When you see a job posting, it might seem like the process is simple. But behind the scenes, we are having long, thoughtful conversations to make sure you are set up for success. What you don’t see is how much effort goes into setting the stage for a respectful and well-matched placement.
What Happens in the Consultation
Many families come to us with little experience or with outdated expectations based on past hires. During the initial consultation, we often hear things like:
- Pay rates that fall below market standards
- No benefits, limited time off, or no guaranteed hours
- Cash pay without tax withholding
- Expectations that include deep cleaning or unrelated household duties
- Irregular hours without extra pay
- Attempts to screen candidates based on age or religion
How We Respond
This is where our advocacy begins. We take the time to educate each family on what experienced, professional nannies expect, along with what is legal. That includes legal and fair compensation, respectful boundaries, clear roles, and ethical screening practices. Sometimes this means telling families no or correcting long-held assumptions.
Families occasionally ask us to “just try it” when it comes to lower pay or unclear duties. While we’ve explored this in the past, we’ve learned that it hurts trust with our nanny community. We are not willing to lower the standard and risk your confidence in our agency.
Finding the Right Balance
This is not about entitlement or creating tension between families and nannies. It’s about fairness. You can be service-oriented, flexible, and warm while also expecting professional treatment. Everyone has different boundaries, and part of our role is to help match the right people with the right jobs.
When you work with us, know that we are doing more than filling a role. We are standing up for your time, your talent, and your value, even when you don’t realize it is happening. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Senior Staffing Specialist (and former nanny) Melanie.