A nanny is an individual hired to take care of one of more children in a household. They are employed by the guardians of the children to take care of them, usually long-term. A nanny might live in the same home as the kids or come to the house to take care of them frequently. Unlike a babysitter, a nanny is usually not used for a short-term job.

What duties can a nanny perform?

A nanny's primary duty is to care for and watch over the children of the family they work for. In addition, they might make meals for the children, do laundry, clean the home, drive kids to and from school and other activities, and anything else agreed upon between the nanny and their employer.

What is the cost of hiring a nanny?

There are many factors that play into the cost of a nanny. Some factors include how many hours a day they work, how many children they care for, what responsibilities they perform while they are working, qualifications, and more. It is not uncommon for nannies to be paid an hourly rate bi-weekly or once a month. For a live-in nanny who works every day, it is also possible to agree to pay on a salary basis. Different nannies come with different rates that they usually choose themselves.

How do I choose the best nanny for my children?

To choose the best nanny, start by thinking about the qualities you want in a trustworthy nanny. Do you want them to be first aid certified? Do they need a driver's license? Do your kids feel most comfortable with a male or female? Narrowing down some basic requirements you set will help as you browse through the list of candidates. From there you can read their bios, message with them, and then interview them to see who you feel most comfortable with.

What ages of kids do nannies take care of?

Nannies can watch over kids who are infants all the way up to teenagers. You'll want to make sure that the nanny you hire has a history of working with children the same ages that you have. Some nannies are specifically qualified to work with infants and they know how to safely feed them, put them down for naps, and provide first aid if necessary.

What is the difference between a nanny and an au pair?

By definition, au pairs are young people who come from overseas to care for young children. They come on a cultural exchange visa to enter a country legally. Nannies are anyone within your home country who are qualified to take care of children either part-time or full-time. They are paid according to the country's standards, whereas an au pair receives pocket money from the host family.

Are all nannies required to have background checks?

Unfortunately, not all nanny agencies require their candidates to have background checks. However, most of them allow the option for employers to run them. It's important to review the background check of a nanny before hiring them or run one of your own. This will ensure an added level of safety for your children.

Can I conduct a trial run on the nanny I'm interested in?

Many companies allow you to have a nanny come to your home and work on a trial basis. This short period allows your kids to get to know the nanny and express to you how comfortable they are with them and see if they get along well. It also lets the nanny know if they think they will work well with the kids and be able to accomplish all of their responsibilities safely.

Care Review for June 2026 | Best Nanny Agencies

Item: Care Review
Rating: 4
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Tuesday, June 16th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Nanny Agency Reviews

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.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Care

Hourly rates from $16 to $50 per hour
Monthly membership fee (required to contact nannies) between $12.95 and $38.95 per month
100+ suggested nannies in test area
Background checks for all nannies
Monitored communication on the site
Nannies with specializations and certifications
"A-" rating and accreditation from the BBB

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Care website

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.

On the Care website

Continued from above...

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.

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:

Security. How does your chosen nanny agency complete background checks and keep you and your family secure during the process? Are there in-house chat apps or video screenings, so you can see if your chosen nanny is trustworthy before you ever meet? Make sure that you feel safe with all the agency's online features before you lock in.
Qualifications. How are nannies vetted? What kind of qualifications does your chosen nanny agency look for? Are there education or child safety certification requirements included in membership to the site? Look for sites that are transparent about how they pick and support nannies to get the best nanny agency for your family.
Cost. You're trying not to overpay for childcare (especially with the high costs of daycare), we get it. So, make sure that the price you pay for your nanny services is within your budget. Whether you pay a monthly membership fee to a nanny agency or a per-visit price for your nanny, you'll want to ensure you're getting a high value for your money.
Feedback. What are other families saying about your chosen nanny agency? Check out any third-party, verified reviews to ensure that you get a nanny service that's backed by tons of positive reviews. Sites like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and the Better Business Bureau can help you confirm you've found the right fit 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!

Care Review: Nanny Agencies

2026 Nanny Agency Reviews

Care

Where is the Best Place to Find a Great Nanny Agency?

Nanny Agency FAQ