How to Choose a Nanny Agency in South Florida — 10 Questions to Ask

Choosing a nanny agency is one of the most important decisions a family makes — you're trusting someone to help you find the person who will care for your children in your home. In South Florida alone, there are dozens of agencies, online platforms, and independent "matchmakers" competing for your business.

How do you know which one to trust? After 21 years placing nannies, baby nurses, and household staff across Florida, here are the 10 questions we recommend every family ask before committing to any agency.

1. Are You a Referral Agency or a Direct Employer?

This is the most important question and the one most families forget to ask. A referral agency (like Signature Nannies) connects you with vetted candidates — but you are the employer. A staffing company employs the candidates directly and bills you a markup on their hourly rate.

Neither model is inherently better, but the pricing, legal obligations, and replacement policies are completely different. Make sure you understand which one you're working with.

2. How Do You Screen Candidates?

Any agency can say "background checked." Push deeper. Ask specifically:

• Do you run criminal background checks? Through what provider?
• Do you verify employment history and call references?
• Do you confirm CPR and First Aid certification?
• Do you check driving records for candidates who will drive your children?
• Do you conduct in-person or video interviews before presenting candidates?

At Signature Nannies, our screening is coordinated through Point HR (run by a retired FBI agent) and includes all of the above. We never present a candidate we haven't personally interviewed.

3. How Long Have You Been in Business?

Longevity matters in this industry. An agency that's been operating for 10+ years has survived economic downturns, built a real candidate network, and has the reputation to prove it. New agencies and online platforms may offer lower fees, but they often lack the depth of vetting and local relationships that established agencies provide.

Signature Nannies has been in business since 2005 — 21 years serving Florida families.

4. Are You Local or National?

National platforms and franchise agencies may have brand recognition, but they rarely have deep local knowledge. A locally owned agency understands the specific dynamics of your market — which neighborhoods command higher rates, which candidates are available, and what families in your area expect.

We're headquartered in Boca Raton with additional offices in Palm Beach Gardens and Orlando. We know the South Florida market because we live and work here.

5. What Is Your Fee Structure?

Agency fees vary wildly. Some charge a percentage of the candidate's annual salary (typically 15–25%), which can cost $9,000–$15,000 for a full-time nanny. Others charge flat fees, which are more predictable and often more affordable.

Ask these specific questions:

• Is the fee a percentage or flat rate?
• Are there upfront registration fees?
• When is payment due — before or after placement?
• What's included in the fee?
• Are fees refundable?

6. Do You Offer a Replacement Coverage?

A replacement coverage (sometimes called a guarantee period) means the agency will find a replacement candidate at no additional cost if the original placement doesn't work out within a specified timeframe.

This is non-negotiable. Any reputable agency offers at least a 90-day coverage period. Be wary of agencies that offer no coverage or only a 30-day window.

7. How Many Candidates Will You Present?

A good agency should present a curated shortlist of 2–5 pre-vetted candidates — not a database of 50 unscreened profiles for you to sort through yourself. If an agency sends you a login to browse profiles on your own, you're paying for a job board, not a placement service.

8. Can I Speak to Past Clients?

Testimonials on a website are nice, but real references are better. Ask the agency if they can connect you with 1–2 families who have recently used their services. A confident agency will say yes without hesitation.

At Signature Nannies, over 90% of our new clients come from family referrals — our reputation speaks for itself.

9. What Happens If I Hire a Candidate Outside the Agency?

Most agencies include a non-circumvention clause in their agreements. This means if you meet a candidate through the agency and hire them directly (without paying the agency fee), you're liable for the full placement fee — sometimes more.

This is standard and fair — the agency invested time and resources to find and vet that candidate. Just make sure you understand the terms before signing.

10. What Kind of Ongoing Support Do You Provide?

The best agencies don't disappear after placement. Ask about:

• Post-placement check-ins
• Conflict resolution support
• Contract and compensation guidance
• Replacement coordination if needed

Red Flags to Watch For

Walk away from any agency that:

• Won't explain their screening process in detail
• Charges fees but offers no replacement coverage
• Sends you unscreened profiles to review on your own
• Can't name specific families they've worked with in your area
• Pressures you to make fast decisions or pay immediately
• Has no physical office or local presence in South Florida

Ready to Work with a Trusted Agency?

Signature Nannies has been serving Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando families since 2005. We're locally owned, transparent with our fees, and our track record speaks for itself.

Register your family to get started, or call us at (561) 809-8955 to schedule a free consultation.