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Becoming a North Shore Nanny
The Placement Process and Helpful Job Search Hints

North Shore Nannies wants you succeed as a childcare professional. We will do all we can to help you find a position that's right for you. You need to understand our placement process and that you do what's necessary to be a professional nanny.

Please look over the information that follows. If you have questions about any part of the process please contact us.


Step 1. We do a phone interview with you.

We need to know if you might be a fit for North Shore Nannies. Of all the nanny prospects that call us, we only work with a very select group. We need to lean about your experience in childcare, education, and any specialized training you may have like CPR or First Aid.

Should we feel that you may have what it takes to work with us, then we will invite you in to our office to fill out an application and a personal interview.


Step 2: You fill out our application and have a personal interview with us.

We need to learn as much as possible about your work with children and your reasons for choosing to become a nanny. We gather much information on the application. You should be prepared to fully document the what you have written on the application including months and years of employment, supervisors' names and phone numbers, education, and training.

For an application, click here.

During the interview, we also ask you about what your needs are to take a position with a family. These needs usually include pay, benefits, paid time off, number of children, will you work with newborns, and other needs. We don't share this information with families without your approval.

We will need two acceptable forms of ID. These include: social security card, US passport or birth certificate AND driver's license or state ID. If you are not a US citizen, we need to see evidence of your legal right to be employed in the US. Other documents that are helpful include: college transcripts, diplomas, training course certificates, CPR and First Aid cards, and written letters of reference from past employers.

Before a placement is final, we review your background including verification of social security number, and check for any criminal convictions, your driving record and for any record of child abuse.

We must have a Release of Information form on file to do the background review.

For a Release of Information form, click here.

The state requires that all childcare workers have a "physical statement" form completed by a doctor and on file in our office prior to your first day of work.

For a Physical Statement form, click here.


Step 3: We confirm your references and your employment history.

If we think you are a possible candidate for North Shore Nannies after your interview, we verify your references and your employment history. The more complete the information you give us, the easier and faster it is to confirm your history. You should notify your references of your current job search and to make sure they are willing to speak to us about you.


Step 4: We review families that might hire you.

Once we confirm the information on your application, we begin the process of matching you with families that closely meet your needs in a position. When you have an interest in a particular position, we will present you to the family.


Step 5: You schedule interviews with families.

When a family is interested in you, we provide you with their phone number. You should call them as soon as possible; they will be expecting you to call. Once you have an interview scheduled, call us and let us know the date and time.

The family gets a first impression of you when you call ... and that first impressions can be very important for getting hired. Always think of yourself as a childcare professional and conduct yourself in that manner.


Step 6: You prepare for interviews.

Preparing well for interviews is an investment in your career. A little extra time and effort will help you be professional and compete successfully for the best jobs. Families appreciate the time and care involved when you appear and act as a professional. You will leave the impression that you care about their family and doing the best job possible.

You add to this impression if you prepare materials about yourself to share with families. These can include:
A "Dear Family" cover letter.
It should be no more than two pages. Tell the family about yourself, your home, family, education, hobbies, sports, travel, interesting things about you. Explain why you want to be a nanny and your childcare philosophy. Tell them what you are looking for in a job.

A resume.
It should also be no more than two pages. You should include: job search objective, work history focusing on childcare experience, education and any other qualifications.

A reference sheet.
List at least three references. You should include names, addresses and phone numbers. Briefly note how the reference has observed you with children.

Supporting documents.
Suggestions include copies of any training certifications, school transcripts, written letters of reference, background checks. You also might include copies of photos showing children you have cared for.
All presentation materials should be neatly typed and copied. Make sure you check for spelling and grammatical errors. Use stationery weight paper. Make several copies. We are happy to review these materials for you.

Bring one set of your presentation materials with you when you interview. If you have a serious interest in the family, you can leave a set of the materials with them. Remember these are YOUR materials, documenting your professional background and experience. You should never give away your last copy and ABSOLUTELY NEVER give away originals.


Step 7: The family interview and how to conduct yourself.

Make sure you have the correct details about where you're interviewing: phone number, address and directions. Please remember to bring it with you. Do not be late, but don't be too early, the family may not be there to meet you. Be sure to allow enough travel time to get to the interview. If you are lost or delayed, call to let the family know.

Look like a professional nanny. You need to look clean and neat while still giving the impression that you are willing to get down on the floor and play. Look like you took time with your appearance, while knowing the nature of the work you will be doing. Not too much make-up or jewelry. If you smoke, DO NOT smoke in the car prior to your interview.


Step 8: What you should ask the family.

You should make the best decision possible about taking a new position. Ask everything you want to know that can help you make an educated decision. It's a good idea to prepare questions in advance, so you get all the information you need and you don't overlook anything important to you. It also makes you look more professional. Try to keep your questions the same as you go from one interview to the next so you can compare one family to another fairly.
Please tell me about your children...
You need to know all you can about the children: names and ages, personalities, schedules, interests, activities, any special needs.

What is your philosophy for childcare?
You need to know what the parents' beliefs are for things like discipline, potty training, bed wetting, using a bottle or pacifier, and other important matters.

Please tell me about your family life and lifestyle...
You need to know all you can about the life in the home: do the parents work, and what they do, what are their hours, do they work weekends, do they travel, do they work at home, how do the children fit with your work schedules, what are the parents outside interests and how do they affect the children.

Why do they want in-home childcare?
You need to know the reasons they want a nanny and why they prefer it to outside day care.

Have they employed a nanny before? What was s/he like? What did s/he do for the family? Why did s/he leave? Did they have a nanny growing up?

How do they plan to share concerns with you about the children and their care? How should you share concerns with them?
Having a definite process for communicating needs or problems with the children adds to your professionalism and is very important to your success in their home.

What will my responsibilities be?
You need to know what's expected of you. What will my hours be? Should I be here before school? What are the childcare responsibilities... meals, play dates, doctor's visits, baby laundry, school drop-off and pick-up, taking to music classes sports teams, or day camp.

Are there duties besides childcare... family laundry, grocery shopping and errands, starting dinner, light housekeeping. Ask for specifics.

If position is live-in...
Where will the nanny stay?
How and when can I use the car?
Can friends visit?
What about off duty hours? Must the nanny "disappear" or can she feel comfortable spending time with the family?
How are off-duty meal times handled?
Does the nanny have her own phone? How is the phone bill handled?
During the interview make sure you show an interest in the children. Be sure to show that you enjoy working with children.

Do not get caught up in saying negative things about former employers. While nannies do have bad experiences, it is best not to go into them in-depth with a potential employer. Keep the interview focused on how you can meet the needs of the family and about the opportunity you have to work for them.


Step 9: You follow-up a successful interview.

Let us know right away if you are interested in working for a family that you're interviewed. If the family is also interested, a second interview is in order. After the second interview and you and the family both remain interested, we strongly encourage a trial day or half day. The more opportunity you have to get to know the family, the better the chances are you'll have success on the job. A trial day gives you the chance to see whether you are comfortable in the home and caring for the children.


Step 10: You negotiate an employment agreement with the family.

We help you in finalize the details of an employment offer. Should the family want to make an offer, we will let you know. If you are not interested, we will tell them for you.

Should you are interested in an offer, you should call the family directly and discuss it. You should have one last meeting to go over the details of the agreement. Things nannies can negotiate for, and that should be in an employment agreement include:
  • Days and hours of work;
  • Amount of pay, method of pay, pay dates;
  • Social Security and Income Tax withholding;
  • Benefits offered including: health insurance and paid time off;
  • Use of family or nanny car, including the issues of insurance, gas or mileage reimbursement;
  • Reviews and bonuses;
  • How to give notice to end the agreement.
Employment agreements are not binding documents. However, they do serve to set expectations before you start. They offer protection to both nannies and families if disagreements arise during the course of your employment.


The Final Step: We support you AFTER you're hired.

Nannies who are hired through us have the full resources of our agency working for them. We are always available to talk through any problems that arise. We want to build long-term relationships with those that have trusted us with their futures.

Our reputation among nannies is our most important asset. We look forward to working with you.
 

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"I have worked for
North Shore Nannies
since I moved to Chicago
and have found it to be a
great way to work with
children and make extra
money. The scheduling
flexibility allows me to
work my full-time job and
nanny as it fits in my
schedule. I have also had
the opportunity to meet
and develop relationships
with different families.
The staff at North Shore
has been wonderful to
work with when trying to
fit jobs into my
schedule."
Carina B., Chicago