Hilton Head Nannies
The Lowcountry's Gold Standard
for Childcare since 2007.
We are interested in hiring a nanny.
We are delighted that you are considering hiring a nanny.
Finding a great nanny is time-consuming, requires expertise, and can be particularly challenging in today's market. Our team brings decades of experience in the nanny industry, with over 17 years of successfully placing nannies with families. The good news is that we can alleviate the stress of this process for you. If you need help finding the perfect solution to your childcare needs, take a deep breath... and give us a call!
Why should we work with Hilton Head Nannies?
Many of our clients have shared their frustration with other agencies, where they receive a flood of nanny profiles based on basic criteria like location, schedule, and compensation. This approach often leaves them feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. At Hilton Head Nannies, we operate differently. We believe it's our responsibility to thoroughly vet candidates and find the best matches for your family.
We tailor our search to your specific needs and conduct detailed interviews to ensure a good overall fit. Our goal is to set you and your nanny up for long-term success. Our meticulous process has resulted in a 98% success rate, with most families hiring the first candidate we present.
Please note, this thorough process is time-consuming and typically takes 3-4 weeks before you are introduced to a candidate. While this timeline may not work for all families, we believe in doing things right the first time, ensuring a successful and lasting placement.
What is the process of hiring a nanny through your agency?
The steps for hiring a nanny through our agency are as follows:
Step 1: Complete and Sign the following documents: Family Application, Placement Agreement and Credit Card Authorization form. Please be as thorough as possible on the Application.
Step 2: The Application Fee is charged to your card on file and the agency reviews your application. The office will consult with you regarding your position, the compensation package and what your family is looking for. We will also check your references to make sure your home is a suitable and safe place for a nanny to be employed.
Step 3: Our Recruiting Team places advertisements specific to your family’s position.
Step 4: Our Recruiting Team, under the leadership of our Lead Recruiter, works to recruit a nanny for your position.
Step 5: Once we feel we have a good match for your family, we send you the nanny’s information for your review. If you desire, an interview is set up with the nanny. If both you and the nanny feel that you are a good fit for each other, then the process moves forward. If not, the agency will continue to work with you to find a good fit.
Step 6: Once you have made the decision to offer a position to a candidate, you will complete an “Offer of Employment Form” and turn it in to our office. Our office will then forward the form to the candidate for review. At this point in time, the candidate will have the opportunity to accept the offer or to make a counter offer. Once the candidate signs the form, the placement will be considered complete and the placement fee will be charged to your card on file.
Step 7: Our office will provide you with a sample employment agreement for you to complete with your new nanny. We will also provide you with referrals to a payroll company that specializes in household employment payroll. Of course, we are here should you have any questions or need our support.
How do you screen your nannies?
At Hilton Head Nannies, we are known for our rigorous and selective screening process, which ensures that only the highest quality nannies join our Registry. Our standards are so high that many applicants, including experienced schoolteachers, find our approval process more challenging than obtaining a teaching position. We wear this badge of honor with pride!
Requirements for Applicants:
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Love for Children: The applicant must genuinely love children and enjoy spending time with them.
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Fluent English and Legal Employment: The applicant must speak fluent English and be legally employable in the United States.
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Driving Record and Vehicle: The applicant must have a clean driving record and a reliable vehicle for commuting to and from work.
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Background Check: The applicant must pass an intensive background check conducted by a professional background check company. Hilton Head Nannies does not work with individuals who have criminal convictions.
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References: The applicant must provide a minimum of 9 excellent references, without exception.
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Skills Assessment: The candidate must take a written skills assessment and achieve a high score.
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CPR and First Aid Certification: The candidate must be certified in Infant/Child/Adult CPR and Basic First Aid, or be willing to obtain these certifications.
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Identity Verification: The candidate must provide the required documentation to prove their identity.
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Child Advocacy and Safety: The candidate must have a genuine interest in the well-being of children, be a child advocate, and understand child safety.
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Impressive Application: The candidate must submit an impressive application, with answers that set them apart from other applicants.
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Work History: The candidate must have a steady and excellent work history.
Our thorough screening process ensures that we only work with nannies who meet our high standards, providing peace of mind for the families who trust us with their childcare needs.
What does your background check and vetting process cover?
Understanding Background Checks
A background check, for employment purposes, is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Companies that conduct these checks are known as Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs). While many are familiar with FCRA in credit transactions, it's crucial to note its limitations in employment background checks. Generally, we cannot look back further than ten years for convictions or seven years for arrests. This limitation often surprises parents, but it’s a standard we adhere to.
The Limitations of Background Checks
Background checks provide valuable insights into a candidate's criminal record, but they do not offer a complete picture. These checks depend on data from various reporting agencies at the county, state, and federal levels, which can sometimes be erroneous or incomplete. For instance, background checks might not reveal arrests if charges were dropped, the person was not convicted, or records were expunged. This is why we adopt a multi-faceted approach, going beyond background checks to ensure thorough vetting.
Our Comprehensive Vetting Process
We have partnered with the same trusted background check company for over a decade. Here are the key components of our vetting process:
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Identity Report: We verify the information provided on the employment application, including name, aliases, current and previous addresses, social security number, and telephone number. This helps us make informed decisions about proceeding with a candidate's screening.
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Criminal Records Search: We conduct criminal records searches at county and federal levels across the United States, looking for convictions at both felony and misdemeanor levels by pulling records from county courthouses.
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National Sex Offender Registry Search: This search covers information from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and numerous Indian tribes to identify known sex offenders.
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USA Patriot Act Search: We check various government sanctions databases to ensure the candidate is not prohibited from certain activities or industries, providing information on potential terrorist connections or other criminal activities. Although we've never had a candidate flagged, we believe in utilizing all available resources.
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Driving Record: Knowing a candidate's driving record is crucial, especially for positions involving child transportation. It also serves as an indicator of the candidate's overall responsibility.
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Previous Employment Verification: We verify the candidate's past employment as reported on their application.
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Previous Employer Reference Checks: We ensure the candidate's past performance meets our standards by asking about punctuality, work quality, attitude, and other relevant issues.
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Character Reference Checks: We build a clear picture of the candidate's character by checking personal references.
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Education Verification*: For positions requiring specific educational qualifications, we confirm this information directly with the relevant institutions.
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Professional License Verification*: For positions requiring professional credentials, such as nursing or teaching, we verify these with the issuing agencies.
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Drug Screening*: If requested, we arrange for drug screening by a medical professional and provide the results.
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Blood Testing for Communicable Diseases*: If required and permitted by federal law, we arrange for this testing by a medical professional and provide the results.
*Services marked with an asterisk are available upon request and are invoiced prior to completion.
By combining these thorough checks, we ensure that only the most qualified and trustworthy nannies join our Registry, providing you with peace of mind in your childcare decisions.