Hire a Nanny

While “Nannies” is in our name, because your needs differ, we provide more than just nannies. Here is a guide to help you hire a nanny.

A nanny’s focus is the care of the children. A nanny is a long-term solution, providing an integrated extension of the parents’ morals and values. As a Holgate nanny, we expect that you are deeply invested in their children’s whole childhood and future, and provide real stability, bringing all your training and real caring to the job, every day. Often a nanny will undertake child related household duties and cooking their meals.

Maternity Nurses

Maternity nurses also known as a Newborn Care Specialist specialise in newborn care. They often work 24/6 or 24/5 supporting and guiding the parents and providing all care for the baby. A maternity nurse lives with the family and works with them for a few weeks or sometimes the first three - six months of the baby's life. Often the maternity nurse has worked extensively as a nanny before gaining maternity nursing qualifications.

Governess

When your priority is your children’s education, a governess might be your answer. With a teaching background, a governess will create a learning-friendly environment, ensuring children are safe, stimulated and cared for, as well as taking care of such practicalities as liaising with the school(s) and managing school drop-offs and pickups.

Household Manager & Family Assistant

Think of an office assistant… if the work is your home. A family assistant will assist with childcare, take children to and from school/activities, organise trips and run errands like dry-cleaning.

A household manager does just that – manage your household. Main priorities involve managing meal prep, errands and all staff members, along with some light housekeeping and child care.

An Example Of Our Nannies

Ready to find your Nanny?

ELLIE

A nanny with over ten years childcare experience in schools and private households. Native English and fluent in French nanny, PGCE qualified and Cache in Supporting teaching and learning. Happy to take on PA and family assistant tasks. Wanting to grow in her career.

LOTTE

Thirty years experience working with families across the UK and in The Netherlands. Familiar guiding a family through sleep training, weaning, teething and assisting the children meet their milestones. Focused on ensuring the house is running smoothly while working for busy professionals. Highly qualified, having completed courses in managing behaviour, potty training, baby massage, sleep training and healthy eating for children.

SAM

Organised Irish nanny with four years childcare experience. Genuinely passionate about childcare, she makes her families’ lives easier through incredible intuition and loyalty. Happy to do all nursery duties, confident on a bakfiets (important in The Netherlands!) and bilingual.

RILEY

Having started her career working in a daycare after studying for her childcare diploma, she is now focused on having a long term travel nanny career. Preferring to use positive discipline, confident with baby led weaning and bilingual in English and Dutch.

AMELIA

Native Spanish and fluent in English speaking, having worked as a nanny for royalty she prides herself on professionalism, discretion and intuition. Fifteen years working internationally including travelling with the families and working in fully staffed households. Her pathway to becoming a nanny started with babysitting and she realised this was the career for her. Cache childcare qualified.

STACY

Originally came to the Netherlands as an aupair after completing a degree in Psychology. After working as a Summer camp counsellor throughout her university years, she was keen to further her passion for children and experiencing other cultures so became aupair in the Netherlands. During her time working as a aupair she was inspired to become a professional. Having a passion for sensory play, a strong network of nanny friends for her children to spend time with and an incredible knowledge of activities in the Netherlands. Always planning adventures for the children. Specialises in Autism.

Our Promise to You

Personal
Caring
Impeccable

We don’t believe in compromise. At least not on the essentials. At Holgate Nannies, “good” is not good enough. We take on only the very best nannies. To provide you with the very best. There really is an art to matching the right nanny to the right family. Of course, our nannies have high-level language skills and
3+ of experience, but they also have warmth, profound patience and common sense, as well as a deep appreciation for the importance of what they are doing.

Overview of the Process

1. A short call or email contact to discuss the job overview. The fee structure and terms and conditions are sent.

2. Discovery/intake meeting - This can be via video call or in person (location dependent). We strongly recommend that all main caregivers attend our initial meeting, which usually lasts 60 - 90 minutes. During the meeting, we can discuss your needs, costs, and legal requirements and answer any questions.

3. The administration fee is paid, and the terms and conditions are signed by the family.

4. Holgate Nannies will begin the search for suitable candidates for your family.

5. Usually, we select 1 - 3 candidates for you, depending on the job description.

6. Once you have conducted the first set of candidate interviews, we organize trial days. Holgate Nannies will arrange all candidate interviews and job trials. The family is required to pay the candidate’s hourly rate for all trial days. You may also need to cover the candidate's expenses if they are traveling for the trial.

7. Once you have chosen your candidate, a written offer is sent via Holgate Nannies.

8. Holgate Nannies can help negotiate a salary if required.

9. The agency placement fee is paid by the family.

10. The family and candidate agree on the contract terms.

11. Post-placement support is available.

Testimonials

Since our baby was not happy in daycare (he didn’t want to eat, nor sleep) we contacted Lauren. She listened carefully to our worries and wishes and introduced us to a wonderful, patient nanny. Now our baby is a happy 1 year old and we are ourselves much more relaxed, knowing he is in good hands with our lovely nanny! We can totally recommend the service of Holgate Nannies. Lauren is great in understanding the type of nanny a family needs. She found a nanny that fits our family perfectly. Thanks again Lauren!

I appreciate Lauren’s professional approach. She knows what parents need, but she also is aware that a nanny is not a babysitter. She has the best interests of both parties at heart and was able to find the perfect match for me. In my opinion Holgate Nannies is the only agency in Amsterdam with such a profound knowledge and passion for bringing families and candidates together.

I really liked my experience working with “Holgate Nannies”. Lauren is professional, passionate, organized and you can always count on her at any moment in the process. Most of all, she values the job of being a Nanny and she truly understands your needs and concerns and try to find the right fit for you. I would work again with her anytime. J’ai beaucoup aimé mon expérience avec “Holgate Nannies”. Lauren est professionnelle, passionnée, organisée et on peut toujours compter sur elle tout au long des procédures. Surtout, elle respecte et met en valeur le travail de Nounou. Elle écoute et comprend les besoins et s’est adaptée en fonction de mes préoccupations. Je re-travaillerais avec elle n’importe quand.

Holgate nannies is the greatest agency to be associated with. Lauren’s expertise in the nanny industry has been a guiding beacon for me to find the best suited family for me. Her attention to detail in regards to communication, feedback, prospective jobs is the most professional I’ve come across. Lauren you are a gem to the industry, I cannot thank you enough for making my transition as an expat nanny in Amsterdam any easier.

FAQs

What locations do you cover?

Holgate Nannies places candidates across Europe and the UK.

How long does it take to find a staff member?

This is dependent on a variety of factors including requirements regarding language, qualifications and experience, expectations, job details and location. I recommend contacting Holgate Nannies and we can advise when to start the search.

What is the cost of a nanny?

Nanny salaries vary depending on experience, qualifications, duties, responsibilities, location and the job requirements. For a maternity nanny or Newborn Care Specialist the rate would be higher depending on their experience and qualifications.

Screening

Candidates are interviewed in person or via video call with Holgate Nannies. They need to provide proof of ID and certifications. Each candidates needs a police check or DBS and first aid certification. They also provide written and verbal references. Candidates need a visa or passport tolegally work in the country of the job they are seeking.

Ready to find your perfect nanny?
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