When you’re searching for the right nanny, it can be tempting to present the best possible version of your family, glossing over the messy, complicated, or challenging parts. But here’s the thing: the most successful, long-term nanny placements happen when families are open and honest with their nanny agency partner from the very beginning.

1) Why honesty is the foundation of a successful match

We completely understand that it’s not always easy to open up, especially when you’re sharing personal information with someone you’ve just met. But after working with thousands of families over the past two decades, we know one thing for sure: transparency leads to the best outcomes.

When you’re honest about your family’s needs, routines, and challenges, it helps us match you with a nanny who is not only qualified but excited to work in your home environment. There is a nanny out there for every family—yes, even if your child has behavioral challenges, or your schedule is unpredictable, or you’re navigating a major life transition. And believe us when we say we (and our nannies!) have heard it all before.

Being open doesn’t disqualify you. It empowers us to help you.

2) What families tend to leave out—and why it matters

Sometimes families are hesitant to share things like:

• A child with behavioral or developmental needs
• A recent divorce or trauma
• A new baby on the way (or plans to welcome a new family member in the near future)
• A challenging pet situation
• A demanding or non-traditional work schedule

We get it. These topics can feel heavy, and no one wants to scare off a potential nanny. But what may feel like a “red flag” to you is often just a matchmaking detail to us.

When we know all the pieces, we can approach your search strategically. For example, if you’re expecting a baby, we’ll look for nannies with infant experience who are comfortable juggling the needs of multiple children. If your child struggles with transitions or has sensory needs, we’ll seek out candidates who are trained in behavioral strategies or have worked with neurodiverse children.

But if we don’t know these things, we can’t tailor our search, and that often leads to mismatches or failed placements down the road.

3) How transparency helps you in the long run

Being upfront isn’t just helpful for us. It protects you, too.

Here’s how:

• Better fit: The nanny we place will be more likely to stay long-term because they understand what they’re signing up for from the start.
• Less stress: You won’t feel pressure to “perform” or hide aspects of your life. You can show up as your full self, and your nanny can do the same.
• Faster placement: The more we know, the quicker we can pinpoint strong candidates, saving you time, energy, and emotional labor.
• Reduced turnover: Mismatched expectations are one of the top reasons nanny placements fail. Transparency up front leads to happier, longer-term outcomes for everyone.

4) How to open up when it feels uncomfortable

We know that being vulnerable isn’t easy. You’re inviting someone into the most sacred parts of your life—your home, your children, your routines. If you feel a little unsure about laying it all out there, know that you’re not alone.

Here are some reminders to help ease the process:

• We’re on your team. Our job isn’t to judge you. It’s to support you. We want to help you find someone who will thrive in your household.
• We are confidentiality experts. We take what we do very seriously, and every family is granted the highest level of privacy when working with our team.
• You don’t have to tell everyone everything. This isn’t information that gets passed around. It’s shared only on a need-to-know basis—think potential candidates who are seriously being considered and have signed confidentiality agreements.
• You’re not the only one. Every family has complexities. We’ve seen it all, and we’re honored to help you navigate it.
• You deserve a nanny who gets you. And that can only happen when you give us the full picture.

5) What you can expect when you’re upfront with us

When you share honestly with us, here’s what we promise in return:

• A judgement-free space. We will always treat your family with warmth, respect, and professionalism.
• Tailored searches. We don’t just send you a generic list—we carefully select candidates who match your family’s unique rhythm and needs.
• Ongoing support. We’re here to guide you through the entire process, from the initial intake call to placement and beyond.
• Long-lasting placements. Our most successful nanny-family relationships begin with real transparency and trust.

If you’re ready to begin your nanny search—or if you’ve started but aren’t seeing results—consider taking a moment to check in with yourself: are you being as open as you can be?

It may feel scary at first, but from our side of the process, we can say without hesitation: honesty is the key to finding your perfect nanny.

Transparency builds trust, and trust builds strong, lasting nanny-family relationships. When you tell us the whole story, we can do what we do best: find you a nanny who will thrive in your home and care for your children with heart, skill, and devotion.