What makes the Williamsburg Nanny Agency stand apart from other nanny agencies?

Our professional and caring approach to finding a nanny makes us the leading agency in the area. We are committed to a personal approach which includes meeting with families and nannies face to face to deliver the best possible match for you and your children. Our thorough screening proceedures are unique and your nanny is continually monitored all the time they are in your employment.

What areas do you cover?

We help clients find nannies throughout Hampton Roads and Richmond  including Williamsburg, Newport News, Yorktown, Hampton, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

How long does it take to find a nanny?

We recommend that you allow 4-6 weeks to find a nanny and allow for training time i.e. have the nanny spend some time with you and the children before the required date. This will give you time to set expectations and build a strong relationship with the nanny and your children time to feel comfortable with their nanny.

How do you find your nannies?

We use various mediums to recruit our nannies including the web, local newspapers and through carefully built networks of childcare professionals. We insist that our nannies are legal US residents so we only use US sources.

How much do nannies get paid?

Depending on the responsibilities you want the nanny to have, the number of children requiring care and a nanny's experience, a nanny's hourly rate can vary from $10 to $15 per hour. How much to pay a nanny will also be affected by where you live. For example in Williamsburg the current average hourly rate is $13 per hour. Whereas in Norfolk, the average is closer to $14 to $15 per hour.

Is it expensive to find a nanny?

An agency referral fee is paid to the Williamsburg Nanny Agency to cover the costs of your nanny search. These include advertising, interviewing, checking references, a detailed national background check and drug screen. We also prepare a work agreement for the nanny and family to use. The total referral fee is equal to four week's of the nanny's salary.

What other benefits should I provide?

Generally most full-time nannies receive 1-2 weeks paid vacation per year and paid major holidays but this is negotiated between you and your nanny. Part-time nannies are not required to receive any benefits.

What about taxes and social security? 

A nanny is recognized by the IRS as a household employee and a family must comply with all IRS regulations regarding tax and social security deductions. We recommend a nanny tax service called Breedlove and Associates. Contact them at http://www.breedlove-online.com or call their toll-free number for more advice 888-BREEDLOVE (273-3356). Many of our clients currently use them and speak highly of the service they provide.

Does my nanny need to have childcare training?

Your nanny should have certificates in CPR and First Aid. A child who cannot breathe is just minutes away from death and therefore it is vital that you and your nanny or anyone else who cares for your child be able to perform CPR or the Heimlich maneuver properly. The best place for training is the Red Cross and you can find out more information at www.redcross.org

Who should pay for CPR and First Aid training?

This is something that is negotiable between a nanny and the family that she works for but generally is in a parents best interest to ensure that their nanny takes regular classes. CPR must be updated yearly.

What responsibilities does a nanny normally have?

A nanny's chief responsibility is the care and nurturing of the children she is hired to look after which can include dressing, feeding, diaper changing, potty training, nutritious meal preparation, bathing, age-appropriate play and activities, transporting children to activities, local parks, schools/pre-school, maintaining tidy and clean play and sleep areas for the children.

Occasionally the nanny will help with children's laundry and even help prepare the family evening meal but it should be noted that a nanny should not be responsible for housekeeping unless the family come to a special payment arrangement e.g. the nanny stays after her allocated work time to clean.

What is the difference between a nanny and an Au Pair

A Nanny is professional child care expert who has committed themselves to being a career nanny. They have invested their time studying for certificates in childcare, development, CPR, First Aid, SIDS etc. can either live-in with the family whose children they care for or live out on a full time or part time basis.

An Au Pair is usually from another country and on average several years younger than a professional nanny. They do not always have childcare experience and often become Au Pairs for the cultural experience of living in a difference country. They earn minimum wage around $150-$180 per week. Families are required to pay a finders fee of $7500, living expenses, health care and a $500 towards education. Families often provide the use of a car.

If you have more questions you would like answered on this page please contact us and we will answer promptly.

Where can I get CPR and First Aid trained 

There are many places offering CPR and First Aid training including the Red Cross and YMCA. In the local area i.e. Williamsburg, Yorktown and Newport News we recommend you use Rhoda Fingar - a professional trainer who understands the specific needs of a nanny. Many of our nannies have been trained by Rhonda. Her website is www.rhondafingar.com