Tuesday, 5 August 2014

What to expect from a Nanny Agency-For the Nannies


It is important to consider what a nanny agency can do for you when considering your options in San DIego.  We have found over the years that the perception of what a agency can provide is not quite in line with what we actually do and defining that for the nannies that work with us is extremely important for the relationship to flourish.  
 

                                                                    
When nannies come in to meet with our agency we define what they can expect from us.  We establish the expectations for the type of relationship Crunch Care would like to have with them over the years and how we can be a supportive partner in their professional career. 

Below find the key things you should expect from the nanny agency that you work with in San Diego. 

1.    The Role of the Agency-Make sure you understand what their role is in your placement.  How does this agency work? For long term placements do they support you through the process and are they the primary contact?  For shorter term placements are they are your main contact and should you communicate all changes and details of the position to them?  What is the best form of communication?  Make sure you are clear on the role they provide and make sure you discuss with them how frequently you should be checking in with them when you are looking for work.  Following their direction in these steps can ensure that they are making sure you are on the top of the list when it comes to working with their clients.  Communication is key and understands the relationship is important.  We have worked with many nannies for almost 10 years because they are great communicators.  The nannies that make the most of communicating and working on their relationship with us are the nannies we are able to work with throughout their careers.
2.    Communication Tactics-Understand that any nanny agency you work with for both long and short term placement should communicate ALL the details of your position with you in an upfront manner.  Every detail regarding should be clear.  Make sure the agency provides you with all client contact information and that yojob duties and expectation of the employee/employer relationship u feel totally comfortable with the job at hand feeling fully represented by the agency. 
3.    Ongoing Support and Guidance-Communicate any issues pertaining to your placement.  Whether it is a one day placement or a 5 year position try to communicate with the client family when appropriate and always refer to the agency for additional support and advice.  The best nannies we have worked with over the years talk to us about things going on in the workplace and we help guide the process for both the nanny and the client family.  We essentially act as a mediator that makes sure each parties needs fairly get addressed.  We also act as the expert across the board sharing information about how other families handle similar situations and best practices. 
4.    Transition Support-It is important to communicate with the agency you work with so that they can provide transition support if you are making a change from a current position.  In an ideal world your agency should be your partner and help you communicate to the family the best time to start interview for a new position and how best to maximize interviews and the existing relationship you have with your employer.  
5.    Resume and Interview Guidance-This is an extremely important category.  Since the agency is the expert at helping candidates find jobs you should heavily rely on them for guidance in the overall presentation of your professional self.  They should suggest revisions needed to your resume for clarity and they should provide a lot of coaching and preparation on best practices when interviewing with each individual family.  Looking for support and education on additional documentation that may be necessary is a key. 
6.    Training and Resources-Last, look to your agency as your partner in finding the most up to date training classes and certifications.  Read their publications and articles to stay aware of what is happening in the kid community. 

Making the most of your San Diego Nanny Agency is the key to having a successful relationship with both your employers and the agency supporting the process.  For further insight on career counseling services provided by Crunch Care contact our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/crunchcare.

Thursday, 10 July 2014

Benefits of Working with a Nanny Agency





Why should a parent choose to work with a nanny agency rather than finding a nanny on their own?  Surely you as the parent would have better insight into who would be a good nanny for your children, right?  Of course you are right!  No one else is in a better position to determine what is best for your child.  That said, following are a few of the beneficial reasons parents would choose to work with a nanny agency:

Time

This is easily one of the top reasons clients site for working with a nanny agency.  Looking for a nanny can be extremely time consuming, not to mention overwhelming.  In order to conduct a proper nanny search, among other things, one must take the time to review resumes and applications, conduct phone and in-person interviews, as well as checking references.   An in-person interview alone takes at least an hour, and if you are doing a thorough search you are looking at talking to a minimum of three candidates.

A nanny agency will do all of the preliminary work for you, ensuring that the nannies that you interview have been pre-screened and are the best possible candidates for your position.

Expertise

Easily another one of the top reasons clients site for working with a nanny agency is the expertise that comes along with working with an agency.  Knowing where to look, what to look for, and what questions to ask are only a few things that a nanny agency will bring to the table.  Further, a good agency is not only going to be an expert in helping you find the right nanny, but can be a valuable resource in helping a family retain their nanny.  Families and nannies alike should be comfortable reaching out to their agency to get counsel on how to handle any issues that may arise, or to consult on any changes that the family may be going through (i.e. what to do with your nanny as the children get older).

Third Party Perspective

Finally, when making major decisions it can be helpful to have a third party perspective.  Someone who has relevant experience can be invaluable when you are deciding exactly what the position will call for, and what kind of nanny you are looking for.  Many families also find it extremely helpful to discuss the nannies that they have interviewed with the nanny agency so that they can compare notes.

In conclusion, using a nanny agency will save you precious time as they have the expertise to help you define your position and recruit appropriate candidates while offering an outside perspective.  As a nanny agency in Orange County, we at Crunch Care want to ensure that our clients don’t have to spend their time weeding thorough hundreds of candidates.  We want to help our families navigate through not just the search and hiring process, but also be a resource for them years down the line as their circumstances change.  To find out more about how Crunch Care can help find the right nanny for your family, please give us a call today at (877) 553-4231!