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Katie Vaughan
Navigating Hollywood: Successfully Working With Nanny Agencies
In a world bombarded by the latest trends and fashions there is much to be said about the must-have accessory of any well-heeled toddler: the nanny. Parents, both celebrities and regular joes alike, are often overwhelmed by the task of finding their very own Mary Poppins. This feeling is well founded considering that over 30% of the references given by nannies are fake and 7% of nanny applicants have criminal records.
Step into a day in the life of Katie Vaughan, owner of Westside Nannies, Los Angeles' top nanny agency, and you will find her sorting through hundreds of resumes, checking references, doing background checks, and interviewing top nanny contenders. Many of Katie’s nannies have a resume that reads like an Oscar invite and they come with a hefty price tag, A-list Hollywood nannies can demand six figure salaries, Katie says, and adds that there have even been bidding wars between top name celebs over particular nannies.
In a city where many parents will be inadvertently competing with the Hollywood elite to find the best nanny and where "nanny poaching" is a dirty word, how can the regular parent compete? Katie gives advice on what to look for in an agency and tips on how to have a successful agency experience from start to finish.
What Do You Need?
Before you call an agency give some thought to your family's situation and individual needs. Do you need a nanny who is willing to do light housekeeping? Do you need a nanny with a teaching degree who has contacts at the local pre-schools? Perhaps you would like your children to learn a second language or learn to play a musical instrument. In either case you are looking for a nanny with special attributes. A good agency may be able to provide you with a nanny who possesses additional skills such as a second language, musical abilities, a sports background, or cooking skills. Apart from this, it is also important to think about the structure of your position, including your ideal schedule and the demands of your particular position. Think about additional duties you may require such as travel, family assistant duties, or some estate management. Having a well-thought-out job description will help the agency understand exactly what you’re looking for and will keep you focused when you make your initial agency inquiries.
Which Agency Is Right For You?
Once you have a clear understanding of what your needs are it is time to find out which agency will be best suited to fulfill these needs. Because California has no regulations or licensing requirements for staffing agencies, it seems as though nanny agencies are popping up on every corner and it can be hard for a parent to determine who is reputable and whom to call. Some agencies will be large and will handle all estate staffing needs; boutique agencies typically choose to focus solely on nannies. Some parents prefer to see a large number of applicants that larger agencies can offer, other parents will prefer the boutique agency experience where they will see a select number of candidates that have been chosen specifically with their family’s needs in mind. Location is also important. With few exceptions, look for an agency that has an office in your general area.
Get Referrals!
Nothing can speak to a nanny agency’s reputation like a personal recommendation from a fellow parent or industry professional. Be sure to ask friends at your Mommy and Me class, your baby nurse, or friends who have successfully worked with an agency. Find out what they liked or did not like about working with a particular agency. Was the agency attentive during the placement process? Did the agency make the process simple and pleasant? Did they quickly return phone calls and emails? You may also want to ask your friends if they have ever had a nanny who did not work out. In this case, did the agency work just as hard to find the family a suitable replacement as they did in the initial placement process?
Do Your Research!
A good agency should have a professional website and staff. You may do online research by looking at the agency's website, reading applicable blogs, checking on-line mommy sites like Peachhead, or by using tools like Citysearch or Angie’s List for customer reviews. The next step is to call the agency and speak to a placement counselor. Larger agencies will have a staff of placement counselors while boutique agencies will have one or two individuals who personally cater to each family. In your first conversation with the agency it is important to find out how they find their nannies and what their screening process entails. Good agencies will find most of their nannies through referrals from nannies and families they have already worked with and through their reputation. A good agency will represent less than 10% of the nannies that apply. Agencies should have a fairly long screening process, which should include among other things, a written application, the collection of resumes and reference letters, face-to-face interviews, and in-depth reference and background checks. Be careful to make sure the agency is bonded as is required by the state of California and also ask if the agency belongs to any professional associations such as the INA (International Nanny Association) or the APNA (Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies.)
Get Personal!
Once you have decided which agency will best suit your needs it is time to create a personal relationship with the agency. Most agencies will be working with multiple families at any given time and it is crucial that you establish a good relationship with the your placement counselor. In future conversations always ask for the same placement counselor and attempt to work with one agent throughout the entire process. In your initial discussion with the placement counselor be sure to express your needs and give them a glimpse into your family. Is your family laid-back? Are you social butterflies? In addition to duties, attempt to give the counselor an idea of what life is like in your home. Feel free to present the agent with your wish list and give them a clear idea of what qualities your ideal nanny will have. It is important to note here that agencies cannot discriminate based on gender, race, age, appearance, religion, etc. Instead, focus on the qualities you are looking for. Do you need someone who is able to run around with your twin toddlers? Do you have a formal home where uniforms are required? Perhaps you need a nanny who is able to carry multiple children up flights of stairs? Be sure to also express your time line and desired hiring date. This is important information when scheduling interviews and determining which candidates will be available. Leave no stone uncovered in this initial conversation. Make sure that the agent knows exactly what you are looking for so that your time is not wasted with unqualified candidates.
The Package
Putting together a desirable and competitive salary and benefits package for your future nanny is crucial in finding the appropriate caregiver. A recent survey found that the salary and benefits package was one of the two top factors for nannies looking for employment. A qualified nanny in Los Angeles will have her choice of positions, and it is very important that your family offer a competitive package in order to attract and acquire the right nanny for your position. Salaries for Full Time nannies in Los Angeles can range from $600-$1500/week and beyond. Nannies who are legal, drive, speak fluent English, and are college educated will typically start at $800/week. Nanny salaries are primarily determined by a nanny’s experience, salary history, and education. For example, a nanny with teaching experience will most likely be at a higher wage range than a nanny without it. Likewise, Nannies who are able to travel frequently with families will also come with a higher price tag, as flexibility is considered very desirable in a nanny. About half of families offer benefits such as health insurance, paid vacation and a 401K plan. Other families will offer additional incentives such as a cell phone, a gym membership, or a clothing stipend. Your placement counselor will be able to listen to your needs and let you know the salary range of the nanny you describe. They will also be able to educate you about the current market, help you determine what if any benefits are appropriate, and give you ideas on how to make your position more attractive to candidates.
Interview and Find your Nanny!
Once you have successfully communicated your needs to an agency you should be able to begin interviewing nannies. Some families will prefer to do one interview with the entire family present while others will prefer to do a series of interviews and introduce the children to the final top candidate(s). A common mistake that parents make is feeling that they need to see a large number of nannies to make sure they have made the right choice. If you are working with a good agency that understands your unique position they should be sending you a select number of candidates who are qualified and perfectly fit your individual needs. Don’t make the mistake of not recognizing the right candidate when you meet them. Many parents will interview a number of candidates only to realize that the first nanny they met was actually the best fit. Unfortunately, by the time you realize it she may have already accepted another position. When you do find the right nanny move ahead with the hiring process as quickly as possible so that you can begin creating a good long-term relationship with your new nanny.
Katie Vaughan is the founder and CEO of Westside Nannies. Westside Nannies, www.WestSideNannies.com, is now the fastest growing nanny agency in Los Angeles and was recently listed as one of the top five agencies in Southern California. Westside Nannies has consulted for and has been featured on Inside Edition, MTV, The Insider, Entertainment Tonight, and inTouch Magazine.
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