Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmelie Banet.
Hi Emmelie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always known I wanted to work with children. My journey really started at a young age, and right after finishing high school, I began working at an elementary school in Germany in the after-school program while also serving as a substitute teacher. That experience made it very clear to me that working with kids was where my passion was, so I went on to study education at a university in Germany to become a teacher.
During my time in university, I also worked as a nanny for two little boys who had a huge impact on me and really helped shape who I am today. I later worked with another family caring for a little girl, and eventually several other families as well. I absolutely loved being a nanny and quickly realized there is a big difference between being a babysitter and being a professional nanny, something many families aren’t always aware of. That realization made me even more interested in learning about high-quality childcare and what truly supports families.
After becoming a mom of two myself, my perspective deepened even more. I continued working as a teacher and was fortunate to gain experience serving on hiring committees and contributing to curriculum development, which gave me valuable insight into evaluating candidates and building strong programs.
When COVID hit, my family and I were in the middle of a big transition. I had just finished teaching a first grade in Germany and had moved to Texas, where I began teaching another first grade, initially online. During that time, I had to find childcare for my oldest daughter, who had just turned three. That experience opened my eyes to how difficult it was for families to find highly qualified, reliable nannies, not occasional babysitters, but true professionals. I also saw how important backup care could be during uncertain times, when families might suddenly need coverage.
That realization ultimately led me to start First Choice Nannies. My goal was to create an agency that truly understands families’ unique needs and carefully matches them with highly qualified caregivers who can become a meaningful part of their lives. We also focus on providing dependable backup care so families aren’t left without support when they need it most.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing families, wonderful nannies, and some of the sweetest kids. Building this agency has allowed me to help create the kind of support system many parents are looking for — a trusted village — and that has been incredibly rewarding.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say the road has been particularly rough. Of course, like with any business, there have been challenges and learning curves along the way, but nothing that ever felt like a major obstacle.
One of the first challenges was figuring out how to balance all of my passions while also structuring my days well as a mom. I very much love teaching and continued doing it for a while after starting my agency, and I still occasionally stay involved in education. At the same time, running an agency and raising a family requires a lot of intentional planning and flexibility. Learning how to structure my days, balance family life with my work, and make sure both my family and the families I serve receive the attention they deserve was definitely something I had to grow into.
Another challenge many business owners probably relate to is learning to let go of certain things and trusting others to step in. As the agency grows, that means building a team and allowing others to take the lead in certain areas. At the same time, I always want to stay personally connected to the work we do. I still love being involved in placements and working closely with families to make sure every match is the right fit.
More than anything, the process has been a continuous learning experience. In the beginning, it was about understanding what families really need, what works well, and where we could improve. One of the beautiful things about building a business is that you can always refine things and continue growing.
Most importantly, I believe that none of this would have been possible without Jesus. Starting the agency itself began with a lot of prayer, and even today, I pray over the decisions I make. Whether it’s about a family we’re working with, a caregiver we’re placing, or an important step for the agency. My goal is always to serve families well and to make sure every placement is the right fit for everyone involved. I trust that God guides those decisions, and I’m very grateful for that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about First Choice Nannies?
First Choice Nannies is a full-service boutique nanny placement agency that provides nanny placements for families throughout Texas. While our agency originally started in Austin, we now work with families across the state and continue expanding our services into additional areas.
Our focus is on thoughtfully recruiting, vetting, and screening highly qualified caregivers and matching them with families based on their unique needs. Every family is different, and we take a very personalized approach to making sure each placement truly fits.
In addition to long-term nanny placements, we also provide occasional babysitters, backup care, event childcare, and care for churches and corporate events. We also place family assistants and household managers for families who need additional support in their homes.
What makes our agency unique is that we truly aim to create a “village” for families. Austin is a city where many people have moved from somewhere else, whether from another state or another country, and often don’t have extended family nearby. My own family experienced that when we moved here, and I understand how valuable it is to have reliable support you can trust.
Because of that, building strong relationships is incredibly important to us. We stay closely connected with both the families and caregivers we work with, and many of our clients and nannies have been with us for years. Some families have been working with us since the very beginning, and we also have caregivers who have been part of our community for a long time.
One of my placement agents is actually a former nanny I placed with a family, which is something I’m very proud of. Over time, we built a great relationship, and now she helps support other families and caregivers through the agency.
We also place a strong emphasis on appreciating our caregivers. We host gatherings and events where our nannies can connect with each other, and it’s been wonderful to see friendships form and nanny playgroups develop for the children they care for. Seeing long-term relationships grow between families and nannies is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
Another area we’re continuing to grow is our backup care network across Texas. Many families who hire a nanny appreciate having an extra layer of support in case their regular caregiver is unavailable, and we work hard to provide that security.
At the heart of everything we do is the goal of helping families feel supported and connected. We’re not a large franchise; we’re a boutique agency that works closely with both families and caregivers, and we value that personal connection immensely.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was actually a fairly shy and quiet child at first, which is quite funny because my own kids today are the complete opposite. I always enjoyed being around friends, but I also loved spending time on my own.
Animals were always a huge part of my life. In fact, my very best friend growing up was my dog, who I got when I was six years old and who stayed by my side until I was 24. She went everywhere with me, and I absolutely adored her. Growing up around animals, especially dogs and horses, shaped a lot of who I am today. Horses in particular became a big passion of mine, and horseback riding is something I still enjoy today.
As I got older, I slowly came out of my shell and became what I would probably describe as an extroverted introvert. I loved being around people and building meaningful connections, but I still appreciated quiet time to recharge.
I also had a creative side growing up. My parents supported that by enrolling me in violin, piano, and vocal lessons, which I’m very grateful for. Music, horseback riding, and spending time with friends were all big parts of my childhood and teenage years.
One of the first things that really shaped my path was getting involved in children’s ministry at our church when I was around 13 or 14. I helped lead children’s groups and often joined trips where I helped provide childcare. Looking back now, that was really the beginning of my journey working with children. A few years later, when I was about 16, I started babysitting, and that’s when I truly realized how much I loved caring for kids and being part of their lives.
In many ways, those early experiences laid the foundation for everything that came later, from becoming a nanny to teaching, and eventually starting my own nanny agency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.firstchoicenannies.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstchoicenannies.tx?igsh=ZDF4bTl4YW85c2x1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1KVqrMfur9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
