1. Is there a charge for nannies to use your service?
2. How long does it take to find a job?
3. How many families can I interview with?
4. What is meant by a "one year commitment"?
5. What if a the placement doesn't go well?
6. Why should I want a written employment agreement with my family?
7. How can I get relevant experience if agencies won't place me without it?
8. Why use your agency rather than finding a job on my own?
9. Why use your agency rather than some other agency?

1. Is there a charge for nannies to use your service? Top of Page
   Our service to represent you and refer you to our client families is free to you.

2. How long does it take to find a job? Top of Page                                                                                  At Nannies from the Heartland, we’re committed to helping experienced nannies find positive opportunities which match their skills with a family’s needs. There are many variables that impact how long it may take you to find a job through our service. We respect your preferences, taking into consideration hours, duties, salary and benefits, location, ages of children, and experience. Each situation is unique.

3. How many families can I interview with? Top of Page
   We will refer you to as many families as you desire and we determine are a potential good match for you. When you get a job offer, you should respond within one or two days. We can help you evaluate job offers, and we will respond to families on your behalf if you want us to. We encourage you to keep on searching until you get an offer that you feel good about.

4. What is meant by a "one year commitment"? Top of Page
   In most cases you need to be able to make a one year commitment. That is, at the time that you accept a job offer, it should be your intention to work with the family for at least one year. For example, you should not be accepting a job in the spring if you plan to return to school in the fall. Although, one year is a minimal commitment many nannies and families chose to work together for several years.

5. What if the placement doesn't go well? Top of Page
   In rare cases, a placement may not work out well. We encourage you to call us when you first begin to have concerns. We can support you with ideas and encouragement for resolving challenges with your family. Your call will be treated as confidential.
    

6. Why should I want a written employment agreement with my employer? Top of Page
   We require our client families to develop a written agreement with you. It is in the best interest of both parties. We have heard dozens of stories from nannies who left their family because of misunderstandings about the job. This is a rare occurrence with our placements because of the written agreement.
   
   Some of the common causes for misunderstandings include: changes to the work schedule and/or duties; increasing requirements for the nanny to transport the children in her car without reimbursement for mileage; expectations for the nanny to be on-call on evenings and weekends; expectations for the nanny to work overtime without additional pay; expectations for the nanny to accompany the family on vacations where she works longer hours with no additional pay; or expectations for the nanny to take unpaid time off while the family goes on vacation.
   
   Our fill-in-the-blanks employment agreement that we provide to families ensures that most issues are discussed before they become a problem.

7. How can I get relevant experience if agencies won't place me without it? Top of Page
   In order to gain this experience you have several options. You could get a job in a day care center, secure a nanny job through other sources, and/or pursue post-secondary education with internship experience. In addition to this we encourage you to do volunteer work with children and babysitting to gain more experience and references.

8. Why use your agency rather than finding a job on my own? Top of Page
   Quite often, the best jobs are not advertised. Many excellent families work only with Nannies from the Heartland because of the assistance and privacy provided.
   
   We interview and select families seeking assistance in hiring a nanny. This saves you time and presents opportunities which are rewarding, enjoyable and safe. We work with families who will respect nannies as professionals, offer competitive compensation packages and set reasonable work schedules. Nannies from the Heartland counsels both nannies and families for successful interviews and long-term relationships. You can count on us for ongoing support, information and opportunities to meet other nannies.
   
   Because of the extra effort and care to insure a good match, on average, our nannies stay with their families for about three years; many stay for several years.

9. Why use your agency rather than some other agency? Top of Page
   Nannies from the Heartland is the Twin Cities most highly regarded agency placing well qualified and experienced nannies with prescreened families offering great positions.  We have an outstanding reputation in the community. Experienced  nannies feel good about working with us and value the support and advocacy for those in this very important profession.
   
   Ours is a full time business rather than a part time, start-up effort or national on line service. Over 35 local agencies have opened and closed since Nannies from the Heartland, Inc. was founded in 1990. We have the experience and stability that you can count on to do the best job possible for you.
   
   Mary O'Connor (owner of Nannies from the Heartland, Inc.) was the President of the International Nanny Association (INA) from 1997 to 1999 and served on the Board of Directors for ten years.  Thus, professional nannies and successful agency owners from around the country have demonstrated their trust and respect for Mary as a leader in this industry. Her extensive regular contacts with those colleagues are a tremendous source of knowledge and insight into this business. Nannies from the Heartland is a member of the International Nanny Association, Better Business Bureau and recognized as an honored business owner by the Twin Cities Professional Nannies. No other agency owner in the Twin Cities brings this degree of commitment, knowledge and experience to this business.
   
   See our "Choosing an Agency" page for a list of probing questions that nannies and families can ask of agencies to help you choose one to work with.

• FYI: Over 50% of the nannies placed with our service have a two or four year degree in a child specific field. The average placement longevity through our service is over three years. The average age of the nannies placed through our service is 41 years old.

The International Nanny Association provides these child care definitions: