Hello! I am right now very busy working on the Los Angeles Nanny School. Never heard of it, you say? Well you will. Along with 2 partners, Helen Moon and Ann Marie Limon, we are going to be opening The LA Nanny School, which will incorporate training nannies as well as offering parenting workshops and much more. So watch this space. In the meantime, please enjoy the article written by Andrea from the Help Company! - Nanny Stella

At a local restaurant the other day, while the wait staff was bustling about and I was busy gazing at my new baby nephew, I started to wonder who would care for him once my brother and his wife go back to work. Both teachers, they are hoping to find a great nanny to help out during the school year. However, who will be good enough? As a former nanny and current household staffing agent, I've been put on the lookout. From my perspective, here is what you need to consider when conducting a nanny search.

Regardless of whether you use an agency or do a search on your own, you first need to allow enough time to find the right person for your particular position. On average, I interview 30-40 people a week but only find 3-4 candidates that are qualified enough to be sent out to families. Each of these candidates have specific needs and wants, which makes finding the right fit a challenge.

When I talk with a new client on the phone, some of the first things that I ask are: (1) what items are on their nanny wish list; (2) the duties expected; (3) the routine for playtimes, mealtimes, naptimes, etc.; (4) the temperament of their child; and (5) how flexible/rigid are their coverage needs. Young children can't always speak for themselves, so these are some of the questions to think about to ensure that you find your child's perfect nanny match.

The next part of the equation is salary. These days, a nanny who has at least 3 years of experience, drives, and who will be able to read, write, and speak English will most likely be making at least $15 an hour. You can get lucky and find someone for less, but the majority of nannies with strong references and at least one long-term commitment to a family will command that price. Look at it this way - spending a dollar or two more an hour than anticipated could open the door to a nanny candidate who has a couple more years of experience under his her belt and more checkable references. Trust me, that extra peace of mind will be worth the money in the long run.

Once you've narrowed your search down to the person that you and your child best respond to, have them do a trial. Really test their abilities - see how they play with your kids, see how they clean the bottles and pacifiers, watch them put the dishes in the dishwasher or organize the playroom at the end of the day. Make sure that they know what will be expected of them. A good nanny parent relationship is nothing without open communication - it makes for a happier, longer-lasting union.

If you use an agency to find the right nanny, it is imperative to ask questions of them as well: How long have they been in business? Where do they find their candidates? How do they screen? Ask if they can provide references from satisfied clients. When I have a new client on the phone, I want to spend as much time talking with them about their needs as possible. Aside from visiting their home and actually interacting with their kids, that initial conversation will be all I have to go on to begin my search for their ideal candidate. If communication with an agency feels mechanical and devoid of any real interpersonal connection to you, it is usually a telling sign of how the agency interacts with their candidates as well. Trust your gut. And above all else, make sure that the agency has met these people in person, checked all references, has done a thorough background check through a reputable service, and guarantees their placements for a specified amount of time - before you hire anyone! A new agency can pop up at any time without any real knowledge of how to identify a "real nanny".

In the end, a great childcare provider is not born, but created over time and refined by each family that they have cared for. Allow yourself enough time and resources to find that special person for you."