If you’ve decided that hiring a nanny will offer the best childcare solution for you and your family, you’ll be wondering how best to find the professional you need.
But it can be hard to know where even to start finding someone to work with your household. So your thoughts may well be turning to finding an agency which can source a reliable employee much more quickly than you could yourself.
The right agency will provide support and guidance for both nannies and families, helping guarantee the success and longevity of the working relationship.
And, of course, nothing less than the well-being and happiness of your children are at stake.
But, in turn, it can be hard to know where to begin selecting the agency you feel is best placed to provide you with your perfect Mary Poppins.
After all, there are so many to choose from. And word of mouth only works if you know someone who has found an agency they’re happy with.
Yet choosing the right organisation guarantees the best and safest experience all round, so it’s a key decision.
Some things will be obvious. If you’re clear that you want a French-speaking nanny, for example, whatever the reason, you can narrow down the hunt by confining yourself to agencies specialising in these childcare professionals.
But, even then, ask lots of questions.
- Do the agency staff as well as their nannies speak French?
- Will the latter speak it all the time in your home?
- What support will they give your children in terms of language learning?
- Are all staff native speakers?
- What importance do they really place on the linguistic side of things?
Here are some more general pointers to look for:
Transparency
Look for clear, accessible information about fees, terms and conditions and similar relevant policies. Fees should be clearly displayed on the agency’s website, and terms and conditions well defined, clarifying expectations from the outset.
Contact Information
There should be an up-to-date phone number and business address online, not just an email or contact form. You need to be able to speak directly to your prospective agency.
Professional Memberships
These denote the agency follows best practices and industry standards. Memberships you could ask about include the Federation of Small Businesses and the Association of Nanny Agencies (ANA) and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.
Information Commissioner’s Office Registration
Most agencies handle personal information, so ask about registration with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This shows compliance with UK data protection laws and indicates commitment to the protection of potentially sensitive information.
Favourable Reviews
As when choosing any other service, look for positive testimonials from both nannies and families who have used the agency. Look for consistently positive feedback on professionalism, reliability and service quality.
For additional peace of mind, you could always ask to speak direct to former (or current) clients and nannies.
Breadth and Length of Services
How many years has your prospective agency spent in the industry?
Does what they offer extend beyond just supplying nannies?
And do they offer a range of solutions including live-in, full and part-time, after-school options and more?
Summing Up
Finally, go with your gut and whether you instinctively feel comfortable with the agency you’ve been speaking to.
About French Nanny London
French Nanny London are the UK’s leading French nanny agency. With our bilingual team committed to providing the best service and creating a happy environment for your family, we meet all the criteria outline above and more. We have ICO registration and are set to join ANA.
Established in 2012, we were in fact the UK’s first French nanny agency and provide professional, tailored services for those who want French or multilingual childcare. We’re all about making family life easier and less stressful. We bring a personal approach to everything we do, and make sure that we understand exactly what you need before we do anything else.
So we’d love to help with your nanny search. Get in touch today to find out more.
