Nanny Q&A With Skyline Nanny Co.

Q: Why should I work with Skyline Nanny Co.?

A: I created Skyline Nanny Co. with not just families, but nannies in mind. Before working in the agency world, I spent over 10 years as a nanny myself, so I understand firsthand how important it is to feel respected, supported, and fairly compensated. My goal is not simply to fill jobs quickly, it is to create long-term, professional matches where both the nanny and family genuinely thrive.

I strongly advocate for industry standards, including legal pay, guaranteed hours, paid time off, contracts, respectful communication, and clear expectations from the start. Every family and nanny who works with the agency is expected to follow professional nanny industry standards, and I work hard to ensure placements are mutually beneficial, sustainable, and supportive for everyone involved.

Q: Does it cost anything to work with the agency as a nanny?

A: No! There is never a fee for nannies to apply, interview, or be placed through Skyline Nanny Co.. The agency is paid entirely by the hiring family, never by the nanny.

I strongly believe nannies should never have to pay to access quality job opportunities or give up part of their earnings to secure a position. Skyline Nanny Co. does not charge membership fees, placement fees, or take any percentage of a nanny’s pay directly. Your compensation belongs fully to you.

The agency fee is paid separately by the family and does not impact the nanny’s wages in any way.

Q: How does working with the agency benefit me as a nanny?

A: Working with an agency gives you an advocate throughout the hiring process. I help guide families toward fair compensation, legal pay, professional contracts, and realistic expectations before introducing positions to candidates.

The agency also helps save you time by pre-screening families, organizing interviews, assisting with communication, and helping ensure positions are genuinely aligned with your experience, schedule, and career goals. Rather than sorting through endless online postings, you are being connected with families who are serious about hiring and prepared to invest in quality childcare.

Q: Why is there such a rigorous interview and screening process?

A: The screening process is designed to protect both nannies and families while maintaining high professional standards. Families trust the agency to introduce experienced, reliable, and qualified caregivers, and nannies deserve to work with families who value professionalism as well.

A thorough process also helps create stronger long-term matches. Taking the time upfront to carefully review experience, references, communication style, and overall fit helps reduce mismatches and leads to more successful placements for everyone involved.

Once a nanny has completed the agency’s onboarding and screening process, they typically do not need to repeat those steps for future opportunities. This allows me to quickly submit qualified candidates for positions they are interested in and genuinely well-suited for as new roles become available.

Q: Can I continue job searching on my own outside of the agency?

A: Absolutely!  Nannies are welcome to continue pursuing opportunities independently while being represented by Skyline Nanny Co. I never expect candidates to limit their search exclusively to the agency. My goal is simply to help connect you with positions that may be a strong fit and support you throughout the process.

Q: Who pays me? Does the agency take a cut of my pay?

A: Your employer pays you directly. Never the agency. Skyline Nanny Co. does not take any portion of your hourly wage or salary. The compensation discussed during the hiring process is the compensation you receive from the family.

By law, household employees are employees of the family they work for, not the agency. Families are responsible for following all applicable household employment laws and standards, including legal payroll, tax compliance, overtime requirements, and proper employment practices.

The agency placement fee is paid separately by the hiring family and does not reduce the nanny’s pay in any way.

Q: What kind of pay can I expect through the agency?

A: Pay varies by position, but families are expected to offer competitive, professional compensation that reflects current market standards. Most nanny positions in the Chicago area currently start around $25+/hour for one child with basic childcare-related duties, with rates increasing based on experience, qualifications, schedule, and responsibilities.

I’m also very transparent about pay ranges when posting jobs, so there are no surprises or bait-and-switch situations during the hiring process. You’ll know upfront whether a position aligns with your desired rate before moving forward.

Q: Do families offer guaranteed hours and benefits?

A: Families working with Skyline Nanny Co. are expected to follow professional nanny industry standards, which typically include guaranteed hours, paid time off, paid holidays, and legal payroll for long-term positions. Specific benefits vary by family and role, but I strongly encourage fair and competitive compensation packages that support long-term, sustainable employment relationships.

Q: How do you verify families before working with them?

A: Families go through a detailed intake and screening process before being accepted as clients of Skyline Nanny Co.. This includes an in-depth consultation around their childcare needs, schedule, expectations, compensation, and commitment to following industry standards and legal employment practices.

I also do a careful review of publicly available information, which may include social media, LinkedIn profiles, and other professional or online presence, as well as general background and public record checks when appropriate. I also ask for families who have had nannies in the past list childcare references to validate their suitability as employers. This helps ensure there is alignment, professionalism, and a safe, respectful working environment on both sides.

My goal is to work only with families who are serious about hiring, value clear communication, and are committed to treating childcare as a professional role with fair and legal employment standards.

Q: Do I have to accept every interview opportunity I’m presented with?

A: Not at all. You are never obligated to interview for a position that doesn’t feel like the right fit for your schedule, experience, preferences, or career goals. I only submit candidates to families for roles they have expressed interest in and feel comfortable exploring.

That said, once an interview is scheduled, I do expect professionalism and reliability in showing up as agreed. If you need to cancel, I ask for at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible. Last-minute cancellations without an emergency or supporting explanation may result in us no longer moving forward with representation, as it impacts both families and the agency’s reputation.

Q: Do I need prior nanny experience to apply?

A: Prior professional nanny experience is strongly preferred for most positions, especially long-term placements. However, I look at the full, holistic childcare picture: including other relevant childcare backgrounds such as daycare, preschool, teaching, newborn care, or extensive babysitting experience, depending on the role and the family’s needs.

Overall experience, responsibility level, age groups worked with, professionalism, communication style, and overall readiness for in-home care is what matters most. The goal is to ensure both strong skills and the maturity needed to succeed in a private household setting, where expectations are often more individualized and relationship-based than in other childcare environments.

Q: Do you help with contracts or work agreements?

A: Yes. I require all placements to use a written work agreement outlining important details such as pay, schedule, guaranteed hours, PTO, holidays, duties, and expectations. Clear contracts help protect both the nanny and family and create a stronger foundation for a successful long-term working relationship.

Q: Do I need to sign an agreement to be represented by the agency?

A: Yes. Before being actively represented by Skyline Nanny Co., nannies sign an agreement that outlines expectations, communication standards, and a code of conduct. This ensures everyone is aligned on professionalism, reliability, and how we interact with families throughout the process.

That said, you are always free to work with other agencies and pursue jobs independently at the same time. My representation is not exclusive. However, by choosing to work with Skyline Nanny Co., you agree to follow the agency’s guidelines while actively being submitted to families through us. This helps maintain consistency, trust, and a strong professional reputation for everyone involved.

Q: Do you place nannies who need to bring their own child to work?

A: Yes, I do consider placements for nannies who need to bring their own child, but these opportunities are more limited and can be more challenging to match.

Because most families are hiring for dedicated, one-on-one childcare, adding an additional child into the dynamic requires the right fit on both sides: age of the children, household structure, family comfort level, and the nature of the role all play a big part. Some families are open to this arrangement, but many are not, so availability is naturally more restricted.

When I do find potential matches, I’m very transparent about expectations upfront to ensure the arrangement feels comfortable and sustainable for both the nanny and the family.

Q: Do I need to be legally authorized to work in the United States?

A: Yes. All nannies must be legally authorized to work in the United States to be considered for placement through Skyline Nanny Co..

I want to acknowledge that this can be a sensitive topic, especially in a city like Chicago where many people come from diverse backgrounds and immigration experiences. However, I am required to operate within U.S. employment laws, and as a strong advocate for industry standards, I also ensure that all families hiring through the agency are able to employ nannies legally through payroll and tax-compliant arrangements.

Because of this, I can only represent candidates who already have legal authorization to work in the United States. My focus is always on treating every nanny with respect and dignity while ensuring all placements are compliant, secure, and sustainable for both the nanny and the family.

Q: Do I need to sign an NDA or confidentiality agreement?

A: Yes. Nannies may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement or NDA as part of the placement process through Skyline Nanny Co..

This is to protect family privacy and ensure professionalism in private household environments. Many families value discretion around their children, home life, schedules, and personal information. The agreement is standard in private in-home childcare and simply reinforces expectations around confidentiality, trust, and professional conduct.

Q: Do I need to have a car or reliable transportation?

A: It depends on the specific role. Some positions require a nanny to have their own reliable vehicle, especially if driving children to activities, school, or appointments is part of the job. In those cases, a clean driving record and insurance are typically required.

Other positions may not require driving at all, especially in more centralized or urban areas where families are open to using public transportation, walking, or staying within the home. Chicago has strong transit options, and in some roles, families are comfortable with nannies who rely on public transportation as long as reliability and punctuality are not impacted.

Each job posting will clearly outline transportation expectations so there are no surprises upfront.