Not all nanny agencies are created equal. Many reputable agencies have been serving clients for years, are active in professional and trade associations, and truly strive to make the best match for your family. Some are well meaning but simply inexperienced or lacking the resources (generally manpower) to effectively meet your needs. A small number are simply interested in the bottom line - move them in, move them out; and more are interested in a 'means of entry' for the caregiver into the country. The following suggested interview questions should be directed to the agency BEFORE you retain them.

1. HOW LONG HAS YOUR AGENCY BEEN IN BUSINESS?

While new is not de-facto bad, experience is a reasonable predictor of success.

2. HOW MANY NANNIES DO YOU MATCH WITH FAMILIES IN A MONTH (YEAR)?

You want an agency that makes enough matches to be economically viable, but not a meat market. Three to six matches per employee per month is a minimum number.
Also helpful: How many of the nannies and families are repeat clients.

3. WHAT IS YOUR SUCCESS RATE WITH PLACEMENTS?

Listen carefully for what you don't hear. No one is perfect, and it is unlikely that 'We have never had an unsuccessful placement' is true. Why do they think they are successful? Why do they think some placements haven't worked out? Key: Look for an agency that carefully interviews the family and can restate your needs and expectations.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FEES? WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

Fees vary considerably across the country, and you should clearly understand the retainer and fee payment policies. New agencies typically have the lowest fees in the market, this is to offset for the perceived inexperience. Refund policies vary all over the place. Many agencies will pro-rate their fee on unsuccessful placements, others will never refund but might agree to replace the candidate at no cost within a limited period of time. Whatever the policy, make sure you understand it and that it is in writing. The better agencies will make every reasonable effort to please the client, providing that the client's expectations are equally reasonable.

Finder’s fees for live-in caregivers vary; some agencies charge nothing, while others charge up to $3,000. But beware: If you’re not paying a fee, chances are the nanny is picking up the bill — Ask a firm why they’re not charging you a fee and decide whether you are comfortable with the answer. 

Note: The Live-in Caregiver Program has become disguised Immigration rather than what it is intended to be - a work program. A potential problem when dealing with agencies as many may not be agencies at all - but a referral service or immigration consultancies and no genuine intent of serving it's clients. But rather, as a means of entry for their candidates into Canada.

5. WHAT IS YOUR SCREENING PROCESS? DO YOU PROVIDE ME ANY DOCUMENTATION ON SCREENING?

A good agency will verify the employment history of prospective nannies, and generally contact (via telephone) some or all of the personal references provided. Skilled interviewers will try to determine the accuracy of the employment application, as well as the temperament and historical job performance of the candidate. Criminal and driving checks are generally not ordered until after you have extended a contingent offer of employment and it has been accepted by the nanny.  You should expect that the agency will share with you, in writing, the results of the prescreening, including the interviewer's impressions. You should also check the references of any candidate you genuinely feel you will make an offer to ... but don't exercise the people willing to give references if you aren't serious about the candidate.

6. DO YOU HAVE TRAINING OR SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR YOUR NANNIES?

Look for the agency that will organize CPR training, arrange an annual picnic for the nannies, or provide the newly placed nanny with a list of names and phone numbers of other nannies in their area. Look for the agency that provides the nanny with written material to help her adjust to her job ... job description, a daily log format, child development milestones, toilet training tips, and things of that nature. Some agencies assemble and print this material themselves, others rely on commercially published materials available in the industry. Not only do these activities help you and your nanny, they also show the commitment of the agency to the nanny, a commitment that will translate into experienced nannies who will return to that agency for their next job.

7. HOW DO YOU RECRUIT YOUR NANNIES?

Standard responses can be newspaper advertisement, both local and in remote areas, job fairs, college career centers, and outreach to daycare centers and pre-schools. The experienced agency will get returning nannies that they placed a few years ago, and word of mouth referrals from those nannies. Still others, particularly in urban areas, utilize recruiters in more rural areas to recruit and prescreen live-in nanny candidates.

8. WHAT TYPE OF AFTER-PLACEMENT PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT DO YOU HAVE?

Experienced agencies will go out of their way to insure that you and the nanny have the tools you need to enjoy a long term, successful placement. Most will work with the family to draft a work agreement that stipulates all the terms of employment for the nanny and will require that this agreement be formalized before the nanny actually starts work. The agency should touch base with both you and the nanny at the end of the first week and first month to gauge the satisfaction with the match. Often the agency will elicit feedback from the nanny that she is afraid to tell you directly. This 'go-between' role is critical to the long term success of the placement.

The agency should also be able to provide you with business referrals for services you will need after the nanny is hired. These include nanny payroll and tax services, nanny health insurance, and workers' compensation insurance providers.

9. WHAT REFERENCES DO YOU HAVE THAT I CAN CHECK?

Don't just ask for client references, check them out. Don't be afraid to ask your co-workers, friends and colleagues for referrals - the unsolicited reference is often the most honest one.

10. DOES YOUR AGENCY HAVE ANY PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS?

The experienced, professional agency knows that maintaining membership in one or more professional associations helps them stay up to date on the latest trends and issues in the nanny industry. Among these are the International Nanny Association, the Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Many agencies are also active members of their local Chambers of Commerce, Rotary International and similar small business associations.