Nannies have been part of family life in Europe for ages. Think Mary Poppins, or, more recently, Nanny McPhee, or even television's imported Supernanny, Jo Frost.

A teacher and former nanny herself, Serra Deville — in her Woodstock home — recognized the need for nannies and opened Georgia's Dream Nannies. The agency also provides household managers, estate managers and housekeepers.
GEORGIA'S DREAM NANNIES • Where: 1426 Towne Lake Parkway, Suite 102-265, Woodstock • Phone: 770-517-0443 • Hours: 9:00a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-2 p.m Fridays • On the Web: www.gadreamnannies.com

These days, with parents preoccupied with business matters or simply over-extended at home, nannies have come into their own in this country.

Four years ago, Woodstock resident Serra Deville, a former nanny, recognized the need for nannies and opened Georgia's Dream Nannies.

Deville, who also has worked as a teacher, said she "woke up one morning and felt guided to open the agency."

"I was teaching, and I loved it," said Deville. "But while I was teaching, I was trying to figure out a way to supplement the income. The idea, I feel, was God-sent."

Deville's agency screens applicants for home-based positions that include nannies, household managers and estate managers, and housekeepers. The services of her Woodstock-based business are available throughout Georgia, and soon will be available nationwide.

All applicants must go through at least two interviews with the agency and submit to an extensive background check. The agency also meets with families to assess their needs. Nannies and potential clients are then evaluated and matched.

Nannies also are required to put together a portfolio, a game plan to show the family how they propose to interact with the children.

"A lot of agencies don't care about the families or the nannies," said Deville. "For me, it's really personal. I pray over each match. I want to get just the right person for each family. The right match is so crucial."

So crucial, in fact, that Deville's nannies and families have a 60-day getting-to-know-each-other period. If things don't work out, Deville will find another nanny match for no extra cost.

The agency also provides training and orientation for nannies.

Currently, about 700 nannies and other in-home personnel are listed with Georgia's Dream Nannies, Deville said.

"Typically, we'll narrow it down to about three [nannies] for the client to interview," she said. "But there's no limit to how many they can interview. ... If you just advertise for a nanny, you may get 60 people responding. Who has the time for that?"

Though Georgia's Dream Nannies has many high-profile clients, nanny services are not just for the rich and famous, said Deville.

"We have worked with people like [Atlanta] Braves players, and a lot of our clients own their own businesses," she said. "But we also work with just normal, average families."

Nannies are available on a permanent basis (at least one year) or a temporary basis (from two weeks to six months).

"Our mission is to help families, and to help nannies find the right home," Deville said.

"It's really all about nurturing the children, and finding the best person for each situation."