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Childcare: Is Hiring a Nanny Right for You?

Guide to Finding a Nanny for Chicago Parents

By Sara Yaniga, Macaroni KID Chicago April 15, 2024

As parents, balancing work, household responsibilities, and quality time with your children can be overwhelming. A nanny can be a valuable asset, providing personalized care and support for your child while offering you peace of mind. Whether you're returning to work, seeking additional support, or simply looking to enhance your child's development, hiring a nanny could be the perfect solution for your family's needs. Below you will find a list of nanny agencies serving Chicago that can assist you in finding the right fit for your family.

Chicago Nannies, Inc. - For over 2 decades, Chicago Nannies has cultivated an unmatched reputation of exceptional customer service, discretion, rigorous screening, and a true passion for understanding the individual family dynamics and needs of our clients. At Chicago Nannies, we are devoted to building relationships, supporting our clients at each stage of life, and helping the households we staff achieve work-life balance. Our approach to domestic staffing is transparent, cohesive and meticulous.
Whether you are hiring a nanny, housekeeper, baby nurse, house manager, or an occasional babysitter, you can be confident that Chicago Nannies will provide the best in household staffing.

Jovie of Chicago - Jovie teams are an entire crew devoted to making your routines better, your family stronger and set up to thrive. We’ll provide you with a nanny or sitter who is vetted and skilled to provide the childcare you need when you need it. We’ve got your back on hectic mornings, school breaks, date nights, or whenever you need us. 

Mom's Best Friend - Guides you through the hiring of top in-home professionals with our thorough screening process that weeds out 90% of candidates to make your life easier.

MoniCare Nannies and Household Staffing - Founded in 2003 to provide families with highly experienced domestic staff professionals. With more than 20 years of domestic staffing industry experience, over 2000 long-term placements, and several thousand pre-screened quality candidates, MoniCare is the most trusted full-service household staffing agency in Chicago.
In addition to long-term nannies and short-term babysitters, we also place long-term housekeepers, personalized positions of nanny-house managers, nanny-family assistants, housekeeper-household managers, housekeeper-cooks, executive housekeepers, laundresses, chefs, cooks, personal assistants, house managers, and more.

NannyHarmony - A different approach to nanny placement, rooted in advocacy & honesty, where both nannies and families are heard, valued, and understood. NannyHarmony is known for a process that is highly individualized and person-focused. 

OliveYou - Hiring a nanny is an investment. Let us help you find the perfect match. We personalize each search, personally speak to childcare references, schedule interviews, run background checks, and walk you through your contract.  We narrow down and deliver a personalized set of options perfectly matched to your family’s needs and parenting style.

Second City Nannies - The nanny placement process shouldn’t cause your family stress, and my goal is to make it easy and straightforward! We believe hiring an exceptional nanny is a key investment in your child’s future. Great nannies are more than just child care providers; they are role models, mentors, tutors, “big sisters,” and a direct representation of your family’s values.

Sittercity - There is no one better motivated to reimagine the in-home childcare industry than a problem-solving team of parents and experienced childcare providers. Sittercity's mission is "To Make Childcare Work" and to simplify the way connections are made between local families and professionals who are looking for work and passionate about supporting families.

What are the things to consider before hiring a nanny?




What to ask during an interview with a nanny?

When interviewing a potential nanny, it's important to ask questions that will help you assess their qualifications, experience, and fit for your family. Be sure to take notes in case you need to revisit any topics during employment with your family as well. 

Here are some questions you might consider asking: