Common Missteps Made by Client Families
When you begin the search for a nanny, it is tempting to create a rigid checklist. You might be looking for ten years of experience, a background in early childhood education, and fluency in a second language. As an agency, we are here to help find your dream Nanny who meets all of your hopes and dreams, however we want to share three suggestions to consider that will open up your options.
1. Don’t eliminate a Nanny without scheduling at least a phone interview
While qualifications are the baseline, we have seen time and again that the most successful, longest-lasting placements aren’t built solely on a resume, they are built on personality fit. You have to be comfortable with your nanny. She/he is the only employee who sees you at your most vulnerable, before your first cup of coffee, during a toddler’s meltdown, or in the middle of a stressful work-from-home day. We encourage you to schedule at least a 10-15 minute phone call with the candidates we send, as you may surprise yourself. As one placed clients said:
“Our nanny is INCREDIBLE. I truly cannot express how amazing she is and how much I love her… My only thought would be to encourage families to be open-minded with the process! I had an idea in mind for the type of nanny I wanted, and I’m so glad I decided to interview candidates who didn’t fit that mold, because that’s how I found our nanny!”
2. Resume vs. reality – don’t judge a book by its cover
A resume tells you what a candidate can do, but a personality fit tells you how they will be in your home. Consider several scenarios:
- The “Expert” Trap: An on-paper star may have every certification imaginable, but they might be so set in their ways that they struggle to adapt to your specific parenting philosophy or communication style.
- The Growth Match: If you hire a candidate who is over-qualified for a role that is mostly basic care and laundry, they may become under-stimulated. Sometimes the “lesser” resume belongs to the person who is eager to grow with your family and will stay for five years because they are truly happy in the role.
- The Unflappable Vibe: A nanny might have slightly less experience with your specific age group, but they possess a calm, steady energy that perfectly balances your high-stress mornings.
- The Power of the Toolbox: We often value a 10-year tenure above all else, but there is a hidden strength in the versatile nanny. Someone who has navigated multiple households has seen what works for five different families, making them incredibly quick to pivot when your own child hits a new, challenging stage.
3. Understand the short-term placements
One thing that often gives parents pause on a resume is a series of shorter placements. It is important to remember that in the nanny world, short-term does not equal unreliable. Families’ needs are constantly shifting, so many incredible nannies have shorter stints on their resumes for reasons entirely out of their control:
- A family might have only needed a “bridge” nanny while waiting for a specific daycare opening.
- A placement naturally ends when the children grow up and transition into full-time school.
- A wonderful nanny may have had to leave a beloved family simply because the family moved out of the area.
We urge you not to dismiss a candidate who has a history of these shorter, successful chapters, as they can actually be the most adaptable caregivers in the pool.
The Bottom Line
When interviewing (we encourage you to connect with all candidates we introduce you to), ask yourself, “Does this person’s presence feel like an addition to my family’s rhythm, or a disruption to it?”
Families don’t typically let nannies go because they aren’t capable, or forgot a laundry load, they let them go because the vibe never felt right. If you find a candidate who shares your core values, respects your boundaries, and makes you feel at ease the moment they walk through the door, that is the hire. Many skills can be taught, but a personality that complements your family is a rare find.