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In Search of Nanny, Inc. refers caregivers to rewarding and
challenging positions where their professionalism and experience is matched
to the needs of busy families. The vast majority of parents who work with In
Search of Nanny, Inc. are professionals who have chosen in-home care
for their children for many reasons. Utmost in their minds is the fact that
their children will receive one-on-one quality care. Consistency and stability
for their children, as well as the reduction of stress in their own lives are
also key factors in choosing in-home care.
We are unique because In Search of Nanny, Inc. considers both the prospective employer and the Nanny applicant to be our clients. We listen to your requirements and work with you to find the best possible position. Unlike other services, we don’t waste your time with endless phone calls from families that don’t meet your requirements. Instead, we discuss the details of every position with you, and you decide if you want to interview for the position before any phone calls are made. Because of our respectful and careful service, providers often refer their qualified friends for placement, and come back to us again and again when looking for other positions. As a full service agency referring full or part-time, live-in or out, permanent or temporary providers, we can provide the same personalized service as your needs, availability and circumstances change.
We spend time working with both family employers and applicants during each step of the process. Our applicants have repeatedly told us that we are different from other agencies. We are available to assist, explain, or answer questions through your initial orientation, family interviews, the negotiation of a clearly defined work agreement, and throughout your employment. Applicants that work with In Search of Nanny, Inc. are confident that job expectations or requirements will not change, and that the Agency maintains a copy of their signed agreement if questions arise.
We believe that for the placement to be successful, lifestyle, personality and child rearing philosophy between employer and Nanny must be consistent and comfortable. To accomplish this, an Agency representative personally meets all client families searching for permanent childcare in the Agency office. This assures our applicants that our positions are clearly defined, and that we only refer our applicants to positions that meet their specific requirements, i.e. salary, benefits, number or ages of children, location, working hours, etc.
We believe that the most important component of a successful Nanny placement is a mutual understanding of the expected responsibilities of the Nanny by both parties. Communication between Family and Nanny is critical to success. In Search of Nanny, Inc. has published the “In-Home Childcare Kit, A Parent’s Guide for Successfully Employing (and Keeping) a Professional Nanny”. It includes The Family Information Guide (revised 2004) which provides assistance in the definition and understanding of the working relationship between Family and Nanny. You will read the Guide when you come to our office for a personal interview, or we will send it to you after a phone interview. Every family you will interview has also read the Guide.
A primary goal of the Agency is to "professionalize" the in-home childcare profession; to ensure that all Nannies we refer will receive:
· Fair Terms of Employment
· Competitive wages at the high end of the pay scale
· Job Benefits and Incentives
· Professional Respect and Support
In Search of Nanny, Inc. is a member of the International Nanny Association, the National Association of Nannies, the Boston Area Nannies and a founding member of the Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies.
In Search of Nanny, Inc. takes great pride in providing families with high quality childcare. We work to ensure that our Nannies have the opportunity to select responsible positions where they can experience different lifestyles, supplement or continue their educational background, and have access to the cultural, scenic and other benefits that living in the Boston area provides.
The process of finding a suitable position takes approximately two (2) to ten
(10) weeks. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application to us as
soon as possible. Often, if you are readily available to work, we are able to
refer you to temporary positions to provide you with income while you search
for the “right” opportunity. You can complete your application on-line
(preferred) or ask us to mail an application to you.
In Search of Nanny, Inc. will work to introduce and to provide for interviews
between as many compatible applicants and potential employers as, in the opinion
of the Agency seem appropriate.
Often providers have a preference for the number or the ages of children, or location of the position. Families' preference about a potential applicant might include age, education, or experience caring for children of a particular age.
When an applicant has been accepted by In Search of Nanny, Inc. he/she can feel confident that there is an excellent chance of finding a satisfactory position. If, during the interviewing process, the Agency becomes aware of any reason why the applicant is not appropriate, we reserve the right to remove the applicant from the process.
If the applicant is a live-in candidate and lives outside of the local area, the Agency will conduct an interview (usually via phone) with the applicant and then send a copy of The Family Information Guide. The Guide provides the Agency's philosophy and suggestions for both parents and applicants in negotiating a workable arrangement, and is read by all our clients and applicants before starting the interviewing process. The Agency will then arrange for telephone interviews between prospective families and applicants. If you are coming from a distance, families will often want to conduct a personal interview and will sometimes pay for the applicant's transportation to the area for that purpose.
If the Nanny is a live-out applicant, or a live-in applicant who lives in the local area, we schedule a personal interview and then conduct the Agency screening process. If acceptable to us, the applicant will then be referred to our client families.
Because we facilitate and arrange numerous interviews for the Family and the Nanny, both parties have the opportunity and the responsibility of making an appropriate choice. We will assist the Nanny in choosing a position, however, we will never exert pressure on either party.
If, after interviewing an applicant, the Family is interested in making an offer, and the Nanny is interested in accepting it, the Agency strongly recommends a "Trial Period" for up to a week. The Nanny spends the time during the "trial" working in the potential employer's home before any commitment is made by either party. During this time, the Nanny receives the expected normal weekly wage.
The "Trial" gives both the Family and the Nanny the opportunity to evaluate each other more closely. During this week you will confirm the details (working hours, pay, duties, responsibilities, benefits, etc.) of the position which will be clearly defined in a written agreement if an offer of employment is made by the Family and accepted by the Nanny at the end of the "Trial." The Agency keeps a copy of the agreement on file. This provides a sense of security for the Nanny, that both the financial arrangements and responsibilities are documented in writing.
The Family employer then pays a referral fee to the Agency. The fee is based on the number of hours per week that you work and the length of the employment commitment. Normally, parents looking for full-time care look for a one-year commitment from a Nanny. Many would like a Nanny who would consider renegotiating another agreement at the end of the initial year.
However, as a full service agency, we do have full-time positions that require shorter than one-year commitments. Many of our part-time opportunities look for a commitment, but due to the nature of part-time employment, many families will consider commitments from 5 to 9 months. It is important that you think about the commitment you can make to a family employer, and that you honor the commitment, once you are employed.
In Search of Nanny, Inc. requires all Nannies to be CPR and First Aid certified. The CPR course should include training in Infant/Child CPR. The costs of the courses vary, and are the responsibility of the Nanny, although some families are willing to reimburse you for the expense.
Courses are often held at local hospitals, YMCAs and Red Cross Chapters. Although
we aim to have all Nannies trained before placement, this is often not possible
due to interviewing schedules and "trial periods." If you are not
certified before you begin employment, you will be required to take courses
within the first two months of employment. If you are already certified and
the certification is current, please give us a copy of your cards at your personal
interview.
In Search of Nanny, Inc. is dedicated to creating, to the best of its ability, a safe and successful working experience for our Nannies. The Agency helps the Nannies arrange and coordinate group activities such as play groups during working hours. Lists of recently placed nannies are frequently distributed to promote communication and new friendships. Information regarding conferences and events related to the in-home childcare profession are distributed to Nannies placed through the Agency. We are available to provide any assistance or answer any questions during your employment.
Because In Search of Nanny, Inc. is a full service agency
which refers full and part-time, live-in or out, permanent or temporary caregivers,
and a "Nanny Sitting Service", we are able to find the most appropriate
position for you.
You will have the opportunity for lengthy and detailed interviews by phone with families that meet your profile of the ideal position. Certainly, the number of children, the ages of the children, and salary requirements are all important factors, but lifestyle, child rearing philosophy, and personality are also very important.
We personally interview all our client families and will be able to explain the position and requirements in great detail prior to your conducting a phone interview with a potential employer. Sometimes, after an initial phone interview with a full-time applicant, parents will pay for the round-trip expense for you to come to the area for a personal interview. At times, applicants decide to come to the Boston area to interview with a number of families after initial phone interviews. This would be at your expense.
We will gladly assist you in negotiating a work agreement, which includes both
realistic job requirements and excellent salary and benefits.
In Search of Nanny, Inc.
Phone: 978.921.1735
Fax: 978.921.5049
Email: info@InSearchofNanny.com
© In Search of Nanny, Inc. 2007