and go to the My Account section to edit any area.

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How long will it take to complete the subscription process?
We estimate that it will take approximately 20 minutes.

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Why do I need to answer so many questions?
Keep in mind that the more time you spend with your account, the better your chances are for finding the perfect candidate or job. Nannies are using the site to search for jobs the same way that families are using it to search for nannies. If you are very descriptive about what you want, then you will attract appropriate nannies/families.

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Do I have to fill out the forms all at once, or can I stop and return later to finish?
As long as we have the My Information page filled out (the first page in the process), you can exit and return to the forms later. We will send you an e-mail to confirm your user name and password; use those to log back in and complete your subscription.

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Can I try the service first without paying?
Yes. In fact, we encourage you to do so. A free membership allows you to explore our most popular features, including Today's Matches and My Top Picks, and to see real nanny resumes and jobs in our database. Once you have found a nanny/family that you would like to contact, you can upgrade to a paid membership easily.

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Why should I get a paid membership when you offer a free membership?
The free family membership is designed to let you try out eNannySource first, so that you can explore our most popular features and see actual nanny resumes. However, it is limited in that you cannot see contact information for any nannies and nannies with a free membership (which makes up the majority of nannies using our site) cannot see your contact information. You must purchase a Gold or Platinum membership if you plan to actually hire a nanny using our service.

The only exception to this is when a nanny has a paid membership, in which case she can see contact information for both free and paid families. However, since families are the employers at eNannySource, they are typically the party responsible for purchasing a membership. Nannies are encouraged to use the site for free and most of our nannies have found wonderful jobs using a free membership.

The diagram below helps illustrates the accessibility of contact information for free and paid accounts:

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How do I know the nannies I see with a free membership are the ones who will be there if I get a paid membership?
Simply put, we can't guarantee that the same nannies will always be available. The reason is simple: The nannies on our site are not managed by eNannySource. Instead, they sign up on the site independently. All nannies are actively looking for work, constantly browsing through and answering the job ads that other families have posted. When those nannies find a job, we strongly encourage them to deactivate their accounts. That's why the data on eNannySource is always changing, and why it's important to get in touch with good candidates right away.

The good news is, we are active in our recruitment efforts, advertising heavily to nannies who are seeking employment. We also offer free memberships to nannies so that you always have a large pool of candidates to choose from.

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Today's Matches

How does Today's Matches work?
"Today's Matches" is a daily email update intended to complement your search efforts by introducing you to nannies/families who were added to the database on the day before who might make a good match. It's an approximation, based on your preferences, and is not meant to replace the eNannysearch engine. You can learn more by logging into the members area and selecting the "Today's Matches" link from the My Account menu at the top of the page.

A note to families: We will occasionally suggest a nanny who does not live in your area. This is because you are offering a live-in position, the nanny has indicated that she is willing to relocate, and in all other respects matches your criteria. If the position is live-out, you will only be sent nannies who currently reside in the state where the job is offered.

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How do I change my Today's Matches settings or search criteria?
You can make changes to your Today's Matches setup by logging into the members area and selecting the Today's Matches link from the My Account" menu at the top of the page or on the menu on the left of the page.

The following items are taken into consideration for formulating your Today's Matches e-mail:

  • State in which you reside.
  • Whether you require a permanent or temporary nanny/job.
  • Smoking preference.
  • Driving ability requirements.
  • Nanny's/family's desired schedules match.
  • Geographic location (whether nanny/job is within 10, 25, 50, 75 or 100 miles of a specified zip code).

Visit the Today's Matches section in My Account to change any of these settings.

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Why am I not receiving Today's Matches e-mails?/How can I stop receiving Today's Matches e-mails?
Today's Matches are optional daily emails. You can check your current preferences and make changes if necessary by logging into the members area and selecting the Today's Matches link from the My Account menus at the top and left of the page.

Depending on how you filled out your registration, it is possible that on any given day there won't be any nannies (or jobs) that match your criteria. When that is the case, you won't receive an email.

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Searching

FAMILIES: I’ve found some nannies I’m interested in, but I can’t see their contact information, why?
You have subscribed with a free membership, which is designed to allow you to try out the service before making a financial commitment. While you can still perform searches and use the "Today's Matches" and "My Top Picks" features, seeing full contact information requires subscription to a Gold or Platinummembership. The good news, is, we offer a range of membership options to fit any budget. Find out more in our Member Levels section.

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NANNIES: Why can’t I see contact information for some of the families I find?
We allow families to sign up for a free membership to test our service before making a purchase. The free membership allows them to perform searches and see information about you, but your contact information is not visible to each other. Only paid memberships allow families to display and see contact information.

You can still add a family with a free membership to your Top Picks list or even send the family an e-mail from their profile, and they will be notified by e-mail. Frequently these families eventually become paid members, especially when they know there is a nanny who is interested in them.

Another option is to get a Gold Nanny Account. For only $39, you get a 30 -day membership that gives you access to contact information for every family in our system, even free ones.

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What is eNanny eMail?
This feature allows you to securely communicate with families who have a paid membership. With eNanny eMail, all of your correspondence will happen on the site only, so your personal email address is shielded from public view.

Look for the link on a family’s profile page that says, ’Contact this Family’. Simply click on it to get in touch, and the eNanny eMail system will allow you to send the family a message. It works much like most common email applications, except that all messages are stored in your eNannySource account.

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What's the best way to find a live-out nanny?
Perform a search by zip code and/or state to find someone near you. Log in to the site, go to the Advanced Search section and input your criteria. Once you click the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page, you will see all of the nannies in our database who live near you.

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My Top Picks

How does the My Top Picks list work?
When you perform a search, there is a button by each nanny's/family's name in the result list that allows you to "Add to My Top Picks List." You can see your list by clicking on the My Top Picks menu item in the My Account section, and the eNanny Tool Kit section, when you log in. Nannies/families are listed in the order that they were added, with the most recent name at the bottom.

When you add someone to the My Top Picks list, that person receives an e-mail to let them know that you are interested. This feature comes with every membership level, and is a great way to make connections.

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How many nannies/jobs can I add to the list?
You can add as many names as you like; there is no limit.

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I frequently receive e-mail stating that someone has added me to their Top Picks list. What does this mean?
Both nannies and families are using the site to perform searches, and both maintain Top Picks lists. When one party adds a name to their Top Picks list, the other party is informed via e-mail. If there is mutual interest, the two can then get in touch with each other to arrange a meeting.

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Memberships

How much does it cost to join eNannySource?
We offer a range of family memberships to fit any budget. The costs range between $49.85 and $119.85, depending on the level of service you require. There are no hidden costs or fees. Once you purchase a membership, there are no other charges incurred during the term of your membership.

We even offer a free membership for those who want to try out the service before making a commitment. With a free membership, you enjoy the same popular features that paid members use, including Today's Matches and My Top Picks. However, you will not be able to receive contact information for the nannies until you upgrade to a paid membership.

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What are my chances of actually finding a nanny on your site?
More than 6187 resumes are currently in our database, and thousands of families have successfully hired a nanny by using our service. Read actual testimonials to see what our customers are saying. Or try a free preview before you join to see real resumes in the eNannySource database.

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What if I don't find a nanny during my membership period?
Since nannies and families find each other every day on eNannySource, the information on our site is constantly changing. Because of that, we feel it's important to stress that you may not find a nanny right away. However, reasonable enrollments rates are offered so that anyone can join and, in case you don't find the right nanny at first, we even offer discounts for renewal. Our Platinum membership offers the best deal and the highest success rate, since the 90-day membership period is three times longer than the Gold package.

Note that membership fees are non-refundable. If you find a nanny right away, deactivate your account or wish to terminate your membership for any reason, we do not offer a refund or proportional refund.

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What happens if the nanny candidates I contact do not answer my inquiries?
The benefit to you for using eNannySource rather than a traditional agency is that you save thousands of dollars. However, since nannies use this site independently and are not personally managed by eNannySource in the same manner as a traditional agency, it is impossible for us to ensure their level of attentiveness. And despite our best efforts, sometimes nannies get jobs and neglect to deactivate their accounts or respond to new inquiries.

The good news is, we have several unique safeguards in place that help keep our listings accurate:

  • Nanny registrations are good for 30 days and expire, unless renewed.
  • We send each nanny an e-mail every ten days asking her to either refresh her membership or to deactivate it if she's no longer looking for a job. When she refreshes her membership, it causes her profiles to go to the top of the listings in the search results, which are filed by the most recent date first.
  • Our Report Card system — exclusive to eNannySource — allows you to report nannies who don't respond to inquiries or keep appointments. After receiving three points, the nanny is removed from our system. Use the search tool to find the unresponsive nanny and click the Report button file a report against her.

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Do you screen the nanny candidates at eNannySource?
The service that we provide is full access to a comprehensive online database that helps nannies and families find each other. Unlike a traditional nanny agency, eNannySource gives members the necessary tools to find a nanny or job independently, thus saving thousands of dollars in costly agency fees. Nannies with any level of experience can sign up at eNannySource, and it is up to the families to carefully screen each candidate according to their own needs.

While eNannySource does not screen nanny candidates, we do provide a number of tools to help you find qualified nannies. Our Platinum membership includes a criminal background check in one county where the nanny previously lived. Although it is extremely rare to find a nanny with a criminal record, conducting a search can ease common fears and anxieties about hiring a person to care for your child. The Platinum membership also includes the Nanny Success Kit, which includes forms from an actual nanny agency to guide you through the hiring process effectively.

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Nanny Background Checks

How does a nanny background check work?
Whenever anyone is charged with a crime, from a misdemeanor to a felony, it is recorded in a public file. However, it's not easy to find these records. When you order the report, your potential nanny will receive an online authorization form that will enable her to safely provide information such as her Social Security Number and Date of Birth. This information will be used to find where she has lived in the past seven years by checking credit agency records. Then a national criminal search will be conducted throughout the United States using a database with over 250,000,000 records. In addition, a county level court record search will be conducted in the county of her most recent residence for additional assurance. Additional counties and services can be ordered at an additional cost click here for more information on a nanny background check.

You will receive a report detailing where she has lived, and any criminal information that is uncovered. While a nanny criminal background check is an important safeguard, in reality it is only a small part of the nanny screening process since nannies with a criminal record are quite rare. Your most important tools for screening a nanny are the written application, careful interviewing and diligence in reference checking.

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How much does it cost?
The background check is free with Platinum memberships, and only $54 for other members . (Important exception: Searches conducted in New York cost an additional $95 court fee.)

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Fees & Costs

Are there any hidden or additional fees?
No. The fees and features listed on our Member Levels page are completely accurate. Once you become a paid member, you have full access to nanny contact information and resumes and will not be subject to any additional fees.

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What's the difference between a paid and free membership?
Our Gold and Platinum memberships give you complete access to all nanny resumes and contact using our eNannyeMail system, as well as a Nanny Success Kit, which includes forms and guidelines used by real nanny agencies. Additionally, it makes the specifics of you and your job available to nannies, who are actively searching the site for jobs.

Free membership is for those who want to try out eNannySource before making a commitment. With a free membership, you enjoy the same popular features that paid members use, including "Today's Matches" and "My Top Picks", but you will not be able to receive contact information for the nannies.

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How much should I expect to pay a nanny?
Many factors are taken into consideration when determining nanny wages, such as experience level, amount of schooling/education and whether a nanny works in a large urban area or a smaller suburb. Nanny salaries should always be quoted in gross terms (before taxes are taken out). Nannies are not independent contractors but are employees of the parents for whom they work. You may also wish to review the annual nanny salary and benefits survey put out by the International Nanny Association to determine average nanny wages. According the 2012 International Nanny Association Nanny Salary and Benefits Survey, on average, full-time nannies in the United States earn about $700 gross per week. Find out more about the legal tax responsibilities of being an employer.

When determining a salary, consider the following:

  • A nanny's previous experience can range from some babysitting with family all the way to many years of experience as a childcare professional, with CPR training and some education. A nanny with some college education or a degree brings added value to the role, as she can be more effective in helping toddler and school-age children with learning tasks and possibly homework.
  • Certain perks that are commonly offered will bring the overall salary down. If your position is live-in, then you will cover her housing and utility costs. You might also cover her health care insurance or provide a cell phone or a car.
  • All families should offer paid vacations
  • When determining a weekly salary, be sure that you take into account how many hours per week you will need her, and that you are paying at least minimum wage, plus time-and-a-half for any hours over 40 in a week.
  • Average salaries are based on a household with one or two children. For three or more children, the nanny should be paid 10 percent more per child.
  • Basic duties besides childcare include grocery shopping, cooking meals for the children, picking them up from and/or taking them to school and cleaning up after them each day. Any additional tasks may require an increase in salary.
  • If you need help determining taxes, there are many companies that specialize in payroll services for domestic help, such as www.breedlove-online.com. Be sure during salary negotiations to communicate whether the salary you are offering is before or after taxes, and whether or not you will be withholding the nanny’s income taxes or she will be paying them herself.

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The Hiring Process

NANNIES: What should I expect as part of our final agreement?
Nanny jobs vary widely, depending on the needs and requirements of both the families and the nannies. It's important during the interview process that you listen to the family's needs, and also that you feel comfortable stating your expectations. Being honest and upfront from the beginning will eliminate problems further down the road when you have been hired.

Make sure that any perks or benefits that are promised to you, along with the stated pay, are outlined clearly in a written contract. Ask about health insurance, payroll taxes and how expenses are covered (for example, find out if the family intends to reimburse you for cell phone charges incurred as part of the job and the cost of gasoline if you are using your own car).

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What is the Nanny Success Kit?
Based on our prior experiences running an award-winning nanny agency, Buckingham Nannies, we put together a package of forms and guidelines to help you navigate the search and hiring process. It includes:

1. Comprehensive Guidelines for Hiring Nannies
Discover all the "do's" and "don'ts" of hiring a nanny.
2. Interview Questions
Learn what questions will help you get to know a candidate in a short time period, and whether she has the qualities you seek in a nanny.
3. Employment Application
An eight-page, professionally designed application.
4. Reference Checklist
Distinguish between real and phony references, learn what questions to ask.
5. Employment Contract
Covers all aspects of your working relationship, and helps you avoid misunderstandings.

The Nanny Success Kit is included in all paid memberships.

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Online Payments

What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

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Will the transaction be secure?
We have taken every precaution to ensure a completely safe transaction, and use the latest encryption technology. Also, no credit card numbers are stored on our system. Although this means that if you renew your membership or make another purchase of any kind you have to enter your credit card information again, it eliminates any possibility of outside threats.

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I paid to upgrade my free account to a paid membership and I can't see contact information.
If for some reason you are unable to view contact information after paying for a full membership, try logging out (using the button in the upper right corner) and then logging back in.

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Security, Privacy and Safety

What do you do with the information you collect?
All information that you supply to eNannySource is used only by us, and is never shared with any third party. Your contact information is only viewable by paid members; it cannot be seen or collected by anyone else. eNannySource is the only online nanny service certified by TrusteE, the web’s strongest assurance of online privacy.

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How safe is it to hire someone you meet over the Internet?
It's understandable if you have apprehensions about hiring a nanny through an online service. Go to our Useful Information section for more information.

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How do I get in touch with eNannySource? Does someone manage this Web site?
Yes, we manage the site and we personally read all incoming e-mail in order to deliver first-rate service. While we have made every effort to provide enough information on this Web site, we understand that every situation is different and you may need ask additional questions. Visit the Contact Us section for our e-mail address and phone numbers.

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Site Errors

How do I report a problem I’m having with the site?
Please let us know immediately if something is not operating correctly on the site by sending an email to info@enannysource.com.

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Other General Issues

I’ve contacted several nannies/families and have not received any replies. Why?
Occasionally, when a nanny finds a job or a family finds a nanny, they forget to return to eNannySource to deactivate their account. We strongly encourage users to deactivate their accounts when the job/nanny search is over, so that others using the system will have more chances of success.

If you have a Family membership, and you are feeling frustrated because you have not gotten a reply from a nanny, consider using our Report Card system.

If you are repeatedly having this problem, please send us an e-mail at feedback@enannysource.com and we will make every effort to help you.

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Need Help?

email us info@enannysource.com

FAMILY TESTIMONIALS

"We have found and hired our new nanny. Thank you so much for your website. It was a great experience."
- Dave


"Thanks so much. It was a very pleasant experience and of great value to be able to 'recruit' via the Internet!"
- Liz


"Thank you very much! The service worked very well for us, and one of our friends! We are spreading the word about it! Thanks again,"
- Marlo


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