What Moms say…
Feedback from my nanny on her first class was exceptional and that she really, really enjoyed it.
— Lisa Liprini, Sea Point-
Feedback from my nanny on her first class was exceptional and that she really, really enjoyed it.
— Lisa Liprini, Sea Point
Domestic Nanny Placements FAQ’s
FAQ’s for domestic nanny placements
What is your registration fee? Is it a once off fee?
Like most domestic nanny agencies in South Africa, we do charge an initial registration fee for the administration associated with the initial nanny placement process. We do not charge our nannies a registration fee as many of them are unemployed and cannot afford it.
What is your placement fee for a permanent domestic nanny placement?
We charge 10% of the annual salary of a permanent placement. This is a once off fee and it comes with a service level agreement and 3 month guarantee period. This does not include the wage to the nanny.
Do you pay the domestic nanny or do we pay her a daily wage?
As an employer you are required to pay her directly. We do not take any fee off her daily or monthly wage.
Do you offer a trial period as part of your domestic nanny placement service?
As part of the interview process, we do insist on a 1-3 day trial with your domestic nanny. We believe this to be the “real interview” as this is when you as an employer can assess whether the nanny fits into your family and relates well to you and your children. The agency can check her references in terms of honesty and reliability but we cannot ensure a personality match without a trial. We are in the business of people which includes many personalities so a trial is an important part of the interview process.
What is your fee for a temporary nanny placement?
We charge R750 for the first month whether the temporary nanny placement is 3 days or 3 weeks. Thereafter we charge R250 a month. Our temporary nanny placements are suitable for families on holiday or families who need a nanny while their nanny is off sick or on maternity leave. Placing a nanny in a temporary role entails the same amount of work as a permanent domestic nanny placement. We have to be just as thorough and careful as we are dealing with children. To ensure it is worth our while from a business point of view we have to charge accordingly.
How does Super Nannies check their references?
We call up all references whether it is a number that is given to us or a letter of referral. Our screening process comes with specifically designed and detailed questionnaire to ensure there is no fraud. All work experience and references have been recent as in the last two years. Once a nanny has completed her trial and you would like to hire her we can provide the last employers contact details so you may also talk to them. We are all mothers in the business of placing nannies. If we feel uneasy about any reference, we will not take the candidate onboard as the safety of your children is always top priority.
Does the domestic nanny agency offer a guarantee period?
Super Nannies offers a three month guarantee period valid for one placement effective from the date that the employee commences employment with the client. If the employment relationship is terminated within the first three months of the placement, Super Nannies shall not charge an additional fee for this second placement.
What is the average salary?
Domestic nannies salaries differ slightly between the suburbs but generally speaking a domestic nanny’s salary which is market related can range from anything between R2500 and R4000 with R3000 being the most common. This salary of R3000 also includes transport costs. An employer cannot deduct more than 10% of living expenses off the wage for a live in/sleep in nanny.
Do you do police checks?
No we do not. If the nannies are not working they cannot afford the fee. We encourage parents to do a police clearance check if they wish to. This entails a R60 fee. The results may take up to 28 days. This is also a reason we don’t do it as the nature of our services is fast moving as most parents need a nanny immediately. A police check can be done at the nearest police station in your area and they require two copies of the domestic nanny’s ID.
Can you ask your domestic nanny to be tested for HIV?
No. The law says that the employer must get permission from the Labour Court first before she can ask the nanny to test for HIV. Please read our HIV FAQ’s for more info.
Do you help with contracts and UIF regarding domestic nannies?
Yes we do. We encourage our clients to join UIF online. It’s a simple and effective online process. We provide you with the two registration documents you are required to fill in. To find out more please read UIF online. As for contracts, we assist you closely here. We work with a labour lawyer to ensure all our paperwork is legally correct for both us and our clients.
How does UIF work?
UIF stands for unemployment insurance fund. By law an employer pays 1% of the nanny’s monthly or annual salary to UIF and the employee pays 1%. Most employers pay the full fee as it’s a minimal monthly charge. An employee will deduct the fee from her monthly wage as payment is made from the employer’s bank account.
Where is Super Nannies offices?
We have offices in Cape Town and the Southern Suburbs. Our head office is in Vredehoek in the City Bowl at 2 Deer Park Rd. Our office is part of the Baby Grow Centre. All our training centres operate from the Baby clinics in and around Cape Town. Our office is open from 9am – 3pm. After that we are with our children.
Do we interview the nanny at home or in your office?
This is a personal choice – but you have the option of both.
Do your nannies do housework.
Most of the domestic nannies we place are in a position of doing both childcare and domestic work. House work is light house work as childcare is always the first priority. It is up to the employer to manage her household and staff effectively. We are also happy to provide a schedule and routine templates to assist you here.
Where do you find your nannies?
Our domestic nannies find us via their own nanny network and word of mouth. Some come straight from parents who have had to let their nannies go for various reasons – financial or relocating. Others are nannies that I have trained in the past and are seeking employment again.