Question 1

How do I begin working with Twinkle Toes?

Accepted Answer

Start with a free 20-minute consultation. Twinkle Toes will listen to your schedule, priorities, and what makes your family tick, then shortlist candidates from their already pre-vetted roster. Most families are matched within about a week.

Question 2

How long does it take to find a nanny?

Accepted Answer

Most placements happen within 7–14 days from consultation to first day of care. Full-time and specialized searches (newborn, multiples, special needs) can take a little longer, and rush placements are often possible when we have the right candidate on our roster.

Question 3

Do you serve my city?

Accepted Answer

See the full list of cities we serve on our locations page. Don't see your city? Reach out, and we'll let you know as soon as we arrive, and we can often refer you to a trusted partner in the meantime.

Question 4

What if I'm not sure what kind of care I need?

Accepted Answer

That's what the consultation is for. Whether you're weighing full-time vs. part-time, considering newborn overnights, or trying to solve a summer schedule, Twinkle Toes will help you shape a plan without pressure to commit.

Question 5

How do you screen nannies?

Accepted Answer

Every nanny we place clears a nationwide criminal background check, sex offender registry search (all 50 states), motor vehicle record check, and social media review. They complete an in-person interview with Twinkle Toes, submit at least three verified childcare references, and hold current CPR & pediatric first-aid certification. Fewer than 1 in 10 applicants clear our full process.

Question 6

Are background checks re-run over time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We refresh background checks and driving records on a rolling basis for nannies actively placed with families, and we track certification renewals so you never have to.

Question 7

Do all nannies have CPR and first-aid training?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every placed nanny is current on CPR and pediatric first aid. If a certification is coming due, we help arrange the refresher before it lapses.

Question 8

What credentials or experience do your nannies have?

Accepted Answer

Backgrounds vary, from early childhood education degrees, former teachers, career nannies, newborn care specialists, and more. What they share is at least a year of professional childcare experience, verifiable references, and a genuine love for the work. We match candidates to your family based on both experience and fit.

Question 9

Are there placement fees?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not charge placement fees or membership dues to families.

Question 10

How much do nannies cost?

Accepted Answer

Hourly rates vary by market, experience, and the specifics of your role (number of children, hours, duties, benefits). Twinkle Toes will walk you through the typical range in your city during the consultation so there are no surprises.

Question 11

Is my nanny a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor?

Accepted Answer

In most household situations the IRS classifies nannies as W-2 household employees. We'll walk you through the setup that fits your arrangement and can recommend trusted payroll partners who handle household payroll and taxes for a small monthly fee.

Question 12

Do you handle payroll and taxes?

Accepted Answer

We don't process payroll directly, but we partner with reputable household payroll providers (like HomePay and GTM) and can introduce you so setup takes minutes, not hours.

Question 13

Are there tax benefits for hiring a nanny?

Accepted Answer

Many families qualify for the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit or can use a Dependent Care FSA to pay for care with pre-tax dollars. Twinkle Toes can point you toward resources, but always confirm specifics with your tax advisor.

Question 14

How many candidates will I meet?

Accepted Answer

Typically 2–4 hand-picked candidates. We'd rather send you a short list of strong matches than a stack of resumes to sort through.

Question 15

Where do interviews happen?

Accepted Answer

Most families interview in their own home so candidates can meet the children in a familiar setting. Video interviews are common for a first round, especially if you have a busy schedule.

Question 16

Do you do a trial period?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We recommend a short paid working trial (typically a day or two) before anyone commits to a full schedule. It's the best way to confirm chemistry with your children and with your household routines.

Question 17

What if the first match doesn't work out?

Accepted Answer

It happens sometimes, and we're built for it. If a placement isn't working within the first several weeks, we'll re-open the search and prioritize a replacement match at no additional cost.

Question 18

What duties does a nanny typically cover?

Accepted Answer

Child-focused duties: meal prep for the children, driving to activities, nap and bedtime routines, homework help, age-appropriate play and enrichment, and tidying that relates to the children. Duties beyond childcare (family cooking, deep cleaning, errands) can be included with the right role structure, and we'll help you scope it.

Question 19

Do nannies do housekeeping?

Accepted Answer

Light child-related tidying (playroom, kitchen after meals, laundering the children's clothes) is standard. Full-household cleaning is a different role, a "nanny/household manager" hybrid, and comes with a different scope and rate.

Question 20

Can our nanny travel with us?

Accepted Answer

Many can. We regularly place travel-ready nannies for family trips, and we can arrange short-term travel coverage even if you're not looking for a full-time placement.

Question 21

Do you offer newborn or overnight care?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have newborn care specialists trained in feeding schedules, sleep coaching support, and postpartum household help, available for daytime or overnight coverage.

Question 22

What happens if our nanny gets sick or takes vacation?

Accepted Answer

Backup coverage is built in. When your nanny can't make it, we have vetted sitters from the same trusted roster ready to step in so you're not scrambling.

Question 23

Who do I call if something comes up?

Accepted Answer

Twinkle Toes. Not a ticket queue, not an offshore support line; a real person in your city who knows your family.

Question 24

How do you handle disagreements between our family and our nanny?

Accepted Answer

We coach both sides. Most issues are small (scheduling miscommunications, expectation mismatches) and get resolved in a single conversation. When they're bigger, Twinkle Toes mediates and, if needed, helps you transition to a new match.

Question 25

Do you provide a contract?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide a nanny work agreement template covering hours, rate, PTO, guaranteed hours, duties, and expectations. We walk both parties through it before care begins.

Question 26

What about guaranteed hours?

Accepted Answer

Standard practice for full-time nannies is guaranteed weekly hours, and you pay for the scheduled hours whether you use them or not. It's a key reason great nannies stay in the profession, and we'll help you set fair terms.

Question 27

Do you require nannies to be vaccinated?

Accepted Answer

Vaccination expectations are set by your family. We collect and share candidate vaccination records so you can make an informed choice; many families require them, some don't.

Question 28

How is my family's information kept private?

Accepted Answer

Family details are only shared with candidates you approve for interviews, and candidate records are handled under strict confidentiality by your local team.

Questions parents ask us.

Getting started

Screening & safety

Pricing & payment

Matching & interviews

Day-to-day care

Backup coverage & ongoing support

Policies & logistics

Still have questions?