FAQ for Nanny & Babysitter Subscribers

Related Pages: Subscribing as a Nanny or Sitter ... About the Childcare Listing ... Nanny/Babysitter Scam ... High School & College Students

Hints for getting a childcare job on BPN

• How do I post a message?
• How often can I post?
• How do I update or delete my post?
• Where can parents see my post?
• Can I post for friends and family who are also nannies?

How do I post a message?

Once you are a subscriber, login to the BPN website. click 'Post a message' in the main menu or on your account page click the Post button. Then click 'Nannies & Sitters Offering Care'.

• Title:  The title is very important since parents will see only your title in the newsletter. See below for suggestions for a good title.
• Post Type: Are you looking for part time or full time?
• City: Which cities are you interested in?  Scroll to the end of the list to choose larger regions such as "East Bay"
• Start Date: How soon can you start?
• Languages: Choose any languages you speak.
• Message: Type in information about yourself, what you are like as a caregiver, and what you're looking for in a job. See below for suggestions for your message.

How often can I post?

Your post will be published for 30 days on the BPN website, and then you can post again.  Please do not post more than once in a 30 day period.

How do I update or delete my post?

Unpublish your post (instructions here) and then you can post a new one if you like.

Where can parents see my post?

1. In the main menu, under "Childcare & Preschools" select "Nannies & Sitters Available."
2. In the main menu, under "Current Posts" select "Nannies & Sitters Available."
3. Newsletter: The weekly Childcare newsletter contains all new nanny postings received during the previous week.  It is mailed on Sunday, so post before Sunday to be included in this week's newsletter. See About Childcare Postings for more info about the newsletter.

Is it OK to post messages for friends and family members who are also nannies?

No.  Your BPN account is for your posts alone.  It is not fair to the other nannies who have purchased subscriptions for your friends to post for free. They need to instead purchase their own subscription on BPN. Subscribers who violate this rule may lose their posting privileges.

Hints for getting a childcare job on BPN

1. Read the Childcare newsletter on Sundays
2. Post a message every 30 days as long as you are available
3. Check for new posts from parents every few days and message them
4. Ask parents to post a recommendation of you

1. Read the Childcare newsletter on Sundays

The weekly newsletter is mailed on Sunday and it contains new posts from the past week from parents who are looking childcare. It also contains posts from nannies who are available, so be sure you submit a post every month so it can be included in a newsletter.  See the next section.

2. Post a message every 30 days as long as you are available

Posting a message is the best way to let parents know you are available. See How do I post a message? for instructions. Your post will be published on the website for 30 days and then you can post again if you still have availability.

Here are hints for making sure parents will read your post:

TITLE

The title is the most important part of your post.  Only the title appears in the newsletter, not your full post.  Parents must click your title to read your full message. If they don't understand your title, or it is too vague, they might not read your message.  

• Don't use a title that is only 1 or 2 words, or too vague, such as "nanny available". This doesn't have enough information.  See examples of good titles below.
• Include specific information in your title such as languages you speak, whether you are available full time or part time, the area you are interested in, something about you.
• Don't misspell any words in the title - check it twice! If parents don't understand your title, they won't read your post.

Examples of GOOD titles: 

• "Spanish-speaking nanny available full time"
• "Nanny available afternoons in Lamorinda"
• "Experienced nanny great with infants"
• "Part-time nanny available Tuesday & Thursday"
• "College student offering babysitting this summer"

• "Albany High student is available on weekends"

MESSAGE 

Your message should give details about you, your background and experience, and what type of job you're looking for..

• Experience: Say how many years you have been providing childcare, and what ages of children you have experience with. If you are just starting out, mention other experience you have, such as caring for your own children or younger siblings, or working at a daycare, church nursery, or summer camp.  
• Where do you want to work?  If you are only interested in a particular area, mention that. If you need to work near public transit, be sure to mention this.  Most of our subscribers live in the East Bay, but there are parents looking for childcare in other areas too, such as San Francisco, Lamorinda, and the South Bay, so if you are willing to travel outside the East Bay, include that in your message. 
• Hours: If you only want full time work, or can only work certain hours, mention this in your post, such as "I am looking for at least 35 hours a week" or "I am only available on Tuesdays & Thursdays." If you have a flexible schedule, be sure to say this in your post, too, since many parents are working at home now and are flexible. If you are available early in the morning, or can stay later, or you can provide childcare on short notice, you should mention this also.
• Do you drive? If you have a driver's license, or you have your own car, be sure to mention this in your post. Many parents are looking for someone who can drive the family's car or the nanny's own car and will want to see your driver's license. If you will bicycle or use public transportation to get to work, also mention that.
• Languages: Mention any languages besides English that you speak fluently. Many parents want their children to be exposed to other languages, and many parents speak other languages besides English.  If English is not your first language, say how proficient you are, such as "I understand basic English" or "I am proficient in English."
• Pets: Do you like dogs and cats or do you have a pet at home? Or are you allergic to animals? Mention this in your post because many parents looking for a sitter may have pets.
• Vaccinations: Parents will want to know if you are vaccinated, especially Covid, TDAP, flu, and TB.  
• Education, training & certifications: If you have a college degree or you've taken any early childhood education classes, you should include this information in your post. Have you taken first aid or CPR classes? Are you TrustLine certified? 
• Students: If you are a student, say where you go to school, what year you are, and what you are studying. Write about yourself, such as your hobbies, interests, or talents. 

• References: Please do NOT include any names, phone numbers or email addresses of former employers in your post.  Instead, say "I can provide references of other families I have worked for".

3. Check for new posts from parents every few days and message them

• Read posts from parents who are looking for childcare here: "Parents Seeking Childcare" 

• Send them a message by clicking the contact link at the end of their post.  This will send an email directly to their email inbox.

• The Subject on your message should be clear, specific, and informative, such as: 
  • "Spanish-speaking nanny available for the hours you need"
  • "I'm available to nanny for you in March" 

  • "Responding to your request on BPN for a nanny in Orinda"

• Your message should give details about you, about your background and experience. See above for examples.  Many nannies have prepared text ready that they can include in each new message.

• Personalize each message you send. Directly address any requirements the parent listed in their post. For example:
  • If the parent is looking for someone to start immediately, say when you can start.
  • If they are looking for specific days or times, confirm that these are the days/times that you can work.

  • If they require a driver's license, CPR, vaccinations, etc. confirm whether you have these.

• Save a copy of each message you send.  There is a box you can check on the message form that says "Send yourself a copy".  

4. Ask parents to post a recommendation of you 

Many parents who are seeking childcare prefer a recommendation from another parent rather than a post from the nanny.  Ask the parents you have worked for to recommend you on BPN. If they are BPN subscribers, they can post under "Parents Seeking, Offering, or Recommending a Caregiver" choosing the category "Parent recommending a caregiver."