Olive You Nanny Provides Care for Children

A question on Ladue-Frontenac Patch asking moms where they go to find reliable baby sitters led to a recommendation of Chicago-based Olive You Nanny.

The local organization is run by Laura David, 34. There also are divisions in Portland; Atlanta; Madison, WI; and Charlotte, NC.

For nearly six months, David has been lining up families with nannies, one at a time. She loves her work enough to quit a full time research position at the School of Medicine.

David has practical experience in the nanny world. She was a regular nanny for the owner in Chicago and provided services in London. “That was great, but the cost of living is too high to stay there,” she said.

David spends her day shuttling between interviewing candidates and spending time in homes with her prospective clients, getting to know them better.

“When you call my phone (314-914-5000), you will only get me. I am the only employee of the local service.”

She does face competition. There are other services in St. Louis like TLC for Kids; Care.com; and the St. Louis Nanny Agency.

The terms of Olive You Nanny are as follows: new clients sign a six-week contract, and they only pay a one time placement fee. She takes no cut of the pay families provide for their nannies. 

She does however split some of her profits with headquarters back in Chicago. Right now, she has placed around 25 nannies in the region.

This service is popular in homes in Ladue, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Webster Groves and other communities.

The budget doesn’t allow for any paid advertising. “I am making it by word of mouth,” she said.

“I like to keep it on a personal level. I like to get to know the families and their children very well before placing a new hire.”

She does connect families with baby sitters, but her efforts are always finding part-time and full-time nanny services for families.

David is very strict about her requirements to provide services. Her candidates must have previous nanny service; provide three references, be cleared by a national background check service and have a very clean driving record.

Her nannies do a number of things for her families. They provide care and nurturing for the children as well as some/all of the following:

• Light cleaning and cooking
• Drive children to and from school/other activities
• Travel with families

Professional nannies almost always have one of two backgrounds: either they love to provide for children or they are substitute teachers filling in gaps in their service.

The best way to reach Olive You Nanny is either call (314) 914-5000 or go to their website.