Wednesday, January 22nd
2025 Nanny Agency Reviews
GreatAuPair
- Over 90,000 nannies from around the world
- Can view nanny profiles without signing up
- Sign up required to see pre-screened profiles and get live support
- "A+” rated by the BBB
- In operation since 2001
GreatAuPair has been connecting families with a diverse range of caregivers, including senior care assistants, nannies, tutors, housekeepers, and pet sitters for over two decades. This vast network of caregivers from around the world offers families an extensive selection to meet their unique needs.
Nannies from the U.S. and beyond
At first glance, the website may seem a bit text-heavy and overwhelming. However, GreatAuPair provides numerous tools and features to help families refine their search and find the perfect nanny. It's also important to note that while the site specifically refers to au pairs (who, by definition, come from other countries), it can also help you find a nanny who already lives in the US (and maybe even near you).
Almost 100,000 caregivers
You may feel a little overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time, when you first land on the GreatAuPair site. At the time of our visit, there were almost 100,000 caregivers listed, but the structure of the site isn't the most polished (for example, some profile photos cut off the top of caregivers' heads). You'll definitely want to start by using the "Refine Your Search” parameters to narrow down that list. You can identify specific candidate countries (or enter USA if you prefer someone already stateside), availability dates, and so on. One parameter we'd absolutely recommend right off is towards the middle of the list: "Last visit within”, or in other words, when they last signed on to the GreatAuPair site. When we chose United States and "within one month”, that daunting 100,000 caregivers total dropped to just 411.
Ample info with no sign-up required to view
When you see a nanny that interests you, there's a lot more to find out when you look at their profile. We're glad that those details can be viewed without creating a profile first. We encourage you to take a look and see for yourself: the information includes a personal introduction, list of qualifications, availability, lifestyle (everything from religion to dietary preferences), match preference, and additional services (like pet care or tutoring).
Sign up required to make contact
Beyond that, though, you'll have to sign up for GreatAuPair: just click the orange "sign up for free” button (it's scattered throughout the site, including on nanny profiles). You'll provide your name, address, phone number, email, and indicate whether you're looking for a nanny, au pair, babysitter, and so on.
Can anyone actually complete the application?
You'll be asked to create a profile from there - and unfortunately, that's where we got stuck. No matter what we entered, we weren't able to save and continue. We're not sure why it was a dead end, but it definitely felt like a waste of time up to that point.
Not trustworthy enough
Even without that glitch, we still would have dropped GreatAuPair significantly in our rankings since last time. Why? After all, they still have an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau with no complaints filed. That's about where the good vibes stop, though: everywhere else we looked, people were not thrilled with this nanny agency (and that's putting it kindly). Multiple users - both clients and caregivers - described this service as a scam, expressing concern that many of the profiles and job opportunities visible prior to signing up were actually fake, used for the sole purpose of getting new subscribers. We couldn't even get to the point of signing up, so no scam for us; we can't even tell you if GreatAuPair is still charging $60 to $90 for "premium” access.
Don't bother browsing for nannies here
GreatAuPair isn't so great anymore. If you're looking for a nanny (or for an actual au pair), you've got other options that won't waste your time. Skip this one-star service and go with a more reliable nanny agency instead.
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The 8 Best Nanny Agencies
Where is the Best Place to Find a Nanny for Your Children?
It can feel a little overwhelming when choosing a nanny to watch your children. You have to figure out how to even find a nanny, let alone several candidates to choose from. And then you have all of the searching, screening, and interviewing to zero in on the right person to be your parenting partner. That's where online nanny agencies can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders.
Many online nanny agencies conduct background checks and verify credentials, providing an added layer of security. Families can then search for nannies based on specific criteria, or agencies may provide recommendations based on your requirements. Platforms can also facilitate communication between families and nannies, allowing you to ask questions, schedule interviews, and negotiate terms.
Nanny Agency FAQ
Continued from above...
When planning for a nanny, consider what you'll need for childcare from day to day and week to week, your expectations regarding housekeeping, and any special skills you may need in a nanny, such as CPR certification or multilingual capabilities. Next, determine your budget for a nanny's salary and additional expenses, such as benefits, taxes, and agency fees. This will help you narrow down your options.
As you've been thinking about hiring a nanny, you may have also come across the term "au pair”. Do you know the difference? In brief, nannies are professional caregivers who typically have formal training or significant childcare experience. They work in exchange for a salary and are considered employees. Nannies often work full-time and may have more extensive responsibilities, including housekeeping and transportation.
On the other hand, au pairs are young adults from other countries who come to live with a host family for a cultural exchange. They work for a set number of hours per week in exchange for room and board, a small stipend, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture. Au pairs are not professional caregivers and may have limited childcare experience. Only you can determine which option is right for you and your family, but there are pros and cons to each arrangement.
So - choosing a nanny is a significant decision that requires careful consideration, as the well-being and development of your child are at stake. To make an informed choice, it's essential to understand the process of hiring a nanny, how online nanny agencies work, and even the distinctions between nannies and au pairs.
How can you decide which nanny agencies are worth your time? Keep in mind these criteria to help you focus your search:
- Availability. Check if the agency has a pool of available nannies in your area. And, if so, how long should you expect it to take to be matched with one (or several).?
- Qualification process. You'll want to know if your agency screens nannies for qualifications, certifications, and experience. The best services background check everyone (nannies and families), but some expect you to do that legwork yourself.
- Fees and costs. Understand the agency's fee structure, including placement fees, ongoing subscription costs, and any additional expenses. Verify that the agency complies with employment laws and tax regulations. If you're being charged a placement fee (instead of a subscription/membership), the agency should help you navigate tax and payroll obligations.
- Support. What can you expect during and after the hiring process? Are there reps on call 24/7 if there's a problem? Can you get help quickly if your nanny unexpectedly stops coming or moves out?
- Reputation. What do other families say about their experience with the nanny agency? Are there also reviews about specific candidates that you can consider before you make a final decision on who to hire?
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews understand how important it is to know that your children are in capable, loving hands while you're away. We've carefully evaluated and ranked today's most popular nanny agencies, so that you can quickly find a reliable caregiver who will hopefully come to feel like a member of the family. Whether your perfect fit is more like Mary Poppins or Mrs. Doubtfire, the right nanny is out there for you!
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