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[SurveyQuestion]

What are good sources for professional childcare services, such as nannies, mother's helpers, etc.?

[SurveyResponse]

We used both Child Care Solutions and The Nanny Option to find our current nanny.  The Nanny Option was a smaller company, and we received great customer service, but the quality of the nannies wasn't as strong as with Child Care Solutions.  The cost for Child Care Solutions (CCS) was higher, but every nanny we interviewed was well qualified and at least a decent match for our family.  Within two weeks of working with CCS, we had hired a wonderful, caring nanny who has now been with our family for 2 years.

[SurveyResponse]

"I have hired 2 nannies through TLC for Kids. One was terrific but one was a dud (forgot to feed my 2 year old any lunch!). Call all references and ask careful and thorough questions...I did not "vet" that bad nanny as well as I should have (I was desparate for SOMEONE, ANYONE).

I have had my current nanny for almost 2 years and found her on Craig's List. Having learned past lessons, I called all her references and asked many questions of each."

[SurveyResponse]

"TLC
colleges and universities in the area"

[SurveyResponse]

Again, I know people who have been happy with TLC in searching for a nanny: www.tlcforkids.com. We found a nanny for one year with a notice up on the LaDue Schnuck's bulletin board and know others who have used Craig's List and were happy with whom they found.

[AmmaMD]

We'd love to hear any additional thoughts on this topic! 

It looks like CCS has been bought by TLC, making them not an independent option anymore, and we haven't had great luck with craigslist or fliers... is TLC the only game in town?  Any other suggestions? 

(Anyone with a great nanny they're about to let go that they want to recommend??)

[cyberanna]

We used Nanny Mall (www.nannymall.com) to find our nanny. This is an organization local to the St. Louis area. We found their fees to be significantly lower than other placement agencies. (Probably because they are a small organization working primarily out of their own homes and therefore have less overhead than others.)

They have about 50 nannies with them who are looking for a variety of jobs (part time, full time, temporary, permanent, etc.) We wrote up a description of our open position and the staff gave us the portfolios of 5 or 6 nannies who were interested in the position and whom they felt was a good match. I did phone interviews with 3 and an in person interview with 1, whom we hired right away. The whole process was complete in about 2-3 weeks. We have been very happy with her.

I should also say that Patti at Nanny Mall was very helpful to us about describing and forming the position itself. (We had never hired a nanny before and were not sure what was customary as far as payment, vacation, sick days, etc.)

[STLNanny]

I have worked for TLC, Childcare Solutions, and now NannyMall LLC. As a nanny of 6 years, I can say NannyMall is my FAVORITE! It is run so great - the nannies love it (and RAVE about Patti)! They even have nanny support meetings and get together to come up with more creative ways to make St. Louis Families happy.

Just recently, I was able to refer them to the Downtown St. Louis Residents Association as St. Louis' Premier Nanny Association! They are definitely a great way to go!