Nanny Service Agency

Need help around the house? Consider hiring a seasonal nanny if you need someone to supervise your children while you're away, or when your full-time nanny has gone on her vacation. When screening a nanny that you can hire for a set period of time, here are some things you need to go over:

Nanny requirements

Even for seasonal nannies, certain requirements are asked an agency or by a direct employer like you. A seasonal nanny should have experience in childcare--some require at least one year. Recommendations and references are also a good way to verify her experience and good moral character. References could be from former employers or teachers that you can easily contact with their given phone numbers and addresses. A nanny must also have a driver's license and a good driving record in case the nanny needs to pick up and drop the child to school or anywhere as requested. Of course, a good health record will make parents feel more at ease knowing that their child won't be exposed to dangers of having a disease-carrier around the house. Most often, basic CPR and first aid training are required if not preferred. Make sure that the nanny you will hire has no criminal record and has included verifiable personal information in her resume.

What to consider when making the final selection for seasonal nannies

Prepare a set of questions before doing the interview. The questions should first be about her background and any personal information worth sharing such as hobbies, interests, or any plan. Another set of questions should be about her experience in childcare. As much as possible, make the interview a two-way forum. Allow her to ask specific questions about your house rules, and let her know about your expectations. When down to your final list of nannies to hire, set the interview together with your family so you can assess her personality, lifestyle, and abilities as a caregiver or nanny. In the second or third interview, you can negotiate about the salary, hours, and the benefits you can offer.

When hiring a seasonal nanny, be clear about the schedule and time you'll need her services. Make sure that you have agreed on the employment terms before the nanny even starts to work for you.

Generally, an au pair is regarded as a foreigner who helps a family do domestic work. The family then serves as a host, who in return for the au pair's service, offers room and board. The au pair gets the opportunity to learn the local language of her temporary home and many other things about the country. The hiring of au pairs is also a practice in the United States.

Becoming an au pair in the US

Becoming an au pair in the United States requires that the prospective au pair possesses certain qualifications and have documents to prove these. An au pair must be between 18 to 26 years old. She cannot be 27 prior to arrival in the US. She should be fluent in English and, ideally, must not be married. If she is to stay with a family, which has a child below two years old, then she should be able to present documentary evidence of at least 200 hours of childcare experience. Initial qualifications and requirements include a high school diploma or its equivalent, passing of a psychometric test, and at least three non-family references. The au pair should have no criminal record and should agree to be a congenial part of a particular family and therefore will not be allowed to get additional employment in the US.

Au pair services and conditions

As an au pair, responsibility to the family usually includes domestic chores such as cooking, housecleaning, driving and more frequently childcare. The family should at least provide a private bedroom and meals for the au pair. Special dietary requirements, international phone call expenses, and medical insurance are shouldered by the au pair. Airfare to get to the US and the family’s residence is negotiable.

Au pairs are a welcome alternative for families in the US where domestic help and nannies are hard to find and expensive.