Where is the best place to find a great nanny agency? In today's fast-paced world, more families are turning to nanny agencies to help manage the demands of work, home, and childcare. There's so much that goes into caring for a family, and sometimes having an extra set of hands around to help can make your day-to-day significantly easier.
Best Option
Nanny Lane is an online nanny agency that offers a range of different services to help connect families with nannies or other care professionals. This is an option with a mixed payment plan: there are two tiers to join Nanny Lane, which helps you get the most security out of your experience searching for a nanny. Known as a relatively new company in the childcare scene, Nanny Lane is easy to use and has a fantastic roster of nannies to sift through.
Any nanny can join
Nanny Lane doesn't do much vetting on its own: nannies can sign up to join the platform the same way families can. You can do your own background checks and vetting through the Nanny Lane system, so this nanny agency can help out a little. Plus, listings for nannies have highlights for desirable features. Qualifications like CPR, first aid, foreign languages, and meal prep skills are all highlighted on nanny profiles. You can also see what areas of specialty they have, like care for certain age groups, housekeeping, cooking, and more.
Pick from 300+ nannies
To start viewing nannies on Nanny Lane, you'll be asked how often you want a nanny (part-time or full-time), whether you're located in the US or Canada, and the age (or ages) of your child. You'll be asked to make an account, and then you can input your preferred budget (in hourly costs). If you want to jump in and browse before making your account, you can click the "start your search" button on the main page to see the full roster of nannies in your area. For our location, this nanny agency showed 300+ different profiles for potential nannies.
See which nannies have already been background checked
Your personal information is never shared with anyone by Nanny Lane: you give out your own information when you find a nanny that fits your needs. Nanny Lane indicates which nannies have provided a verified background check with a green shield icon (so you know who you can interview without needing an additional background check). All communication is done through Nanny Lane or the agency's mobile app to make sure all of your preliminary discussions are monitored and you won't run into scams.
You pick your price, but plans cost $30 to $60 per month
Nanny Lane lets you choose your budget as you're completing sign-up. You can pick any rate you want (within hourly payment plans). Nanny Lane does provide you with the average rate that nannies charge in your area. For example, in our location, the average cost was $16.42 per hour. However, before you can see any nannies, you'll be asked to choose an Essential or Plus membership. Essential costs $30 per month and includes 5 background checks, unlimited searches and messaging, interviews on Nanny Lane's platform, candidate tracking, and no ads. The Plus plan is $60 per month and includes everything from the Essential plan, and then also offers a personal hiring assistant, more detailed background checks, custom contracts, and a professional payroll service. Just bear in mind that you can't talk to a nanny here unless you've paid for a membership.
Rave reviews for trusted nannies
Nanny Lane has scores so different from one another that we were a little surprised. Bad news first: Nanny Lane holds a dismal "F" rating on the Better Business Bureau. However, this is due to the failure to respond to 7 complaints (which isn't a lot in comparison to other sites in our review). So, we're not sure why Nanny Lane got such a low rating. On the other hand, on other review sites with verified feedback (like Trustpilot), Nanny Lane holds a 4.4-star average rating out of 5. Over 70% of all reviews were a full 5 stars. The feedback shows that customers found the platform extremely easy to use and hired a nanny quickly. This nanny agency is praised for having competent nannies, trusted families, and a crowd-favorite UI.
Top pick: competitive pricing with trusted nannies
Nanny Lane stands out as an easy-to-use platform with tons of options for trusted nannies. While we'd like to see a little lower-cost option for joining and talking to nannies, it is comparable to other nanny agencies that have a similar paywall. With rave reviews from customers who've found perfect-fit nannies for their families, Nanny Lane ranks as the top pick among the agencies on our list.
Very Good
Care is a database-style nanny agency that specializes in connecting you with local caregivers of all kinds. On top of nannies, you can find senior care, adult care, housekeeping, pet care, and tutoring services all in one location. Care is a nanny agency that allows you to join for free or pay for a membership if you want more security and perks for browsing local caregivers.
All nannies get a background check
All nannies and caregivers who are listed on Care have received background checks before being allowed to join. The background check is a criminal check, and then Care continuously runs updated background checks for nannies on the site. This nanny agency keeps up with any possible new reports of criminal activity. If you decide to join as a member, you can see more comprehensive criminal background check results for the nannies you're considering. Care doesn't select the nannies (they sign up on their own), but you can be sure that they're vetted.
100+ options in our local area
Care asks you to fill out a quick questionnaire as you begin your nanny search. You will be asked for your location, how soon you need child care, and whether you want a nanny, a one-time sitter, daycare, or camps to send your child to. Care will also ask you to fill out basic details of your children (only the ages are required). You will need to make an account, too, before you can see the options for nannies. Care shows you options based on your answers, so as a test option, we asked for care on every weekday, from morning until evening, with start times one month away. We also looked at all price ranges at this nanny agency to see the maximum number of nannies. We saw at least 100 nannies in our area with filters for years of experience, professional skills, and languages.
You communicate on a monitored platform
All of the job posts on Care are monitored, and messages between you and your potential nannies will also be held through Care, so if something goes wrong, you can get help directly from Care if something isn't right. Care also provides a 24/7 safety hotline that you or your nanny can use in the event of an emergency. As an extra for easier browsing, this nanny agency promises detailed profiles to help you get an idea of a nanny's education, training, and certifications (like CPR or first aid) and any specializations for infant care, tutoring, and more.
Hourly rates from $16 to $50 per hour
Care allows you to select how much you want to pay. During the initial questionnaire, this nanny agency will offer you a sliding scale to select what level of service you're interested in based on cost. You can pay anywhere from $16 to $50 an hour. So that you know that you're not overpaying, Care also tells you the average cost in your local area: our test area was $18 to $26 an hour for nanny services. You can choose to join a premium membership at Care, which costs $38.95 per month if you choose a monthly payment plan, $24.95 per month if you pay quarterly, and $12.95 per month if you pay annually. This membership is required if you want full use of the platform. On a free account you can browse, or post a job for nannies to find, but you will need to pay in order to actually contact nannies yourself.
Some concerns with customer service
Care has an impressive "A-" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, the ratings are a bit different on third-party review sites. For example, customers who left verified reviews on Trustpilot showed a 2.6-star average rating out of 5. More than 70% of all reviews for Care were just 1 star. In general, families felt that the customer service at Care left something to be desired. There are regular frustrations about chatbots and difficulties getting answers to questions. Now, in recent months, the reviews for Care have gone up, and we saw a majority of reviews for this nanny agency with 5-star ratings in the past few weeks, but there is still some concern about the lack of a personal approach when contacting customer service.
Low costs and helpful search features
Care has a solid platform with plenty of security, so despite lower ratings in the last few years, it's still a competitive choice. Care has also earned more 5-star reviews in recent weeks, showing it might be turning over a new leaf where its customer service issues are concerned. For these reasons, it earns a very competitive rating in our review. It's a good nanny agency for searching for nannies with detailed filters and concrete background checks for everyone on the platform. So, make sure you check Care out if you're in the market for a new nanny.
Good
The Nanny League is an award-winning nanny agency that promises to be in a "league of its own." The Nanny League promises that it matches high-profile families to top nannies with college educations. The company is praised in plenty of publications, including VoyageLA, People, US Weekly, The Bump, Romper, and The New Yorker. The Nanny League is based in California, but offers nanny services across the US.
Tons of requirements for nannies to join
There are lots of requirements that nannies need to fulfill to become members of this nanny agency. The Nanny League looks for individuals with a BA or BS college degree or a minimum of 5+ years of nanny experience. CPR and first-aid certifications are required, individuals must be willing to work for a 1-year minimum commitment, they must have excellent personal references, must not smoke, and must be willing to sign a "no cell phones while driving" guarantee.
The Nanny League chooses your nanny
The Nanny League is another site that works by matching you with your ideal nanny. So, you won't be able to browse a list of existing nannies at this site. The process is promised to be 100% personalized, so that you get the exact kind of care you need. If you don't like your nanny, you can replace your nanny twice for free within the first 90 days to try for a better fit.
Background checks, NDAs, and more
The Nanny League's screening process includes background checks, checks on driving records, and an impressive focus on confidentiality. The agency offers non-disclosure agreements for nannies and families to sign if they want an extra layer of security. Further, The Nanny League partners with Stop the Silence and requires its nannies to be trained through the Stop the Silence method for child abuse prevention and reporting.
Suggested hourly rates of $30 to $35
The salary range for nannies at The Nanny League is picked by you during the sign-up phase. This is going to be based on an annual salary. However, the agency gives ballpark numbers of average costs in hourly rates, so you may need to negotiate with your specific nanny to pick out a price point. In general, this nanny agency says their high-level nannies start between $30 and $35 per hour and go up from there. The Nanny League also takes a one-time fee of 18% of the nanny's annual gross salary. So, you may need to plan for additional expenses on top of whatever price you agree to pay your nanny per year.
Mixed reviews without a lot of verified feedback
The Nanny League does not currently have a page on the Better Business Bureau. It also doesn't have any reviews on trusted third-party review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. While there are some reviews for The Nanny League on Facebook or Glassdoor (ranging between 4.8-star averages and 5-star averages), there are only around 70 total reviews floating around the internet. It seems that The Nanny League is a nanny agency that's so secure it's hard to find. Many of the reviews are from social media (Instagram reviews or blog reviews), which may not be trustworthy as verified, unprompted reviews, regrettably. We found a couple of reviews on Yelp (which had a 4.2-star average for The Nanny League), which showed some mixed opinions between The Nanny League as the "best nanny agency" out there, and reviews that claimed The Nanny League was "dishonest and unprofessional." Oof.
Most privacy-focused agency
If you're looking for a place with top-notch security, nannies with college degrees, and the potential for in-house nondisclosure agreements for added security, The Nanny League is going to be the best bet for you. While we'd like to see more reviews for this service, most of the sites that have reviews show customers who are happy with the nanny services they secured from this agency (outside of Yelp, that is). However, with minimal buzz, we're not as confident (especially with the hourly price hike when compared to other nanny agencies), so The Nanny League earns an above-average rating, but still has some room for improvement.
Good
Nanny Authority is a nanny agency promising the "most caring and dedicated nannies" in the industry. You can find a mix of live-in and live-out nannies, those that offer housekeeping skills or household management, or even career baby nurses. Nanny Authority is a member of the International Nanny Association (I. N. A), and has been rated #1 by the New York Magazine as a top nanny agency. The company was founded back in 1962, making it one of the most established agencies in our review.
Strict guidelines for nannies
Nanny Authority only works with nannies who have a minimum of a high school diploma. The company prefers nannies who have a college degree, however. All nannies must be willing to make a minimum of a 1-year commitment to a family with willingness to relocate, and nannies must have 3+ years of in-home childcare experience or other relevant experience (like a teacher or daycare worker). All nannies at this nanny agency are non-smokers, have a driver's license with a clean record, and a valid US work authorization.
Wait for the agency to match you up
Nanny Authority allows you to submit a family application to start finding nannies. Like a few other sites in our review, this agency doesn't allow you to contact their roster of nannies directly. You have to submit the application and wait 1-2 business days for a reply. You can see a few of the nannies on the website, but they are listed by ID number, and there are no photos or personal details until you connect through the platform. However, we did hear back right away to let us know that we would be hearing from them soon, which was a better turnaround than many of the other submit-and-wait style nanny agencies in our review.
Keeps your info secret until you pick a nanny
Nanny Authority handles the entire matchup for you and your new nanny, so there are no issues with security or scams. With the IDs of the nannies protected until you are matched by the site, you can pick by credentials only. Plus, your details are kept similarly secure until you find a nanny you want to interview at this nanny agency.
Yearly salaries of $55 to $150k
Nanny Authority doesn't have any specific prices listed for nannies. But as the nannies are expected to stay with a family for around a year, this nanny agency makes suggestions for "yearly salary" amounts that you can expect to pay your nanny. Nanny Authority notes that most full-time nannies on their roster expect around $55 to $150k per year. If you're looking for a part-time nanny through this agency, you can expect costs between $25 and $50 an hour instead.
All the feedback is positive
Like a few other nanny agencies in our review, Nanny Authority doesn't have a lot of buzz. There is no page for Nanny Authority on the Better Business Bureau, and we couldn't find any reviews on our normal verified third-party review sites like Trustpilot. The only place we could find reviews from families that used Nanny Authority was Yelp. The nanny agency held a solid 4.8 stars out of 5 on that platform. However, there was only 1 review as of 2025. Before that, the most recent review was in 2023. So, there may not be as many customers who choose Nanny Authority over other nanny agencies. On the other hand, the feedback was fantastic, with customers saying that they found their favorite nannies on Nanny Authority. Plus, there are equally frequent reviews from the nannies themselves saying they love their family placements and trust Nanny Authority to make good matches.
Established nannies and happy customers
While we'd still like to see more buzz for Nanny Authority, it stands out as a competitive choice due to its longstanding reputation and its solid reviews on Yelp. With both happy families and nannies to consider, this is a great place to start if you don't mind waiting for them to reach out to you. We'd like to see a few more modern features (like the ability to browse nannies ourselves or more transparency for costs) at this nanny agency, but overall, Nanny Authority is definitely worth a look, earning an above-average score in our review.
Average
Nanny Poppinz is a nanny agency with a fun play on words for anyone familiar with P.L. Travers' popular story (or the Disney version), Mary Poppins. The company has been around for over 30 years, and is currently offering nanny services in 49 states (folks in Massachusetts are the only ones left out). This nanny agency stands out with the promise of easy and fast nanny searching with no membership fees or lengthy applications.
Fully vetted nannies
All nannies at Nanny Poppinz are vetted through background checks before you get to the interview process. The process is detailed and makes sure that the nannies you see in the listings are 100% trustworthy. Plus, Nanny Poppinz handles it all for you, so by the time you meet up, all you have to do is see if the nanny is right for your family. Nanny Poppinz offers full-time, part-time, and live-in nannies, so no matter how much assistance you need, you've got plenty of options with this nanny agency.
Nanny Poppinz picks for you
Nanny Poppinz allows you to pick from temporary childcare and permanent service options, depending on whether you need a babysitter once in a while or a full-time nanny. Then, you'll need to fill out a quick form including your name and email, and make an account. However, you won't be able to browse nannies on this nanny agency. Instead, you need to wait for Nanny Poppinz to make matches for you. You'll be contacted when it's time to meet a new nanny for an interview.
Agency does a full interview
The background checks at Nanny Poppinz are no joke: the vice-president of Nanny Poppinz is a former Federal agent. You can feel confident knowing that the process for vetting nannies is detailed and secure. The process includes a face-to-face interview, criminal history check, motor vehicle history, and a 3-year reference check (and the work experience must be verifiable). So, when you get to the interview phase at Nanny Poppinz, you can be sure the nanny has already been properly vetted by this agency.
General costs from $100 to $2,000 per week
The salaries on Nanny Poppinz are paid in weekly increments. You can see the options for how much you can pay on the questionnaire page, where you put in all of your information for the nannying job opportunity. The weekly salaries start at $100 per week and go up to $2,000, but you can pick any number in this range or select "open" if you want to negotiate.
Not a lot of feedback for Nanny Poppinz
Nanny Poppinz currently holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but feedback on third-party review sites is hard to find. Nanny Poppinz doesn't have any presence on third-party review sites like Trustpilot. We did find a few reviews (only 6) on Yelp. In general, the reviews we could find were pretty low-scoring. For example, this nanny agency has a 1.7-star average on Yelp, but this is for a specific location. So, your local Nanny Poppinz may be better than the one we found during our research. A lot of the negative reviews are from the perspective of nannies, too, who claim that Nanny Poppinz doesn't really help them get jobs. From the customer side, Nanny Poppinz seems to do a bit better with families, generally impressed with the nanny quality, but there were so few reviews from families that the overall reputation of this nanny agency is still up in the air.
Top-notch vetting is a plus, but agency needs more client feedback
Nanny Poppinz seems like a solid option with impressive vetting, in-house background checks, and interviews before sending nannies to you. However, with very few reviews from families who have used the service, we're a little wary to recommend it over more established nanny agencies. On the other hand, it's still highly competitive on paper, and may be worth the inquiry to see how many hits you get on solid nanny options. For these reasons, Nanny Poppinz earns a balanced score in our review, with the opportunity to move up in the future if it gains more buzz from happy families.
Average
Hello Nanny is a trusted agency that's designed to offer you a more personalized experience for finding a nanny. The company is run by experts who are experienced in the household staffing industry and are familiar with what families need from top nannying candidates. Hello Nanny works as a go-between for you, promises to help you find qualified nannies quickly, and makes sure that your family is safe the entire time.
You pick your nanny with Hello Nanny's help
Hello Nanny lets you decide how much of the vetting process you want them to do. You can ask the company to complete reference checks, background checks, and handle the security details. Or, if you prefer, you can manage those parts yourself. Other helpful nanny agency tools include help with work trials, contracts, interviews, onboarding, emergency classes, and performance reviews. These are all charged extra at $45 per add-on, but you can have Hello Nanny take care of as much of the process as you like, depending on how much you want to spend.
Job-board style with a detailed questionnaire
Hello Nanny asks parents to fill out an intake form to get started. You'll be asked for your name, email, phone number, and personal details. You can also opt in to receive text updates on your nanny search. You'll be asked other questions about what kind of position you're advertising for (live-in, full-time, or part-time nanny), and whether you'll need newborn care or other services. Once you submit your inquiry, you have to wait to hear back. In the meantime, Hello Nanny will ask you for some qualification information, which includes what you're willing to reimburse, if you're willing to hire your nanny as a W2 worker, or offer guaranteed hours. From there, you'll receive matches through Hello Nanny by posting your listing to the agency's job board.
Security features
Hello Nanny offers an in-house app that lets you complete the hiring process through its platform. This will help you manage your hiring with Hello Nanny at your back to protect you if communication gets weird. You can also complete on-demand interviews through the app, so you can get to know as many caregivers as you want quickly. Your privacy is protected with this nanny agency, so you won't share any personal information with a potential nanny until they're hired.
Starting costs of $450 per quarter to advertise
The pricing at Hello Nanny is a little costly, because not only do you have to think about paying your nanny when you secure one, but you have to pay to advertise for a nanny on Hello Nanny's job board. The listing and advertisement service is $450 per quarter. You can't see a single nanny from this site before you pay that premium for this nanny agency. Rates for nannies as reported by Hello Nanny start at $15 per hour.
High praise, but not much buzz
Hello Nanny currently holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, finding third-party review sites for this nanny agency was somewhat difficult. Hello Nanny doesn't appear on our trusted verified review sites like Trustpilot. There were a handful of 5-star reviews on Yelp, but we were a little concerned that there wasn't verified feedback elsewhere. From what we could find, though, our research shows that Hello Nanny has a very professional team that works with customers to get the nanny they need or resolve issues with communication right away.
Too costly when you can't see the nannies
There are some high points for choosing Hello Nanny, especially with the security features and helpful app. However, we'd still like to see more buzz for this site before we give it a glowing review. Hello Nanny isn't particularly popular on third-party review sites, and we're somewhat concerned about the high listing fee for advertising a job before you can even see a list of nannies.
Fair
Sittercity is a nanny agency that does it all. You can find every kind of child care on Sittercity: full-time, part-time, after-school only, daytime, mother's helpers, newborn care, infant care, and more. This is more than just an agency, too; it's an online marketplace that promises you're 5x more likely to find a nanny here than with a competing nanny agency (read further to see how true this is). The company is currently owned by Bright Horizons and is designed as a subscription-style website for seeking nannies and childcare.
Vetting is done as part of your membership
Sittercity offers in-house vetting and background checks, but those aren't completed until you ask for one. This is part of the membership structure where you get background checks included. But Sittercity doesn't do the vetting prior to you asking for a nanny to interview. The listings for nannies include the years of experience and any helpful items like certifications (first aid and CPR are popular), and any individual reviews for particular nannies, so you can pick someone who is highly rated by other families at this nanny agency.
You need a membership to talk to nannies
Signing up for Sittercity is simple. You just need to make a quick account and then answer a few questions about the type of care you want and your current location. You can also ask for a regular sitter, a one-time sitter, an occasional sitter, or a full 2-5 workday nanny. Finally, when you're done filling out your nanny listing, Sittercity will ask you to pick a membership. While you can casually browse some nannies in your area on this nanny agency, you will have to pay for a membership to contact the nannies directly. You can choose a 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month membership. The costs for these options are $35 per month, $49 for 3 months, and $90 for the year.
ID-verified nannies
While Sittercity doesn't do all the background checks when nannies join, they do verify that the individuals are who they say they are with legal ID verification and photo verification. You can also do all of your chatting on the Sittercity app, so that you have additional security to protect your communication with nannies and make sure you aren't getting scammed.
Hourly rates from $10 to $50
Sittercity's pricing is something you choose. The sliding scale ranges from $10 to $50 an hour for a nanny. The nanny agency will also tell you what the average pay is in your area, so you can pick a price that will give you the most options. Sittercity told us that parents near our area generally pay around $23 per hour, which was higher than what we were told for the same zip code on other nanny agency sites.
Mixed reviews and concerning reports of increasing costs
Sittercity's reputation on the Better Business Bureau actually falls under its parent company, Bright Horizons. However, this nanny agency doesn't have a top-notch score. Currently, Bright Horizons only has a "D-" rating from the BBB. On the bright side, it has a competitive 4.2-star rating out of 5 from Trustpilot. On the other hand, most of the recent reviews were just 1-star ratings. Customers say that the costs are too high to join as a membership for the nanny applications that you get out of it. Further, customers have trouble with accounts getting suspended unexpectedly for things like sharing site links when speaking with a nanny on the app. There were a few reviews (as of this year) that were still a full 5 stars, and these were generally specific praise for individual nannies.
Not bad, but nothing special
Sittercity, sadly, doesn't quite live up to its promise to be 5x more likely to secure you a solid nanny. While you can browse nannies yourself, you have to pay for a membership to use the website further than a quick sneak peek. While it's on par cost-wise with other membership-style nanny agencies, it doesn't stand out in the reviews. With a "D-" rating from the BBB as well, there just isn't anything that really makes Sittercity pop. For this reason, it earns a slightly below-average rating in our review.
Subpar
Babysitter's Registry is an online database-style site that offers a range of different childcare options. You can find everything from babysitters, tutors, daycare, and (of course) nannies. This nanny agency also stands out by offering other types of care, like pet sitters and senior care. To get started finding the perfect nanny for your household, you'll just put in your zip code to start seeing options. Babysitter's Registry notes that you can choose between live-in and visiting nannies, depending on your needs.
Anyone can join, it seems
Babysitter's Registry appears to mostly leave the security up to you. There's an article on the website that suggests how you can interview and research potential nannies, but there isn't any mention of a vetting system for the Babysitter's Registry's database. Instead, Babysitter's Registry suggests that you "ask for references and follow up with them," "do your own criminal background check," or "hire a private investigator" to ensure you're getting a safe nanny for your home. It's a lot of extra work for you, which is frustrating when other nanny agencies do that legwork for you.
500+ nannies, but only 12 actually with this agency
During our research, there were over 500 nannies listed on the Babysitter's Registry. Some were as close as less than a mile from our location. However, when we clicked on the listings for the nannies on Babysitter's Registry, we were redirected to a secondary website where the nanny actually had a profile. None of the nanny details under the "read more" are actually locally hosted on the Babysitter's Registry site. While this does give you a way to browse through different nanny agencies in one go, there aren't any filters or ways to sift through the hundreds of results. There were just a few nannies that were "members" at Babysitter's Registry (12 total), and these tended to have fewer details than the other listings.
Minimal security for members only
Regrettably, there aren't any real security features for you or for nannies on Babysitter's Registry. Without any kind of vetting system or in-house chat for most of the nannies, you're left to contact caregivers on your own and pretty much take care of the process from start to finish. If you're looking for secure communication or in-house protection from your nanny agency, there is some on-site communication here, but only for nannies who are members of the site. You'll have to register as well to get access to their contact information.
General costs between $10 and $17 an hour
Babysitter's Registry doesn't offer costs for the nannies on the lists. You'll have to click the "read more" button, which will take you to that nanny's page on a different website, where sometimes costs are listed, and other times you still have to reach out to get the numbers. From what we found through clicking on different sites that were featured through nanny listings on this nanny agency, we found nannies that charge between $10 and $17 an hour.
No feedback for this site
Babysitter's Registry doesn't have a lot of buzz. The company is more of a database than a business, so it doesn't have a page on the Better Business Bureau. We also struggled to find third-party verified reviews about this nanny agency. Babysitter's Registry has a handful of likes on Facebook, but there's really no other verified feedback for this service, which leaves us with a lot of question marks and concerns.
Not really an agency
Babysitter's Registry isn't a nanny agency so much as just a place you can browse nannies and babysitters. But if you're actually looking to secure nanny services, it's easier to do it almost anywhere else. You can't contact most of the nannies listed directly from Babysitter's Registry, and there's no built-in security or background checks. For these reasons (and the overall security of your family), it's safer to secure a nanny through a more established nanny agency (preferably one with at least a few reviews). For now, Babysitter's Registry earns one of our lower ratings, but it does have some value as a database, so you may still want to check it out.
Weak
Jovie is a nanny agency that provides access to professionals who make their careers out of childcare. Jovie has been around since 2001, offering expert childcare to families across the US. Jovie started as College Nannies and Sitters, and now has rebranded to serve a wider customer base. Jovie is part of Bright Horizon's Family of Childcare Solutions, but remains its own company to focus on your family first. Whether you need someone to watch your little ones during your 9-5 or want someone around the house to help part-time, there's a nanny at Jovie for you.
Strict vetting with location history
Jovie nannies are vetted using complete background checks through an accredited national provider. The checks at this nanny agency include address history that includes living, work, and school locations. It also looks for criminal history and at sex offender databases. This way, you can be sure that all of the nannies suggested by Jovie are trustworthy and will put the care and safety of your child first.
Jovie picks your nanny for you
To start locating nannies, you'll need to first find a local Jovie near you. Our closest one was about 20 minutes away from our location. From there, you'll be asked to fill out a form with your name, email, how soon you need care, and how often you need your nanny to be at your house. We chose a full-time (5 days per week) nanny for our research purposes. However, you aren't able to just browse through nannies at Jovie. Once you submit your request to this nanny agency, you have to wait for Jovie to reach out to your email. We waited a full business day, though, and never heard from Jovie.
Jovie trains its nannies
Jovie offers what it calls "stress-free hiring." They find you a nanny that fits your needs, while you sit back and let them do the work. Jovie promises personalized matching, and it also screens families to make sure that they are safe places for the nannies to work. Nannies for Jovie are trained through the agency's in-house program before any assignments with families, and the training is ongoing to make sure Jovie nannies are consistent with updated best practices.
No cost transparency
Jovie does not list any pricing on its website, so there's no ballpark for cost expectations before you reach out. Unfortunately, when we reached out, we never heard back from Jovie to start a quote. This is somewhat frustrating and definitely would impact a family's ability to find a nanny quickly. If a nanny agency isn't going to offer transparent pricing, it definitely needs to be proactive in responding to families' queries.
No reviews for Jovie
Jovie's Better Business Bureau profile is still under its old company name, College Nannies & Sitters. It currently holds an "A+" rating from the BBB. However, we couldn't find any third-party reviews on our usual trusted and verified sites (like Trustpilot) under either business name. There is exactly one review for College Nannies & Sitters on Yelp, and that's it. With pretty much zero buzz from previous families who've used the nanny agency, we're a little concerned about the quality (especially after not hearing back from our query).
Not worth the hassle if you don't hear back
Unfortunately, since we didn't hear back from Jovie, we're a little concerned about its overall reliability. While it has a top score from the BBB, its other features don't stand out much, and the lack of transparency for pricing or which nannies are on the platform makes it harder (and a longer process) for you to get the right nanny for your family.
Poor
GreatAuPair is a nanny agency that specializes in matching you up with an au pair. These are slightly different from normal nannies in that au pairs are trained and meet the requirements for government sponsorship and are able to work as a cultural exchange program. For most au pairs, the expectation is generally that they provide live-in care for your family. You can secure an au pair from this nanny agency for up to 2 years. Most au pairs in the US are ages 18-26, and you'll have to agree to program rules and government rules to host an au pair in your home.
Nannies and au pairs are included
GreatAuPair is a nanny agency that is helpful to both the au pairs and the families seeking help, but you can also pick a full-time nanny or a part-time babysitter from this site. GreatAuPair provides criminal background check services in over 300 countries. You can also ask for reference check reports for US or Canadian citizens. All candidates for au pairs are certified and meet the requirements of their country's government program.
You post a job, and nannies apply
To see nanny listings at this agency, GreatAuPair asks that you create a profile and fill out a lengthy questionnaire. You'll be asked whether you prefer a specific gender for your nanny, if your candidate is required to use your car, how often you want the nanny to work, how educated your nanny will be, and more. To keep things similar to other sites we reviewed, we asked for a nanny of any gender, who will work 5 days per week from morning to evening. However, you're posting a job for a nanny rather than searching a database. So, you won't be able to see the nannies or au pairs. They'll apply for the job at your home like a traditional job seeker.
Encryption and fraud prevention included
GreatAuPair offers a security center with help articles to make sure that you understand how it runs its security. GreatAuPair has a 30-Point Fraud Prevention system to help ID and get rid of any scammers on the site. The company also has encryption for purchases, and you can process card transactions for payments directly through the nanny agency.
Weekly pricing from $100 to $1,000
When you create your profile, you'll be asked to submit a weekly salary that you intend to pay your nanny. So, rather than browsing nannies and their prices, you'll be posting a job opportunity, and qualified nannies can apply. The prices at this nanny agency range from $100 to $1,000 per week, but you can set the range where you're comfortable.
Concerning reports of bad caregivers
GreatAuPair holds a perfect "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, there aren't a lot of third-party review sites for GreatAuPair on verified review platforms like Trustpilot, where we only found 7 total customers who left feedback. While some job board sites like Indeed say that working for GreatAuPair is a solid option, we couldn't find any third-party reviews from actual families other than the handful on Trustpilot, and those... weren't great. All of the recent reviews were just 1 star, with all 7 reviews detailing different bad experiences. One reviewer said their au pair lied about her skills and was unable to take care of the infant child she was hired for. Another customer said that au pairs left days after coming to stay, leaving the family with no help and no recourse from the nanny agency.
Concerning practices across the board
If you're looking for a totally secure nanny agency to find a caregiver for your kiddos, GreatAuPair isn't going to be the one for you. GreatAuPair has a range of issues, including au pairs who leave before their work is complete and those who lie about credentials. With no recourse offered by GreatAuPair, you can't trust that your home and family are protected if you hire a nanny or au pair from this agency.
Continued from above...
In today's fast-paced world, more families are turning to nanny agencies to help manage the demands of work, home, and childcare. There's so much that goes into caring for a family, and sometimes having an extra set of hands around to help can make your day-to-day significantly easier.
While in years past, finding a nanny was about going in person or conducting tedious interviews for weeks to find the right fit, nanny agencies offer a much better process. These online platforms put the best nanny options right at your fingertips. These directories often highlight skills, experience, and references so you can find a professional nanny who can create a personalized experience for you, your children, and your family life.
Choosing a nanny can offer more stability than traditional childcare services, too. A dedicated nanny provides specialized attention and builds a deeper bond with your child than you might find in a regular daycare. Nannies will work with your child (or children) to learn and adapt to routines, meals, and activities. Unlike daycare centers, where staff turnover and large group settings are common, a nanny becomes an extension of your home life, offering consistency and comfort for your children, and an agency is the best way to get a trusted nanny.
One of the biggest advantages of using an online nanny agency is the level of security and vetting that modern platforms provide. Top-rated nanny sites take screening seriously, requiring background checks, employment verification, and detailed reference reviews before a caregiver ever appears in search results. Many sites even offer secure messaging systems and interview scheduling tools, so you can communicate with potential nannies directly without sharing personal contact information too early. This structure helps protect both parties and builds trust before a final hiring decision is made.
Finding a nanny online can also be far more cost-effective than relying on traditional placement agencies. Many online platforms allow you to choose between different membership levels or pay-per-use options instead of paying high placement fees. This flexibility makes it easier for you to find help within your budget. A platform like this can also help you find a new placement if your old nanny moves or has scheduling conflicts.
So, if you're ready to add some extra help to your family life, picking out a nanny from a top nanny agency is your next step. But if you're not sure where to start, don't sweat. We've put together some factors that can help you narrow down the best sites to find the right nanny for your family:
No matter what your reason is for wanting to hire a nanny, we've got your back. You deserve a little stress-free time, and a nanny can help you get it. To get you in the swing of the nanny scene, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the most popular nanny agencies out there today. This way, you can trust that the nanny you hire is the best pick for you. Who knows, you might even find your real-life Mary Poppins!
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