Are you a busy professional or parent needing extra support or hand-holding when looking for the perfect nanny for your child? Perhaps you're a family in the public eye, navigating the spotlight while ensuring your child is well-cared for. Or maybe you're relocating and seeking a reliable nanny agency to provide stability during this transition.
Whether you're new to parenting and looking for professional guidance, or hiring a nanny for the first, second, or third time, Homebodies are here to offer a helping hand. The families we work with share common traits of valuing stability, professionalism, and expert care for their little ones. If this is you, here's why we think Homebodies is the perfect nanny agency for you.
1. You value a done-for-you service that covers all bases
We often come across families who previously attempted to hire a nanny 'by themselves'. Perhaps they asked for recommendations from friends and family or used online services or other nanny agencies. So why did that not work for them? Why do they come to us for help?
If it's your first time hiring a nanny, you may not be familiar with the process at all. Getting started with no support may feel daunting and overwhelming. If you're relocating to London from anywhere else in the UK or from abroad, you may need someone to figuratively hold your hand and help you find the right nanny in an unfamiliar city.
The reason why most families in these situations reach out to us is that we provide a high-end bespoke service that’s personalised and tailored to your needs. We invest a lot of time in helping you discover your requirements upfront. That way, you never have to get into conversations (or have interviews) with prospective candidates who simply aren’t the right fit for your family.
Here are a few examples of how our stress-free, done-for-you service can add value to your search.
Professional support and guidance
Friends and family members may not have the expertise or industry knowledge to guide you through the hiring process. And this is likely to result in missteps and oversights. An experienced nanny who is perfect for someone you know may not be a good fit for your family! Families come to our agency because we provide professional support, advice, and assistance in matching your family with the most suitable nanny. We pride ourselves in securing smooth and successful nanny placements for our families.
No time wasting!
We discuss your requirements at length in our initial consultation, so we have all the relevant information to find a suitable nanny for your family. After screening and interviewing candidates ourselves, we only put forward a shortlist of 2-3 candidates for you to interview. That way, you don't waste time with people who aren't fit for your current situation.
Contractual and legal concerns
Informal agreements made through personal connections are at high risk of lacking clarity and compliance regarding employment contracts, compensation, benefits, and legal obligations. And these aren’t factors to be taken lightly when you’re employing a nanny!
This is why we offer our expertise and support you in going through the stage of drafting and finalising your nanny contract to ensure it’s right for you and your nanny. When it comes to payroll, unless you have your trusted provider, we refer you to Nanny Tax, who offers an all-inclusive nanny PAYE service that includes HR support too.
Confidentiality and privacy
If you feel uncomfortable sharing detailed personal information about your family dynamics, schedules, and childcare needs with friends or online platforms, we can help. When you work with us, we guarantee discretion and professionalism. At Homebodies, we prioritise the protection of your information and always maintain confidentiality throughout the hiring process.
Continued support
We are with you every step of the way - even after your nanny has started working with you. Our support doesn't stop when you hire your nanny. We’re available to check in regularly and frequently (especially at the beginning) to:
Iron out any concerns you may have.
Discuss any problems or changes in circumstances.
Answer any questions, no matter how small.
Help you review your contract and the nanny’s salary (should you need to). This includes bonuses, pay raises, etc.
We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our clients. And aftercare is an integral part of what makes us stand out from other nanny agencies.
For more information, head to the blog post: Choosing the Best High-end Nanny Agency in London - What Sets Us Apart.
2. You are committed and prepared to invest time into the process
Homebodies is the perfect nanny agency for professional families serious about finding a nanny. If you're looking to employ your nanny and establish an employer/employee relationship, doing it with our help makes the process a much smoother and stress-free experience.
Here are a few examples of how we add value.
You invest the time upfront, and we do (most of) the rest
While we handle the majority of tasks behind the scenes on your behalf, achieving optimal results requires an initial investment of your time to understand and outline your needs.
When you first start working with us, we arrange an initial consultation - on Zoom or in person and at a time that's convenient for you. The aim is to discover your preferences and requirements and understand your expectations when it comes to the nanny's schedule and duties. We also learn about your children's routines, preferences, and any necessary care requirements. This allows us to understand your parenting styles, desired nurturing approaches, and qualifications sought in a nanny - all while aligning with your family's interests and values. And because of this, we're able to find the perfect match for you in less time and in a more efficient way.
Above and beyond support, flexibility, and a bespoke approach
We understand you're busy, which is why you're trusting the expertise of a high-end, award-winning agency and delegating the search for a nanny to us. This is why we choose to be completely flexible and tailor our approach to suit your needs. If you can’t commit to a one-hour initial consultation with us, we will work with the time you have available. Similarly, if meeting in person isn't possible, we can arrange a video or phone call. Can't talk during the day? We can talk in the evenings or on weekends - whatever works best. As long as you're committed to the process, we'll go above and beyond to make the most of the time you have available to get you the best results.
For more information, head to the blog post: Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Nanny in London with Homebodies.
3. You don’t want to waste your time doing things that don’t work
Because we value your time and appreciate how busy you are with different priorities in your personal and professional life, we are committed to doing everything we can to avoid wasting any of your time. Over the years, we've created a streamlined process that avoids the pitfalls that we see families fall into when they search for a nanny by themselves using other services.
While 'going alone' can look tempting (or cheaper) on the surface, a lot can go wrong. With our thorough, trialed-and-tested process we mitigate risks you may not even foresee.
Screening, background, and reference checks
Websites and online platforms don’t always verify the credentials and qualifications of the nannies listed. Instead, we conduct full screening and background checks on your behalf, including enhanced DBS/police checks through a specialised agency.
We also check all nannies' references by speaking to previous employers directly. This highly important part of the process helps us understand whether a prospective nanny is the right fit for your family and gives us much insight into the nanny’s work ethic and character.
Access to a professional database of vetted nannies
When looking for a nanny on the Internet, you'll often come across pools of ‘unsuitable’ candidates. While the nannies may be qualified and experienced, they might not be right for your current needs. Similarly, if you rely on personal referrals, you won’t have access to the diverse pool of candidates that our established agency can tap into. We have a professional database (as well as the network and resources) to connect you with experienced and suitable nannies who meet your specific requirements.
Access to a streamlined yet thorough process that doesn't waste your time
Conducting a nanny search independently through friends, family, or online platforms can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, and extremely inefficient. We streamline the hiring process for you, saving you time and effort. We not only handle candidate screening, but we also interview every nanny in advance and only put forward a shortlist of 2-3 candidates. Plus, we advise on interviewing questions and techniques, support you in conducting trials, and help you throughout the contract and salary negotiations (and beyond).
Access to expert knowledge and advice
Our founder Simone is a mother of three children. Having hired nannies for her children in the past, she genuinely understands what you're going through. Her personal experience, coupled with her passion for matching nannies for her clients for over 14 years allows her to expertly find you the perfect nanny.
4. You're looking for a full-time nanny (or 4 full days minimum)
Our agency only works with families who are looking to hire full-time nannies. Here’s why:
Stability and continuity of care. A stronger bond between your child and their nanny can lead to a more meaningful relationship and better emotional stability.
Full-time nannies choose nannying as their main career. This means they are typically highly qualified and experienced, and therefore, high-calibre. Plus, most professional nannies want to earn a full-time salary as this is their only occupation. By committing to these types of nanny placements, we can ensure the very best quality of care.
Part-time nanny placements can sometimes be problematic. Having a part-time nanny who needs to work with another family can create issues. When your nanny only works part-time, often the longevity of the placement can be cut short. This is because, as her circumstances change, she may need a different working arrangement. Some part-time nannies are not as committed and the last thing we would want is for you to be let down.
Would you like our help in finding your perfect nanny?
Finding the perfect nanny for your family is a task we approach with professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication. We are committed to fulfilling your unique needs. If you're seeking a high-end, bespoke service that saves you time while delivering exceptional results, Homebodies is the ideal partner in your nanny search journey.
Don't settle for less. Entrust us to provide expert guidance, work through a streamlined process that gets results, and match you with the perfect nanny for your needs. If you're ready to take the next step, contact us today for an informal call, and let's talk about how we can help.