What is a nanny?

A nanny is an in-home childcare professional whose primary responsibility is the care and well-being of the employer’s children.

What does a nanny do?

The primary responsibility of a nanny is to provide a safe environment for the children, addressing their physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs. A nanny plans age-appropriate activities, outings, and play dates for the children. A nanny often acts as an assistant to the parents by providing transportation and carpooling needs, assisting with homework, preparing nutritious meals and snacks, and keeping a clean and neat environment in the home through light, generally child-related household chores. A nanny must maintain an open and positive line of communication with the parents at all times.

What types of positions are available?

Nannies can be hired to work full time or part time, either residing in the family’s home or returning each day. Other positions include summer-only nannies, who work only during school summer vacations, or temporarily, which might include occasional sitting, overnight care or for special events such as weddings or corporate events.

What qualifications are needed?

Most importantly, a nanny must enjoy working with children and possess a caring, loving and nurturing demeanor. In working with children, a nanny must maintain a mature and enthusiastic outlook, serving as a positive role model. As schedules often change in households with children, nannies must be flexible and keep a positive attitude. A thorough knowledge of first aid, CPR and effective safety measures is also required.

Candidates seeking permanent employment are required to make a minimum one-year commitment. Those seeking temporary employment are required to be available on a regular basis for no less than four months.

What are competitive salary and benefit packages in the Richmond metropolitan area?

Competitive compensation varies upon a nanny’s experience, the duties involved and number of hours required by the position. Typically, summer nannies earn $9 to $11 an hour, while part-time nannies earn $10 to $13 an hour. Generally, full-time nannies working 35+ hours a week earn $400 to $600+ per week. Most live-in nannies earn less per week as the families are providing room and board. Families offer a variety of employment benefits including paid vacation, holidays, sick and/or personal days. Other benefits might include paid (or partially paid) health insurance, mileage reimbursement and add-on membership to local health/recreation clubs or museums. The majority of these benefits are more frequently offered to permanent, full-time nannies.

What is the employment process?

We engage in an on-going recruiting program for qualified nannies. All nannies complete a detailed application and are personally interviewed and screened by a Family Solutions representative. After the interview, childcare, character and employment references are checked and verified. Background checks are started and a profile of the nanny candidate is completed.

Background checks performed by Family Solutions on each nanny candidate include a social security confirmation and trace that identifies previous addresses. Other searches include criminal background, driving records, credit checks, and a search of the Virginia Department of Social Services Central Registry for founded child abuse and neglect. Families will occasionally request additional background checks prior to employment of a nanny.

What fees does the nanny applicant pay?

There are no fees for nanny applicants that apply to Family Solutions. We order and pay for all background checks.

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• We value your time and will not send you out on interviews with families that don’t meet your needs.
  
  
• We are always available. During the search and hiring process, we are available to answer questions and offer guidelines in negotiating terms and contracts.
  
  
• We have a successful track record. Since 1999, Family Solutions has been successfully placing nannies and other caregivers. Many of our clients locate us through families who have had a great experience in working with us.
  
  
• We are local, which allows us to meet face to face with you during the application and interview process, while learning about your unique qualifications and style. This enhances our ability to find the perfect family and position for you. We are involved in the community, including the local nanny network, The Nanny Network of Richmond. We encourage all nannies to join this group of professional childcare providers.
  
  

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Our nanny process begins by completing the Nanny Application online or by downloading the PDF form then faxing or mailing it back to Family Solutions. Our fax number is 804-741-3488 and the mailing address is P.O. Box 29535, Richmond, VA 23242. A Family Solutions representative will contact you during normal business hours.

To complete our online Nanny Application form, click here. To download the application in PDF form, which can be completed and returned by fax or mail, click here. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, click here to download it for free.

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