Erin Hammill, owner of Apple Valley-based Above and Beyond Nanny Services, explained the difference between searching yourself and using a nanny agency this way:
“It’s like a carwash where you drive through, and it washes it for you,” she said. “Or a carwash where you pull over, and you get out, and you bring your soap, and you do the process yourself. Both accomplish a completely clean car. But it’s just who’s responsible for the efforts. It’s my job to make it a faster, easier, more professional experience.”
A search for a nanny through an agency usually takes six weeks.
After meeting with families and discussing their needs, Above and Beyond typically introduces clients to three to five qualified candidates. There is usually a second interview, with the top contender and sometimes a one-day paid trial run to make sure it’s a good fit.
Nanny agencies will also often run background checks and call references.
Many agencies also have a guarantee that if the nanny does not end up working out in the first few months, they will find you a replacement for free.
Above and Beyond, which charges a fee, will also send back-up care if its nanny is sick and helps connect clients to payroll services and tax specialists.
“We go out to our team of caregivers that we know and referrals we have in this massive network we have.”
There’s nothing wrong with doing it yourself, she added. It’s just a matter of how much time you have and how much guidance you might need.
“We have an HR department,” she added. “We have a legal compliance department. We have just a larger team to serve.
