Frequently Asked Questions
Where Sunshine and Smiles meet Concierge Childcare on the Treasure Coast
Frequently Asked Questions
At Vero Beach Nannies, our passion is to provide families with tailored, trustworthy, and nurturing care throughout their child’s developmental journey. Nestled in the heart of Florida's vibrant beach community, we understand that choosing the right caregiver is not just about finding someone to help—it's about finding peace of mind and a partner in your child’s growth.
Amid the practicalities and logistics of finding a nanny, we recognize the heartfelt concerns every parent has, such as:
"Will our nanny understand and nurture my child as I do?"
"Can my nanny handle emergencies with the same urgency and care I would?"
"Will my nanny be as committed to my child’s well-being as I am?"
Each family is unique, and their needs and worries are equally unique. Some might voice their concerns openly, while others might hold them close. At Vero Beach Nannies, we’re dedicated to understanding and addressing both. We employ a proprietary assessment and screening process to truly listen and understand what each family needs—even the unspoken concerns. From the first pulse check during our vetting process to the final steps of onboarding, our approach is designed to build a relationship grounded in trust and openness, which is a cornerstone of our service.
Customized Matches: We pair you with professionals who align with your family’s specific requirements, whether you need short-term help or long-term support.
Trusted Professionals: Our nannies are more than just caregivers—they are dedicated specialists committed to your child's growth and happiness.
Peace of Mind: Our thorough screening and vetting processes ensure that your nanny is not only skilled but also a perfect fit for your family’s values and needs.
Embrace the sunshine with Vero Beach Nannies, your local trusted childcare provider.
We currently cover all of Indian River County.
The best way to reach someone is by clicking the contact us link on our website or calling us at (352) 257-8543.
Most of our candidates are referred to us through word of mouth, but many of our candidates find us through our website, referrals, job listings, and weekly emails sent out from our database. Our jobs are posted on all major job boards and are also listed on our own social media platforms.
At Vero Beach Nannies, the safety and well-being of your children are our top priorities. We take immense pride in the rigorous screening process that each of our nanny candidates undergoes to ensure they meet the highest standards of trustworthiness and capability. We partner with a leading third-party provider for extensive background checks and supplement this with our own thorough internal investigations.
Our candidates are evaluated through a comprehensive set of checks performed by a top-tier third-party screening provider. Here’s what this detailed process includes:
Sex Offender Registry Search: We perform a thorough query across all 50 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, to ensure no records exist on the candidate.
Driving Record Inquiry: We review the candidate's driving history for any tickets or accidents over the past 39 months to confirm their record is clean and they are safe drivers.
Social Security Trace: This step verifies that the provided Social Security number matches the candidate, ensuring their identity is correct.
National Criminal History Search: A search is conducted for criminal records across 38 states where legally permissible, covering a broad spectrum of possible past offenses.
Criminal Background Check: We perform an in-depth check in every county where the candidate has lived over the last seven years to uncover any criminal activity.
Fingerprinting: The candidate's fingerprints are checked against the national database to uncover any past criminal activities that might not be visible through other means.
Child Abuse History Search: We search for any records of child abuse in the candidate's past to ensure they have a clean record in this critical area.
Civil Records Review: This involves a search of civil records to find any relevant lawsuits, liens, or judgments that could indicate potential issues with the candidate's background.
Drug Testing: We conduct state-of-the-art, five-panel drug testing using hair-follicle or urine samples to detect any prior drug use.
Reference Checks: We personally contact friends, family, and any regular healthcare providers to verify the information provided by the candidate and gain insights into their character and reliability.
History Verification: We meticulously verify the candidate's employment history and educational background to ensure their resume is accurate and truthful.
Local Expertise: As a trusted member of the Vero Beach community, we understand local needs and values, ensuring a perfect match between families and nannies.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that every candidate has been vetted extensively provides families with the assurance they need when entrusting their children’s care to our nannies.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we believe in more than just providing a nanny. We offer peace of mind, knowing that your child is in the hands of a thoroughly vetted, reliable, and caring professional. Our commitment to safety and excellence is at the core of everything we do.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we understand that finding the perfect caregiver for your family is both an important and personal decision. That’s why we offer flexible solutions to meet your unique needs. Whether you need a customized search for specific requirements or prefer to expedite the process with our pre-vetted caregiver database, we are here to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Personalized Matching: We take the time to get to know your family’s dynamics, values, and requirements. Our goal is to understand your childcare expectations, lifestyle, and any special considerations.
Detailed Profiles: We curate a selection of nanny candidates who meet your criteria. You’ll receive comprehensive profiles that include detailed backgrounds, experiences, and references to ensure a perfect match.
In-Depth Consultations: Our team will work closely with you to refine the search, offering insights and guidance to help you make informed decisions. We assist with scheduling interviews and provide tips to help you get the most out of each meeting.
Expert Guidance: We take the complexity out of finding a nanny. Our experienced team handles the challenging aspects of the search, making it a stress-free experience for you.
Community-Centered: As a proud part of the Vero Beach community, we are dedicated to providing local families with caregivers who not only meet their needs but also understand and cherish the local culture and values.
Family-Centric Approach: Your peace of mind is our top priority. We focus on building long-term relationships between families and nannies, ensuring a nurturing environment for your children.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we believe that finding the right caregiver should be a joyful and reassuring process. Whether you need a carefully tailored search or a quick connection from our trusted database, we’re here to support your family every step of the way.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we understand that finding the right caregiver is a process that requires time, diligence, and a keen understanding of your family's unique needs. Here’s what you can expect when you partner with us for your nanny search. Our typical placement process can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks. This timeframe includes everything from entering into a family/agency agreement to drafting an offer letter, and finally, having your nanny start their new role with your family.
Factors Influencing Timeline:
Position Details: The specific requirements and expectations for the nanny role.
Availability of Qualified Caregivers: The current pool of vetted nannies and their readiness to start.
Family's Availability: Your schedule for reviewing candidates and conducting interviews.
Candidate Pool: We continuously vet new candidates to maintain a robust pool of qualified professionals.
If for any reason within the first 90 days of employment the caregiver we place does not meet your expectations or circumstances change, we will assist you in finding a suitable replacement. This commitment reflects our dedication to ensuring your family's peace of mind and our confidence in our placement process.
The Replacement Process
Assessment and Feedback: We will discuss the issues or changes that have led to the need for a replacement to understand your specific requirements better.
Tailored Search: We will reinitiate the search process, tailored to address any concerns from the previous placement and better align with your needs and expectations.
Expedited Matching: Leveraging our extensive network and understanding of your preferences, we aim to quickly provide new, qualified candidates for consideration.
Ongoing Support: We remain involved throughout the transition period, offering support and ensuring a smooth and successful placement of the new nanny.
Our Commitment
High Success Rate: With a 95% success rate on our first placements, we are confident in our ability to find the right match for your family.
Transparent Process: We keep you informed every step of the way, ensuring that you feel supported and confident in the search for your new caregiver.
Signed Employment Agreement: For our replacement policy to be valid, we require a signed employment agreement to be in place between the family and the nanny. This document outlines the terms of employment and ensures clarity and mutual understanding.
At Vero Beach Nannies, our ultimate goal is to make connections that last. We believe that the right nanny can make a world of difference in your family's life, and we are here to ensure that every placement is a perfect fit.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we pride ourselves on facilitating seamless, personalized matches between families and caregivers. While we provide robust support throughout the hiring process, it is important to note that Vero Beach Nannies does not employ any caregivers directly (with the exception of those in our babysitting membership program). All nannies and caregivers are employed directly by the families they work for.
When you hire a nanny through Vero Beach Nannies, the nanny becomes your employee. This means:
Direct Employment: You are responsible for paying your nanny directly, managing payroll, and complying with relevant tax and employment laws.
Payroll Assistance: We assist our clients in setting up proper payroll systems, ensuring that this aspect of hiring a nanny is as straightforward and hassle-free as possible.
Legal and Tax Considerations
According to the IRS, nannies and household employees should be classified as W-2 employees. This classification means:
W-2 Employment: Your nanny should be paid as a W-2 employee rather than an independent contractor (1099). This is crucial because paying a nanny as an independent contractor is not compliant with federal tax regulations for household employees.
Tax Withholding: As a household employer, you are required to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes, and potentially federal and state income taxes, from your nanny's wages.
Employment Laws: You must adhere to both federal and state employment laws, which include minimum wage requirements, overtime pay, and more.
Resources and Support
To simplify the complexities of employing a nanny, we provide guidance and resources:
Payroll Setup: We guide you through the process of setting up payroll, which includes tools and services that handle tax withholdings and filings.
Legal Compliance: We ensure you are aware of your responsibilities under federal and state laws, helping you stay compliant and avoid legal pitfalls.
Professional Advice: For detailed advice on taxes and payroll, we recommend consulting with a professional accountant or payroll service provider who specializes in household employment.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we prioritize fair and legal employment practices. Here’s a breakdown of the essential pay and benefits standards we uphold to ensure that our caregivers are compensated in a manner that aligns with both legal requirements and industry best practices:
Standards
Legal Requirement: Caregivers must be classified and paid as W-2 employees of the household. This means you, as the employer, are responsible for withholding and paying taxes such as Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes.
Non-Independent Contractors: It is illegal to classify nannies as independent contractors. They must be treated as employees to comply with federal and state labor laws.
Time and a Half: Nannies are entitled to receive 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for any hours worked over 40 in a seven-day period. This is mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to ensure fair compensation for additional hours worked.
Consistent Income: To provide financial stability for nannies, we recommend guaranteed hours. This means nannies should be paid for a predetermined number of hours each week, regardless of whether those hours are actually worked. For instance, if a family is on vacation and does not require the nanny’s services, the nanny still receives their regular wage.
Top Industry Rates: We collaborate with exceptional nannies who bring professional experience and dedication to their roles. The pay rates for Vero Beach Nannies typically range from $22 to $30+ per hour, depending on the nanny’s qualifications, experience, and the specific duties required by the position.
State-Mandated Sick Leave: Under various state laws, including Florida’s regulations where applicable, employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 hours of paid sick leave per year. This ensures that nannies can take necessary time off for their health without financial penalty.
Additional Benefits
To attract and retain top-quality caregivers, we recommend offering additional benefits beyond the basic compensation:
Medical Stipend: Providing a stipend to help cover healthcare costs demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of your nanny.
Retirement Contributions: Offering contributions to a retirement plan can help your nanny plan for their future and demonstrates a long-term investment in their role.
Mileage Reimbursement: If your nanny uses their own vehicle for work-related travel, reimbursing mileage at the IRS standard rate is recommended.
Annual Cost of Living Increases: Adjusting your nanny’s salary annually to account for inflation and cost of living increases shows appreciation for their ongoing commitment and helps maintain competitive compensation.
Ensuring that your nanny is paid fairly and in compliance with legal standards is not only the right thing to do but also fosters a positive, long-term working relationship. By providing competitive pay and benefits, you demonstrate respect and appreciation for the vital role your nanny plays in your family’s life.
At Vero Beach Nannies, we charge a retainer fee to begin a job search, and a placement fee once a nanny we have provided has been hired. You will be able to pay this fee via the Online Payment portal.