Is Care for Kidz Nanny Agency a licensed Agency? No we are not. Private employment agencies do not have to be licensed by the Department of Fair Trading as of February 2003. However private employment agencies must comply with a code of ethics set out by the department. For more information or a copy of the code please contact the Department of Fair Trading on 13 32 20 Is Care for Kidz an approved in-home care provider, what does that mean? Care for Kidz has not sought approval to become an in-home care provider. It means that the Department of Families & Community Services has approved certain in-home child care providers to receive CCB (child care benefit) on behalf of families. The benefit is passed on to families as a reduction in their childcare fees. Care for Kidz has investigated this matter and decided not to seek approval because there are very limited number of places available in Australia. We also believe the criteria for parents to receive the benefit is far too strict. For more information you can contact the Department on 1300 653 227. Do we have to pay any more money after we pay the placement fee? After payment of the permanent placement fee, your nanny is exclusively allocated to work for you as agreed. However if your nanny is sick or on leave or is unable to do an extra Friday or Saturday night and you contact the agency, a casual agency fee will apply, which is included in the first three hours. Do we offer a guarantee? Yes we do. If the carer leaves or is removed from employment during the first 8 weeks of employment we will make every effort to replace him/her at no charge. We will only make one replacement per placement Do we accept any nanny/child carer? No we don't. All our carers must have a minimum 3 years experience (other than looking after their own children) and a first aid certificate. Being a good nanny means more than having qualifications. In fact, some of the best nannies may not have any childcare qualifications but do have years of experience. Do we accept any family? No we don't. We believe at Care for Kidz that our carers must be treated fairly, not exploited or paid less than a fair wage. We believe that nannies are childcare workers and not cleaners. If a family insists that the nanny is to do housekeeping duties then we can recommend the name of an agency that supplies cleaners or less qualified carers that may be able to assist them. How long has Care for Kidz been in the business? I've been in the business for fourteen years now. I have cared for children from newborns to 16 years of age. I know all the ins and outs, the good and the bad of being a nanny/babysitter. I set up Care for Kidz in 2000 due to an increasing demand for my services. How do we screen nannies/babysitters? We ask all applicants to complete a detailed form. We check references, even if it means calling overseas. We must also be able to verify that the nannies/babysitters have a minimum of three years experience. Any new babysitter must also undergo a "working with young children check" which has been brought in by the NSW government to check that they are suitable to work with children. We interview all applicants in great depth, usually 45 minutes - 1.5 hours. If we believe that they don't have the skills to be a great nanny/babysitter then we won't put them on our books, regardless of their qualifications or experience. Do we charge parents a registration fee or membership fee? NO! WE DO NOT. We believe it's unethical and unjustified to charge parents registration fees. Hiring child carers to work exclusively for your family is expensive enough without any extra-added fees. If the number of child carers is less than the number of job vacancies, then no matter how much you pay in registration fees, not everyone will receive a child carer and you money will be wasted. We believe that agencies should be paid for the work that they do. Not for how many parents they can register. If an agency asks for a registration fee ask them "why?" And if you do decide to pay a registration ask them " Do I get my money back if you can't find me a suitable candidate?" If they reply "NO" then we suggest you use the services of another agency. Do we charge the nannies / babysitters a registration or membership fee? NO! WE DO NOT. IT'S ILLEGAL!! Under NSW law an employment agency cannot charge any job applicant a registration or membership fee! It is totally unethical and immoral. Job applicants are generally out of work and not in a financial position to pay fees. If the number of positions is less than the number of applicants, then no matter how much you pay, not everyone will be employed and your money will be wasted. It's unjustifiable and totally unfair. If an agency asks for a registration/membership fee you should advise the Department of Fair Trading immediately on  13 32 20 Do we take any Agency fees out of the child carer's wage or hourly rate? NO! WE DO NOT! There are no Agency fees as part of our carers wage whatsoever! The quoted hourly rate is paid to the employee. Our casual Agency fee, which is included in the first three hours, is totally separate from the carers wage. Child carers work hard for their money and they deserve every cent.