The foremost thought when starting your own nanny agency should be that you are getting involved in the `childcare’ Industry. Dwell upon the words `child’ and `care’, and let it register in your mind that should you cut any corners when setting up and especially running your business that in an extreme case a child may suffer. Once this is borne in mind then you can concentrate on your next steps which I shall set out below.

Running a nanny agency, the matching of families to nannies, the `behind the scenes’ work, sometimes involving `out of hours’ work can be frustrating and tedious as well as rewarding and, hopefully, successful.

Essentially your mission will be to seek out qualified people (nannies), checking and sifting them and then pairing them to parents and families who will have become your clients.

Some of the first things to do are typical of starting any business. Set out below in approximate order are some pointers to starting your own nanny agency.

·        Choose a name for your business. If you are operating as a sole-trader then check that your business name is not being used in your wider area by another agency or related business. If you feel you would rather become a limited company then call COMPANIES HOUSE on 03031234 500 about registering your name (which will become yours if no other of that name is registered). Companies House will offer further information regarding tax etc. So prepare a list of questions before calling.

·        Create the basics of your business-
a.     Open a business bank account, look for free banking even if for a limited period, also enquire about business credit cards etc.
b.     Create letterheads and business cards, and any other stationery e.g. application forms.
c.      Look into the cost of advertising, both for nannies and parents. Yellow pages and local magazines make a good start. Advertising in villages can be good – there can be many nannies and potential clients in the countryside.
d.     Choose any data-bases or software you feel may be the best for you. Also preferably a dedicated landline.
e.     Obtain a website. Compare with other websites before deciding upon the layout and content of your own. Investigate search engine optimisation.
f.       If you wish to accept credit cards look into the various companies and methods offering this system.
g.     Find a reasonable accountant. Word of mouth from other small businesses can often be the best.
h.     Inform the Inland Revenue regarding your Tax and National Insurance contributions, your accountant may help you with this.

·        Formulate a cost budget for your business and then balance this against a pricing scale for your nanny placements. Compare your charges with other agencies in your area to maintain competitiveness.

·        Start advertising for nannies and recruiting. Have in place a procedure for making background checks and obtaining references upon candidates. Always meet and Interview each nanny individually and then use your procedures to check their background closely. IMPORTANT – ONLY RECRUIT AND FORWARD FOR INTERVIEW BY PARENTS THE NANNIES THAT YOU ARE CONVINCED ARE BOTH QUALIFIED, SUITABLE AND HONEST AND THAT HAVE SATISFIED YOUR BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Don't forget Bestbear.co.uk can help you with this - you can advertise your vacancies on their website here.

·         Advertise to attract potential clients (parents). Have a system in place for processing clients and matching them with your nannies. Always have a `manned’ telephone or a call divert during business hours and/or answer-phones to supply alternative numbers or accept messages.

 

Bestbear.co.uk can also help in this respect - email them to find out more about how we can help you promote your business to parents looking for childcare, and how to get your agency vetted and listed on Best Bear's website.

·        BE PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES. EXPECT PROFESSIONALISM FROM YOUR NANNIES. BE COURTEOUS WITH CLIENTS. NEVER FORGET THE MEANING OF THE WORD `CHILDCARE’.
 
Martin Lock
July 2009