Hiring a nanny is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. In Palm Beach, most families start in one of three places: a national marketplace app, word of mouth, or a local placement service. Each gets you something different.
Marketplace apps give you volume — hundreds of profiles — but the vetting is on you: background checks, reference calls, trial days, and no recourse when a candidate ghosts. Word of mouth gives you trust but a tiny pool. A local matching service gives you both: candidates who are already vetted, matched to your family's actual schedule and needs.
What to vet before anyone meets your kids
Whatever route you take, four things are non-negotiable: verified references from real families (call them — ask what the nanny could have done better, not just whether they liked her), current CPR and First Aid certification, a clean background check, and a clear written agreement on hours, duties, rate, and time off before the first day.
Think through the role honestly too. Live-in or live-out? School pickups and driving? Light housekeeping, cooking, homework help? Travel with the family? The clearer the job description, the better the match — mismatched expectations are why most nanny placements fail in the first three months.
How The Village's nanny match works
The Village was founded by two longtime Palm Beach nannies, which means we interview candidates the way only career nannies can — we know what excellent care looks like from the inside. Our match starts with a detailed questionnaire about your family: children's ages, schedule, duties, driving, languages, and must-haves. Then we personally match you with vetted candidates rather than handing you a list of strangers.
Every candidate we present is reference-checked, background-checked, and CPR and First Aid certified. Your information stays strictly confidential, and we support both families and nannies after placement — because a great match should last years, not months.