Warning: What you are about to hear is a transcription of an actual conversation. It is shocking and sad. Please use caution when reading that you do not become TOO outraged.
Me: Hello JOE. This is Susie Nanny. As you know, I run the local Nanny Support Group.
JOE: Yes, how are you? Me: Good, I am calling because we have been asked to coordinate a conference here in Cooltown, USA. I sent you a email regarding the details last night and well, I wanted to see if I could come in to discuss it w/ you further...
JOE: (Cuts me off) Well, Susie... we don't support events as these. In the last 21 years that we have been in business we have been approached on several occasions and our answer is always no. We don't want to me impartial to anyone, so we have decided to not help anyone.
Me: Ok, I understand if you cannot help us financially, but would you at least be willing to share the information of the event with your Nannies?
JOE: Again, we don't help anyone. And no I wouldn't be willing to pass the info along. Because my nannies are already well trained and if I didn't feel that they were, I wouldn't hire them to belong to my agency.
Me: Well, JOE... The NANC is a Nationally recognized agency and lots of exposure would be included for your agency. But the main thing here is that there aren't a lot of resources for Nannies in our community to receive ongoing training for low cost or FREE and that is why we are putting on this event. Don't you believe in continuing education for your Nannies?
JOE: (Laughs) Yes, that's called "on the job training".
Me: (shakes head) Ok, JOE... Thank you for your time and you have a wonderful day.
JOE: Yes, how are you? Me: Good, I am calling because we have been asked to coordinate a conference here in Cooltown, USA. I sent you a email regarding the details last night and well, I wanted to see if I could come in to discuss it w/ you further...
JOE: (Cuts me off) Well, Susie... we don't support events as these. In the last 21 years that we have been in business we have been approached on several occasions and our answer is always no. We don't want to me impartial to anyone, so we have decided to not help anyone.
Me: Ok, I understand if you cannot help us financially, but would you at least be willing to share the information of the event with your Nannies?
JOE: Again, we don't help anyone. And no I wouldn't be willing to pass the info along. Because my nannies are already well trained and if I didn't feel that they were, I wouldn't hire them to belong to my agency.
Me: Well, JOE... The NANC is a Nationally recognized agency and lots of exposure would be included for your agency. But the main thing here is that there aren't a lot of resources for Nannies in our community to receive ongoing training for low cost or FREE and that is why we are putting on this event. Don't you believe in continuing education for your Nannies?
JOE: (Laughs) Yes, that's called "on the job training".
Me: (shakes head) Ok, JOE... Thank you for your time and you have a wonderful day.
Now the names have been changed (wish I didn’t have to do that!) but this really happened to a very dedicated nanny support group leader who is working to put on a mini conference for nannies. The mini conferences, called Nannypalooza, are events that cost no more than $25 and offer at least 2 workshops and some networking for nannies in a local community. Please note, that even though she was asking for $$ for the event, she would have been happy with an email blast to the agencies nanny database. But even that is denied. I am glad that this owner feels that his nannies are well trained- he must have a roster of hundreds of Mary Poppins- nannies that know everything and need to learn nothing!
Sadly, I am not shocked at the way this agency owner reacted. Even though the website of this large, multi city agency offers “(the) highest quality in home child care services from day of birth on upwards.” I have seen this attitude from many agencies before, although not often so candidly shared. I think it is interesting that this owner believes that once placed nannies can use their charges as “on the job training” and wonder what parents would think of that comment and laugh. In fact, I wonder what their clients would think if they knew this agency wouldn’t even let the nannies know that there would be low cost workshops were offered.
It is short sighted. What this owner does not realize is that well trained and supported nannies are easier to place, stay longer in positions, can demand higher salaries, and ARE BETTER CAREGIVERS!! Nannies are intensely loyal and will refer good agencies that support them not only to other nannies, but to the countless parents at the park who say “where can I find a great nanny like you?” And think of the client loyalty you would foster if you are sending this information to parents to relay to their nannies.
This is the reason there are bad feelings about brick and mortar agencies. And the truth is that they are not all like this, but the bad apples have spoiled some of the bunch. More and more parents are flocking to online sites to do their nanny search. The agencies that survive will be the ones that support nannies, support families and really put their money and their time where their mouth is. The online sites such as 4nannies.com, enannysource.com, nannyclassifieds.com are quick to offer help every year for our conferences as well as supporting countless support groups all across the country.
Supporting continuing education for nannies is essential. It is the right thing to do and will come back to you in many ways.
