After researching childcare options for your family, you finally come to the conclusion that you need to hire a nanny. You can start the nanny-finding process by asking friends or co-workers for referrals, researching online or contacting a local nanny recruiting service. No matter what you choose, the search will take some time.

Let's start with some of the benefits of working with a local nanny agency:

•     You have experts in the field helping you find the best caregiver for your family.

•     You save time and money, as looking on your own is time-consuming and often overwhelming.

•     You are instantly connected to a large database of qualified caregivers—something only an agency with years of experience and connections can offer.

•     You will work with a "coach"––somebody that will answer any question and provide valuable feedback.

Is a nanny placement fee worth it?

Recruiting services and agencies normally charge a (one-time) placement fee to the family. Often people have the misconception that this fee is too expensive.  The placement fee to the families is typically due once they find their right fit and decide to move forward. Most agencies do a guaranteed period of 30, 60 or 90 days (depends on the agency) and if the caregiver the family decided to hire doesn’t work out for any reason, they will find a replacement for not additional cost .

Recruiting services are a one-time service, not like for example, a personal trainer or a cleaning service where you pay a monthly fee. If you do the math, the initial cost is well worth it. Ultimately, finding the right caregiver for your family is work and once you find "the one", the benefits for your children and family are priceless. 

While a service fee may feel intimidating at first, most families feel that hiring an agency is certainly worth the long-term investment.