The Truth About Bad Reviews of Nanny Agencies

By Michelle LaRowe

When I took my first nanny job as a college student, I had no idea it would turn into a lifelong calling. Back then, I thought I was just picking up part-time work to help pay for my chemistry degree. But the moment I stepped into that home, caring for a set of newborn twins, I knew: this wasn’t babysitting. This was something deeper, more meaningful — a profession that would shape my life.

In the years since, I’ve worn almost every hat in the nanny world: caregiver, educator, author, agency director, industry advocate. I’ve helped raise other people’s children, built support networks for nannies, championed fair wages, launched the first U.S.-based CACHE/NCFE accredited nanny training program, and now, as managing partner of Morningside Nannies, I run one of Houston’s leading nanny agencies.

And here’s what I’ve learned along the way: bad reviews aren’t always bad news.

In fact, when you work in an industry like ours — where your job is to uphold high standards — negative reviews often come with the territory.

Most of the bad reviews we receive at Morningside Nannies fall into two camps:

1️⃣ Nannies we can’t represent.
We set clear, consistent criteria for all applicants. We require at least two years of documented childcare experience under the supervision of another (not just parenting or occasional babysitting). We do background checks, check references, and expect professionalism. We explain all of this upfront. But when someone doesn’t meet the bar, it stings — and sometimes that disappointment shows up online.

2️⃣ Families we can’t accommodate.
We also hold firm with families. That means saying no when clients want to pay under the table, offer substandard wages, avoid benefits, demand around-the-clock availability, or make discriminatory requests. It’s not always an easy conversation, but upholding ethical and legal standards is non-negotiable.

Do some people push back? Of course. Do some of them leave scathing reviews? Absolutely. But here’s the truth: rejection, when handled fairly and consistently, is part of maintaining trust — and part of doing this work well.

I’ve been in this field for more than 30 years. I’ve seen the power of high-quality nanny care to transform lives — and I’ve seen what happens when standards are ignored. At Morningside Nannies, we work hard to help families find exceptional caregivers and help nannies find the right fit. We’re not perfect, but when we make a mistake, we make it right.

So the next time you read a bad review of a nanny agency, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: is this about poor service — or is it about an agency refusing to lower its standards?

In my experience, agencies that never get bad reviews probably aren’t holding the line. And in the world of childcare — where what’s at stake is nothing less than the wellbeing of children — I’ll take a few one-star reviews if it means doing what’s right.