This is just a quick synopsis - there are many, many additional details provided at 4nannies.com to help a nanny successfully match with the right family.

Envision Your Ideal Nanny Job: You need to define for yourself what your wants and needs are first. Do you have age preferences in caring for kids? What duties are you willing to take on? Cooking? Laundry? Housekeeping? Know what you are willing to do, as well as what you are either unwilling or unable to do. Be realistic - you cannot be a cook, housekeeper and care for infant twins all at the same time! Put your preferences -- including the 'must haves' and the 'would-be-nice-to-haves' -- in a list that you can refer back to when you get to the interview phase of the process. Decide what your income requirements are now, so salary discussions won't be a stumbling block later.

The Initial Contact: Once you've identified possible jobs, you will want to contact the family to further determine your (and their) level of interest and suitability. You may either email or phone families that match your criteria. Use this step to further narrow the field to families with whom you would like to interview in depth. Remember, as a condition of membership you MUST respond to all family inquiries, even if it is only to say you are not interested.

Interview: Remember your list from step one? Now's the time to use that list to craft questions for a personal interview of the family. An in person interview is ideal; however many nannies are successful with telephone interviewing. However you conduct your interview, be sure to ask open-ended questions designed to elicit more than a simple "yes" or "no" response. Ask the question and then let the parents talk; listen carefully.

Conditional Job Offer Extended: Families will generally make their intitial job offer to you verbally, and it will be contingent on successful reference and background checks. Ask and get answers to any of your questions. This is the logical place in the process for you to bow out if the job, terms, or conditions do not meet your needs. Presuming you are delighted with the offer and opportunity, you would then proceed to provide your references and signed consent to perform a background check.

Reference Checks: Be prepared with a list of your professional and personal references. The family will be looking for a minimum of two non-related references. This step usually takes place after you and the family have reached a tentative work agreement and they have made a contingent offer of employment. The family may choose to utilize professional reference checking services.

Background Check: The family will need your signed consent to perform a background check. This is the time when you full name, date of birth and Social Security number need to be disclosed to the family.

You Got the Job! Once you're satisfied that you've found the right family, make sure the terms of your arrangement are spelled out in an employment agreement that will be signed by all parties. This must include compensation, pay frequency, tax treatment, overtime compensation, benefits, holiday, sick and vacation day policies, expense reimbursement policy (especially if you are using your vehicle to transport the children), a specific treatment of duties and responsibilities, and a confidentiality clause. Try to schedule time for orientation to the family's home, family members and schedule. Make sure you have the parent's office and cell phone numbers, as well as written authorization to pick up the children from school or obtain medical care for them.

Please don't try to take short cuts. Every step is important to a successful outcome.

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