Choosing a caregiver for your child can be a nerve-wracking and difficult endeavor, but there are agencies that specialize in finding the perfect person for your family, along with other resources.

For instance, check your pediatrician’s office bulletin board. Often parents list their nannies that are now available and you can get great references from the office staff and parents. You can also advertise in elementary school newsletters where parents of older kids may be looking to find work for their nannies during the day while their kids are at school.

If you’re looking for more flexible babysitting or even for an au pair try the job boards at local colleges such as Columbia, Fordham and Marymount Universities.

If you do choose to opt for an agency, here are some of our top recommendations.

by Rebecca Levey

Pavillion Agency

(credit: nanny-agencies.findthebest.com)

15 East 40th Street
Suite 400
New York NY, 10016
(212) 889-6609
avillionagency.com

With the establishment of the Nanny Authority, Pavillion set itself apart as the preeminent family-staffing agency in NYC. They provide thorough background checks and top of the line applicants. They have been placing household staff in homes since 1962 and deal exclusively in high end staffing. Past clients even include United States Presidents!

Frances Stewart Agency

(credit: mbfagency.com)

1220 Lexington Avenue
Suite 2B
New York, NY 10028
(212) 439-9222
francesstewartagency.com

The Frances Stewart Agency specializes in baby nurses and nannies. They are known for having a talent for finding the perfect help for new parents. They also have nannies that are especially trained to care for preemies, multiples and all childcare situations. We especially like that they offer a 30 day trial period to make sure that your nanny is a perfect fit for your family.

Au Pair in America

(credit: Au Pair in America)

River Plaza 9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902
(800) 928-7247
aupairinamerica.com

Although they are based in CT, this agency services many NYC families. Au Pair in America is the first legal au pair program, designated by the US Government in 1986. You can register at the site to browse through potential Au Pairs and the agency will provide one to one assistance with matching. They offer various levels of childcare and time commitments to help you decide what your needs are and how to best hire the right person for your family.