Question:
How do I find a nanny job in a small town? Parents, when you are looking, how do you find a nanny/babysitter?
?
2006-05-22 11:47:43 UTC
I am moving to a new town where I don't know anyone, so I am not sure if word of mouth alone would work. I've tried online services, but they usually only list big city families.
Six answers:
RMarcin
2006-05-22 11:59:05 UTC
I worked as a nanny for several years, most of them spent in a small town. Unfortunately in small towns it's usually about who you know and word of mouth. So, moving to a new town that's going to be a disadvantage to you. One of the first things I would do would be to get involved in the community, in the local church (if you're at all religious), in general be involved in the fabric of the town life so that when you apply for nanny/babysitting jobs, people will have an idea of who you are...and if they don't know, chances are their neighbor, friend or someone does and can fill them in. Also, since you're going to be new to the area and few if any people will know you, you'll want to be certain that your references are impeccable and up to date. Have at least four or five written references from people for whom you have either been a nanny or a babysitter, along with their contact information (phone number, etc.) should the prospective parents wish to follow up with further questions. Also have personal references avaialable for the prospective parents. These can be from your minister, previous (non-nanny) employers, long-time friends (particularly if they have some standing in their community; think: lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.), also have contact information available for parents to follow up on these references as well. Also, be prepared to submit to a background search if the parents request it.



Once you've made sure all your ducks are in a row, start looking in the local paper and answering ads for child care help, casually let people know that you are interested in working as a nanny/babysitter/mother's help, etc. Keep in mind that nannies in smaller towns generally live-out and typically do not receive as high a salary as ones in bigger cities.



Good luck with your search.
wwlees
2006-05-22 19:51:11 UTC
I wish you were moving to my town! : )



As a parent, of course, I love to find a babysitter by word of mouth. But for this summer I don't think that is an option, so I am looking in the classifieds in our town newspaper. The personal ads cost $18 for 3 lines. Believe me, parents will at least inquire.



I am also thinking about posting a flyer at our neighborhood pool seeing if any babysitters are available. You could post a flyer offering your services. You will probably find other places around town that you can post flyers, too. Make sure you do the ones with the tear off tabs at the bottom so people can walk away with your name and a contact phone number.



Good Luck!
kadel
2006-05-28 06:21:35 UTC
Contact the local la leche group. I found my babysitters from their members. I dropped my son off at their houses and they had toddler boys his age and the kids played together and had a wonderful time. I had two of them so I had a backup when my main sitter was out of town or had to take a child to the doctor that day
Trish
2006-05-22 11:52:35 UTC
See if your new city has a community forum ( I live in Columbia, SC and we have Columbia4kids.com)



You can also post an ad in your local paper. People are REALLY looking for sitters now since school is letting out!



Good Luck!
cole2585
2006-05-24 20:32:08 UTC
you could try gonannies.com, 4sitters.com, greataupair.com, they are bound to have someone for you, good luck!



www.gonannies.com

www.greataupair.com

www.4sitter.com



I use them all the time!
tootiefrootie
2006-05-22 12:07:38 UTC
find a church


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