There’s a new kid on the block and North Texas parents now have access to a service that has garnered national attention over the years. Trusting Connections Nanny Agency owners Rosalind Prather and Caroline Malkin took the industry by storm in 2011 with the opening of their first location in Tucson, Arizona. At just 24 years old, both women quickly made a name for themselves by establishing a thriving nanny agency and sitter service that started with just two employees and grew to 75 employees in just a few short years. This year the agency is projected to hit half a million in sales. If you ask Prather about the key to their success, she would say, “We don’t shy away from reinventing the wheel to meet the needs of our families.”
When it was time for expansion, the two young entrepreneurs did months of research before deciding where the second location would be which included a visit to the area earlier in the year. “We met with Southlake and Keller parents and nannies to learn more about their needs. Many of them have been relying on online nanny finder sites to find each other and were excited about the prospect of a brick and motor agency that could connect them in a safer and more professional way.” Prather and Malkin also sat down with Mark Guilbert, President & CEO of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce to get a sense for the local business community. “Of all the location possibilities we considered, Southlake stood out,” Malkin explains. “The concentration of families in Southlake and the sense that these parents want the best for their children in all aspects of life was a huge deciding factor.”
Prather and Malkin have hired Southlake resident, Caly Rangel to serve as the new location’s Placement Director. She is a Texas A&M grad who has undergone extensive training on the agency’s meticulous matching and screening processes. “Caly complements our business culture perfectly. She’s dynamic, intuitive and operates with integrity. Our families are going to be in great hands with her.”
With a shared commitment to “raising the bar” when it comes to the private childcare industry, business partners Prather and Malkin, who are also former professional nannies, are thrilled to bring a new perspective on the child care industry to the Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville and Keller communities. Their full-service agency offers exceptional, personalized child care solutions and provides superior quality service. “Our focus is on nannies and other child care professionals like newborn care specialists and doulas. We are expert matchmakers.” Among the other qualities that make Trusting Connections a unique agency are its stringent requirements for hire including an extensive background investigation conducted by a local private detective, random drug testing, integrity assessments and a knowledge-based entrance exam. Prather explains, “These requirements are in addition to the traditional screening processes required by most agencies like an interview and reference checks. I would venture to say that our hiring standards are among the highest in the industry. Less than 1 in 7 nannies who apply are deemed to be a good fit for our agency.”
But what makes Trusting Connections especially unique is that it employs its nannies, an endeavor the vast majority of agencies avoid altogether. Most agencies refer nannies and other domestic staff candidates to families who are then left with the responsibility and liability that comes with being a household employer including paying the nanny and withholding taxes. But for many busy parents who don’t want to have to worry about those legal considerations or file the necessary tax paperwork, Trusting Connections offers an alternative solution and a service not commonly provided by traditional agencies. Families who become members of Trusting Connections have access to an entire team of nannies, sitters, doulas, newborn care specialists and other caregivers that are employees of the agency. Families may use these services as little or as much as needed, whether their schedule is consistent or varied and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that reliable, quality care is just a phone call away. The agency even accommodates last minute requests by giving its members access to an after-hours line 24/7, 365 days a year.
Megan Metzger, President of Preferred Childcare Solutions in North Carolina, one of the largest nanny agencies in the country says, “We are thrilled to hear about the expansion of Trusting Connections. Rosalind and Caroline are a dynamite team who are bringing the nanny industry to new levels. They are committed to providing exceptional care to their clients at any cost by employing their nannies to ensure superior performance and quality control. This incredible organization is an inspiration to other agencies throughout the nation.”
Prather, who was invited to be a speaker at the International Nanny Association annual conference in Louisville and Los Angeles, has become well known among other industry leaders. INA has applauded the agency’s expansion. Co-President Kathleen Webb says, “INA is thrilled to see one of our member organizations achieve such success. Our mission is to professionalize the industry and agencies across the country play a crucial role in establishing high standards of excellence.” Ryan Jordan of Educated Nannies in Los Angeles gave her enthusiastic endorsement for the Trusting Connections Co-Owner. “Rosalind is a beautiful addition to any community! Her personalized approach to childcare and her passion for making families happy is contagious. She is a mother, role model and a mentor filled with creativity, and I believe Trusting Connections is paving the way for quality childcare.”
While the office is in Southlake, the agency provides services all over DFW and surrounding communities. Their mission is simple- to connect North Texas families with top notch, experienced and professional nannies. “We are really only looking for the “best-of-the-best,” explains Malkin. Prather adds, “Parents who have attempted to find a nanny on their own know what a nightmare it can be. We have bridged the gap between families looking for exceptional child care providers and nannies seeking good families to work for. An agency eliminates so much of the stress that parents attempting to find a nanny or babysitter on their own might experience and most importantly, we have made the process much safer for both parties.”
With the help of the Southlake Chamber of Commerce Trusting Connections will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 29th from 4:30pm- 6:30pm at their office at 950 E. State Highway 114, Suite 160. This event is open to the public. They will also be raffling exciting prizes to benefit Kids Matter. For more information visit www.trustingconnections.com.
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