Hiring Nannies Through Care.com Isn't Working
After receiving my umpteenth call this week from a dad sharing how unsuccessful finding childcare has been through Care.com, I knew this had to be our next blog post. Parents are struggling with hiring nannies on their own via Facebook groups, Care.com, and Sittercity! The challenges I hear are that 1. the quality of candidates is low 2. nannies haven’t been reliable, often not showing up to interviews or shifts, and 3. they don’t fulfill the terms of their Work Agreement. These concerns negatively impacts families who need consistent childcare, but also the children who, as a result, go through multiple caretakers. I have to admit that it’s been a challenging market across the United States, and in Rhode Island, but that’s no excuse.
Care.com is a widely utilized childcare platform for both parents and nannies. It is often among the top choices for parents seeking to hire a nanny, alongside platforms like Sittercity and UrbanSitter. As a nanny who has personally utilized Care.com in the past, I have observed the transformations it has undergone and the consequences it has had on the childcare industry. Some of the changes include that it’s no longer free for parents and nannies to use and the nanny wage calculator isn’t up to date. Hiring nannies at a lower rate will always lead to a high turnover because nannies will subsequently find higher paying jobs.
In the years that Peace of Mind Nannies has been around, we have consistently accepted ~6% of applicants to our team! Our rigorous multi-step screening process of interviews, reference checks, online media presence, and comprehensive criminal background checks have successfully supported families in hiring committed and professional childcare providers. To date, we have had rare situations where our nannies or babysitters haven’t showed up to an interview or shifts. In addition to the professional screening, Peace of Mind Nannies will match candidates to your family by considering factors such as your family's needs, values, and the nanny’s responsibilities. Our expertise in the childcare industry will also support you in best communicating and advertising your needs with candidates while also offering guidance on the pay rate and benefits to ensure you are competitively securing a long-term childcare provider for your family.
If you are having trouble obtaining childcare through hiring platforms, call us today for a free 15 minute consultation at 401-237-7038. We’re confident we can secure high quality care for your family!