From nanny to Nanny agent- god help me!

RussellChildcare · Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

Hello everyone,
My name is Jennifer and I am about to embark on the experience of a lifetime. After being a nanny for over 13 years I am opening my own nanny agency. I really feel great about it but scared at the same time. Any other nannies out there with the same experience?
I really feel my agency has a chance because of it's great support of it's nannies. Not just for the 3 month gurantee like normal agencies but for the ENTIRE length of employment. ( ps my guarantee is for 7 months )I could really use some feedback from any nannies out there on what they would love in an agency, and also from parents too.
I did survive moving from New York to London, getting married and adapting to the British way of life so maybe this will not be as hard Very Happy

Thanks everyone,
and cheers
Jennifer Russell brand new CEO of Russell Childcare

Raengel · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 149 Location: Hounslow

Good luck!!!

xx

moosh · Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 32

keep in touch with the nannies, even if you have nothing on the books for them, let them know that. by email is free! I dumped several agencies who didnt stay in touch.

francesn · Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 51

Arrange courses, such as 1st Aid or general CPD courses. As moosh said KEEP IN TOUCH - I too get fed up with agencies that don't. Really get to know the nannies and the kind of work they want - there's nothing worse than agencies sending you for interview only to discover that it's before and after school with a 10 year old and an 8 year old when you wanted full time with at least one under 3!

Keep in touch with the nannies once you've placed them too - and be prepared to mediate in things like contract disputes. I can't stand agencies that place you and then when you have a problem about holidays or sick pay the agency saying it's none of their business. Also being prepared to renegotiate contracts if the family's circumstances change (for example if they have another child) because that effectively breaks the old contract and I know a nanny who got into a really tough situation because of that.

Seeing as you've been a nanny I'm probably telling stuff you already know, but hope it helped!

nikita101 · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Location: los angeles

Hi Jennifer
I read the article in the mail!
Well done!
I did it the other way, nanny in the uk and an agency in Los Angeles!
Not sure if you are still reading here
email me and you can pick my brains or vice versa!
Niki