Five Red Flags to Look for in a Nanny Job Posting

Looking for a job can be exhausting and frustrating. You reply to job postings online only to find out that the family is looking for something completely different than you expected. I did a quick look online and found these 5 red flags (plus a bonus tip) in less than 5 minutes. And I didn't just find them once, I found them time and time again. Let’s take a look at these 5 red flags so you can save yourself some time when looking for a job online.

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[riseabove]

I am a professional nanny & when I was looking for a new family I was so excited when I found the “perfect” family. It all seemed perfect until we got around to pay. They wanted to pay me $12/hr for 9/hr days. The dad said it’s because it was an “easy” job because the baby was 4 months old. I almost took it because I was desperate for a job. I’m glad I waited for the right family and pay!

[saycog]

When you’re required to use your personal car and there’s no plan to pay you more for that. It’s not only about gas, also about wear and tear. It also shows they don’t care about their kids as they don’t really know the safe conditions of the Nannie’s car.

[nancy]

Great video. I love that you stand up for nannies and give them the respect they earn. It always baffles me when families post " light housekeeping" only to discover that you may clean the whole house. Or when families put an add in the newspaper for a nanny, but they want a housekeeper that watches the kids.
I now tell families jn an interview that I agree to do light housekeeping, so no cleaning entire bathrooms and such.

[cathyparvin]

Thanks for this! Very helpful. I have recently started a new position and asked them for a ref from their previous 2 Nanny’s. They were a little surprised, but checked with the 2 previous nanny’s and I spoke to both & found it helpful

[nataliejenner]

Super helpful video. I've definitely seen a number of these red flags on nanny job postings. Another one that seems to come up often in addition to not posting the salary is to be vague about the salary, as in wages are based on experience and references which I get, but some families may think more experience equals more money. Someone may have less experience as a nanny but may bring other things to the table like cooking, multiple languages etc I think there should be more clarity on wages for any nanny job so potential employees know what to expect

[islandlivingJNB]

I just found this channel so happy i did....So story time I was recommended by someone for a nanny job before i did the interview the mom said she would pay acertain amount (side note parents dont live together they co parent) when i got there met the father we talked when it came on to discussing the salary he wanted to pay me lower then i usually charge because he is saying that he will provide meals and it was also a live in RED FLAG🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩Anyway took the job....Regretted....Left them now I am working for an agency and its going really well. So lesson I have learned Know ur worth if there welling to pay what u want Leave dont take it

[evelyntena]

Another one is I have three children but two go to school so mainly you’ll be with the smallest and want to under pay you bc you will only have “one” when that doesn’t happen . It’s happened to me TWICE after the families seeing I can handle all three, it ends up being all three with the same pay😒

[shanicealyssasspace]

😍😍 Your hair colour is gorgeous! I love it! Great tips by the way, thank you.

[RLSCS]

I’m always surprised by how many nanny job postings I read that lack basic information, such as the number and/or age of children, days and hours required of the position, the area where the job is located and what pay is being offered.

[jacquelinemarcello]

Thank you so much for that valuable information. I am just beginning this type of job. So anything that will help find a great is appreciated. Happy weekend. 2/17/2024

[GloballyGorgeous]

We need another video about nanny red flags Michelle! I swear this video is so correct but here are some of mine:

if the family has a discipline structure that isn't congruent with my own/ is verging on abusive. It's not a nanny "posting" red flag but for sure interview question red flag. (i.e. spanking, forcing children to eat when they’re not hungry, using exercise as punishment or giving young babies a stern talking to about dropping food on the floor)

if the family posts willing to pay between $12-$35/hr. What does that even mean? why do you have such a large gradient?

if the family posts: we need one nanny for 50-60hrs a week, sometimes more sometimes less. How is that even possible for one human?

Some pink flags that are not always true at all: Nanny families that call their nannies baby-sitters and nanny families that aren't clear on vaccination status.

Love your channel, I hope after college I can be a career nanny because of these videos, Michelle!

[vivibox]

As an experienced nanny, a mom recently contacted me to work for her 3 children directly for the dates when she hasn't met me. And so I told her that I would appreciate if we could talk face-to-face before agreeing on anything.

[Nannyb]

Another red flag is when parents say need someone caring to take care of babe. No they need to be more specific . My current family said this and baby is really energized I take him outdoors 3 times a day I read, sing and teaching him intro to Spanish. Make sure the description states what they expect you to do with their child. I’ve come up with a whole lesson plan.

[bpom]

All these examples just validate that going through an agency is the best, safest and most efficiant use of our valuable time as nannies. When I am ready for my next nanny position I will be going through an agency to avoid all these issues. Thank you very much.

[xxdaemochibixx]

been watching your channel for a few weeks looking into going into Nanny work from years of volunteer work hosting classes and part time babysitting. I was wondering if you could cover the timeline from application to assignment.

[SanctifiedSyd]

Thank u so much for your helpful videos. I wish I could tell u about what this one family did to me and maybe you could make a video talking about it. They illegally fired me because I didn't want to bank hours with them on top of me working over time everyday and weekends. Then sent me an email as if I quit meanwhile I was wrongfully fired

[weppis]

Red flag interview .
When the parents rambles about their previous nanny being unprofessional all because she couldn’t get the baby to calm down.

[mariap.p.]

A job posting that says ‘’driving required’’ and ‘’family has a car for the nanny to use’’. If you have your license, I would recommend checking with the family that you can use the car provided long term. The family might expect you to buy a car if the parent that’s working from home due to COVID is asked to go back to the office.

[walkingthroughashes]

I've honestly had some "flexible hours" jobs that are actually flexible to me. But I tell them what I need right up front and sometimes it works out. Sometimes it doesn't,

[babycakes]

Hiring ASAP might mean that someone just quit, because they were that "pleasant" to work for.

Another red flag is when the job description is too detailed, and way too long. That means that they are micromanaging, and want the nanny to do everything, even iron socks, sheets and underwear (I had an interview for that job once).

Another red flag is when they say that everything is close to drive your own car, where in fact you are driving 20 mins each way and 4x a day. It adds up quickly, but they don't appreciate it at all, because it is so "very close".

The list goes on and on.

I would like to see a video on ways to find a new job while holding full time position already. I find it impossible, because most likely you are looking in the same area and you might get shot yourself in the foot by looking, and someone might let know your current family. Also the prospective family wants to know what do you do at the moment, and why are you leaving? So the only way I found to be helpfull was to quit one and look for another. But there must be some better and easier way to do it?