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My commitment to you...

Because your children are the most precious people in the world, and because
the prospect of handing them off to someone new can be daunting, I am
committed to making the process as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
By personally coming into your home and taking the time to get to know you and
your family, I hope to build a trusting relationship.
I want you to feel as though I have given my best and beyond to find someone
that you not only feel safe leaving your little ones with, but that you like as well!

The process...

Initial Interview: I come to your home and sit down with you to discuss
the application and go over the details of what you are looking for in a
nanny, and what your specific needs are in regards to schedule, etc.
Prospects: after the interview, we perform a background check on you
(we want to be sure we are protecting our nannies, too!). When we have
matched you with a few potential nannies, we will email you a brief
profile about them, so that you can set up some interviews! You may
meet as many candidates in the next ninety days as you like before
making your choice to move ahead.
Call Backs: If there is someone you wish to have a second, longer
interview with before making your decision, you may do so, if the nanny
is willing.
The Agreement: when you have chosen a candidate, I get together with
you and the nanny in your home to sign the Nanny/Family Agreement.
Ongoing support: we will call to check up on how things are going
monthly for the first three months, and are always available if you have
any questions after the placement.

FAQ's:

Why go through an agency?

Many nannies are found online, or through the paper, or simply by word of
mouth. The trouble with these methods is: the task of wading through an
answering machine full of messages can be daunting, and in the end you have
someone who has not been checked out, and rarely fits your ideal. With an
agency, the work and the headache belong to someone else, and in the end,
you have someone who has been thoroughly checked out, and hopefully fits
your ideal perfectly (or as well as anyone possibly could!).
If you have never been through the process before, it can be nice to have
someone with experience walking you through it; and if you've been through the
process one too many times, it can be nice to have someone else deal with it
for once!

What is required of your nannies?

A minimum of two years childcare experience
CPR and First Aid certification
Background check
Driver's record check
Social Security verification
A minimum of four solid references
Access to the Sugar Co-op, which provides a monthly newsletter, nanny
support groups, and a yearly weekend workshop with the opportunity for
CPR and First Aid certification updates
Extensive interview/application process

What will this cost?

At the time of the initial interview, a $150 deposit is required, to cover the costs
of the background checks, etc. This is non-refundable, unless we fail to send
you the profiles of at least three nannies that fit your specifications within 90
days. If, within this 90 days, we have given you three candidates to interview that
meet your specifications and you have rejected them, if we find that you have
falsified information on your application, or if you decide to find a nanny on your
own, this is also non-refundable.
The remaining balance of $1350 is due at the Agreement Signing.

How much will I have to pay a nanny?

This is negotiable between you and the nanny, however, I require my families to
pay a minimum of $15/hr (or the equivalent in salary), this is the ensure that my
nannies are not being employed for less than market range. Average pay scale
for a nanny in the greater Seattle area is anywhere from $15-$25/hr, depending
on the type of position and the nannies' level of experience.

What if I am unsatisfied with my nanny?

We wish all parties to be happy in the arrangement, and, believing that most
problems can be mediated, we are happy to do so. However, if, within the first
ninety days, you feel that the nanny you have chosen is not the right one for your
family, we will start the interview process over at no additional cost.

How do I get started?

Simply click on the link below to print out your application. We prefer that you
complete this, and then call us to set up the Initial Interview, at which time we
will ask you some basic questions to get a feel for your needs so that we can
attempt to bring a few prospective nanny profiles for you to see. At the Initial
Interview we will go over your completed application with you in detail.
If you prefer, you may call or email us and we will mail you an application.
If you would like more information before going to the trouble of filling out the
application, you may call us for a brief phone interview first.

Family Application