Frequently Asked Questions
(I want to make sure I get this straight.)
Why should I use an agency?
Why should I choose Mom's Best Friend?
What fees does Mom's Best Friend charge?
What is the process for finding a long-term nanny?
What is the process for sitters or temporary staff?
What kind of support does Mom's Best Friend offer me after my position has been filled?
What happens if my nanny does not work out?
How does Mom's Best Friend screen its nannies, sitters, and other providers?
Is the nanny I hire considered my employee or is she an employee of Mom's Best Friend?
How do I handle taxes for my nanny?
What benefits are typical to offer my nanny?
Although it is possible to undertake a search for a nanny on your own, most families find it to be an incredible challenge. Our clients find the extra cost of hiring Mom's Best Friend minimal when considering the time and peace of mind saved in searching for a nanny or other household professional. Mom's Best Friend upholds some of the most meticulous caregiver screening standards in the industry, with fewer than 10% of all applicants making it through the rigorous screening process. This means you would have to gather 100 potential caregivers on your own just to find 10 professionals with the adequate and necessary credentials for consideration for your position. Further, these 10 nannies may or may not possess the values and temperament that fit for your household. Yet this is exactly how Mom's Best Friend conducts each and every search. We take these extra pains to ensure the security and satisfaction of your family—efforts unmatched by online databases and most other agencies. The result is savings in time, effort and anxiety for you.
With over 15 years of experience in the nanny industry, Mom's Best Friend is one of the largest full-service nanny and household staffing agency in Texas and Colorado and one of the most recognized names in household staffing in the country. Since we have offices in Austin, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Vail/Beaver Creek, we have a depth of resources and staff to serve you. Our staff is personally involved in every placement at every step of the way, offering you the advice, support and resources you need to help you find and keep the perfect match for your family, even after your position has been filled. As members of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) and the International Nanny Association (INA), we are held to the highest industry standards of security and reliability—standards which we consistently exceed. And we are a family-run business with a tight-knit, familial staff who understand first-hand how essential quality household support can be to families. Since we know the peace of mind and security that household professionals bring to our own homes, we strive constantly to personally deliver the same to yours.
MBF Agency provides a variety of services, from an occasional babysitter, to a long-term nanny or household manager. Please see our pricing page for a complete list of offerings and pricing.
What is the process for finding a nanny?
We can begin searching for candidates as soon as we have received the Client Application, Membership Fee, and Client Contract. The Mom's Best Friend nanny and household staffing placement processes are outlined in the Process section of the website. We have outlined the simple steps to begin your search and guide you through the process, ensuring that you will find a top quality nanny in a timely manner.
The goal of the sitter and temporary services booking team is to ensure that, through a timely, expedient process, you receive the highest quality candidates in the shortest amount of time possible. We can send you sitters as soon as we have received the Client Application, Membership Fee, and Client Contract. Mom's Best Friend has outlined the simple, complete steps in the Process section of the website.
What kind of support does Mom's Best Friend offer me after my position has been filled?
At Mom's Best Friend, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional post-placement support. We begin by providing you with a comprehensive Employeement Agreement at the time you hire a candidate, which helps prevent the most common employment conflicts. In addition, we provide forms for nanny/family reviews, a bi-monthly client newsletter filled with industry news and employment advice, contact with Breedlove & Associates for all employment-related tax questions and ongoing professional development opportunities for your household professional. We will check in on a quarterly basis, and we are also available on an ongoing basis for guidance and expert advice. Our goal is not just to place you with the perfect household professional, but also to help you sustain a productive and lasting relationship with your employee.
What happens if my nanny does not work out?
Our extensive screening, along with trial time, our employment agreement, nanny/family reviews, and 1-on-1 meetings that we encourage between yourself and your nanny will eliminate the majority of common issues. However, should your nanny not work out for an unforeseen reason, we offer a replacement guarantee of 120 days, provided that clients have met the requirements outlined in our Client Agreement. 
How does Mom's Best Friend screen its nannies, sitters and other providers?
Mom's Best Friend provides some of the most meticulous screening standards in the nanny industry because we understand that there is nothing more important than your family’s security. Please see our complete screening process in the Process section of the website.
When you hire a nanny, they are considered your employee, not an employee of Mom's Best Friend. This means you are responsible for handling your nanny's taxes and for assuming any other legal responsibilities for an employer. Since failure to adhere to these responsibilities can incur fines and legal penalties for you, we support you along the way with expert employment advice, from the best experts in the field, Breedlove and Associates.
How do I handle taxes for my nanny?
We are not tax experts, but refer you to the best domestic employment tax experts in the business, Breedlove and Associates, for all of your tax questions. They can help you set up your nanny's payroll when you make your hire and guide you through any and all tax issues along the way. The Tax and Payroll page in the Process section of our website also provides tax- and payroll-specific frequently asked questions.
What benefits are typical to offer my nanny?
According to The 2006 Salary Survey taken by The International Nanny Association (INA), of which we are a member, benefits are fairly standard across the country.
- 95% of full time nannies surveyed receive paid vacation (most commonly 2 weeks), and 92% receive paid holidays (6-8 days).
- 70% receive some paid sick days (ranging from 3 to unlimited)
- 50% of those surveyed receive an employer contribution to health insurance (ranging from $50-$369 monthly).
- 85% of the nannies are paid 52 weeks out of the year, whether their services are needed or not.
- 20% of the nannies receive a performance or other type of bonus.
- Most nannies were reimbursed for mileage if using their own car to transport the children.