Exceptional childcare.
Peace of mind.
At The Heart State Nanny Agency, we match Ohio families with thoroughly vetted, professionally supported nannies who show up with their whole heart every single day.
Rooted in Columbus. Serving families statewide.
Childcare For the Heart of Your Family
·
Proudly Serving Ohio Families
·
Childcare For the Heart of Your Family · Proudly Serving Ohio Families ·
Our Process
-
Step 1: We Learn Your Family
Every family is different. We take the time to understand yours—your schedule, your values, your children, your non-negotiables. We do not send you a stack of resumes and wish you luck. We listen first.
What this includes:
▸ Your online family application.
▸ A personal consultation call with our team.
▸ A clear picture of your ideal candidate. -
Step 2: We Find Your Person
Once we understand your needs, we get to work. We source from our vetted network, screen every candidate thoroughly, and only introduce those we truly believe are the right fit.
What this includes:
▸ Thorough background screening (criminal, sexual misconduct registry, residential history, social security verification, DMV check).
▸ Reference verification — we actually make the calls.
▸ Skills assessment and in-depth interviews.
▸ Curated candidate profiles tailored to your family.
▸ Interview support and guidance so you know what to ask. -
Step 3: We Stay With You
Our work doesn’t end when your nanny starts. We guide you through the offer, negotiation, agreement, and onboarding, and stay available after placement as questions arise.
What this includes:
▸ Offer letter and compensation negotiation support.
▸ A customized, professionally drafted nanny-family work agreement.
▸ Payroll and legal employment guidance through our trusted partners.
▸ 90-day post-placement support.
▸ Ongoing access to our team whenever you need us.
Both of our founders were named Top 5 Finalists for INA Nanny of the Year 2026 by the International Nanny Association. We know what exceptional childcare looks like because we have spent our careers living it. When you work with Heart State, you are working with people who take this as seriously as you do.
★★★★★
“Raven and Megan are absolute joys to work with. They are dedicated and have so much wisdom to share! They are professional and compassionate. I've known both of them for over a decade and they continue to inspire me. They love kids with all their heart and love those they care about just as much! They see people as people and value others highly.”
— Molly M.
What We Look For In Every Nanny
Before a nanny ever meets your family, they have already been through our process. Here’s what that means:
✔ Current infant and child CPR and First Aid certification Not a general adult certification. Infant and child specific, and always current.
✔ Comprehensive background screening Every candidate goes through a nationwide criminal background check, sexual misconduct registry check, residential history verification, social security verification, and DMV driving record check.
✔ Verified references We do not just collect names. We make the calls, ask the real questions, and listen carefully to what former families say and what they do not say.
✔ Professional commitment We work with nannies who chose this career intentionally. They are not treating childcare as a side job or a bridge between other things. This is their profession and they bring that level of seriousness to your home.
✔ Active in their professional development Our nannies are part of a community that keeps growing. We hosted International Nanny Training Day in Columbus in 2026 because we believe the best caregivers never stop learning. The nannies we place are those kinds of caregivers.
Find the Right Fit for Your Family
We offer three ways to work with us depending on where you are in the process. Every placement begins with a $350 non-refundable registration deposit that initiates your search.
-
For families seeking full-time, part-time, or live-in nannies.
This is our full-service placement experience. We handle everything from sourcing and vetting to offering support and post-placement check-ins, so you can focus on your family while we find your person.
Includes:
▸ Full vetting process
▸ Curated candidate profiles
▸ Interview support
▸ Customized nanny-family work agreement
▸ Payroll and legal employment guidance
▸ 90-day post-placement supportSpecialized roles including travel nannies, rota nannies, and household managers are available at a custom rate. Reach out to discuss.
-
For families needing professional care for up to four months.
Life does not always follow a long-term schedule. Whether you need summer coverage, support during parental leave, help during a family transition, or care between long-term solutions, we make the process seamless. Same thorough vetting. Shorter timeline.
Includes:
▸ Full vetting process
▸ Personalized matchmaking
▸ Customized nanny-family work agreement
▸ Ongoing support throughout the placementAvailability is limited. Early inquiries are encouraged.
-
For families who already have a candidate in mind.
You found someone you love. Now let us make sure everything is done right. We handle the background check, the work agreement, and the onboarding support so your placement starts on solid, professional ground.
Includes:
▸ Comprehensive background screening
▸ Customized nanny-family work agreement
▸ Onboarding resources and best practices
▸ Legal employment guidance
All placements require legal, on-the-books payroll. We partner with Poppins Payroll, HomePay, and GTM to make this simple for every Heart State family. Ask us about our exclusive promo code for Poppins Payroll.
What Heart State Families Are Saying
“I couldn’t have imagined a better nanny for our family than Megan! She is extremely nurturing and created strong bonds with our children. She also helped instill in them a respect for routines and boundaries that helped our daily lives run more smoothly and for the kids to be prepared to enter a school setting. Megan is truly a professional at what she does, as well as a kind, caring and wonderful person. I cannot recommend her enough!”
⎯ Elizabeth Y. ★★★★★
“Our daughter was a 1-pound micro preemie who was on the medically fragile side of things. Obviously when we brought her home from the hospital, it was of supreme importance to us that whoever was taking care of her was the right fit. From day one, Raven loved our daughter and watched over her with meticulous care.
She engaged Jenna in age appropriate ways. Raven helped with activities suggested by therapists to keep Jenna moving towards her developmental milestones and she celebrated Jenna’s “wins” and progress just as much as we did.
When we unexpectedly added our son through foster care literally overnight, Raven rolled with the situation and nurtured and loved our new little guy as well.
Our home was a place of music, laughter, and creativity with Raven around. I have no doubt that the great start that Jenna had with Raven was a significant factor in her being the confident, joyful, and independent 8-year-old she is today. Raven is family - forever.”
⎯ Carrie D. ★★★★★
“Being Career Nannies themselves, the owners of The Heart State Nanny Agency really know the industry inside and out. They offer real tangible advice and guidance for both nannies and families. If you are a parent thinking of hiring a nanny and it’s led you to this review, don’t wait- contact Raven + Megan today. You won’t regret it!”
⎯ Hilary A. ★★★★★
Rated 5 Stars by Ohio families on Google.
Read our reviews here.
What Makes Us Different
Most agencies make a placement and move on. We do not. At The Heart State Nanny Agency, our commitment to your family and to your nanny does not end when the work agreement is signed. We invest in the people we place, we build community around this work, and we stay present because we know that great placements are built over time, not just made in a moment.
★ Community Over Transactions We believe childcare done well is a relationship, not a transaction. We host events, support nanny professional development, and stay connected to our families long after placement because that is what leading with heart actually looks like.
★ We Invest in Nanny Education In April 2026, we hosted International Nanny Training Day in Columbus for the first time in nearly 15 years. Sixty attendees. Eleven speakers. A full day of professional development for the caregivers in our community. The nannies we place are the ones who show up to events like that. That matters for your family.
★ Nationally Recognized Both of our founders were named Top 5 Finalists for INA Nanny of the Year 2026 by the International Nanny Association, one of the most competitive recognitions in the nanny industry. We bring that standard of excellence to every placement we make.
A Partnership Built on Mutual Respect
The placements that last are the ones where both sides show up with professionalism and care. We hold our nannies to a high standard, and we ask the same of our families. Here is what we ask of every family we work with:
✔︎ Pay legally, every time. Your nanny is a household employee, not a contractor. Legal payroll is required for all placements. We make this easy through our payroll partners.
✔︎ Offer guaranteed hours. If your nanny is scheduled, they are paid, even on days plans change. This is industry standard and the foundation of a stable, trusting relationship.
✔︎ Provide competitive pay. Fair compensation attracts and retains excellent nannies. We will guide you on current market rates for Columbus.
✔︎ Sign a work agreement. Every placement includes a customized agreement that protects both your family and your nanny.
✔︎ Offer standard professional benefits. Paid time off, holidays, and sick days are expected as part of a professional employment relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. We would love to hear from you once you’re ready to move forward.
-
Most long-term placements take between two and six weeks from your consultation call to a signed work agreement. Temporary placements can move faster depending on your timeline. We recommend starting your search at least four to six weeks before your target start date, and sooner for summer placements.
-
The non-refundable registration deposit initiates your search and secures our team's time and resources dedicated to your family. It is applied toward your total placement fee.
-
We provide a replacement period guarantee for long-term placements and offer post-placement support to help both sides navigate any challenges that come up. Reach out to us directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
-
Yes. All Heart State placements require legal, on-the-books employment. Your nanny is a household employee and must be paid through proper payroll with taxes withheld. We partner with Poppins Payroll, HomePay, and GTM to make this straightforward and affordable for families.
-
Guaranteed hours means your nanny is paid for their scheduled hours even when you do not need them on a given day. If plans change, travel comes up, or you decide to keep the kids home, your nanny's income is protected. This is standard professional practice in the nanny industry and a requirement for all Heart State placements.
-
Yes. These roles fall under our Long-Term Placement service and are priced on a custom basis depending on the scope and requirements of the position. Reach out to us directly and we will walk you through what that looks like.
-
Both of our founders were named Top 5 Finalists for INA Nanny of the Year 2026. We hosted International Nanny Training Day in Columbus in 2026, the first in nearly 15 years, because we actively invest in the professional development of the nannies in our network. We are members of the International Nanny Association. Our support does not end at placement; we are here for your family and your nanny throughout the relationship. That is what leading with heart actually looks like.
Let’s Find Your Person
Ready to find the perfect nanny for your family? Fill out our family application below or contact us to get started. We can't wait to hear from you!
The Heart State Nanny Agency is rooted in Columbus and serving families throughout Ohio, including Dublin, Westerville, Powell, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Worthington, Hilliard, Gahanna, Delaware, Pickerington, Grove City, Lewis Center, and communities in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron, Toledo, and beyond.
Serving Families Throughout Ohio
The Heart State Nanny Agency is proudly rooted in Columbus, but our reach extends across the state. We work with families in Central Ohio and beyond, bringing the same thorough vetting, personalized matching, and ongoing support to every placement we make, wherever you are.
We currently serve families in Columbus and surrounding communities including Dublin, Westerville, Powell, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Worthington, Hilliard, Gahanna, Bexley, Granville, Delaware, Pickerington, Grove City, Canal Winchester, and Lewis Center.
We also work with families throughout Ohio in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron, Toledo, Canton, and surrounding areas. If you are an Ohio family looking for a nanny you can truly trust, we want to hear from you.