As a nanny, you’re a key piece of the child care puzzle. But finding the right fit in terms of family, pay, location and more can be tricky, which makes knowing where to look all the more important.
“Working as a nanny in a private home is a unique work experience,” says Lora Brawley, owner of Nanny Care Hub in Ocean Shores, Washington. “The environment and employment relationship are both personal and professional, so finding a good match can make the difference between being a happy, fulfilled caregiver excited about the adventure of nannying and being an overwhelmed, stressed caregiver struggling to find joy in the job.”
Want a job that tends toward the happier ideal? Here’s how to find nanny jobs through various sources.
How to find nanny jobs
Find nanny jobs
From word-of-mouth to Facebook groups, here’s how to find nanny jobs — both experienced and new nannies welcome.
1. Online platforms
Online platforms, such as Care, are a great place to get your name and skills out there while covering a lot of ground. You can upload your info in an effort to attract the right family, and at the same time, peruse job openings. Keep in mind, though, in order to interact with families on Care directly, you’re required to complete a background check.
“Online platforms offer a wide range of listings for nanny positions,” notes Kristen Szapka, owner of A Nanny Match in New York City. “Many of these sites allow applicants to search for jobs based on location, compensation and scheduling needs.”
Best for: Nannies who want to cast a wide net. When you upload your information and available services to a platform like Care, you’re likely reaching families you may not have otherwise (and lots of them!).
Considerations: Be prepared to devote some time when going online platform route. “It’s a numbers game,” says Brawley. “When there are a lot of open jobs, you have to invest a lot of time and energy into applying to each one before you find a few good matches.”
Additionally, you’re representing yourself. “Your resume, profile, cover letter, etc. all need to be spot on,” says Brawley, “which, again, will take time.”
2. Nanny agencies
Nanny agencies essentially do the job search for you. Once you register with one, Szapka notes, they work to find you a good fit. “Agencies provide a personalized approach, matching nannies with families who offer competitive pay and benefits,” she says. “They also handle negotiations and contracts, providing security and professional support.”
Keep in mind, though, nanny agencies aren’t free. While each company has their own rules, many take a percentage of what you make.
Best for: Nannies who don’t have time to wade through families, leads and potential jobs. (Note: a good option for busy nannies who are currently working.)
Agencies can also be great for nannies looking for a specific type of position or family. “Agencies often specialize in placing one or more specific types of nanny,” explains Brawley. “Some focus on nannies who want to travel heavily, some on those with a degree or strong educational background, some on those who have experience with special needs. Do your research to make sure you’re a good match for an agency!”
Considerations: Not all agencies are created equal. “Some offer outstanding service and representation to caregivers, and others fail to adequately support or advocate for nannies,” Brawley notes. “Don’t be afraid to interview an agency before registering with them to ensure you’re working with one that matches your needs.”
Additionally, agencies often work with experienced nannies, so it may not be the best option if you’re first starting out.
3. Personal referrals
Personal recommendations can be provided between parents, families or child care professionals, explains Szapka, adding that these types of references “carry significant influence.”
“Word of mouth is one the best ways to find a job,” agrees Brawley. “Many sought after jobs never even hit the market because the current nanny [who’s leaving] actively searches for potential candidates within their professional networks.”
Best for: Nannies who already have a professional network. In order to hear about job openings that aren’t publicly posted, you need to be “in the know.”
And keep in mind, Brawley notes, when you’re in this position, it’s important not to gatekeep. “Reciprocity plays a key role in networking,” she says. “People are more inclined to help you when you offer genuine help to them.”
Considerations: Again, time is a big factor. “Effective networking demands a genuine investment of time and energy into fostering connections, engaging in communication and nurturing new relationships,” explains Brawley.
Additionally, Szapka adds, “these opportunities may be limited in scope.” In other words: Best not to put all your eggs in this one basket.
4. Colleges and universities
Almost every college and university has a career center for students looking for work. “If you’re a student, you have people dedicated to helping you find a job in your college or university career placement department,” Brawley says. “Meet them personally and let them know your needs so you’re on their radar when an opportunity arises.”
Best for: Students looking to work around their classes schedule, looking for a summer nanny job or looking for paid caregiving work after graduation.
Considerations: Not all college schedules are conducive to full-time nannying. Be sure to find out the schedule of any potential jobs beforehand. Also, consider part-time nanny positions or babysitting jobs.
5. Local parent and nanny social media groups
Social media groups, such as local Facebook babysitting groups, can be a good way to make community inroads and connect with families looking for child care. These can be particularly valuable, Szapka notes, “for nannies looking for work in specific neighborhoods or communities.”
However, while many of these groups are private, as everyone knows, social media can be a bit like the Wild West, so the group can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of legitimacy, pay and more.
Best for: Nannies looking to cover a lot of (local) ground, as well as nannies who don’t want to spend money to find a job.
Considerations: Again, you need to have the time. “Social media groups are free to post in so they tend to have huge membership numbers so, similar to online platforms, it’s a numbers game,” Brawley says. “Develop a streamlined process for tracking and applying for jobs to save time and increase efficiency.”
6. LinkedIn
Another of Brawley’s favorite ways to find nanny jobs is LinkedIn, as it “provides you with a comprehensive profile template that highlights your education, experience, skills and recommendations.”
“This is everything you want agencies and potential families to see,” she says, adding that “many families and agencies use LinkedIn to recruit from.”
Best for: Tech(ish)-savvy folks who don’t want to spend money on their job search. “A well written profile with targeted keywords will make you easily discoverable in searches,” notes Brawley.
Considerations: You’ll need to spend some time on the front end, learning the site if you don’t already. Additionally, you should put some time and energy into your profile and resume, as it will be seen by many.
Tips for navigating the job search
Searching for a job can get tedious (not to mention disheartening) at times. In order to streamline the process and hopefully land your ideal gig sooner, consider these tips for both while you’re searching and after you’re hired:
- Craft a standout resume and cover letter.
- Perfect your online profile.
- Nail the interview with these preparation tips.
- Effectively negotiate your terms and conditions.
- Search before and around high-demand seasons like summer (think, April and May) and back to school (start in late June, as well as July and early August) when family child care needs often shift.
Basic precautions and considerations when looking for nanny job
You may want or need a job, but you should never sacrifice safety in your search. Here’s how to stay safe during your nanny job hunt:
- Do a little digging to make sure the online platform or agency you’re using is legit.
- Know the common job scams.
- Always choose a public space during your initial interview.
- Check out these caregiver safety tips for a complete list of precautions to consider.
The bottom line
It takes work to figure out how to find nanny jobs in the best, most efficient way, but knowing where to look and what to expect from each source can give you an edge, and ultimately, Brawley notes, all the hard work is worth it in the end.
