Four Things Every Nanny Should Look For Before Joining An Agency
What Nannies Should Look for When Choosing a Nanny Agency in Dallas Fort Worth
I used to think I had childcare figured out.
For years, we leaned on grandparents when our children were little. Then came Mother’s Day Out, preschool, and a rhythm that felt predictable. It worked beautifully… until it didn’t.
When our third baby arrived and our older kids dove headfirst into sports, everything shifted. Suddenly, we felt we simply did not have enough hands to handle the day-to-day needs of our family. That’s when our nanny search began, and I’ll be honest with you, it was eye opening in the most exhausting way.
Finding a nanny in the Dallas Fort Worth area felt like a full-time job. Messages went unanswered. Interviews were scheduled and missed. Candidates applied for roles that didn’tmatch what they wanted. It was overwhelming, and at times, discouraging. But, here’s the part that changed everything for me. Although I had my fair share of rough interviews, I found some of the most wonderful nannies too. I started hearing their stories too. Stories of being underpaid. Stories of unclear expectations, being taken advantage of simply because they cared deeply and didn’t want to rock the boat, etc. However, my favorite quality about these nannies is that they put up with all of it because they simply loved the children too much to walk away.
That’s when it clicked.
Families needed support. But, nannies needed advocacy just as much.
This was not a one-way issue that I was seeing from my end as a mom of three. This was a bigger issue from both sides of the isle. Parents were yearning for wonderful nannies, but the nannies were yearning for wonderful employers just as much. If you have ever worked a job you loved, with a boss you could not stand, you know this feeling. Who you work for is a game changer. Your boss can make or break the job. Most people do not leave the job, but they leave the people they work for.
This helped me realize that not every person is fit to be a nanny, but not every family is meant to employ one either.
If you’re a nanny in Dallas Fort Worth looking for the right agency to partner with, here’s exactly what I would tell you to look for.
Does the Agency Actually Listen to Nannies?
I will be the first to say, we are not a perfect nanny agency. I want that to be clear. I think every day is a learning opportunity, and our team is constantly growing and learning. However, one thing we are committed to is listening. Some of the best improvements we’ve made as an agency have come directly from nanny feedback. Nannies are the eyes and ears of the industry and we simply cannot function or get better without your input.
A strong nanny agency should never operate with a “we know best” mindset. The childcare industry is constantly evolving, and the best agencies evolve with it.
Ask yourself this.
Does the nanny agency ask for your feedback?
Does the nanny agency actually implement changes based on what nannies are experiencing?
Does the nanny agency take your concerns seriously?
Your voice should matter just as much as the family’s.
At Lone Star Nannies, if a nanny feels unsafe, goes unpaid, or is treated poorly, we step in. We are not afraid to tell a client they are not a good fit for our business if they cannot treat a nanny properly, pay them properly, and respect their time.
We will never prioritize a client relationship over the safety and well-being of a nanny.
And yes, that has meant letting clients go, or telling them right away, we are not a good fit for what they are looking for.
I think many nannies do not realize how many clients we actually turn away because we know from the beginning they will not uphold the values and expectations we expect from the families we serve.
Because no job is worth the safety or well-being of a nanny.
Do They Advocate for Fair Pay in the Dallas Fort Worth Market?
Let’s talk numbers, because this matters.
In the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, most babysitting jobs fall between 18 and 25 dollars per hour, depending on experience.
Professional sitters with strong experience can earn 22 to 30 dollars per hour.
For nanny roles, starting pay typically begins around 20 to 23 dollars per hour for newer nannies, while experienced career nannies often earn between 25 and 40 dollars per hour depending on responsibilities, number of children, and specialization.
A great agency will be transparent about this.
They should help you understand:
What your current experience supports in terms of pay
What families in DFW are realistically offering
How to grow your rate over time
And here is the big one that too many people avoid talking about.
Nannies who work for a family full-time or part-time, are household employees.
You should be paid as a W2 employee, not as a 1099 contractor. If a family offers you a 1099, that is not compliant with federal guidelines, and you need to RUN. Here is a great article from GTM on why this matters.
A professional nanny agency should educate both families and nannies on this so that everyone is protected, and refer all of their clients hiring a nanny to payroll services. If you are a nanny or a family looking for a great payroll service, we recommend HWS, or GTM. These links will waive your enrollment fee with either service, on us!
Do They Communicate or Do You Feel Like a Number?
The childcare space is busy. Agencies receive a high volume of applications, especially in a market like Dallas Fort Worth.
But, communication still matters.
If you reach out with a question, do you hear back?
If something feels off with a family, do they help you navigate it?
Do they check in after placement, or disappear once the job is filled?
The best nanny agencies do not just place and walk away.
They stay connected. They offer guidance. They help you problem solve when real life situations come up, because they always do.
You should never feel like you are on your own. This is why our nannies have direct access to call, text, or email us any time. If you have a concern, we want to hear from you! Having an issue with a family you’re working with? We want to know and be there for you in every way possible.
Are the Families Actually Vetted?
This is a big one that many nannies do not think about until it is too late.
Just like families expect nannies to be vetted, you deserve the same level of care in return.
Ask questions like:
Are families interviewed before you accept their job posting?
Are expectations clearly outlined on both sides?
Are contracts in place before you start working?
Do you require all full-time placements to include PTO, Paid Holidays, mileage reimbursement, W-2 payroll, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities?
The answer for us is a resounding YES to all of this.
A strong agency is not just screening nannies. They are screening families too.
The goal is not just placement. The goal is a healthy, respectful, long-term fit. If a nanny is hired by a family and only lasts a few weeks, that is no good for anyone. We want to set clear expectations with contracts, payroll, and nanny benefits that are standard in the industry before a nanny starts the job. It is important that roles are well defined from day 1. This way, a nanny can ensure they have a document to refer to if they feel the roles have changed, PTO is not being honored, or the duties of the job keep growing, while the pay does not.
Final Thoughts From a Mom Who Has Been There
If you take nothing else from this blog, take this.
You deserve to feel supported, respected, and confident in the home you walk into each day. This job matters. The work you do matters. Families truly depend on their nanny to ensure their day to day needs are met. You are helping raise the next generation, support working parents chase their dreams, and create stability in homes that need it, and so much more. This work deserves gratitude and support, because we all know it takes a special individual to do it. It is not an easy career path, but a very important one.
At Lone Star Nannies, we want to create a space where both families and nannies feel taken care of, understood, and set up for success. When the right nanny is placed in the right home, quality of life goes up for the nanny, the family, and most importantly, the children you care for.
Sincerely,
Paige Burlew
Owner, Lone Star Nannies
Looking for a Nanny Agency in Dallas Fort Worth?
If you are a nanny in the DFW area looking for babysitting jobs or a full-time nanny position, we would love to connect with you.
We are always looking for kind, reliable, and professional nannies who want to be part of something bigger than just a job.
Apply to join Lone Star Nannies and find a role that truly fits your life.
To view our current openings, head over to our job board. If you don’t see the perfect fit just yet, don’t worry. We update it weekly with new opportunities. We encourage you to apply so you can be fully vetted and ready when the right role comes along. In the meantime, you’re always welcome to pick up babysitting shifts while you wait for your perfect family.
Have questions? Email us at nannies@lonestarnannies.com, or pick up the phone and call us at 940-240-8420.
At the end of the day, this work isn’t just about finding a job. It’s about finding the right fit, the right family, and the right support behind you. You should walk into a home feeling confident, respected, and excited about the role you’re stepping into. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underpaid, or unsure in this industry, just know it does not have to be that way. There are families out there who will value you, and agencies who will advocate for you. We would be honored to be one of them.