Today we’d like to introduce you to LeAnna.
Hi LeAnna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always loved working with kids for as long as I can remember. I started babysitting when I was around 14, and continued babysitting and nannying consistently throughout high school and college. Over the years, I’ve worked as a babysitter, nanny, children’s choreographer, and tutor. In college, I also earned a secondary degree in education.
After graduating, I worked on the administrative side of a nanny agency and fell in love with the process of helping families and babysitters/nannies connect. I decided to start my own agency because of the amazing relationships I had built with the families and children I personally nannied for. I wanted to help others find and foster the same kind of meaningful connections that I’ve been so lucky to experience.
Some of the families I nannied for have been a part of my biggest life moments—they’ve attended my wedding, baby shower, and other important milestones. I still currently nanny for a family I’ve been with for almost 12 years! Building this kind of connection is what we strive for as an agency.
The best part of owning a nanny agency is creating those special relationships. We find nannies and babysitters who truly love what they do and have a passion for this industry, and we match them with families who value that same commitment. We also focus on educating families about the nanny industry to ensure that nannies are treated and paid legally, which is something that’s very important to me because of my own background as a nanny.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha! I wish the road had been perfectly smooth, but of course not! Owning any type of business comes with its ups and downs. We’ve been in business for eleven and a half years, so we’ve certainly faced our share of challenges along the way.
Because we’re in the business of people, there are times when things happen that are out of our control, and we have to act quickly and compassionately to resolve any issues. We do our best to approach conflict with empathy and professionalism, because we understand that when you’re dealing with children, emotions can run high!
Probably our biggest challenge was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. As a small business, we struggled just like so many others during that time. Nannies and babysitters weren’t needed as much due to stay-at-home orders, safety concerns, and parents transitioning to working from home. We had to pivot our business to support families and our nannies/babysitters in any way we could, but somehow, we made it through!
Family dynamics have shifted since the pandemic, and we’ve adapted our services to meet those changing needs. Owning a business is all about flexibility and learning to evolve as the world does.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Nanny By Design is a full-service nanny and babysitting placement agency. We provide everything from long-term nannies to occasional babysitters, special event care for weddings and conferences, and even pet sitting!
The “by design” aspect of our business means we create specialized placements for families based on their individual needs. No two families are the same, so their childcare requirements differ and we’re able to accommodate that by customizing childcare solutions just for them.
We take the time to truly get to know our clients and their unique situations so that we can build long-lasting relationships and meaningful connections. We also educate our clients about the nanny industry, its standards, and the importance of fair and legal pay for nannies. In fact, we require it. Our babysitters are legally employed through us to reinforce this as a necessity.
What I’m most proud of is our ability to foster both sides of our business, our clients and our nannies/babysitters. Because of my own nanny experience, I can relate to the nanny perspective, and through my years of working with families, I understand the client’s needs as well. We stay involved with both parties every step of the way, and I believe that’s a big part of our success.
I’m also about to become a mom for the first time, which is giving me an entirely new perspective on my work! I know this personal experience will only enhance my expertise and strengthen our agency.
We’re a small admin team of three, so our clients always know exactly who they’re working with and we’re proud to be highly accessible. Open and honest communication is at the heart of everything we do.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The childcare industry is incredibly unpredictable. We learned that the hard way during the pandemic. Since then, we’ve seen a significant increase in parents working remotely, as well as longer waitlists for daycares and preschools. Because of this, I believe the demand for in-home care will continue to grow.
Even with parents working from home, many find it challenging to balance their professional responsibilities with giving their children the attention they need. More and more nannies are now working in homes alongside parents, creating a more collaborative work environment.
I think we’ll continue to see families investing in in-home childcare rather than traditional daycare or preschool settings, as it allows children to receive individualized care in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
We’re also noticing an increase in requests for special event care, especially for weddings, as more couples are choosing to have “child-free” ceremonies and receptions.
Pricing:
- Long term nannies are hired directly as household employees and the agency is paid a placement fee.
- Babysitters are paid through the agency as agency employees.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nannybydesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanny_by_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nannybydesign14
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanna-nash-973493b4/
