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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions that we've answered?  Please contact us if you have a question not answered below.

1

What are the qualifications required to be a Savvy Southern Belle Agency nanny/sitter?


​We are only looking for the best qualified candidates. Savvy Southern Belle Agency requires verifiable childcare experience,  a combination of education credentials and related childcare experience before a nanny/sitter can register with our agency. All of our nannies/sitters may be able required to be licensed to drive per family need, must be legal to work in the United States, must have good English skills (mulitilingual is welcomed),  must be CPR and First Aid certified, must be able to pass a background check, and must love children.

2

How do you screen your nannies?


​After an initial telephone conversation to ascertain that their legal status, language skills, and childcare experience meet our exacting standards, candidates must complete the following steps in the screening process:

  • The Application: Detailed applications, outlining the nanny’s biographical information, childcare experience, and work history chronology are reviewed for conformity with our standards.

  • Reference Checking: All childcare references (including letters of reference) are interviewed at length by telephone by experienced staff. Candidates with excellent childcare references are then invited to for a personal interview at one of our office locations.

  • The Interview: All employees in the permanent division are involved in each interview. Through our detailed questions and conversation we get to know our nanny/sitter's personalities, track their work history, and get their desires for what they are looking for in a new position.

  • Background Investigation: After an offer of employment is made to a nanny/sitter candidate, all information is forwarded to a professional background investigation service retained by Savvy Southern Belle Agency to prepare a detailed background report. This report includes: criminal, felony, and misdemeanor checks, sex offender registry check, driving history, social security number trace, employment verification, and education verification (if within the United States).  A criminal background will not neccesarily bar an applicant from employment.

  • CPR Training: All nannies and sitters are required to be CPR certified or take the CPR class within ninety days of qualification. We offer classes monthly.

3

What should I know about Live-In versus Live-Out Nannies?

 

Live-out nannies are professional childcare providers who live outside of the family's home.   Hours worked can be anywhere from 15-30 hours for part-time and 30-50 hours per week for full-time.

 

Salaries for a live-in nanny differ. Factors that would determine their salary include their level of experience, number of children, if he/she drives, etc. Please click here to see salaries. 

 

Some live-out nannies will also consider combining other non child care related duties such as running errands or light housework for a higher salary; however, this should never compromise the care and needs of the children.

 

Live-in nannies are professional childcare providers who live and sleep in the home. Some live-in nannies are only live-in 3-5 days per week, while other live-in nannies are permanent residents. Live-in nannies typically work full-time and are ideal for families who travel often, work long hours and/or later evenings.

 

Some live-in nannies will also consider combining other non-childcare related duties such as housekeeping and personal assistant work for a higher pay compensation; however, this should never compromise the care and needs of the children.

 

4

What should I know about Full-Time versus Part-Time Nannies?

 

Full-time Nannies

 

Have it all. Let us show you how.

Your children deserve the right environment:Imagine a place where your child can grow and develop with one-on-one care. A clean and healthy place to learn and play. You won't find that place at any childcare center. With a full-time nanny, that place can be your home.

Get help with the daily juggle:Children's Activities. Work Commitments. Household Responsibilities. Having a trained, educated full-time College Nanny at home will help you take control of it all. It's your family. You know what you need. Tell us. We will help you find the right fit.

If you are reading this, you may have considered a full-time nanny for your family. What you may not know is how easy it will be. How personally tailored the service is. And how much stronger your family life will be. Contact us today.


Part-time Nannies

 

Get help with the daily juggle

Be in two places at once:A part-time nanny can allow you to have your cake and eat it too. Multiple children lead to multiple schedules. It never fails: schedules overlap. Part-time work schedules make childcare arrangements difficult. We can help you get everything covered.

You decide how much help you need:Our part-time nanny services may be customized anywhere from one afternoon to multiple days per week. It's your family. You know what you need. Tell us. We will help you find the right fit.

If you are reading this, you may have considered a part-time nanny for your family. What you may not know is how easy it will be. How personally tailored the service is. And how much stronger your family life will be. Contact us and we will make it happen.

 

5

What is the Expected Salary for Nannies and Neonatal Specialists?

 

NANNIES

 

There are several important factors that determine a nanny’s earning potential. Like with other professions, the more experience and education a nanny has, the more her earning potential will be.

 

Nannies who have a college degree and nine years of full-time nanny experience can command a hire wage than a nanny who has two years of full-time nanny experience and no college degree.

Nannies who hold special licenses or certifications typically out earn nannies who don’t. Licensed teachers, counselors or nurses, for example, can command a hire salary than those without those certifications.

 

When it comes to a nanny’s worth, the quality of her references can affect the salary she commands. A nanny who has worked three long-term jobs, each with stellar references is worth her weight in gold.

Nannies who develop a niche and have significant experience caring for children with special needs or multiples can also command higher wages than those who don’t when competing for a job that requires the candidate to have an area of expertise.

 

Since room and board is included in the compensation for live-in nannies, they earn slightly less than their live-out counterparts. On average, live-in nannies gross $50 to $100 less per week than live-out nannies.

 

NEONATAL SPECIALISTS (DOULA AND BABY NURSE)

 

A baby nurse usually works anywhere from 8hr to 24hr shifts (with appropriate breaks), 1-7 days per week and the duration of the job can last anywhere from 2 weeks to well over 3 months.  Depending on their experience and qualifications, a baby nurses salary ranges anywhere from $25 - $40 per hour for singletons and $35+ for multiples.

 

6

What should I know about paying an Hourly Wage versus Salary Wage?

 

Nannies, including household employees, must be paid according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).  The FLSA mandates that families who hire a live-out nanny must pay her at least minimum wage for every hour worked and overtime for any hours worked over 40 in a 7-day work week, at the rate of at least 1.5 times their base hourly wage.  While some states extended this requirement to live-in nannies, in Texas, live-in nannies are exempt from this overtime regulation.  In New York and the District of Columbia, this requirement is extended to live-in nannies.

 

In compliance with the FLSA, a nanny’s salary must be broken down into base and overtime wages.  For example, you pay your nanny $14.00 per hour. Based on a 46-hour workweek, she would be paid $14.00/hour for the first 40 hours and $21.00/hour for the six overtime hours.

 

If your nanny is on a salary, you are allowed to manage overtime in a different manner. Let’s say you both have agreed to a salary of $800 for the 48-hour workweek.  In this case, the contract should explicitly state that the regular rate of pay for the first 40 hours is $14.83/hour. The overtime rate for the remaining 8 hours per week is $14.83 per hour. Therefore, the total weekly salary is $600.

 

While it may seem superfluous to split the salary into regular and overtime rates, it is an important protection. There have been many lawsuits around the country brought by former nannies claiming families did not pay overtime. Unless overtime is explicitly addressed in writing, the judge will almost always assume overtime was not paid and force the family to pay back overtime wages plus interest.

 

For those families, it’s a very costly situation. The good news is it can easily be avoided with a well-crafted written work agreement.

 

Learn how the hiring process works.

 

7

What are Common Benefits paid to permanant placement childcare specialist (nannies and neonatal specialist)?

 

While nanny employers are not obligated to provide any benefits, employers who wish to attract topnotch candidates typically do.

 

At Savvy Southern Belle Agency, parents typically offer their nannies:

  • Paid vacation

  • Paid holidays

Some families may also offer:

  • Paid sick time

  • Paid personal time

  • Full or partial contribution to their nanny’s health insurance premium.

 

Many families also provide their nanny with an annual year end bonus.

Nannies are paid 52 weeks per year. If your nanny is available to work but you do not require her services, she should still be paid her normal wages.

 

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