Finding the right nanny is one of the most personal decisions your family will make. The right nanny agency is more than a matchmaker. It’s a partner who stands behind every placement, supports your family through changes, and makes sure the person spending time in your home with your children has been properly vetted and professionally prepared.

Before you commit to working with a nanny agency, here are the questions worth asking and what the answers should tell you.

How Are Caregivers Screened?

This is the most important question, and the answer should be specific. A reputable agency won’t just say “we do background checks.” They’ll be able to walk you through a multi-step process that includes criminal background checks, reference verification, employment history, and a review of hands-on childcare experience.

Be sure to ask whether nannies are classified as W-2 employees or independent contractors, because the distinction matters. Agencies that hire caregivers as W-2 employees take on legal responsibility for payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, and benefits, creating a structure of accountability.

At Oliver’s Nannies, caregivers are W-2 employees who go through a comprehensive screening process before they’re ever matched with a family. That’s the standard you should expect.

What Does the Matching Process Look Like?

A good nanny match goes beyond availability and experience. You want an agency that takes the time to understand your family’s schedule, your children’s personalities, your household rhythms, and your parenting approach.

Ask how candidates are selected for your family specifically. Do you receive a curated shortlist, or are you handed a broad pool to sort through yourself? Will the agency offer ongoing matching support if the first placement isn’t the right fit?

Oliver’s Nannies uses the Olico® matching system, a proprietary process designed to align caregivers with families based on more than just credentials. Our nanny-matching model is built around the idea that great care comes from genuine compatibility.

What Types of Care Are Available?

Your childcare needs may change over time, so it’s worth understanding what an agency can offer beyond the standard full-time placement. Some families need routine coverage during school pickups. Others need flexible on-demand support to fill gaps in their schedule.

Ask whether the agency you’re considering offers different care formats, and what happens when your needs shift. Oliver’s Nannies offers FlexCare for families who need short-term, on-demand support. Having a range of options through one trusted care partner makes a real difference as your family grows and changes.

What Happens After a Placement?

Placement is just the beginning. Ask the agency what ongoing support looks like once a caregiver joins your household. Will the agency continue to check in regularly? What’s the process if an issue arises? What’s their policy if a placement doesn’t work out?

You want a team that stays accessible and treats your family as a long-term relationship, not a closed transaction.

Are Caregivers Insured and Covered?

In-home care raises legitimate questions about liability. Ask whether the agency carries insurance that covers caregivers while they’re working in your home, and what that coverage includes. This is another area where the W-2 model provides a layer of protection that independent contractor models don’t.

Working with an agency like Oliver’s Nannies that handles payroll, taxes, and coverage means one less thing your family has to manage.

A Quick Checklist Before You Commit

Here’s a simple reference to keep with you as you evaluate nanny agencies:

  • Do caregivers go through a multi-step vetting process, including background checks and reference calls?
  • Are they classified as W-2 employees, not independent contractors?
  • Does the agency use a thoughtful, personalized matching process?
  • Is flexible or on-demand care available if your needs change?
  • Does the agency offer real support after placement, not just before?
  • Are caregivers covered by insurance while working in your home?

The agency you choose becomes part of your family’s village. Take the time to ask the right questions, and you’ll find a care partner who earns your trust from day one. Oliver’s Nannies is built on exactly that kind of relationship, and we’re here to help you find the nanny and support model that’s right for your family.

Ready to take the next step? Contact your nearest Oliver’s Nannies location and start the matching process today.