What makes Philadelphia Nanny Network stand apart from other agencies?
We’re fast, detailed and have what you need, when you need it.
- Our unrivaled screening procedures that make us an industry leader
- Our renowned professionalism
- Our eminent ability to listen and respond to our employees, candidates and families
- Our incomparable availability and responsiveness
As you can see from the testimonials on our website, and 500 Google reviews, all of these claims are steadily reinforced by client and candidate feedback. We are proud to have earned the trust of families, candidates and employees who say we are the most responsive, caring agency with whom they’ve ever worked. We don’t compromise on any level.
Can I use you only for screening services? Does this mean I can hire my own candidate and your agency will help me with screening?
We recognize that not everyone can do proper screening on their own. It’s often burdensome and time-consuming. It’s also difficult to identify red flags and blind spots. So for clients who find potential candidates through other resources, we offer a DIY option. That means we can do everything from background checking to interviewing to reference checking. We can do our whole screening process on a candidate or any combination of vetting services. Clients who want to thoroughly screen and check a candidate’s background and credentials regularly use us for this service option. If you’re interested in this service, call us!
How do you screen your nannies and babysitters?
We have a five-step process:
- We screen the candidate over the telephone to qualify them for an interview.
- The candidate completes a comprehensive six-page application form and we check the US Justice Department Sex Offender Registry.
- We meet for an in-depth interview.
- We check references. This consists of detailed conversations with former child care employers, and a verification of education and all other types of employment.
- Upon hiring, we work with a background screening vendor that is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) to run a comprehensive check of the following: Social Security Trace, National Sex Offender Registry, National and County Criminal Records, Department of Motor Vehicles, Office of Foreign Assets Control and PA Child Abuse Clearance.
Can I directly hire a candidate who Philadelphia Nanny Network had introduced to me a long time ago or who had worked for me as a babysitter or as a nanny in the past?
No, whether the individual worked for you in the past or you only met them for an interview, you are still obligated to compensate Philadelphia Nanny Network for the application, registration, and agency fees if you engage their services for a temporary job, babysitting, or long-term employment. Failure to do so may be legally actionable and could result in financial liability.
Additionally, our Services Agreement states that nannies cannot be passed along to another person for the purpose of hiring. We invest significant effort in recruiting the best nannies, and redirecting them away from Philadelphia Nanny Network, as fully vetted employees, is not ethical and violates our contractual agreement.
Once we start the search for a long term or consistent short term nanny, what are the next steps after I engage your services?
We identify candidates for your job. We review your specific needs and preferences to match you with candidates from our pool of vetted nannies. We consider factors like experience, skills, and personality to ensure a good fit for your family.
We market your open position and present the job details to selected candidates, and those who express interest will be shared with you for consideration.
We present a nanny’s profile to you. For each interested candidate, you’ll receive a detailed profile that includes their experience, references, qualifications, and more.
We talk about and arrange a trial day. If you find a nanny you’re interested in, we can coordinate trial days. This allows both you and the nanny to feel comfortable with the arrangement before making an official offer.
The last step is extending an offer and getting an acceptance. Once you’re ready to extend an offer, we assist in finalizing the details, including pay, hours, duties, benefits, and any other specifics. We’ll ensure everything is clear and agreed upon before moving forward.
Do I interview the nanny first before hiring?
For long-term positions, yes! You will go through the interview process and meet all candidates you consider a good fit. For temporary positions, we will assign one of our nanny employees to your request, but we appreciate your feedback to ensure we’ve made a great match.
For temporary requests booked for multiple weeks with a set recurring schedule, you have the option to conduct a phone call, video chat, or in-person meeting to confirm the match.
How long does it take to hire a nanny or a sitter?
Should I pay hourly or salary for my long term nanny?
The IRS considers household employees hourly. This means they should be paid hourly and receive overtime for working more than 40 hours a week.
I’m searching for a short-term nanny. How do I decide whether to employ the nanny myself or have Philadelphia Nanny Network handle the employment?
Why are the temporary nannies and sitters employees of Philadelphia Nanny Network?
First, we employ a team of nannies for corporate backup care, providing them with more work opportunities and access to benefits such as paid time off, healthcare support, and a retirement plan. Individual nannies working for multiple families don’t receive these benefits. By working for one employer, the job becomes more professional, and nannies can dedicate themselves fully to their roles.
Second, this model simplifies things for our clients. Clients don’t need to worry about employment paperwork or tax liabilities, yet they can still benefit from the tax credit for child care without the associated tax exposure. Our goal is to make the process easier and better for everyone involved.
For a nanny or sitter who is the agency's employee, is sales tax charged on the hourly rate?
Sales tax is not paid on the employment portion of the hourly rate. Sales tax in PA is paid on a small portion of the hourly rate.
We need care for a few months but might require it for a longer duration. Can we extend care with the same nanny?
Absolutely! If both you and the nanny agree to extend the arrangement, Philadelphia Nanny Network will facilitate the extension process. This includes discussing any changes in schedule, pay, or duties. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll ensure a smooth transition so that your care continues without interruption.
If the nanny is an employee of the agency, how does overtime work?
Yes, overtime is paid according to federal and state requirements, and clients will be charged for overtime at a rate of time and a half. If the nanny can accommodate a change in schedule for longer hours, she will request a signed time card, which she will submit to us for payroll.
Please note that the agency does not allow paying the nanny directly or “under the table” for any time outside of the arrangement with Philadelphia Nanny Network. Doing so would violate the contractual service agreement between you, the nanny, and Philadelphia Nanny Network. While it may seem convenient to ask the nanny to work extra hours and pay her cash, this practice is prohibited.
Do nannies get paid time off for vacation or holidays? How do I handle if the nanny needs a day off or if they are sick? Is it a requirement or expectation to give a paid day off?
For the nannies who are Philadelphia Nanny Network employees, they all accrue PTO. If one of our employees is working a consistent schedule with you, on a short term basis, we work with you to arrange time off needed to recover from illness or refresh on vacation.
In long term jobs, there should be an agreement with the employee about how paid time off is used. In most compensation packages, there are days that are paid as paid vacation, paid holidays and paid sick/personal time.
Typical for Long Term Jobs
Vacation: Offering 2-3 weeks of paid vacation annually is standard for long-term nannies. This time off helps them rest and prevents burnout, ultimately benefiting your child’s care. For shorter-term positions, vacation depends on the job duration.
Sick Days/Personal Days: Providing 3-5 paid sick or personal days is crucial for maintaining the nanny’s well-being, especially for minor illnesses or emergencies. For shorter-term roles, this varies based on the length of employment.
Paid Holidays: Paid time off for federal holidays is commonly included. It’s important to discuss and agree on specific holidays in advance.
Additional Benefits:
- Healthcare Stipends: Some families offer healthcare stipends or contribute to health insurance to support their nanny’s health needs.
- Mileage Reimbursement: If the nanny drives your children or runs errands, covering mileage at the federal government rates is the norm.
- Parking Reimbursement: Reimbursing parking fees, if there isn’t free parking at your home, is normal.
How does it work if we have a vacation planned in the time block we booked a short term nanny? Do I have to give paid time off?
While paid time off is always a nice benefit, you are not obligated to give that for a short term engagement. We can accommodate a vacation block planned at least 1 month in advance because we will fill her time with another family’s request while you are gone. Our nanny employees accrue PTO. Their time off is arranged through Philadelphia Nanny Network as their employer.
What if I don’t want the nanny to work for another family while we are on vacation?
If that is your request, we can make that happen. It means you would be charged for the time away and the nanny would receive pay for that time that you are away. What we cannot do is to ask the nanny not to work and then tell her that she will not get paid. It is not fair to prohibit someone from earning a living!
What if I cancel a day here or there for a short term nanny? How does the cancellation work?
If you need to cancel your booking, we’d love a heads up at least 24 hours in advance.
If you give us more than 24 hours’ notice before your service is due to start, we’ll turn the hours you’ve paid for into credits. You can use these credits any time you want to book another service with us – they’ll be waiting in your account for you.
If something comes up and you have to cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, we unfortunately won’t be able to convert your paid hours into credits or give a refund. The reason for this is because our nannies rely on these bookings, and we need to make sure they get paid for the time they set aside for you. We know life can be unpredictable, but we’re sure you understand.
Thanks for your cooperation, and we’re here to help if you have any more questions!
If the nanny is employed by the agency and I need fewer hours for the day than expected, what do I do? Am I charged for the unused time?
Since the nanny is booked and committed to you for all the requested hours, we do not double-book her in case of cancellation. This means she is relying on your job for her income, just as you rely on her for support. You will be charged for all hours booked, and the nanny will be paid for those hours as well.
If the nanny is employed by the agency, can they drive my kids?
If you need driving, no problem. We will have you sign a waiver to allow the nanny to drive your children in her car or in your car. If she needs to use her car, she will clock the mileage and you’ll be charged the current federal IRS mileage reimbursement rate + 2% service fee.
Nanny vs. household assistant- How do I decide?
Nanny: A nanny primarily focuses on childcare, engaging in educational activities, attending to daily needs, and fostering your child’s development. If your children require constant care, hiring a dedicated nanny is an excellent choice.
Household Assistant: If your children are in school for most of the day, a household assistant may be more suitable. They can manage a combination of childcare and household tasks, such as running errands, grocery shopping, light cleaning, and meal preparation. This option provides more comprehensive support for your home.
I have never worked with an agency before, what are the benefits? Do you take any percentage of the pay?
Working with PNN offers several benefits, including job matching, access to screened opportunities, and ongoing support throughout the hiring process. We help match nannies with families, ensuring a good fit for both parties while saving time and effort in the job search. Nannies receive guidance through every step of the hiring process, offering confidence and support. Additionally, we provide access to a variety of jobs, from temporary, short-term, and long-term, giving nannies the chance to explore some of the best opportunities in your area. We do not charge nannies any fees for our services. This means nannies can take advantage of the agency’s resources without worrying about hidden costs.
I see several positions on your site that I am interested in, do I need to apply to all separately?
No, you only need to complete our application once. We can then discuss all the positions you are interested in.
I am interested in becoming a long-term nanny but do not have the experience, what can I do?
We can help! If you’ve worked in childcare, even if not as a formal nanny (such as babysitting, working in a daycare, or other child-related roles), we can use that to get you started. You can join our Elite Nanny Program. This program is a great way to build your nanny experience. You’ll have opportunities to work short-term or temporary jobs, allowing you to develop the skills and experience needed for long-term positions. Many of our nannies have successfully transitioned into long-term roles through the experience and connections they gain in our Elite Nanny Program.
What are the next steps once I am interested in interviewing with a long-term or short-term position?
We discuss details. We’ll have a conversation to go over the position specifics, ensuring it aligns with your experience, availability, and preferences.
We make sure it is a good fit. Together, we’ll evaluate if the role seems like a mutual match for both you and the family based on expectations and requirements.
We present you to families. If everything aligns, we’ll send the family your profile and contact details so they can reach out directly to set up an interview.
We support you through the process. Throughout the interview, trial days, and negotiation of an offer, we’ll guide you at each step to ensure everything runs smoothly, answering any questions or concerns along the way.
How do you decide if I am a good fit for a family?
We look at past experience. We look at your previous roles as a nanny, the ages of the children you’ve cared for, and any specialized skills you might have, such as handling infants, working with children with special needs, or managing multiple children at once.
Commute time is important. Proximity to the family is important for both convenience and consistency. We consider how long it would take you to get to the family’s home and whether it’s a manageable and sustainable commute for you.
We consider the family’s personal requirements. Every family has unique needs. We consider details like their parenting style, household rules, and specific duties, like light housekeeping or meal preparation. Matching these requirements with your strengths and preferences helps ensure a harmonious fit.
For nannies, how long does it typically take to start working?
With our Elite Nanny Program you are able to start working almost immediately.
For long-term positions, the average time is usually between three to six weeks. However, some nannies have been offered a job within a day, while for others, it can take longer, depending on the family’s and your specific needs and circumstances. We focus on maintaining the highest standards in our screening process and matching process.
Your own responsiveness can also influence the timeline. The quicker you respond to our calls and engage with potential families, the faster the process can move. On the other hand, delays in communication might lengthen the time it takes to find a match.
the good news is that you will have the opportunity to start working in our Elite Nanny Program while interviewing for longer-term positions. We will help to coordinate your scheduling.