Frequently Asked Questions - Hiring a Nanny

Is MoniCare licensed and bonded?
Yes. MoniCare has been licensed and bonded with the Illinois Department of Labor since 2003. We renew our IL Department of Labor license every year.

What is your coverage area? Do you place nannies in the North Shore Suburbs of Chicago? 
We have quality candidates in the city of Chicago and all its suburbs. Every recommended candidate lives within a 30-minute drive from the client’s home. We have placed nannies and babysitters in the North Shore suburbs of Lake Forest, Highland Park, northwestern suburbs of Algonquin, western suburbs of Batavia, Naperville. Also as far as Plainfield – in the southwest, and Frankfort – in the south. To see the types of nannies we have placed in your neighborhood, visit Meet Our Nannies and enter your zip code.

What is a long-term placement?
A long-term placement is a nanny position that lasts 1 year or longer. Any position of less than 1 year is considered a short-term position. Review our short-term services for more information.

What are the benefits of using a full-service agency like MoniCare?
There are numerous benefits of working with a full-service agency. Most importantly, it is safe. Secondly, the search is conducted by experienced recruiters who expertly select the best candidates for your position. Finally, a full-service agency offers a guarantee for all placements.

What makes MoniCare stand apart from other agencies?
We conduct effective, personalized searches of the most qualified local candidates. Our professional, accessible recruiters hold IL Department of Labor placement counselor licenses. We offer one of the longest guarantees in the Chicago market. We provide impeccable customer service. To learn more, visit Why us page.

What is your long-term guarantee? What exactly does it cover?
We offer one of the longest guarantees in the Chicago market. If in the unlikely event that a hired candidate becomes unavailable or does not work out, we will conduct another full search at no additional cost. We only work with candidates who commit to long-term employment and sign a minimum 1-year agreement. Our replacement policy is rarely ever used, as we only work with the most loyal, reliable candidates.

What are MoniCare fees?
Visit our Fee page. MoniCare clients consider our long-term placement fee as an important investment in long-term, quality childcare. There is no fee to start the search, and no application fee. Our placement fee applies only upon a successful hire.

Is it a one-time fee?
Yes. Whether a nanny stays on the job for 2, 5, or 10 years, you only pay one agency fee.

Do you recruit nannies locally?
We recruit and place only nannies who have lived in Chicagoland for at least several years and are very familiar with the area. Our candidates are legally authorized to work in the United States.

How do I start the search with MoniCare?
Fill out our online Client Application and sign our Client Agreement. One of our licensed placement counselors will contact you within 4 business hours for a detailed consultation, during which we will discuss your family’s needs and help you draft a detailed job description. Our professional Client Consultation is complimentary for all MoniCare clients.

How long does the search take?
We strive to find the right nanny as quickly as possible. We have completed successful placements within just a few days, although the screening process is always thorough. Ideally, we recommend starting a search within 2- 5 weeks of the required date and registering with us any time prior to that. The effectiveness of the search also depends on your efficiency in communicating with us and your availability to meet candidates for in-person interviews.

What is your search and placement process?
We conduct an individual search for every client, selecting the top candidates from a large number of pre-screened candidates. We currently have several thousand quality candidates in our database. We also actively recruit new candidates to ensure a successful placement. Please, review our Nanny Placement Process for more details.

Who arranges family-nanny interviews?
We do. This involves matching the availability of one or both parents, children, and candidates. To accommodate busy schedules, we also offer interview times on Saturdays, Sundays, and evenings. For efficient scheduling, please inform us of any upcoming business or vacation trips ahead of time.

How do you find qualified candidates?
As one of the most trusted domestic agencies in Chicago, we are able to attract top-quality candidates. Our placed nannies are happy with our high level of service, often returning for more assignments and recommending MoniCare to other childcare professionals. We also get candidate referrals from clients when their nanny position is ending. We also advertise in a variety of outlets.

What type of experience do your candidates have?
We require a minimum of 2 years of private nanny experience, although most of our recommended candidates have 3-15 years. In addition, many have experience teaching or working in daycare centers. Many MoniCare nannies have several years of college studies, or have earned Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees (some majoring in Teaching or Early Childhood Education). For a list of professional nannies we have previously placed, visit Meet Our Nannies.

How do you screen your candidates?
Every candidate must meet our minimum requirements to apply. All candidates fill out our 11-page Job Seeker Application. After an initial phone screening, eligible candidates are invited to an in-person interview at the agency. During this 60-minute interview, we gather information on the candidate’s work history, childcare experience, education, and skills. We check employment references. Our Candidate Evaluation form is filled out on every interviewed applicant. A government-issued photo ID is verified for every candidate. Upon a hire, we conduct an extensive Background Check, which includes County Criminal Background Report, National Criminal Background Report, Driving History Report, Social Security Trace, Sex Offenders Check, and National Terrorist Check.

Are your nannies CPR certified?
Most of our nannies are CPR certified. If not, they take a CPR class and obtain certification with the American Heart Association.

What are hourly salaries for come-and-go nannies?
A come-and-go nanny salary in Chicagoland is between $14-$25 per hour, depending on experience, educational background, and job requirements. Our placement counselor will help you determine the right salary for your nanny position.

What are the salaries of live-in nannies?
A live-in nanny salary in Chicagoland is between $600-$950 per week for 5-6 days of work. In addition to the salary, a live-in nanny is provided room and board. Weekly salaries for come-and-go and live-in nannies are similar, but live-in nannies are expected to cover extra morning or evening hours as needed.

What benefits should we offer to our nanny?
Generally, full-time nannies receive 2 weeks of vacation after one year of employment, unless an employer offers it sooner. Part-time nannies receive 1-2 weeks of vacation, and are paid the equivalent of their regular shifts for those weeks. Nannies typically receive 6 paid holidays off including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. They also receive 1-3 sick days per year.

How do we reimburse the nanny if she uses her car for work purposes?
Families reimburse work-related mileage either as a flat fee or per mileage. A flat fee is calculated based on the average number of miles driven per week. 

Do we pay the nanny for the days when we do not need her service but it is her regularly scheduled work time (if out of town or on vacation longer than 2 weeks)?
Nannies depend on their regular paycheck, and a week or even several days without payment can cause financial hardship. Whether full-time or part-time, we recommend paying a nanny for 52 weeks per year. Nannies are generally willing to complete any extra task you may need during your absence, such as organizing closets, running errands, taking care of the house, etc.

What about taxes?
MoniCare has partnered with GTM Payroll Services, a leading household tax service, to provide our clients with a complimentary no-obligation professional consultation on household employee taxes.

What is the difference between light housekeeping and heavy housekeeping?
Picking up around the house, cleaning up in the kitchen, and doing laundry is considered light housekeeping and may be included in a nanny’s job description. Vacuuming, washing the floors, cleaning the bathrooms, and cleaning the entire house in detail is considered heavy housekeeping, and is not included in a typical nanny’s job description. If you need a part-time or full-time housekeeper, learn more about our housekeeping service placements.

What questions do I ask a nanny during a job interview?
Cover her professional nanny experience, educational background, and job expectations. Discuss childcare discipline methods. Evaluate the candidate’s family and moral values. Go over your job requirements and expectations. We provide our clients with a comprehensive Nanny Questionnaire, which is also available for purchase to families seeking information.

Do you recommend writing down nanny duties?
Absolutely. We recommend documenting all details, including job duties, employment terms, food preferences, discipline policies, safety terms, etc. We provide our clients with a comprehensive Family-Nanny Agreement, which is also available for purchase to families seeking information.