FAQ
1. What makes Nannies of Lisbon different from traditional nanny agencies?
Our approach fosters a respectful connection between families and caregivers, steering clear of the impersonal processes typical in traditional agencies. We're dedicated to assisting you throughout the process, striving to help families "build their village." We understand evolving needs and provide guidance accordingly. Plus, we charge a one-time fee, ensuring no charges are deducted from our nannies.
2. How are nannies selected for the network?
All caregivers go through a screening process before joining our network.
To be introduced to families, nannies must:
• have professional childcare experience
• provide a detailed CV and references
• complete an interview with our team
• hold a First Aid certification and criminal background check
• speak basic English
This allows us to maintain a network of reliable and professional caregivers.
3. How many nannies are part of the network?
Our network currently includes 80+ professional nannies and babysitters in Lisbon.
The community is constantly growing as we carefully add new caregivers who meet our selection criteria and share our childcare values.
4. What languages do your nannies speak?
Our nannies come from many different cultural backgrounds and speak a variety of languages.
Many caregivers speak Portuguese and English, while others speak additional languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, or German.
This diversity helps us support the needs of international families living in Lisbon.
5. What childcare philosophy do your nannies follow?
We value respectful, child-led caregiving that supports children’s development and emotional well-being.
Many of our nannies are familiar with approaches such as Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and the Educaring (RIE) philosophy, which emphasizes treating children with dignity, patience, and trust.
6. What happens if we need last-minute childcare?
We understand that childcare needs can change unexpectedly.
For urgent or last-minute requests, we share your request with our network to see if a nanny is available as soon as we receive all information needed.
While we cannot always guarantee availability, we always do our best to help families find support when possible.
7. Do you help with nanny employment contracts?
Yes. Nannies of Lisbon provides families and nannies with professionally prepared contract templates designed to support clear, fair, and structured working relationships.
Our templates are aligned with Portuguese employment law and include important topics such as working hours, guaranteed hours, holidays, overtime, duties, confidentiality, and notice periods.
Families remain the direct employers of the nanny, while Nannies of Lisbon acts as an intermediary and support service throughout the placement process. For more complex situations, we may still recommend consulting a legal professional or payroll service for additional guidance.
8. How long does it usually take to find a nanny?
The timeline depends on your schedule, requirements, and the availability of caregivers at the time.
In many cases, families begin meeting candidates within a few days to two weeks after starting the search.
We always prioritize quality matches over speed, ensuring the caregivers introduced truly fit your family’s needs.
9. What happens if the match doesn’t work out?
At Nannies of Lisbon, we understand that building the right relationship between a family and a nanny can take time and adjustment. Our goal is always to create thoughtful, long-term matches based on compatibility, communication, and shared expectations.
If challenges arise during the placement, we encourage open communication and are happy to offer guidance and support where possible. Families subscribed to our ongoing support service receive continued assistance throughout the employment relationship, including help navigating adjustments or finding replacement care if needed.
For families not enrolled in ongoing support, assistance after the initial placement period may be more limited and handled on a case-by-case basis.
