How to find a nanny: Try these 9 overlooked places to find a good nanny

Your busy life demands support. This is where a good nanny comes in: a reliable, caring child care provider who you can count on to also manage your home (though you may need a housekeeper or house manager).

Emma’s quick take on how to find a nanny

The best nanny for your family is one who is loving, responsible and with whom you have a good, working, professional relationship. Clear communication of what he or she is expected to do, as well as competitive compensation and a respectful working relationship can mean an incredible asset to your family — one that can result in quality care for your kids, and peace of mind for you while you work and have a personal life.

But where can you find a good nanny? This post shares nine ways to find a nanny:

1. Ask people you know
2. Craigslist
3. Local colleges
4. Ask a doula
5. Care.com
6. Facebook Groups
7. Neighborhood apps
8. Local community resources
9. Nanny agencies

And how to find the best nanny for a fair price.

9 places to find “nanny services near me”

Finding the right nanny for your family can change your life — and the right nanny can make it better! Here are some places to find a nanny near you:

1. Ask people you know. 

Start with your network. Word of mouth is a powerful tool among those you trust. You can ask family members, co-workers, friends — anyone whose judgment you can count on. Plus, even if they don’t have immediate recommendations, your needs will be on their radar.

2. Craigslist.org. 

With classified sites like Craigslist, you’ll find area-specific ads for nannies. You can also post an advertisement to find a nanny. While combing through the ads can be time-consuming, you might find a diamond if you are patient.

Just be careful not to provide your personal data, as some users are not reputable. Create a separate email account, Google Voice number or an account like Text Free or WhatsApp to communicate.

3. Contact local colleges.

Colleges and universities are great places to find students looking to provide babysitting or nanny services. Inquire about physical job boards at school as well as access to virtual job boards.

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4. Ask a doula.

Doulas often provide care for mothers throughout the birthing process and after. Some, referred to as “night nannies,” offer postpartum help for new mothers and the family, especially at night. If not, they often belong to a network of caregivers and are a great resource for leads on nannies.

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5. Sign up for Care.com.

You can find a nanny by creating a free basic account at Care.com, an A+ BBB-rated site that connects screened caregivers to those who need them most. Peruse the options for child care and get a curated list of background-checked nannies in your community. Also, you can post a nanny job.

If you want to communicate with nannies, see full profiles or purchase an enhanced background check via Care.com, you will need a premium membership. This resource is valuable because you can see what nannies share about their background and experience as well as read nanny reviews from moms just like you. Check out our Care.com review and get 20% off premium memberships with code JOINCARE20.

You can also always run your own background check. TruthFinder is our No. 1 recommendation because of its A+ BBB rating.

Care.com is also a place where you can find elder care, housekeeping, pet sitters / dog walkers and other household help.

The basic Care.com membership is free. The free (basic) membership allows you to:

• Search for available nannies in your area
• View nanny profiles and reviews
• View any certifications (like CPR or First Aid training)
• Post a nanny job
• Receive applications
• Access site tools like hiring guides and rate calculators

While it’s a good way to get a feel for available nannies and interest in your nanny job, you can’t message respondents or view submitted applications to your nanny job posting. Getting a premium membership gives you full access.

With a premium membership, you can:

• Send and receive messages from potential nannies
• Contact caregivers directly
• Schedule interviews
• View applications/respond to applicants
• Request enhanced background checks for an additional fee
• Unlock savings on HomePay tax service and LifeMart, a discount shopping site

These extra resources are valuable because you can learn much more about someone before you hire them.

You can also select a paid, premium membership. There are three options: Monthly, Quarterly or Annual (12 months). 

• Monthly: $38.95 per month.
• Quarterly: $24.95/month
• Annual: $12.95 per month

Get 20% off premium Care.com memberships with code JOINCARE20.

6. Join a Facebook group.

If you are on Facebook, you can join groups to help you find the right nanny for your family. In the Facebook Groups search tool, use terms that include the word nanny and your geographic area. For example, “Houston nannies” or “Cook County nannies.” The results will show groups with that subject matter. Join the group so that you can connect and get information on where to find nannies.

7. Use an app.

Try a neighborhood app to find a nanny. It’s a convenient way to look, especially since we spend so much time on our smartphones these days.

Here are a few to consider:

• Nextdoor: You can sign up for free and search for nannies in your neighborhood by posting a message or searching posts. There you can find nannies looking for work and reach out to them via comments or through Nextdoor messaging.
• UrbanSitter: Get started with a free account and look for screened nannies. This iOS/iPadOS 13.0-compatible app allows you to find, interview, hire and pay your nanny. Responses often come from nannies and babysitters in minutes.

There are more options out there, but these are a great starting point because you can sign up for free to get started and add on services later.

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8. Tap into your community.

Check out your local resources for help in finding a nanny. Community centers, parent-teacher associations, homeowner associations, civic groups, schools, fraternities/sororities, lodges and even local businesses can be helpful in your search.

9. Go through reputable nanny agency.

You can always go straight to the source of registered nannies in your area by contacting an agency. However, using these services can cost from 15-20% of the nanny’s annual income, plus a setup fee. Some require a flat fee upfront.

In trade, you save time by letting the agency do the work of matching you with the best person for the job based on your input. To find a reputable nanny agency, start with organizations like International Nanny Association (INA) or Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA).

Hiring a nanny? 5 frequently asked questions

When you are ready to hire a nanny, you may have lots of questions. We’ve addressed the three top questions below. 

1. What is the best site to find a nanny?

We think Care.com is the best site to find a nanny. First, it’s free to sign up for a basic account. And you can do quite a bit with a basic account. Next, you can rest assured that all listed nannies have gone through CareCheck, the site’s background check process. Then, for an upgraded membership fee, you can communicate with the nannies that catch your eye.

Finally, you can pay the nanny through the Care.com's sister site, HomePay.

2. How much do you pay a nanny?

While it will depend on your geographic area, the average nationwide rate is $15 per hour — with rates higher in large cities and affluent communities.

You can expect to pay more when you need help for multiple children, require the nanny to travel, the nanny holds certifications or has extensive experience and credentials. 

3. What is a fair price for a nanny?

Thankfully, using the Care.com calculator gives you an estimate based on where you live. Your final agreed-upon rate will take into account all of the tasks you require the nanny to perform. A fair price is one that you can afford and that compensates the nanny in a salary range that is in sync with the cost of living for your state.

As a reference point, take a look at these average pay rates in select cities:

• Austin, TX: $17.50/hour
• New York, NY: $18.75/hour
• Naples, FL: $14.50/hour
• Phoenix, AZ: $16.00/hour
• Savannah, GA: $12.25/hour
• Trenton, NJ: $14.50/hour

The above rates assume care for one child, full-time. You’ll have to adjust that based on your needs. Try the calculator now to find the average pay rate in your city.

4. How do I find a good nanny?

You may not find the right nanny on the first try. Here are some steps to improve your chances of connecting with your Mary Poppins:

• Get clear about what you are looking for: full- or part-time? Some travel with your family? Housekeeping? Overnights? The more clarity you have now, the better you can hone your search, and communicate with quality candidates about your needs and expectations. 
• Be willing to pay market price, or above, as well as good benefits like health insurance and paid time off. Treat your nanny with respect. Nannies are in-demand professionals who demand good compensation, benefits and work environment — and you get what you pay for. 
• Check references and ask a lot of questions from any recommendations.
• Do a background check.

5. Can I do a trial run with a nanny?

Of course the only way you can truly know if your nanny is a fit for your family is to see him or her in action. Ask prospective hires to babysit a few times (for pay, of course).

Bottom line: Best way to “find a nanny near me”

When looking for a nanny, start with your network before moving on to agencies, apps or websites. And when you are ready to use those tools, ensure they are reputable and use background checks. Take time to prepare interview questions thoughtfully and have a budget for performing your own background check if necessary.