Is that Nanny Agency Legit?
By Michelle LaRowe
Finding the right nanny position can feel overwhelming. Between word-of-mouth referrals, online job boards, social media groups, online recruiting platforms, and a sea of reputable -and not so reputable -nanny agencies, it's not always easy to know which pathway serves your nanny job search best.
Any nanny that has used one know firsthand that a reputable nanny agency can lead you to the best nanny jobs. In addition to connecting nannies with jobs that align with their preferences and strengths, and families that align with their preferred model of care, reputable agencies recruit for legal jobs with fair and competitive wages, demonstrate and advocate for professionalism, educate both parties throughout the search and hiring process, and help create successful, long-term employment relationships.
So how you can tell if a nanny agency is reputable and worth using?
They Don't Charge Nannies Placement Fees
One of the biggest signs of a reputable agency is that it does not charge nannies a fee to find a job.
Professional placement agencies are hired by families to assist with recruiting, screening, and placement. Though no reputable nanny agency can be in business without excellent nannies- and reputable agencies work hard to build relationships with local nannies and the nanny community- the client, the ones who pay for service, is the family—not the nanny.
If an agency requires you to pay a fee to utilize their services, this is a red flag.
They Don't Require Exclusivity
A reputable agency understands that finding the right position is important and often time sensitive. While some may ask you not to list with other agencies for a week or two as a courtesy, most reputable agencies do not require nannies to work exclusively with them or prohibit them from pursuing opportunities elsewhere. Instead, they earn your loyalty by providing excellent service, quality positions, and honest communication.
Until you have accepted a position, you should generally be free to interview with other agencies and employers.
They Have Real Jobs Available
Before completing a lengthy application, take a look at the agency's website.
Ask yourself:
Are current positions posted?
Do the jobs include detailed descriptions?
Are the schedules, locations, and general requirements clearly outlined?
Are new jobs added regularly?
Unfortunately, some companies spend more time collecting nanny applications than they do actively placing candidates. A reputable agency should have legitimate openings and be transparent about the types of positions they are recruiting for.
They Screen Their Nannies
It may seem strange, but one of the best signs of a quality agency is that they don't accept everyone.
Professional agencies invest significant time screening applicants before representing them to families. That screening may include:
Completion of an application
A personalized interview
Employment verification
Professional reference checks
Criminal background checks
Education verification
Driving record checks
Childcare knowledge assessments
Personality or communication evaluations
Social media and internet footprint reviews and more.
While the process may feel thorough—even challenging—it demonstrates that the agency values quality over quantity. And, the more verified information a nanny agency can present about you, the better they can market you for the job and advocate for your desired earning potential.
Remember, if an agency is willing to represent anyone, it diminishes the value of every nanny they represent. If you see reviews from angry nannies who were denied representation, that isn’t always a bad sign.
They Take Time to Get to Know You
The best placement specialists want to understand more than what's on your résumé.
They'll ask about:
Your childcare philosophy
Preferred age groups
Discipline style
Communication preferences
Long-term career goals
Ideal family dynamics
Schedule needs
Household tasks you're comfortable performing
This information helps them make thoughtful matches rather than simply filling jobs as quickly as possible.
They Educate You
A reputable agency helps you grow professionally.
They should be willing to answer questions about:
Employment contracts
Household payroll
Overtime laws
Benefits
Professional expectations
Interview preparation
Resume improvements
Reference checks
Salary negotiations
The goal isn't simply to place you in your next job—it's to help you build a successful career.
They Advocate for Fair and Legal Compensation
Professional agencies understand the local market and educate both families and nannies about competitive wages and legal household employment practices.
While an agency cannot force a family to meet your salary expectations, they should advocate for fair market compensation and ensure families understand that professional nanny positions are W-2 household employee positions that comply with applicable labor laws. In fact, as part of their onboarding process, many require the family to sign off on their understanding of the tax and payroll obligations as a household employer and offer complimentary consultations to reputable nanny tax and payroll providers.
Be cautious of agencies that routinely encourage nannies to accept significantly below-market wages or illegal independent contractor arrangements.
They Communicate Professionally
Communication says a great deal about an agency. Before registering with agency, you should have a clear understanding of their approach to screening and matching, the types of families they consider their ideal clientele and the types of jobs they typically recruit for.
It can also be helpful to note if they advertise membership in industry associations or if they support their local nanny community by sponsoring training days or offering educational opportunities to attract high quality applicants.
Professional agencies:
Explain what to expect during the process.
Return calls, text and emails promptly.
Keep you informed throughout the hiring process.
Let you know when families pass on your profile.
Provide interview feedback whenever possible.
Treat every candidate with courtesy and respect.
You should never feel like you're being left wondering where you stand.
They Have Positive Reviews
Take time to research the agency online. Be sure to look beyond the star rating and read the reviews carefully.
Not every negative review is negative. Are nannies complaining that that the agency was unable to represent them? Are parents complaining that the agency informed them their expectations were not in line with industry standards?
Do families mention successful long-term placements? Do nannies describe feeling respected, supported, and well-prepared? Does the agency respond professionally to concerns or reviews?
A strong reputation is built over years of consistent service—not clever marketing.
They Support the Nanny Industry
One of the strongest indicators of a reputable agency is its commitment to the profession itself.
Look for agencies that belong to professional organizations such as the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) and the International Nanny Association (INA).
APNA members have undergone a peer-review process and agree to uphold professional standards and a code of ethics for nanny agencies. Agencies involved with the INA demonstrate a commitment to continuing education, industry advocacy, and elevating the nanny profession as a whole.
Professional association membership shows that an agency values accountability, collaboration, and excellence—not simply filling jobs. It also shows they have voluntarily committed to association standards for professional conduct.
The best nannies that agencies get typically come from referrals from other nannies. Pay careful attention to what nannies in your community share about their experience with local agencies. This can help you to avoid agencies that may not serve you well.
They Want the Right Match—Not the Fastest Placement
A reputable agency understands that accepting the wrong job benefits no one.
Rather than encouraging you to take the first offer that comes along, they help you evaluate whether a position aligns with your experience, career goals, schedule, compensation needs, and personality.
By the time your objective screening is complete and you are interviewing with families, the real question should be, “is this job the right fit?” While fit seems like an abstract concept in the matching process, it’s not. Fit is a culmination of personal connection, alignment, values, goals and shared worldviews that contribute to that feeling that you’ve found a family that you can seamlessly become an extension of.
And sometimes that means waiting a little longer for the right family.
The best agencies know that successful placements are built on compatibility—not urgency.
Questions Every Nanny Should Ask an Agency
Before working with an agency, consider asking the following questions:
Do you charge nannies any placement fees?
Am I free to work with other agencies?
How do you screen your candidates?
How many families do you currently represent?
What types of positions do you typically place?
How do you support nannies during the interview process and post placement?
What happens if a placement doesn't work out?
Are your families educated about legal household employment?
Are you a member of APNA or the International Nanny Association?
How long have you been placing nannies?
Have you been a nanny or nanny employer?
Do you educate families on fair and legal pay and industry standard benefits?
A reputable agency will welcome these questions and answer them honestly.
The Bottom Line
The best nanny agencies don't simply find applicant jobs. They build lasting relationships, nanny careers and a reputation of doing things right.
They take the time to get to know you, represent you professionally, educate both nannies and families, and work to create placements where everyone thrives.
Remember, you are interviewing an agency just as much as they are interviewing you. Choose one that values your professionalism, respects your experience, and is committed to helping you find not just your next job, but the right job with the right family.
About the Author
Michelle LaRowe is an award-winning nanny industry expert, author, educator, and Executive Director of Morningside Nannies. A former International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year and past Executive Director of the INA, she has spent more than 30 years advocating for professionalism within the in-home childcare industry and helping families and nannies build successful, long-term employment relationships. She is also the lead educator at NannyTraining.com and a mother of five children, three of whom were adopted through foster care.