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01/09/11 | Breast Feeding: Benefits for Mom
 There is a preponderance of evidence that breast feeding is the best and most nutritious way to feed your baby if you are able to do so, especially in the first six months of her life. Human breast milk contains antibodies and nutrients that no one has been able to completely reproduce artificially, nutrients that are just right for growing babies. But, are all of the benefits of breast feeding reserved for baby? Not at all. There are many physical, psychological, and other benefits to breast feeding for moms as well. Here are a few of them:Women who have breast fed show a remarkable decrease in their chances of contracting breast cancer. Some studies suggest the likelihood is reduced by as much as 60%. Perhaps more predictably, a woman’s chance of contracting breast cancer is significantly reduced if she has breast fed. The amount of risk for breast cancer is actually reduced proportionately to the amount of time spent breast feeding. The effects seem to be even more pronounced when the mother is towards the beginning of the reproductive cycle of her life. Moms who breast feed lower their chances of osteoporosis, a disease which causes bones to become brittle and break. Those who do not breast feed are a full four times more likely to contract osteoporosis. Breast feeding helps moms lose “baby weight” faster. Breast feeding mothers, on average, are able to return to their pre birth weights much more quickly. The weight loss benefits show a discernible difference as early as one month after baby is born. Breast feeding mothers are less likely to deal with post partum depression and anxiety, and on average, it is less severe even for those who do suffer from these common ailments. Breast feeding is significantly less expensive than formula feeding, and allows moms to save money which can be used for other things. The list of ways moms can spend their savings, rather than buying formula, is virtually endless. As much as babies benefit from the close physical contact of breast feeding, moms also benefit from the snuggling and feeding times. There is a special bond that is formed during breast feeding between a mother and her baby that is unlike anything else in the world, and it benefits moms just as much as their babies. Source: DownTheLane |
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01/09/11 | Jennifer Aniston On Baby Food Diet
Aniston, 40 wanted to shed some weight before she starts filming for her flick, ‘Just Go With It’. The actress is eating the baby food under ‘The Baby Food Cleanse’ 0plan which is recommended by celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson. The plan involves 14 portions of pureed food a day followed by a healthy adult dinner. A source quoted, "While in Europe last month, Jen had relaxed her usually strict diet regime. She knew she had been indulging, and seeing as her upcoming role required her to wear lots of little dresses, she wanted to be at her physical peak." Tracy Anderson claimed that the actress is doing really well and is focussed on her goal. Tracy said, "She's doing really well. Nobody says they only want one specific thing changed. They want the whole toning package." Tracy’s client list includes celebrities like: Gwyneth Paltrow and Courteney Cox Arquette. A source said: "Tracy is all about 'clean eating', which means no oils, spices or salt. With 'baby eating', the food is easily processed by the body. Tracy believes efficient digestion equals quick weight loss. But this is a temporary diet for shifting a few pounds quickly, before going back to a normal, healthy eating plan." Source: IndiaServer |
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01/09/11 | Advantages of hiring a Nanny
 In-home care is when an individual (nanny) cares for your child in your home. The nanny might be live-in (live in your home) or live-out (live in her own home and come to your home as needed). Nannies are employees of the family for whom they work.Care in one’s own home is a child care option many parents consider in their search for quality child care. Nannies are not required to be licensed by Washington state. An in-home caregiver or “nanny” can serve the child care needs of one family or possibly more families by rotating the services of a nanny. Nanny care gives parents more control over their child’s care environment than any other child care alternative. What are some advantages of hiring a Nanny? The child/adult ratio is low, giving your child(ren) individual care. Parents have the ability to control activities, education, environment, and overall quality of children’s experience. Nanny care can be flexible and convenient, and accommodate parents’ atypical work schedules, transportation needs, and emergencies. Children may have less exposure to illness. Children are cared for in the security and surroundings of their own home. What are some disadvantages of hiring a Nanny? In-home care is not regulated in Washington State. In-home care is the most expensive form of child care. Payment for a full-time in-home caregiver is subject to federal and state minimum wage laws. Qualified nannies are in demand. Parents may find it difficult to find qualified in-home professionals. The hiring process is time consuming. Gathering and evaluating the facts about an applicants’ history or character takes time. Unlike other forms of child care, it may be difficult to observe the caregiver in a child care setting before hiring her/him. Additional time and effort are required of parents in the role of employer. As with all child care options, it is still necessary to have backup care arrangements due to the nanny's health, vacation schedule etc. In-home care can be isolating for both children and caregiver. They may miss interactions with other playmates and adults. Employing a caregiver in your own home may impact your privacy. If you do opt for in-home care, there are means to address some of these disadvantages. What qualifications should I look for in a Nanny? In order to select a qualified and appropriate nanny for your situation, consider the following criteria. Remember that your answer may be different for an infant than for older children. For example, for an infant, you may prefer someone who is nurturing and patient enough to walk with a crying baby for hours. With an older child, you may prefer someone who can participate in outdoor activities, or who can start working with the child on his/her letters and numbers. With school-age children, you may require someone who can drive. Age: Would you be most comfortable with an older, more mature caregiver? Or would you prefer a more energetic young person, perhaps a student? Education: Is it important to you to have a caregiver who is formally trained in child development or in early childhood education? Is a college degree an important qualification? More education may mean higher cost. Skills: Would driving a car be required in the position? Would the caregiver need to cook? Do light housekeeping? Be bilingual? Experience: Is previous experience in child care an important issue for you? What do you consider appropriate experience? Is raising a family adequate, or would you desire experience in a more formal setting such as a classroom or child care center? Personal Traits: What personal qualities do you want your nanny to have? Is s/he quiet and calm, outgoing and peppy, creative, neat? Is a sense of humor important to you? Do you have pets with whom the caregiver will be in contact? How do you feel about smoking? Do you require someone with a similar cultural or religious background? Other important factors: What can you afford to pay a nanny? Will the nanny need to own a car? How long a time commitment do you expect your nanny to make? You can find a nanny on your own or by using an agency If you decide to select a nanny on your own, you will do all the advertising, telephone screening, interviewing, checking of references, contracts, and taxes. However, searching on your own, rather than going through an agency, will eliminate the initial fee. Expect your search to take from one to three months. Advertising Advertising in the newspaper is the most common method used to find a nanny. Newspapers will advise where to place your advertisement and what wording is most effective. Some suggestions on what to include in an advertisement are: * List two or three personal qualities you want in a nanny. * State important requirements such as previous experience, non-smoking, drivers license, own transportation, references, etc. * Give the hours and days needed. * Give your phone number and hours you can be called, or give a post office box. * For salary you can either state the exact figure, list "salary competitive" or "salary negotiable," etc., or wait to discuss salary on the phone with the prospective nanny. Below is a sample advertisement: "Mature, loving individual wanted to care for kids age 2 & 4, in our home, M-F, 8-6, Bellevue. Car. Exp. Refs req. Call 555-0000, eves. only." Other Places to Network or Advertise * Friends and relatives (locally and in other parts of the country). * Associates at work. * Pediatrician. Nannies of friends or relatives. * College placement offices for students in ECE and child development programs. You might get a graduate student or be able to trade part-time care for room and board. * High school programs with ECE courses (for part-time after-school care). * Places of worship. * State and local employment offices and job programs. * Local school district personnel office for certified teacher not working in classroom. * Senior Citizen Centers for retired person who would like to earn a little extra money by taking care of children, either full time or part time. Using a Placement Agency There are numerous professional placement services in King County that place nannies with families. Au Pair agencies are also available. Placement services shorten the selection process for parents by doing the actual search, screening applicants, background checks, and reference checks. These services generally expect placement to take from one week to three months to find a nanny, with the usual time being one to four weeks. Also, check with nanny placement agencies to see what they have to offer. Some agencies maintain lists of families wanting a nanny share situation. You will be charged an initial fee of from $500 to first month’s salary. Placement is usually guaranteed up to three months. If a nanny does not work out within that period some placement services will find a replacement free of charge. All placement services operate similarly. However, there will be variations in their practices and procedures. Because the number of in-home placement services has grown rapidly in the past few years, be sure to talk to several services before deciding which one to use, and screen them carefully. Compare the minimum qualifications each service requires of their candidates. They will differ. Source: ChildCare |
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12/26/10 | Daycare vs. Nannycare: The Pros and Cons
Daycare vs. Nannycare: The Pros and Cons
Daycare Pros: Cost: It is one of the most affordable options for childcare. Your child's care provider is in a supervised environment with many adults present. Daycare centers must meet minimum state safety and sanitary regulations. You maintain your privacy. You do not have to open up your home to anyone. Your child will have more opportunity to socialize with other children. Cons: It is very likely that your child will be sick more frequently. Shipping your child to a daycare center can be inconvenient. Packing baby supplies, bundling kids up in the winter and getting yourself ready for work can be very time consuming. It is a fact of life that daycare centers pay their employees very low wages. Consequently, turnover is high. If consistency in care providers is important to you, this may not be the best option. If your child is very ill, daycare centers will not allow your child to attend. You will need to find back up care or be prepared to take days off from work. Many daycare centers dictate when your child should be off the bottle, pacifier, take naps etc. If the idea of someone else calling the shots with your child's routine turns you off, you may not like this form of care for your child. On the other hand, some parents like the idea of the daycare center doing the "dirty work" and appreciate someone else getting their toddler to give up his comfies. If your work hours are longer than the standard hours of operation for the daycare center, you will need to arrange for drop off and/or pickup by either a family member or another childcare provider. Nanny Care Pros: One-on-one care for your child. This is especially desirable in the infant years. Babies are held more often, comforted when crying. Your child is cared for in a familiar and comfortable environment, your home. More convenient for parents. Parents do not have to dress and pack up kids to transport them to outside care. Less illness. Children do not catch every illness that is going around. Parents are not required to find sick care for their child or to take as much time off to care for a sick child. Many times, parents enjoy a more flexible schedule. If parents need to leave early in the morning and can not return by the standard closing time of a daycare center, nanny care is sometimes a much better alternative. More control over values, rules your child is exposed to. Parents can communicate to Nanny the way things are done and ask that Nanny follow family rules, teach family values, etc. Cons: Cost: Nannycare is the most expensive form of childcare. Recruiting a nanny can be costly when using a Nanny agency. Weekly salaries for nannies are 2 to 3 times the cost of a week of daycare. Cost becomes more comparable to daycare when 2 or more children are cared for by the nanny. Turnover: Finding the right nanny can be challenging. Some families go through many nannies until they find the right match. This lack of consistency is difficult on the children and the parents. Lack of Privacy: Some families do not like the idea of having a "stranger" in their home all day. And, when a live-in is involved, the lack of privacy spills over to evening and weekend hours as well. Lack of Security: Everyone has heard the stories of abusive nannies. Even though this is not the norm, many families feel the risk is just too high to trust someone with their child. Hassle: Employing someone in your home does come with some added "hassles." Calculating and paying payroll taxes, providing benefits such as paid vacation time, health insurance, sick days. All of these things are imperative if you want to keep your nanny and keep her happy. But, when holding down a full time job and taking care of your children when you are home, taking care of nanny too, can sometimes be difficult for families to remember. Back up care. You will still need to arrange for back up care when nanny is sick or takes vacation time. Source: Pregnancy.org |
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12/05/10 | Right child care for your baby
 If you intend to return to work after childbirth, child care is a major concern. Your service provider will be spending a lot of time with the child, it is essential that you are comfortable with the environment and style of care your child receives. There are several alternatives, each with advantages and disadvantages. Spend time evaluating each option, so you can make the choice that best suits your needs.The first option is at home child care, which means a babysitter or nanny who comes to your house to see the child. This is by far the most expensive option, but it has many advantages. Your child will be at home, and will have the full attention of the nanny. In addition, your child will be exposed to fewer diseases, and will not be necessary for transportation back and forth on the way to go to work. The main disadvantage is that you have no real backup if your nanny is sick or wants to leave. Another thing to consider is your feeling if your child develops a strong bond with the nanny. Many a mother has been hurt by the sense that the child is more comfortable with the nanny than with her. The second option is a small family daycare, which means that you will find someone who will keep the child in his house, perhaps with their children or one or two others. It is a good option if you want your child in a family environment, but can not afford full-time baby-sitter. This option from the same disadvantages of having a nanny in terms of no backup plan. The third option is a traditional nursery. Traditional kindergartens are available, and there is no need to worry about getting a tutor or a patient wanting to take a vacation. A nursery may also be more of a learning environment for home care, which will become more important to you your child grows. The main disadvantages of kindergartens are what the child is exposed to the germs of all children. Be prepared to both of you to be patient for a year. The other drawback is the number of children in care. For example, in most states, the law requires a caretaker for every eight children. Now, I do not know about you, but I could not deal effectively with eight children alone. So if you decide to use a nursery, be sure to ask their child caretaker ratio. Look for one with five children per caretaker. The choice of accommodation for the children of your children is one of the most important decisions you make. Even after choosing a treatment option, be diligent to ensure that your child receives the best care. In a surprise cut in strange times of the day to see what happens. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and let the guard know what is important to you. It is essential not only for the well-being of your child, but for your peace of mind. Source: "Buzzle.com" |
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11/28/10 | Keep Your Nanny Happy
Nannies who feel overworked and unappreciated will usually look around for a new job. However, it is worth making an effort to keep your nanny because your child will be happier and more confident without a constant string of new nannies caring for her. Most nannies experience certain recurring problems, so here are a few tips for keeping her happy! I present the problem from the nanny's point of view and suggest a solution.
PROBLEM - INTERFERING: The worst problem which nannies encounter is when parents interfere with or don't support the nanny's methods of discipline. In other words, when parents don't leave the nanny to make decisions about the way she reacts to misbehaviour as she sees it, or to deal with any problems. When parents interfere in this way a nanny feels distrusted and frustrated. She may have been dealing with everything very well and getting good results and then the parent comes in and damages her efforts by changing or removing the punishment. This not only causes a lot of anger and pent up frustration in the nanny who feels her hard work has been for nothing, but also creates a problem for the child, as they will become confused about whom to listen to and will start to play parent off against nanny. Very often this happens at meal times when the children would usually eat very well with the nanny, as they know that there will be no other food offered if they refuse their meal. This will be a time when parents can return home and tell their child that yes, they can have a pudding or a packet of crisps when they haven't eaten their dinner - without first consulting nanny to see what has been said about the situation. SOLUTION: Tell your child that while nanny is here she is the boss, she is in charge and if she has made a rule or a punishment before either parent returns home then it sticks! Always ask your nanny 'Are they allowed a treat? Have they been good?', but don't do it in such a way as to make nanny seem like the bad guy in front of the kids! Try and ask her discreetly otherwise she will feel pressured into changing her mind and this is not helpful to her relationship with the children. Say to your kids 'The Parent Guru, she's the boss'. This will make nanny feel very happy and valued. Nannies are great at knowing what to do when a child misbehaves or when she won't eat her meal and so on, because she is impartial and neutral, and can discipline calmly and objectively. Remember she will often have a great deal of experience and training and that is why you hired her in the first place. Her methods are always fair, consistent and they work! Children (I'm afraid) will always behave better with their nanny than they do with their parents, even if they have a strong bond with her! They will listen and learn from her and behave calmly and well whilst in her care. You don't have to worry about them not having fun during the day as they rarely misbehave so have all their time to play! You must back nanny up and treat them the same way when she is not there, or their will be trouble with the children suddenly changing when you come home and you will not see them at their best. Tell your nanny that you value her opinion and learn from her. Her methods are usually spot on! PROBLEM - TRUST: Similar to interfering but more about a general lack of trust in your nanny will cause a huge rift between you and almost definitely cause her to leave. If you chose her and were obviously happy with your choice when you did so, then why are you now feeling mistrust? If you have some reason behind the mistrust then you must sort that out, and either carry on with your nanny/parent relationship after you have cleared the air, or if you cannot sort out the problem then this nanny is not right for you and you must part company! Although if there is an element of mistrust in a parents attitude towards their nanny, it is often just a case of deferred guilt about leaving their child and going out to work. Make sure that this is not the case with yourself as this occurs more often than you think. You have no reason to feel guilty about going out to work, as long as the time you do spend with your child is special and fun! Children with nannies gain a lot from their experience and have an even better experience, if it is a smooth one. What I mean by this is that children will sense if you do not like or trust their nanny and in turn they will not feel at ease in her care and will use the fact against her, in that they will play her off against you. This will cause a lot of anguish for nanny and child. Also if you find that you do not trust any of your nannies and are always getting new ones, then this will cause a lot of distress for your child and she will feel unable to form any kind of relationship with anyone in case they too leave her. This will affect her whole life. Also a problem is when parents call the nanny a lot to check up - this says to nanny 'I don't trust you to watch my child all day without checking everything's OK' This is upsetting for nanny and she will resent the fact that you hired her but do not trust her. SOLUTION: Sit down and think about whether the dismissals or resignations were really necessary. Honestly and truthfully ask yourself if the situations could have been avoided and what, if anything, you could have done to help. Remember you may be feeling very guilty about leaving your child every day and leaving her with a stranger. But if you can build up a rapport with your nanny and become friends then you will both feel a lot happier and your guilt about leaving your precious child with her will subside. Her relationship with your child will blossom and they too will become friends. The whole situation will feel friendlier and happier, which is much more healthy for your child after all. A nanny is not a servant and should not be treated in such a way. She should ideally feel like a member of the family, as she is the carer of you little cherubs and that is a VERY important job! If you chose the right nanny by checking references and asking a lot of questions in an interview then you needn't feel anything less than at ease. Show her you have every confidence in her and make her feel proud and appreciated. Don't call her up to check on her, be reasonable and treat her like a human being with feelings. If a nanny feels respected and that she is being treated as a professional then she is going to act like a professional and show you respect, flexibility and loyalty. PROBLEM - BAD PAY / NO KITTY MONEY: This is definitely one of the biggest reasons for a nanny to move on to a new job! Obviously by this I mean paying too little compared to the going rate and not giving regular pay reviews. Nanny will feel undervalued and definitely unappreciated. Remember that your nanny has a very important job and for quality you will have to pay I'm afraid! Also if your nanny constantly has to dip into her own pocket to buy bits and pieces of groceries, pay for trips out and petrol etc, until you manage to pay her back, she will feel annoyed and frustrated. SOLUTION: Pay the going rate according to your area. Ask other's who have nannies what they pay or ask your nanny agency what is expected. Also ask your new nanny what she was paid in her last job, although she may not have been happy with that, so do ask. When a nanny is paid well she is more likely to do over and above her duties as she feels that she is not taken for granted. Always pay your nannies full tax and national insurance! This is very important! Always have money in the pot and not just a few pounds/dollars but enough for transport (petrol/gas/bus fares etc) trips out, juice and snack and anything else that may come up. Nanny will feel better if she knows that you trust her to spend the kitty money wisely and she will not have to be embarrassed to ask for what may seem like a lot of money, but when broken down into petrol/gas, groceries, snack and outings is perfectly reasonable. Remember too that you must pay for parking and any snack or lunch which nanny has during working hours when she is caring for your child. PROBLEM - HOURS OVERRUN / HOURS TOO LONG: If you have laid down certain working hours for nanny in your contract then changing them whenever it suits you is not reasonable. She took the job with a certain description and expected to work the hours given so it is not acceptable to change them without first consulting her and asking if she can do the extra hours with extra pay of course. Also remember that your nanny has probably been on duty since the early morning probably half an hour to an hour before you started work and will stay probably half an hour to an hour after you have finished your work. So she has had a very long day and will be exhausted and ready for home/her bedroom. Very long hours are reason enough to leave a job unless there is a good reason not to. SOLUTION: Whenever you know that you will be late, tell your nanny as far in advance as possible and ask if it is ok, don't assume. She will have her own life outside work remember and assuming that your life is somehow more important than hers will cause a lot of resentment. Give her some extra pay as compensation and thank her for her flexibility. She will remember your kindness and will be more willing to help in the future. Whenever possible, try and let your nanny leave early so that her hours are kept down and she feels that you understand that her days can be long. Letting her away early on occasion is one of the biggest perks you could give her. Don't always expect her to finish the dinner, bath or homework etc. If you take over it will be rewarding for you, nanny and your child! PROBLEM - TOO MUCH HOUSEWORK / ERRANDS TO RUN: A very big problem, a lot of employers will pile on the work and assume that they have a housekeeper on tap when they hire a nanny. This is absolutely not true and you can only ask a nanny to do nursery duties, unless she has a period of the day when she has no children, but even then only ask her to do a reasonable amount of chores, and remember her time scale for fitting it all in with pick ups etc. Nursery duties are washing and ironing and cooking for your child, and tidying up the bedroom and playroom. The whole advantage for you of having a nanny is not to get your housework done; it is to have one-to-one care and attention for your child. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the best way for your child to get care and attention from nanny is to give her less work to do so that she will have more time to play and take your child on outings! Many a nanny has been unable to come out on a trip because she has been left a huge pile of ironing on a Monday morning. I am very lucky that I am not asked to do such duties in my job and that is one of the reasons I am still in the post 5 years on. SOLUTION: Have guidelines in her contract for what you would like her to do each week but be flexible and reasonable. Try and do some of the ironing yourself and please don't leave one or two items for nanny when you have finished ironing your own clothes. This is so petty and infuriates nannies. Try and prepare a meal once a week which can be reheated the next day as this will show nanny that you will help her and do not expect her to do everything. It is also a nice way to feel like you have contributed to your child's day! Don't worry if there are a few toys out in the playroom at the end of the day as nanny may have been busy and not got back in time to cook the dinner and tidy up. If your child is at school or nursery and you want your nanny to do more than nursery duties, sit down with her and draw up a contract that suits you both! Ask her what she is willing to do and what she thinks is reasonable. If it's the weekly shop for instance, then don't expect her to also collect your dry-cleaning and water the garden for instance. Usually two or three extra chores a week is about right, and then add to that if nanny is happy to do so. Don't begrudge her having a lunch hour or one day when she does less about the house! A nanny will often leave a job when she no longer has the children during the day because she does not want to be a cleaner/taxi service and she feels that she is no longer a proper nanny with little ones to care for. So if you can give her the perk of some free time then she will be more likely to stay on. PROBLEM - COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN: This comes back to having a rapport with your nanny and being able to speak to her easily. Many times I and other nannies I know have felt unable to speak about problems with their bosses and have just left the job without ever telling them the problem. They feel unable to voice their concerns for fear of being either sacked or causing a rift. They do not feel for whatever reason that what they have to say will either be acted upon or changed and instead will cause resentment so instead they just move on. Nannies feel nervous to tell their bosses when something is wrong because they feel that it will not be taken well or not taken the right way. SOLUTION: Always have open and honest discussions with your nanny and ask her regularly how she is getting on and how she is enjoying the job. Not just in passing but sit down with her once a month and really talk, remembering to allow for this within nannies working day, don't keep her late or she will not be pleased. Tell her not to be afraid to tell you if she doesn't feel that she is being treated fairly, because you know that a happy nanny is a good nanny! Always begin and end on a positive note and be tactful when voicing your concerns to her. Her feelings will always be hurt if you have something negative to say, as she may not have even known that she was doing it. She may not show her upset in front of you but she will probably go home and let it all out to a friend or family member. If you can be tactful and kind, and remember to end on something you are pleased about then you can avoid the upset. Never get angry and shout at nanny, as she will no doubt leave if she is treated in such a way! PROBLEM - LIVE-IN NANNY'S FREE TIME IS NOT HER OWN: When you have a live-in nanny, she will be living under the same roof as you but she will need and want her privacy. Being woken on a Saturday by the children is not her idea of fun! She will want her rest and relaxation, and will feel refreshed for another week come Monday morning. But if she is constantly being disturbed by the children wanting her to tell them a story or play with Barbie, she will feel used and frustrated that her time is not her own. Just because she is in your home doesn't mean that you can call on her anytime, as she has a life of her own. SOLUTION: Tell your children not to disturb nanny at the weekends and mean it! Don't let them sneak off and bother her in her bedroom, while you're not looking. Also whenever she has to come in to the kitchen and use the facilities tell the children that nanny is off duty now and to leave her alone for some peace and quiet. She will hear you saying this and feel appreciated once again! PROBLEM - NOT ENOUGH ANNUAL PAID LEAVE: A nanny who gets less than 4 weeks annual paid holidays/vacation will definitely feel used and abused! On the other hand a nanny with plenty of holidays/vacations will feel refreshed and able to do her job properly. SOLUTION: Give your nanny as much time off as you can, as this is again a great perk for any nanny. If you can try and let her be off whenever you are then she will not feel that you are 'trying to get your money's worth out of her' and instead are willing to look after the children yourself when you are off work. If she is still working while you are leisurely sitting around the house on holiday/vacation and relaxing then she will resent that. PROBLEM - MESSY HOUSE: Coming in on a Monday morning or any other morning for that matter, to find ironing piled high, the sink filled with dishes, and toys left here there and everywhere is so annoying and frustrating for a nanny. She has to tidy up the weekend mess or whatever mess before she can start her day. It is not her duty or responsibility to do your dishes or tidy up after you. She will feel used and unappreciated if you constantly leave mess. SOLUTION: Get the children to tidy up after themselves at the weekend, and properly too. Don't let them just chuck everything in the same box and ruin nannies organised system if she has one. This will show her that you appreciate the time she spent to sort out all the toys and keep them tidy and unbroken! If you must leave dishes tell her to leave them and don't leave her a full dishwasher to empty every morning! Remember though she may need the dirty dishes and then will have to clean them so it is best if you just do them before she arrives. If one of her duties is to do the children's washing and ironing then it is only her duty during her working week and if she is in the habit of having everything done for you on a Friday then it is fair for you to do the same for her for a Monday morning and wash and iron whatever is used on a weekend, don't you think? PROBLEM - NO PERKS: If a job has no perks whatsoever then you must have something else to offer such as a kind and decent approach and a reasonable attitude when it comes to chores. Otherwise nanny will move on to another job with something more to offer her. SOLUTION: I have mentioned that time off, getting to go home early, and being allowed free time are great perks, but so too are good pay, a nice living area/bedroom for a live-in nanny, no housework/nursery duties, plenty kitty money to go on outings, and, of course, a car to take home is probably the best one. If you can satisfy some of these then you should be able to keep nanny happy. Good luck and remember just being her friend is important too! Source: Ask-Nanny |
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11/28/10 | Determine Nanny's Salary
  Few employees are as indispensable - or as much a part of the family - as a nanny. It is therefore very important to make sure that your nanny's compensation is fair. However, several factors should be taken into consideration before deciding on a final figure to offer your childcare provider.First, you must take into consideration the specifics of the job you are asking your nanny to perform. Caring for a single infant is much more difficult than taking care of two toddlers. If you have two or more children, you should shade your nanny's salary towards the upper range of the spectrum. Additionally, take into account whether your nanny has any additional assistance (a cook, maid, etc.). If not, your nanny probably deserves more compensation for her efforts. Second, verify your nanny's experience level and adjust her salary accordingly. A nanny who has been working in the field for thirty-five years understandably commands a larger salary than someone who is new to childcare. Also, take the time to call and check up on your nanny's references, if applicable. Not only is this an important step in verifying her credentials and ensuring your children's safety, but a nanny who receives particularly glowing laudations from previous employers may well deserve a little extra pay. Next, consider your nanny's living expenses. If you are providing her with room and board (that is, if she is a "live-in" nanny), these amenities will necessarily come with a slightly smaller paycheck. However, remember also that a live-in nanny is on call 24 hours a day. While it's true that they needn't worry about paying rent, live-in nannies often work more hours than their live out counterparts. Keep this in mind when determining your nanny's salary. If you provide any additional benefits to your nanny - such as health insurance, a retirement plan, a cell phone, or a car - the costs involved can, just like at any other job, be taken partly out of her salary. So how much should you pay your nanny? The average rate is anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 per year (approximately $480 to $770 per week). To determine where your family fits on this scale, take into account all the considerations discussed above. If you have one child and are seeking a live in nanny, $25,000 may be a very competitive figure. If you have three children and expect your nanny to commute, that figure would probably not be enough. Above all, make sure that you and your nanny understand and agree that she is making a fair salary. Remember that the best nannies are more than just employees: they're extra family members, entrusted with caring for your children. Make sure your nanny's salary reflects that responsibility. Source: Buzzele |
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11/14/10 | Nutirion for babies
  The nutritional food pyramid that is commonly used contains guidelines for adults, not young children. The recommendations for portions and servings are not appropriate for children. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does have a food pyramid for children, but it has recommendations for young children between the ages of two and six. But what about babies? What is recommended for one and two year olds to eat?Because babies have no food pyramid suitable for them, it is necessary to build one based on what foods and their servings are recommended by pediatricians and parents. Toddlers are constantly growing. Therefore, to meet these needs, parents must make sure their children are getting the right amount of important foods. Babies between the ages of one and two should consume about 1200 to 1400 calories per day. These calories should come from a variety of healthy foods. The foods eaten must provide the necessary vitamins that children need each day. MEATS Babies should have at least two servings of meat each day. These servings can come from eggs, chicken, beef, etc. FRUITS Babies should have about two to three servings of fruit each day. These servings should come from bananas, apples, pears; try to stay away from acidic fruits in the beginning, they can irritate your baby's bottom. DAIRY Babies should have about three to four servings of dairy each day. These servings should come from milk, yogurt and cheese. They are easy to digest in most babies. VEGETABLES Babies should have about three to four servings of vegetables each day. These servings should come from carrots, peas, green beans, yams, etc. Stay away from gassy vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. Babies are not ready to digest them. GRAINS Babies should have about four to eight servings of grains each day. These servings should come from breads, cereal, pasta and crackers. Try to serve your baby whole-grain products rather than enriched. SNACKS When serving snacks, make sure that you are serving healthy snacks that are full of essential nutrients. Source: essortment.com |
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11/07/10 | 10 Signs of a Great Preschool
Source: thelaboroflove.com |
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11/07/10 | Comparing Au Pairs and Nannys
A nanny is a general term that refers to a child-care provider who works in your home, and who works solely for you. A nanny may either live with you (a “live-in” nanny) or may live in her own home and travel to your home to work (a “live-out” nanny). Nannies will have diverse qualifications; some will have quite a bit of childcare experience, some will not; some will have professional training and be certified by an independent organization, while others will not. Nannies may come from another country, and some people have hired nannies illegally from other countries. As your nanny’s sole employer, you are responsible for following all employment laws and regulations, as well as paying employment-related taxes. An au pair is a foreign national, typically between the ages of 18 and 29, that comes to work another country on a specific type of work visa. An au pair provides childcare for a family in exchange for a small salary, as well as room and board. In the United States, An au pair must be provided with a private bedroom, meals, a wage that will increase if the minimum wage increases, one full weekend off each month, and two weeks of paid vacations. In addition, Au Pairs typically are required to participate in some sort of post-secondary or college-level academic work while they are here. You are required to pay the first $500 toward required academic coursework. Au pairs and nannies of all types provide certain benefits over other forms of child care that are available to you. With a nanny or au pair, if your child is ill, you still have childcare. Also, your day will start and end when you want it to, not when a childcare provider decides to open its doors. In addition, your child will be cared for in a familiar setting, and you can work with your nanny to tailor your childcare to your child’s needs. On the other hand, Au Pairs and nannies can be much more expensive when compared with the other childcare options. Source: thelaboroflove.com |
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10/24/10 | Keep Your Kids Safe
Juggling work, a social life and household upkeep is difficult all by itself. Add children into the mix and sometimes day-to-day life can seem like an impossible task. School events, sports, after-school classes, playdates, parties…it all adds up. To keep up with everything, many parents turn to the help of nannies. However, how can a parent be sure that the nanny they are employing isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Massachusetts Soon To Prevent Criminal Background Questions Beginning November 12, 2010, if you live in Massachusetts and you are looking to hire a nanny or any other household employee, a new law will keep you from asking applicants about their criminal past on a job application. Employers will be prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in convictions, first convictions for things such as drunkenness or simple assault and misdemeanor convictions more than 5 years old. However, while employers cannot initially ask these questions, nothing prevents you from checking references and doing a criminal background check of your own. The safety of your children is at stake. Based on too many stories, taking a few minutes of your time to look into a potential nanny’s history and background can prevent harm to your children. Kieran’s Law In 1998 the state of New York put into action Kieran’s Law. Named after a ten-month-old baby boy who was murdered by his nanny, this law enables families looking for nannies to access New York’s criminal records to check out who they are considering to care for their children. However, people move around. While a potential nanny may not have committed any crimes within New York, there is always the possibility that they have committed crimes elsewhere. Why run the risk of not discovering everything you can about someone you are entrusting the care of your children to? The Foster Family Back in 1999, Charlotte Foster of Houston, Texas hired a nanny named Stephen Davis through Nanny Professionals Inc. Foster had 3 boys and was in serious need of help getting them from school to their various sports activities and help in the evenings when she had to be away from home. A few nights after Davis began working for the Fosters, Charlotte’s husband instructed the nanny to make macaroni and cheese for the boys’ dinner. Davis told the father that he didn’t know how. This gave Mr. Foster a strange feeling in his gut—how could a nanny not know how to make macaroni and cheese?—so he decided to have a background check done on Stephan Davis. Two weeks later, the Fosters discovered that Davis was actually a convicted murderer in Switzerland who had escaped custody. Don’t Wait Until It Is Too Late Anything could have happened in those 2 weeks waiting for background information. Thankfully, technology has advanced considerably in the past 10 years. Now you can run a background check as well as a criminal background check on a potential nanny in just minutes. Even if you can’t ask questions on an application, you can still track down important information about a potential caregiver. Running a criminal history background check online will also give you nationwide info instead of just one state. Don’t make the mistake of leaving your children in the hands of a criminal. Source: indevpeoplesearch.com |
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10/24/10 | Quality Nanny Services
If you're looking for a nanny to take care of your children then you need quality nanny services to make your search that much easier.
I hear you ask: "What do quality nanny services provide and what can I expect from them?" Firstly, quality nanny services will take the hardest tasks out of your hands. They will have a pool or database of nannies that they can match up with your personal requirements. Each nanny agency works differently; a local one will rely on personal recommendations from previous clients in the local area and they will not only conduct telephone interviews with each nanny but personal ones as well. Individual face to face interviews with the nannies will be lengthy and extensive, exploring previous experience as well as testing their knowledge of what is required throughout a child's development. A national agency which matches up nannies and families from all over the country may not carry out personal interviews. You should check on exactly how much an agency knows about the nannies on its books before you sign up with them. Good quality nanny services will not only interview nannies but will follow up references and do background checks such as criminal convictions, social security and driving records once a job is offered. Some states also have laws regarding health declarations and other disclosures. The best nanny agencies will want a personal meeting with members of your family too. After all, they are there to safeguard the nannies as well as the families. You will need to be open about what you expect of your nanny and the duties to be undertaken. It's no good selecting a nanny and expecting them to do all the laundry when that wasn't mentioned initially. Quality nanny services will review their database of potential nannies and choose a few which meet up with your stated requirements. They will then arrange interviews and offer advice with regard to you following up on references yourself; they will also provide the necessary paperwork when the time comes for you to make an offer to a nanny. In short, quality nanny services will do most of the work for you, leaving you to choose the best nanny for your children, without the administrative hassle. Ella McGinley is a mother herself and knows how hard it is to leave a child in the care of someone else. For more information on quality nanny services and how to choose a nanny for your children, please click here. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ella_McGinley |
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09/19/10 | Pre and Post Natal Care for Mother & Baby
The miracle of pregnancy and creation of new life is one of the most magical spells that Mother Nature can cast. Looking after yourself and your baby as best as you can is essential to the health and well-being of you both, and living as healthy and active a lifestyle as possible comes highly recommended. Doing this organically can only boost the benefits of a holistic and healthy lifestyle for mother and baby.
From pre-conception it is important that your body is at its optimum health, so here are some ways that you can give you and your child the best start possible: If you are thinking of starting a family it is important that you eat a healthy organic diet, packed with fruit and vegetables, dairy products, protein and good carbohydrates. Certain vitamins and minerals are particularly important to pregnant woman, these include folic acid and iron which can be taken as supplements, bought organically from health food stores. Remember to avoid certain foods such as unpasteurised dairy products, shellfish and some types of fish and meat products. Eating an organic, wholesome, healthy balanced diet will ensure you get all of the goodness you need without the additives. Exercise regularly at a gentle pace. It is important to raise your heart rate in preparation for childbirth but not to overdo it. Ideal activities are swimming and yoga; both are excellent activities for pregnant woman, social and have many health benefits. Many health and fitness clubs run swimming and yoga classes especially designed for pregnant woman this provides a social outlet as well as a health-giving pastime. Speak to your midwife or doctor before embarking on any new exercise regime. Remember healthy body healthy mind. Massage your bump with organic aromatherapy oils. The scent of the oils can invigorate you, relax you or refresh you depending on the product you chose. Use organic skincare and cosmetics and organic household cleaners. Your skin breathes and feeds your body, ingesting whatever is in it or your environment and ultimately exposing your unborn baby. Using organic products eliminates the bad stuff. When baby is born It is essential that you give your newborn the best possible start and the age-old adage that Mothers milk is best is no fairytale. By feeding your child breast milk you are building and strengthening their immune system, and filling their tiny tum with the finest nutrients that nature can offer. A child's skin is five times thinner than that of an adult, so it is important that what you rub into them, and put on them, is as natural as possible. Use organic creams and lotions that contain no chemicals or preservatives. Organic baby clothes are ideal as they too are made as naturally as possible, protecting your child's skin and body and keeping it soft and pure. Introduce baby to organic food slowly. A balanced healthy diet is essential in the first few years of life, and doing this organically ensures you are feeding your child the best possible without the added preservatives. By living a healthy, holistic organic lifestyle you are giving your child the best start in life for health happiness and vitality. Source: "Go Articles" |
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08/15/10 | 2010 Childhood Immunization Schedule
Each year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), together with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), publishes new recommendations for immunizations for children and teens. 2010 Childhood Immunization Schedule ChangesWhile there were some changes in the 2010 childhood immunization schedule, these changes likely won't mean any extra shots for most kids. One of the changes is that the immunization schedule now states that the use of combination vaccines is "preferred over separate injections," so this schedule may actually mean that your kids get fewer shots at each visit to the doctor. For example, at his two-month check-up, your infant might get the single Pentacel shot, instead of the separate DTaP, IPV, and Hib vaccines. The previous immunization schedule said that combination vaccines "may be used." Another change will mean an extra shot for some kids, but only those high-risk children who need the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, including children with persistent complement component deficiency (a rare type of inherited immune deficiency), anatomic or functional asplenia (they don't have a spleen or their spleen doesn't work well), and some other immune system problems. These children usually get a dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine when they are between two to six years old, and it is now recommended that they get a second dose three to five years later, depending on when they got their first dose. Some other changes are:
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08/15/10 | Baby Care Basics
Daily Baby Care:
This is the most important thing you need to do, maintaining extreme personal hydiene. Also keeping your house, especially the baby room and the babt bedding clean is very important. Keeping all the might lead to be unsafe for your baby skin. You can use a baby oil for his/her skin, especially for the baby's dry scalp. While you start bathing your baby in a tub, make sure that you never leave him/her alone in the tub. Also, as soon as you finish bathing your baby, dry off quickly. Change you baby's diapers frequently or as soon as they get wet. Also, give your baby a few diaper free hours. In case of diaper rash, using a natural ointment and trying a new diaper brand are best diaper rash cures. Your baby's fingernails must be clipped from time to time with utmost care using a baby nail clipper so that he/she doesn't scratch the skin or eyes. Also covering the hands with small socks is a good way to help avoid scratching. Dree up your baby in loose and comfortable clothing, preferably in cotton fabrics. Keep it minimal in the hot summers. Read more on organic babt clothes. Baby sleeping care: Babies love vibration, so have a baby seat that vibratges or a bassineet, cradle or crib that will help your baby fall asleep faster. Remember that your baby's bedding must not be in your bed, it must be separate and essentially near your bed. Good sleep is essential for their growth and development. One of the baby care tips is that you must always put your baby to sleep on his/her back. This is an essential precaution to reduce the risk of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS). Also do not place any additional soft objects, soft toys, loose bedding, pillows in teh crib, cradle, or bassinet. Remember to keep the room temperature between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit to help you baby have an uninterruped sleep. Do not over dress or cover with too many sheets. A single sheet with maintained temperature is just enough. Remember, not to force your baby to sleep. A dark, calm room is a perfect atmosphere for promoting your baby's sleep. Baby Feeding Care: Let me tell you that one of the basic baby care tips is to forget the feeding schedules. If you try to follow any such baby feeding schedule, you baby might overeat r stay hungry. Feed your babyt when he/she wants to ear, else your newborn is sure to get cranky. You must breatfeed your newborn at least 8-10 times a day. You can feed after every 2-3 hours, but do not force. Also, in case your baby cries, try feeding even if you have just fed an hour back. If you are feeding baby formula too and that upsets his/her stomach, consult a pediatrician. Do check the temperature of teh milk while bottle feeding your baby. Do not supplemtn the milk with juice, water, or other baby food until your baby is at least 4-5 months old. While introducing solids to brestfed baby, you need to be slow and add one new food at a time. While getting all the things you need for a new baby, make sure that you opt for the best baby products. Staying with your baby as much you can is important. Remember babies oftern cry because they feel ignored and bored, apart from being hungry or due to bad health conditions. Sped a lot of time with them, remember that they love being cuddled. Follow simple baby care tips and visit a pediatrician as per the required schedule to keep a watch on their health and to avoid serious problems. Source: Buzzle.com |
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07/18/10 | Questions Nannies Should Ask
1. Childcare duties: Ask the family to be specific about their expectations. Rephrase their expectations back to them to be sure you understand. So you expect me to prepare Suzie's breakfast and lunch, include outdoor play time weather permitted, tidly up after her messes, and launder her clothes and bedding weekly, correct? You will want to cover any allergies, dietary restrictions and health concerns here, especially if you will be responsible for administration of medications.
2. Hours: Are they defined or flexible? How much notice of schedule changes? Any weekend or night work required? 3. Compensation, Taxes and the Work Agreement: Ask for compensation in hourly wage terms, and work out a weekly guarantee if at all possible. Will you be paid every week of the year, even if family doesn't need you for some or all of a week? Address overtime. How frequently will you be paid and how are employment and income taxes to be handled? Ask for a copy of the family's Nanny Work Aggrement to review. 4. Benifits: Full time nannies typically expect 2 weeks paid time off per year. This covers vacation, sick and personal time off. Are their other benefits - health insurance, cell phone or club memberships? 5. Housekeeping duties: All nannies should expect to be responsible for their charge's meals and laundry, and tidying up after activities. Some families request "Light Housekeeping" - make sure this is defined. A family that needs the heavy cleaning done (floors, bathrooms, windows typically has better luck adding a weekly or bi-wikely cleaning service. 6. Family discipline philosophy: You and the family must act as a team consistently following the same parenting and discipline styles. Are the parents authoritarian, permissive, authoritative or uninvolved? Do they want the nanny to help their child learn responsibility (help with pick-up, learn to make their bed) or to have the nanny do this for the child? How do they discipline the child? Are you comfortable with the parents' approach? A nanny should NEVER physically discipline a charge. 7. Automobile Use: Will you be driving the child to pre-school, appointments, or other activitiies Who provides the car? car seats? If using nanny's vehicle (not suggested) how is mileage reimbursed? 8. Travel requiremetnts: Are you expected to travel with the family for work or vacation? If so how oftern, how much advance notice, and how is the work compensated? 9. Communication: Watch how the parents interact with each other and with you in the interview. Ask the parents which one of them will be the nanny's primary point contact? Do they require a Nanny Log? Will they provide you detailed instruction of what is to be done and how or provide you goals and allow you latitude on how you accomplish them? Which style do YOU prefer? Would you feel comfortable addressing a difficult subject with the parents? 10. Family Plan: Will your charge be going to preschool? When? Will this change your job? How? Do they have plans to have more children? Children grow and a nanny's job is not permanent. You need this information to make an informed choice. 11. Work aggrement: Insist on a written work aggrement. Taking the time at the begining of the employment relationship to define all aspects of the relationship will engage parents and nanny in a conversation about their specific requirements and disappointment and confilct in the future. Exprerts agree a good nanny, family work aggrement is an impoartnat foundation for the good relationship you hope to have with this family. Source: 4nannytaxes.com |
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07/18/10 | A Nanny Care - How to Find & Hire Elite Caring Nannies!
Wondering about taking advantage of the internet for seeking and locating a nanny care? Finding a local childcare specialist by employing the assistance offered by internet nanny firms can simplify
the nanny seeking and screening process. An application created to find suitable nannies is a benefit of most sites which has the power to track down a preferred childcare provider compatible with your specific needs. When searching for positions, the best route for nannies to take in order to find a great family is to sign up with a web-based group which matches families with nannies. A lot of people who are in the market for a nanny care are not always aware of the value and ease of using a reputable online organization which coordinates nannies and families. When thinking about finding a nanny, parents are often of the opinion that the most suitable nannies already have positions! This is often a false assumption. A national nanny matching organization can frequently be the best method for locating a responsible individual near to your home. In most of the websites that offer access to a substantial database of nanny files, you can choose to perform a no-cost search of the contents in order to see the included caregivers. Childcare specialists are usually situated between age 18 and age 50, and may have attended college for early childhood development. Some of the nannies will have already had job experience in taking responsibility for infants and youths and some will have less. But you'll find that most of them work as caregivers because they love their job - especially the personal touch with kids. When you're interviewing candidates, pay attention not only to their previous job experience, but additionally, the manner in which they carry themselves. A firm that specializes in placing nannies will be very capable of facilitating in one of the most significant aspects of engaging a nanny - the evaluation of a nanny's suitability. Looking into a childcare provider's background is a must in order to avoid the very dismal prospect of hiring a person with a problematic past. Confirm that there is an opportunity to do this online. To verify that what you've learned is truthful, you'lla have to keep in mind to tell your potential employees that you require recommendations from others they've provided services for. When you're looking for a nanny care you have to be mindful of the fact that if you decide to hire a nanny you will need to learn how to handle some important matters, including - what questions to ask when interviewing, how to negotiate the salary and contract, and to come up with a thorough list of the caregiver's duties so that no disagreements arise down the road. Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/a-nanny-care-how-to-find-hire-elite-caring-nannies-1065875.html#ixzz0u2Z5DQmp Under Creative Commons License: Attribution |
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07/04/10 | Professional Nanny: Career Diploma
If you like children and enjoy looking after them, then consider a career as a professional nanny by earning your Professional Nanny diploma. You will take courses in families, childcare, infant care, nutrition and safety. Read the following article to find out more.
Why Earn a Professional Nanny Diploma? Do you like working with children? Did you know that the demand for professional nannies is growing, as more people need help raising their children? Increase your career options and marketability by earning a Professional Nanny Diploma. Career Possibilities Graduates with a Professional Nanny Diploma are qualified to work as a child minder or nanny in private homes, daycare centers or hospitals for example. A professional nanny should be able to find work wherever children need looking after by a trained, caring professional worldwide. Occupational Outlook According to US Bureau of Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, jobs for nannies are expected to grow at a rate of 9 to 17% in the period 2004 -2014. Although, more women are working outside the home and will need the services of a nanny, the rise in preschool for pre-kindergarten children will decrease the demand. Salary Information The web site PayScale, www.payscale.com, reports that nannies earn an average of $11.34 per hour. According to BLS, the nanny pay is low - approximately $8.06 per hour in 2004. Coursework Requirements In addition to criminal background and child abuse checks, basic courses required include:
Skills Obtained: Graduates with a professional nanny diploma may possess the following skills among others:
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07/04/10 | Enjoying an Evening Out: How to Find a Good Babysitter
Leaving your kids with someone else can be a frightening proposition. You worry that they will be safe and that the babysitter will take good care of them. Additionally, there is the worry that your kids will misbehave and cause trouble while you are away. A good babysitter can make all the difference between a worry-filled, stressful night out and a relaxing evening away from the kids. Learning how to hire a babysitter is an important skill for any parent to master. Source: ArticleBase |
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06/20/10 | Places to Put a Nanny Camera
With so many incidents reported about nannies and babysitters abusing the children they are supposed to care for, it is no wonder why most parents have installed nanny cams all around the house to keep tabs on their little ones while they are at work. The video captures will prove if the nanny hired is the right person to leave the kids with. However, since most nannies now know that people hide nanny cams all over the place some of them have become smarter and do their mischief in the areas of the house that have no video feed. This logic has led many parents to think of more creative places to install the nanny cams in order to catch every possible angle of the house without the babysitter or nanny knowing it. Here are some ideas to tickle your fancy. Stuffed toy or cushion. Although this idea has been done to death, it is still one of the most effective ways to hide a nanny cam. For the stuffed toy, insert the camera inside and have the lens come out at the eye or mouth area of the toy. Position the stuffed toy in place that captures the whole area of the room. Use multiple cameras for multiple stuffed toys to make the feed redundant. The same can be done for a pillow or cushion in your child’s room. Insert the camera and make a small hole in the pillow or cushion cover for the lens. Position at the best angles possible and your nanny will not be able to escape these hidden eyes. Smoke detectors. If you have the latest tiny nanny cam models, then you can pull this trick off similar to what some spy movies have displayed. Use the smoke detectors that you have installed in each room and insert those tiny cameras in them. You may need 4 small cameras in each smoke detector to be able to capture most of the areas in the room so make sure you have enough. Air vents. Again, you can always emulate many spy films by installing nanny cams inside the air vents in the room. Unscrew the vents and remove the cover. Install the camera and have the lens positioned to look out without obstruction through a vent in the cover. Screw back the vent cover in place and start inspecting the feed. Adjust the angle if needed. Plants. If you have plants inside your house, then you can use these to camouflage your cameras. Choose plants that have a lot of leaves like ferns to provide the best possible camouflage effect. Make sure that the leaves do not hamper the view and angles. Television. Another good area to place a nanny cam is by positioning it beside or atop the television in your bedroom and living room. Mask the camera by inserting it into some kind of small ornament that you can display in the area. Make sure there is a hole for the lens. If you really use your imagination and creativity, you should be able to think of more unique places to install a nanny cam. Try watching some of the famous spy movies and TV shows to get more ideas on the matter. Source: howtodothings.com |
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06/13/10 | Determining Your Nanny Needs
Let’s cut to the chase and say you’ve already made the decision that something in your life has to change. There’s no way you can continue to work a full time job (sometimes it seems like more than a full time job), maintain the household, manage the kids, and keep your sanity. You’ve thought about sending the kids to daycare and hiring a housekeeper, but your friends had a better idea…a part time nanny! If you’re looking to hire someone to work less than 40 hours per week in your home, a part time nanny might be the perfect option. It will save you the time and travel expense of carting your kids all over town to babysitters, and part time nannies usually do some light work around the house like making snacks, doing laundry and dishes. Okay, so even though you thought you made the final decision to hire a part time nanny, something might still be nagging at you. Doubts? Guilt? Financial reasons? Let it go! First of all, nobody is going to judge you negatively for hiring a part time nanny. Second, don’t feel guilty about getting the help you deserve. When you feel better and more in control of your situation, you’ll be a better parent. Third, look at your income tax options to see what you can claim for childcare expenses. What’s your excuse now? Get out there and hire a part time nanny.
Source: nanny.lifetips.com |
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06/13/10 | Part Time Nannies Versus Part Time Babysitters
The fourteen year old girl who comes by every Saturday night to watch your two kids while you go out to a movie should never be called a nanny. In fact, there’s a big difference between a babysitter and a professional live out nanny job. Not sure of the difference? Have a look at this checklist: 1) A nanny is a professional with specific training in the field of early childhood education. 2) A nanny is responsible enough to manage the day-to-day activities of the household. 3) A nanny generally has specialized skills in childcare rearing and may have a child or children of her own (although that’s not always the case). 4) A nanny works as a professional and expects to make a livable wage for what she does. 5) Part time nanny positions take on much more responsibility than babysitters, including using the family car to run errands, transport the kids to and from activities, and prepare meals for the family. Think about it this way: a babysitter is usually someone still in school looking to earn some extra spending money. He or she may be the best babysitter you’ve ever had, but they certainly wouldn’t call it their profession. Part time nannies are much more than babysitters, they’re professionals in the field. Source: nanny.lifetips.com |
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06/13/10 | Child Care Workers
Overview
* About 2 out of 5 childcare workers are self-employed; most of these are family childcare providers. * A high school diploma and little or no experience are adequate for many jobs, but training requirements vary from a high school diploma to a college degree. * High turnover should create good job opportunities. Job Description Childcare workers nurture and teach children of all ages in childcare centers, nursery schools, preschools, public schools, private households, family childcare homes, and before- and after-school programs. These workers play an important role in a child's development by caring for the child when parents are at work or away for other reasons. Some parents enroll their children in nursery schools or childcare centers primarily to provide them with the opportunity to interact with other children. In addition to attending to children's basic needs, these workers organize activities that stimulate the children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. They help children explore their interests, develop their talents and independence, build self-esteem, and learn how to behave with others. Private household workers who are employed on an hourly basis usually are called babysitters. These childcare workers bathe, dress, and feed children; supervise their play; wash their clothes; and clean their rooms. They also may put them to sleep and waken them, read to them, involve them in educational games, take them for doctors' visits, and discipline them. Those who are in charge of infants, sometimes called infant nurses, also prepare bottles and change diapers. Nannies generally take care of children from birth to age 10 or 12, tending to the child's early education, nutrition, health, and other needs. They also may perform the duties of a general housekeeper, including general cleaning and laundry duties. Childcare workers spend most of their day working with children. However, they do maintain contact with parents or guardians through informal meetings or scheduled conferences to discuss each child's progress and needs. Many childcare workers keep records of each child's progress and suggest ways that parents can increase their child's learning and development at home. Some preschools, childcare centers, and before- and after-school programs actively recruit parent volunteers to work with the children and participate in administrative decisions and program planning. Most childcare workers perform a combination of basic care and teaching duties. Through many basic care activities, childcare workers provide opportunities for children to learn. For example, a worker who shows a child how to tie a shoelace teaches the child while also providing for that child's basic care needs. Childcare programs help children learn about trust and gain a sense of security. Young children learn mainly through play. Recognizing the importance of play, childcare workers build their program around it. They capitalize on children's play to further language development (storytelling and acting games), improve social skills (working together to build a neighborhood in a sandbox), and introduce scientific and mathematical concepts (balancing and counting blocks when building a bridge or mixing colors when painting). Thus, a less structured approach is used to teach preschool children, including small group lessons, one-on-one instruction, and learning through creative activities, such as art, dance, and music. Interaction with peers is an important part of a child's early development. Preschool children are given an opportunity to engage in conversation and discussions, and learn to play and work cooperatively with their classmates. Childcare workers play a vital role in preparing children to build the skills they will need in school. Childcare workers in preschools greet young children as they arrive, help them remove outer garments, and select an activity of interest. When caring for infants, they feed and change them. To ensure a well-balanced program, childcare workers prepare daily and long-term schedules of activities. Each day's activities balance individual and group play and quiet and active time. Children are given some freedom to participate in activities in which they are interested. Workers in before- and after-school programs may help students with their homework or engage them in other extracurricular activities. These activities may include field trips, learning about computers, painting, photography, and participating in sports. Some childcare workers may be responsible for taking children to school in the morning and picking them up from school in the afternoon. Concern over school-age children being home alone before and after school has spurred many parents to seek alternative ways for their children to constructively spend their time. The purpose of before- and after-school programs is to watch over school-age children during the gap between school hours and their parents' work hours. These programs also may operate during the summer and on weekends. Before- and after-school programs may be operated by public school systems, local community centers, or other private organizations. Helping to keep young children healthy is an important part of the job. Childcare workers serve nutritious meals and snacks and teach good eating habits and personal hygiene. They ensure that children have proper rest periods. They identify children who may not feel well or who show signs of emotional or developmental problems and discuss these matters with their supervisor and the child's parents. In some cases, childcare workers help parents identify programs that will provide basic health services. Early identification of children with special needs, such as those with behavioral, emotional, physical, or learning disabilities, is important to improve their future learning ability. Special education teachers often work with these preschool children to provide the individual attention they need. Working Conditions Preschool or childcare facilities include private homes, schools, religious institutions, workplaces in which employers provide care for employees' children, and private buildings. Individuals who provide care in their own homes generally are called family childcare providers. Nannies and babysitters usually work in the pleasant and comfortable homes or apartments of their employers. Most are day workers who live in their own homes and travel to work. Some live in the home of their employer, generally with their own room and bath. They often become part of their employer's family, and may derive satisfaction from caring for them. Watching children grow, learn, and gain new skills can be very rewarding. While working with children, childcare workers often improve the child's communication, learning, and other personal skills. The work is never routine; new activities and challenges mark each day. However, childcare can be physically and emotionally taxing, as workers constantly stand, walk, bend, stoop, and lift to attend to each child's interests and problems. To ensure that children receive proper supervision, State or local regulations may require certain ratios of workers to children. The ratio varies with the age of the children. Child development experts generally recommend that a single caregiver be responsible for no more than 3 or 4 infants (less than 1 year old), 5 or 6 toddlers (1 to 2 years old), or 10 preschool-age children (between 2 and 5 years old). In before- and after-school programs, workers may be responsible for many school-age children at one time. The working hours of childcare workers vary widely. Childcare centers usually are open year round, with long hours so that parents can drop off and pick up their children before and after work. Some centers employ full-time and part-time staff with staggered shifts to cover the entire day. Some workers are unable to take regular breaks during the day due to limited staffing. Public and many private preschool programs operate during the typical 9- or 10-month school year, employing both full-time and part-time workers. Family childcare providers have flexible hours and daily routines, but may work long or unusual hours to fit parents' work schedules. Live-in nannies usually work longer hours than those who have their own homes. However, if they work evenings or weekends, they may get other time off. Turnover in this occupation is high. Many childcare workers leave the occupation temporarily to fulfill family responsibilities or to study, or for other reasons. Some workers leave permanently because they are interested in pursuing another occupation or because of dissatisfaction with long hours, low pay and benefits, and stressful conditions. Employment Childcare workers held about 1.2 million jobs in 2000. Many worked part time. About 2 out of 5 childcare workers are self-employed; most of these are family childcare providers. Twelve percent of all childcare workers are found in childcare centers and preschools, and about 3 percent work for religious institutions. The remainder work in other community organizations, State and local government, and private households. Some childcare programs are for-profit centers; some of these are affiliated with a local or national chain. Religious institutions, community agencies, school systems, and State and local governments operate nonprofit programs. Only a very small percentage of private industry establishments operate onsite childcare centers for the children of their employees. Education, Training & Qualifications The training and qualifications required of childcare workers vary widely. Each State has its own licensing requirements that regulate caregiver training, ranging from a high school diploma, to community college courses, to a college degree in child development or early-childhood education. Many States require continuing education for workers in this field. However, State requirements often are minimal. Childcare workers generally can obtain employment with a high school diploma and little or no experience. Local governments, private firms, and publicly funded programs may have more demanding training and education requirements. Some employers prefer to hire childcare workers with a nationally recognized childcare development credential, secondary or postsecondary courses in child development and early childhood education, or work experience in a childcare setting. Other employers require their own specialized training. An increasing number of employers require an associate degree in early childhood education. Schools for nannies teach early childhood education, nutrition, and childcare. Childcare workers must be enthusiastic and constantly alert, anticipate and prevent problems, deal with disruptive children, and provide fair but firm discipline. They must communicate effectively with the children and their parents, as well as other teachers and childcare workers. Workers should be mature, patient, understanding, and articulate, and have energy and physical stamina. Skills in music, art, drama, and storytelling also are important. Those who work for themselves must have business sense and management abilities. Opportunities for advancement are limited. However, as childcare workers gain experience, some may advance to supervisory or administrative positions in large childcare centers or preschools. Often, these positions require additional training, such as a bachelor's or master's degree. Other workers move on to work in resource and referral agencies, consulting with parents on available child services. A few workers become involved in policy or advocacy work related to childcare and early childhood education. With a bachelor's degree, workers may become preschool teachers or become certified to teach in public or private schools at the kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school levels. Some workers set up their own childcare businesses. Job Outlook High turnover should create good job opportunities for childcare workers. Many childcare workers leave the occupation each year to take other jobs, to meet family responsibilities, or for other reasons. Qualified persons who are interested in this work should have little trouble finding and keeping a job. Opportunities for nannies should be especially good, as many workers prefer not to work in other people's homes. Employment of childcare workers is projected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Employment growth of childcare workers should be considerably slower than in the last two decades because demographic changes that fueled much of the past enrollment growth are projected to slow. Labor force participation of women of childbearing age will increase very little, and this group of women will decline as a percentage of the total labor force. However, the number of children under 5 years of age is expected to rise gradually over the projected 2000-10 period. The proportion of youngsters enrolled full- or part-time in childcare and preschool programs is likely to continue to increase, spurring demand for additional childcare workers. Changes in perceptions of preprimary education may lead to increased public and private spending on childcare. If more parents believe that some experience in center-based care and preschool is beneficial to children, enrollment will increase. Concern about the behavior of school-age children during nonschool hours should increase demand for before- and after-school programs. The difficulty of finding suitable nannies or private household workers also may force many families to seek out alternative childcare arrangements in centers and family childcare programs. Government policy often favors increased funding of early childhood education programs, and that trend should continue. Government funding for before- and after-school programs also is expected to increase over the projection period. The growing availability of government-funded programs may induce some parents who otherwise would not enroll their children in center-based care and preschool to do so. Some States also are increasing subsidization of the childcare services industry in response to welfare reform legislation. This reform may cause some mothers to enter the workforce during the projection period as their welfare benefits are reduced or eliminated. Salary Expectations Pay depends on the educational attainment of the worker and the type of establishment. Although the pay generally is very low, more education usually means higher earnings. Median hourly earnings of wage and salary childcare workers were $7.43 in 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $6.30 and $9.09. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $5.68, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $10.71. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of childcare workers in 2000 were as follows: * Residential care $8.71 * Elementary and secondary schools $8.52 * Civic and social associations $6.98 * Child daycare services $6.74 * Miscellaneous amusement and recreation services $6.65 Earnings of self-employed childcare workers vary depending on the hours worked, the number and ages of the children, and the location. Benefits vary, but are minimal for most childcare workers. Many employers offer free or discounted childcare to employees. Some offer a full benefits package, including health insurance and paid vacations, but others offer no benefits at all. Some employers offer seminars and workshops to help workers learn new skills. A few are willing to cover the cost of courses taken at community colleges or technical schools. Live-in nannies get free room and board. Related Occupations Childcare work requires patience; creativity; an ability to nurture, motivate, teach, and influence children; and leadership, organizational, and administrative skills. Others who work with children and need these qualities and skills include teacher assistants; teachers - preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary; and special education teachers. Associations, Resources & Accreditation For eligibility requirements and a description of the Child Development Associate credential, contact: * Council for Professional Recognition For eligibility requirements and a description of the Certified Childcare Professional designation, contact: * National Childcare Association For information about a career as a nanny, contact: * International Nanny Association State Departments of Human Services or Social Services can supply State regulations and training requirements for childcare workers. Source: www.worldwidelearn.com Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Childcare Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ |
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06/13/10 | Nanny Duties
 A nanny duties include tending to each child's basic physical needs, meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, providing behavioral guidelines and disciplining when appropriate, intellectual stimulation, language activities and provide transportation when required. The nanny housekeeper responsibilities are primarily child related. A nanny must be able to communicate well with both children and parents.A nanny makes a career out of childcare work and the family needs to pay taxes for the nanny as an employee. Nannies generally have childcare experience, possible nanny qualifications and nanny training. Nanny wages are determined by their experience and qualification. When you start thinking about childcare, whether for a baby or an older child, you will need to start listing the most important aspects of childcare for your family. Deciding on childcare appropriate to your needs is a major decision for any parent. The Nanny and the Au Pair offer home based child care services within a domestic setting. Following is a short definition of a Nanny and an Au pair. An au pair will typically be a young woman and sometimes a young man from a foreign country who chooses to help look after the children of a host family and provide light housekeeping. The au pair is given their own au pair room and board and is typically paid a weekly "pocket-money" salary. The au pair cost depends on the country you live in and their expected hours of work. Many are smart au pairs that come to live with families to learn a new language and experience life living in a different country. Children of all ages can get great enjoyment from books. Books, as well as being educational, are a perfect way to spend some quality time with children. Source: Zimbio |
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06/06/10 | Baby Nutrition
We all know that right beginning is of immense importance. Don’t we spend endless hours deciding about the best muhurat (auspicious time) to begin a task that we consider as important? The same is true for good health. The foundation for good health and healthy eating habits must be laid right in infancy.
The stronger (right) the foundation (infant nutrition) the better (healthier) will be the structure (adulthood). It is thus, important to give utmost importance to infant or baby nutrition in order to inculcate healthy eating habits in the child that will become a lifestyle. While it is difficult to arrive at one food that could be labeled as the best baby food available on earth, various easy to digest foods could be tried as the baby is growing and develops his taste for particular foods. The First Six Months
Adding Fruits and Vegetables (6-7 months)
Start Simple: Along with iron-fortified cereal, baby’s first solids can be single foods such as mashed banana or cooked and pureed apple, pear, pumpkin or potato. Once baby is enjoying a good range of fruits and vegetables, you can introduce him to more vegetables and fruits such as apple or pear. Gradually become more adventurous with different foods and textures. When teeth start coming in, try mashed legumes and fruits such as berries, citrus and other fruits that have been deseeded and mashed. Puree in a food processor or with a hand blender, adding some of the cooking water if you need to smooth out the mixture.
Introduce new foods when your baby is in a good mood. The likelihood of your baby accepting the food is greater at this time. Adding Protein Foods (7-8 months)
Adding Fruits and Vegetables (6-7 months)
Adding Table Foods (8-12 months)
Give your baby very soft table foods such as mashed potatoes, porridge and other soft vegetables. As your baby grows more teeth, the consistency of the foods you can offer will become more varied.
It is important to consult your baby’s doctor or health professional regarding the proper time to introduce fresh, pasteurized cow’s milk into your baby’s diet. Current recommendations are that the intake of fresh whole cow’s milk after six months of age should be no more than three cups per day to prevent iron deficiency. Infant formula or breast milk is preferable to fresh cow’s milk during the first 6-12 months of life because excessive ingestion of fresh cow’s milk may contribute to iron deficiency by increasing gastrointestinal blood loss. If fresh, whole cow’s milk is started before baby is 12 months old, iron-fortified infant cereal should be given to provide enough iron for your baby. Offer a wide variety of foods to your baby to encourage good eating habits.
Good food habits are learned early. As a parent, there is a lot you can do and you must do to help your child develop positive and healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Source: gurumaa.com |
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06/06/10 | 8 Critical Safety Steps To Hiring A Nanny In Your Home
1. Require a Job Application
You may fill silly having a candidate fill out an application to work in your home, but you would be wrong to let that stop you. You can search on the internet to find a sample application that includes the candidate's name, address, phone number and a chronological job and educational history. This information helps you positively identify that the person is who they say they are. Be sure to confirm their name and address by looking at a copy of their driver's license or similar photo identification. Be sure the application is signed and dated as well as includes the option to run a background check including drug screening. 2. Analyze their past work history If significant gaps exist in between jobs, ask the candidate what they were doing during that time. Some people who have gaps in their records that show no work for any extended period of time are hiding something. Chances are you want to know what that is because it might be a prior experience they don't want you to know about, or worse yet, time spent incarcerated. 3. Require Work References No application is complete without prior references from employers. They should not be friends or family of the applicant. Personally speak to all references and have a list of questions ready. If your candidate can't or will not provide references, walk away. 4. Do a Professional Interview 5. Let the Candidate do the Talking 6. Schedule a Second Working Interview 7. Logistical Question for the Candidate 8. Always Trust your Instincts. |
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06/06/10 | Help Your Nanny Find Health Care
 Understand that you will not be able to include your nanny on your family's health insurance plan because she is not a member of the family. Consider hiring a nanny from an agency that offers health insurance.Contact HMOs and health insurance companies in your area to get information about individual policies. Note that these will be very expensive. You may wish to offer to pay a portion of the cost and let the nanny pay the rest. Realize that you may wish to find a limited single provider plan from an HMO. Your nanny can receive health care as long as she obtains it from a limited group of physicians. Know that if you own your own business, you can join a local chamber of commerce and purchase health care for your business employees at group rates. If you hire your nanny so that she is an employee of your business, you can then get health insurance for her this way. Consider offering to reimburse your nanny for a certain sum of money each month that she spends on health care. Think about what else you can offer your nanny if you cannot afford to pay for health insurance for her. Source: eHow |
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05/30/10 | 14 Ways Nannies Can Market Themselves
Source: allbusiness.com |
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05/30/10 | Choosing a Babysitter
   Source: newbornbabyzone.com |
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05/30/10 | Time-Saving Tips for Moms
As busy moms, we're constantly inundated with messages like, "Take time for yourself," but in reality, finding 30 minutes during the day to meditate or take a bubble bath is a lot easier said than done. Unfortunately, no matter how much scrambling and organizing you do, even into the wee hours of the night, as soon as that first ray of sunlight peeks through your window shade and you lift your sleepy head off your pillow, you instinctively shift into mom-on-auto-pilot mode. As you begin your day's quest to accomplish the insurmountable, there are literally not enough hours to come up for air, let alone meditate!
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05/30/10 | How to Become a Certified Nanny
Families who hire nannies generally want a caregiver to meet the very specific needs of their lifestyle. When you are seeking a position as a nanny, it is best that you are professionally trained in the field of caring for other people's children. Follow the guidelines given in this article to gain the creditials of a certified nanny.
Contact an institute. There are numerous colleges and institutions across the United States that provide a certification program for professional nannies. Courses can be in the form of traditional classroom instruction or distance education programs for your convenience. Contact associations. Through the many different nanny associations around the world, there is a possibility to become certified through their abundant continuing education seminars, programs and conferences. No matter if you receive a certification through the association, or if you obtain a certificate prior to joining, being an active member of any nanny association will ensure you with a stable job. Continue education. Becoming a certified nanny is a job in which the content is constantly evolving. To stay on top of your game, search consistantly for continuing education courses and seminars. Employers will appreciate your diligence in furthering your education. Know the pay scale. Becoming a qualified as well as a certified nanny will allow you to earn more money. With this in mind, you should be prepared to relocate to an area that is inhabited by families who are willing to pay you accordingly for your services. Source: eHow |
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05/23/10 | Nannies Duties
A reasonable amount of chores for a full time nanny who has the child or children all day would be: doing the children's washing and ironing, changing/ making the children's beds, making the children's meals and tidying up the play area and children's bedroom. However, a nanny needs to have time to spend with the children to play with them and educate them - after all that is the best reason to have a nanny so that the children get one to one attention. You may find taking on more household duties makes the job too burdensome. However circumstances vary, and you may feel that a little adaption is appropriate.
A housekeeper type of nanny may be asked to do more. Your boss may want you to do the weekly shop for instance or do their ironing. Only do what you can easily fit into your day. Don't make life difficult for yourself by saying yes to everything and then stressing out because you can't get everything done in time. It is perfectly reasonable to say no to your boss and you must make them aware of what you can achieve in a day. Don't rush yourself, if you can't fit everything in then don't! At times your employer may ask a favour of you e.g. some free babysitting of an evening or on a Saturday. Because you feel a sense of obligation to your employer, you may well say 'Yes' at first, but will you be happy if they keep doing it? Better to agree arrangements for out-of-hours work at the beginning. Then everyone knows where they stand. Generally, being a nanny is a very satisfying job. Every job has its problems, of course, so don't let things snowball by putting off telling your bosses about any concerns you may have. You need to feel at ease with the family you work with, so that you will find it easy to communicate with them. Be friendly with your family but remember they are your bosses! If you become very close it will be more upsetting if they ever criticise you in any way. I love being a nanny. I have made great friends with the families I have worked for, and I am satisfied at having given my charges a very good start in life. Source: Ask-Nanny |
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05/22/10 | Professional Nanny
A professional nanny, well there's a difference because a babysitter is just someone that comes once a week or something at nights. A nanny, people get it confused. I think a nanny is someone that does a little light cleaning, cooking, does more with the kids like we'll take them to soccer practice or ballet or something like that. It is pretty much, it's an ongoing thing. They have set days, set hours, set pay and isn't fourteen years olds.
So, yeah. A typical day for a nanny is either you'll go to the kid's house or the kid will come to your house. The parents will drop them off. You have breakfast for them. You make it for them. You play with them for a couple of hours, you put them on their nap, when they wake up, you play with them more, you make them lunch. You just take care of them. You're there as their friend but also you take care of them and make sure they're not getting into something that they shouldn't, which everyone knows a toddler will get into everything. So, just make sure they're not climbing up the stairs when you're not looking or getting into something pointy or small or something like that. The difference between a babysitter and a nanny is like I said, the set hours and pay and all that and you would, you do more like cleaning and cooking and that kind of stuff. But a babysitter, again, she will or he will be the one to watch the baby and play with it, which is like a nanny, but I think a nanny is older. They've been through more, they're more experienced and I would feel safer having my kids with with a nanny preferably than a babysitter just because to me, I think of a babysitter as like thirteen, fourteen years old. Someone that's still in school, that will abuse your house as in talk on your phone and invite your friends over when they're not supposed to be there and just someone that doesn't take the job seriously and that's still young and is learning life lessons. And a nanny already knows it and they're there because they want to be there and because their full priority is to take care of the kid because they love kids Source: eHow |
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05/16/10 | Model of Nanny Application
Full Name *
Last name * Middle First name * Maiden Address City State Zip Describe approximate location of address How long at this address? Phone Cell# Email * Previous address Previous city State Zip How long at this address Soc Sec. Drivers Lic Marital Status ( Married Separated Divorced Widowed Single) Do you have any children? Race: (Necessary for criminal check) Us Citizen? Yes No Birth date How did you hear about Nannies Who Care?
Previous Employment for the Last 5 Years (These should include childcare references first, then other employment) ** Remember - you must have full address (zip & phone) We prefer fax numbers! Name of employer/company * Job title * Employers address * Employers city * State * Zip * Employers phone * Fax * (From/To)* Employers email Full/Part Time? Full Part Salary * Reason for leaving * State the ages of children at start of employment *
Name of employer/company Job title Employers address Employers city State Zip Employers phone Fax (From/To) Employers email Full/Part Time? Full Part Salary Reason for leaving State the ages of children at start of employment
Name of employer/company Job title Employers address Employers city State Zip Employers phone Fax (From/To) Employers email Full/Part Time? Full Part Salary Reason for leaving State the ages of children at start of employment
IF FROM OUT OF STATE OR COUNTRY, LIST THE STATES/COUNTRIES PREVIOUSLY LIVED AND THE DATES IN THAT STATE/COUNTRY 1. 2. 3. EDUCATION Name and address Yrs Attended Major Degree High School College
QUALIFICATIONS CPR certification? First Aid certification Can you swim? YesNo Own transportation? YesNo Can transport children in your car? Smoker? Yes No Bilingual ? Yes No
MEDICAL Have any contagious diseases? Yes No Do you suffer from epilepsy, convulsions or dizzy spells? Yes No Do you suffer from any mental illness? Yes No Any current or previous drug or alcohol problem? Yes No Are you currently taking any medication? If so, please explain what type, why you must take the medication, and any side effects caused from the medication.
Name of Physician Address City State Zip GENERAL Live in or out? In Out Either Full-time Part-time On-call Can you work overnight? Yes No Can you work nights & weekends? Yes No Can you work overtime? Areas you wish to work in (Hold Ctrl key down for multiple locations) Housekeeping other than what is needed to clean after children?(If so, explain):
Preference to how many children and ages? (If so, explain)
Pets okay?: Travel with family okay? Yes No Can you take children on field trips? Yes No Have you ever been arrested? Yes No Days of week Avail Hours Avail Sun Mon Tue Wed Thr Fri Sat Total hours/week you wish to work What is the salary range you expect to receive? Are you currently on file with another agency or referral service? PERSONAL REFERENCES (These should be different from employment references, also OTHER THAN FAMILY) Name * Address * City * State * Zip * Phone * Fax Relationship *
Name Address City State Zip Phone Fax Relationship
Name Address City State Zip Phone Fax Relationship
Please describe any conditions of employer, household, children, etc., which you feel important. This will enable us to find the best suitable position for you. *
Source: nannieswhocare.com |
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05/09/10 | pros and cons of nanny cameras for parental piece of mind
Day care centers are learning that employing the use of nanny cameras can be a real asset in the eyes of many parents. By installing IP-based surveillance cameras in their facilities, they can give parents the ability to log in remotely throughout the day to monitor their children's activities. This growing trend has become a real selling point for many parents looking to enroll their children. We will gain an understanding of the pros and cons of this trend as we examine some of the real benefits and possible pitfalls of implementing this technology in childcare centers.
Utilizing video surveillance technology within day care centers is not a new concept. Many facilities have incorporated this technology for years. Some day care centers have even granted parents the ability to review old recordings to validate the quality of their child's care. However, the latest surveillance trend among day care centers is much more interactive. By incorporating IP-based nanny camera systems, day care centers can now give parents remote access to live video feeds of their children throughout the day. Parents are given a secure login ID to access the system, and can choose to log in whenever the wish to access the surveillance video. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Real benefits can be realized by implementing nanny cameras Parents and day care centers alike have reported some positive benefits that have come as a direct result of incorporating this technology. These benefits include the following as outlined below. Benefits to the parents * Allows parents to actively monitor the care their children receive -- Remote video surveillance gives parents the ability to actively view and monitor how their children are cared for. Being able to access live images of their children playing lets them see first hand what their children are doing throughout the day. Parents also indicate it helps them feel more connected to their children, when then can see first hand what they are doing throughout the day. Many parents report it gives them a real boost during their otherwise hectic day. * Alleviates parent's fears -- Parent's feel much more confident about the care their children receive when they can log in to view them whenever they want. Direct access to live video provides them a sense of confidence that the caregivers are responsibly caring for their children, and have nothing to hide. * Builds confidence in children -- Some children really find comfort in the fact that their mom and dad are watching them throughout the day. This is further promoted by the fact that parents can interact with their child at the end of the day based on activities that they viewed their child participating in throughout the day. * Grandparent's can be given access at the parent's consent -- Many day care centers will provide additional accounts to grandparents and extended family members at the request of the parent. This can be a real benefit for family members that are located long distances away. Benefits to the day care centers * Less disruption to staff and child -- Day care staff are finding that there are fewer disruptions with IP nanny camera systems in use. Parents are less likely to drop by for visits throughout the day. While parental visits can be a real highlight to both parent and child, it often means more tears and distractions to other children when the parent has to leave again. * Gives a positive boost to enrollment -- Parents looking to enroll their children in a childcare center often have remote video surveillance on their list of must haves. KinderView, a company that provides day care cameras systems, has noted that when childcare centers offer surveillance services, enrollments tend to increase at very little cost to the centers. * Opens the door for further online communication -- Many day care centers are finding that offering online video access opens the door to further communication opportunities. Online viewing portals provide the perfect forum where parents can communicate with other parents, email day care staff, and view event calendars. This creates a further sense of community among parents and staff, and makes it easier to stay in touch and up to date. Concerns over the use of nanny cameras in daycare centers Given all of the positive feedback mentioned so far, it would seem that the addition of this technology is always met with a positive reaction. This is not always the case. Some parents and day care workers have expressed concern over the practice. The following are some of the concerns and potential pitfalls. * Unauthorized access -- Some parents are very leery of having video of their children accessible over the Internet. They worry that child predators can gain access to images of their child which could endanger their child. If you have these concerns, make sure you voice them to your child's caregiver and carefully review the centers security and video disclosure policies. * Too much participation can cause undo concern -- Some day care workers worry too much participation may not always be a good thing. While most centers welcome parental involvement, it has the potential of becoming distracting if over done. Some parents become overly worried if they notice their child is not interacting with other child as they think they should be. They begin to get overly fixated on behavior that may be perfectly normal and healthy. While parents have every right to be concerned about their children, they should guard against overacting to every little movement their child makes throughout the day. While not everyone may agree with the incorporation of nanny cameras into our childcare facilities, it seems the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. To some parents, being able to get a glimpse of their child at play whenever they want makes all the difference in the world. Source: video-surveillance-guide.com |
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05/09/10 | Childcare Day Care Options
There are many choices available to parents who are looking for child care
for their children. Whether you choose a daycare center or decide to hire a nanny there are several important things to consider before you make your choice. Daycare Center: A daycare center has a lot(over 12) of children. One advantage of a daycare center is that it is a structured environment. Daycare Centers are also licensed and inspected by the state for health and safety . Most states require that staff members have training in early childhood development as well as health and safety and nutrition . Some disadvantages to a daycare center is that they are expensive. The average cost is between four and six thousand dollars a year. If your child is an infant you can expect to pay more since infants require more care and additional staff may be needed. Family/Group Family Daycare: Both Family and Group Family Daycare take place in your child care provider's home. The difference between family daycare and group family daycare is the number of children that are allowed to be in attendence at any given time. In family daycare you are allowed up to five children and in group family you can have up to twelve. The advantages of these daycare settings is that they take place in a home setting. There is a smaller group of children than a daycare center which allows for more one on one attention. One disadvantage is that if your provider is sick or takes a vacation you need to have back up care available. The cost of family/group family daycare is between seventy five to one hundred dollars a week. If you decide to enroll your child in a daycare center or family day care there are several important things to consider before you make your choice. The first question you should ask is whether the daycare is licensed. Just because a daycare is licensed doesn't mean that your child will receive the best care available, however at least you know that the center or home has been inspected for safety. If your provider is licensed they have also been required to attend training in early childhood development,health and saftey, and nutition. Another question you need to ask is how many children are cared for in the center or home at any time and what the adult/child ratio is. It is important to make sure that there are enough adults present to watch all the children. One more very important thing to do when considering a daycare is to call your local department of children and family services office and check to make sure that there are no complaints against the provider. Nanny: Nanny care is done in your own home. The advantages are the one on one attention and the fact that your child can be taken care of in their own home where they are comfortable. A disadvantage to nanny care is that your children do not have other children to interact with. Sometimes nannies get together and have playgroups for this purpose so the children can interact with other children. Nanny care is also very expensive. The average cost can be from three hundred and six hundred dollars a week. Stay at Home: Another choice would be to stay at home and care for your own children. The advantages are that you can keep a close bond with your children and you don't have to pay for child care. A disadvantage is that you have to live with only one income. Whether you choose a daycare center, a family daycare or a nanny your children are depending on you, choose carefully. Source: essortment.com |
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05/09/10 | Deciding Between a Nanny and Daycare
For many parents, there comes a time when they have to decide what option fits best for their family when it comes to childcare not related to a relative. After all, with hectic schedules and work obligations, you want your child to have the absolute best care and attention possible. This often means deciding on either nanny childcare or daycare. While both have their supporters, it is ultimately up to a family which option fits better for how they would like to raise their child. With daycare, there is the element of socialization, but for very young children, this is often not yet necessary. After all, there is plenty of time in kindergarten and beyond for your child to experience daily socialization, and often very young children benefit more from individual care. It is also helpful to think about your daily schedule. Do you need someone for just a couple of hours, or something more? If it is something more, nanny care is often the better option, since nannies can stay with children full-time or part-time, and often work hours aside from those when daycare centers are operating. If you decide to choose a nanny but do not know where to begin your search, it is often very helpful to talk with a nanny agency. Finding a reputable one is often very easy, as there are resources available that list certified ones, and friends can help with references, too. If you are going to hire a nanny on a regular basis, which is the most helpful option for children, as they will come to expect the same person on a regular basis, it might be even more helpful to schedule an interview, where you ask the nanny questions ranging from how long they have been working to what their availability will be. It is also important to consider the difference between a nanny who specializes in caring for babies and a child nanny, who is more used to not just providing care in the sense of ensuring that your child is safe and healthy, but also educational learning and activities. It does not hurt to consider the personality of the person you plan on hiring, either. Are you picturing someone closer to your own parents, sort of a grandmother figure, or someone who is younger and energetic but with less experience? These are all important factors. If you are still interested in daycare, it is just as important to speak with different daycares to find out the differences in the service that they provide. Is there a lot of time to play, or more time spent on learning? Will it be a half-day, in the afternoons, or only intermittently? Talk to the different administrators and determine which fits better for what you envisioned for your child. If nanny care is a better fit for your family, remember that finding the exact right nanny can take a couple of tries. A one-week trial period is recommended to see how your child and the nanny acclimate to one another, and if during this period, you think that someone else might be a better fit, there is no problem in making that decision. Sometimes nannies click immediately, and sometimes it is necessary to keep looking. Either way, know that you're doing the best for your child's development and happiness. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Lampert |
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04/18/10 | Tax Tips for Nannies
Tax Tips for Nannies:
The ‘magic’ number is £124. The first £124 you earn (in total, from all employments) is tax-free. Everything you earn after that is subject to tax, currently at 20%. Higher earners pay tax at 40% on earnings above about £44,000pa (and top earners pay at 50%). If you have two employers: If you have two employers, and agree a net (take-home) pay with both, the main employer will normally hold your tax code and this means he or she gets to pay that first £124 tax-free. The second employer has to pay Basic Rate tax, which means every pound they give you is subject to 20% tax. Not surprisingly, many second employers balk at the cost and expect the tax to be shared more fairly between the two employments. You can get around this by asking HMRC to share your 647L tax code between your employers. Better still, you can avoid the problem altogether by agreeing a gross hourly rate (less tax and NI) instead. A gross pay agreement is generally better for both you and your employer. Source: Nannymatters.com |
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04/18/10 | Sharing a Nanny
Sharing a Nanny
Sharing a nanny can provide young children with critical social skills, imbue kids with a sense of community, save money and create lifelong friendships among parents. However, before parents can reap such benefits, they need to know how to choose the right daycare partners. They must fine-tune their negotiating skills and establish some critical ground rules. "If done right, nanny sharing can solve all the negatives of early childcare," says Erika Karres, author of Make Your Kids Smarter: 50 Top Teacher Tips (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002) and Violence Proof Your Kids Now (Conari Press, 2000). "Your child has a playmate, a stable base, a consistent daycare provider and a loving and stimulating environment." To help ensure your nanny share will be successful, you and your spouse should begin by identifying three or four important priorities, suggests Karres. Ask your potential nanny share partners to state their priorities, as well. Why do you want to share a nanny? How do you want your child to spend his or her time with the care provider? Do you want the kids to play outside, watch movies, do art projects, learn a foreign language? Everyone has radically different parenting styles about issues such as TV watching and naptime," says Stacy DeBroff, president and founder of Mom Central, Inc. If you can't agree on these issues, you may be in trouble. You may find yourself arguing with your partners and talking behind their backs, she says. "If you see qualities in the other family that you don't want to be connected to, then you're probably not a good 'fit' for sharing nannies with that family," says Erin Brown Conroy, author of 20 Secrets to Success With Your Child (Celtic Cross Publishing, 2003). The Ground Rules: If you do find partners who have similar values and goals about how to raise children, you're off to a great start, but don't relax yet! You and your partners need to establish some very important ground rules: 1. Decide How Much Daycare You and Your Partners Need You should be clear about how much daycare you need. And all parents should commit to paying the nanny for a given amount of care, whether or not their child shows up. Otherwise, one of the partners will be forced to pay the nanny when the other's child stays home. I experienced this problem many times in my early nanny share days. Believe me, it leads to resentment. You don't want to be fuming at your daycare partner when she arrives with her child each morning! 2. Decide How Much and How to Pay the Nanny You and your partners need to decide how much you will pay the nanny and how much sick and vacation time she receives. These issues can quickly become complicated. If she's sick and you have to hire a substitute care provider, do you pay your nanny for sick time, anyway? It's important to establish a system that shows your nanny how valuable she is. Consider paying her even if she's sick. Otherwise, she may view you as unsupportive and negative. Remember, she's caring for a very important person! 3. Create a Backup Plan You need to establish backup plans for caring for children when the nanny is sick or one of the kids is sick. In many cases, the parents are willing to fill in as care providers under these circumstances. But if you need to hire a backup provider, be sure you have identified that provider. Otherwise, you may discover, like I did, that your daycare partner's daughter has head lice and you don't have a backup plan! 4. Choose a Location or Locations Some parents decide that the nanny will only care for children at one house; others choose to have the nanny stay at one house a few days a week and another house the rest of the week. Whatever you decide, be sure to let the nanny know how much housework you expect of her. Having someone else's kid in your house creates mess," says DeBroff. "You need to decide in advance how much the kids should be picked up after." When I share a nanny in my home, I ask her to stay for an extra half-hour to clean up after the children and ask the other parents to help pay for that time. Moving Ahead Having established some of these important ground rules, continue to move slowly. Plan a trial week or a trial month, advises Karres. If you decide the children involved in this daycare arrangement aren't compatible, it's best to start again and find new partners. And if your gut tells you your partners aren't "right," listen to that message! I made the mistake of partnering with the wrong family, then waiting too long before breaking off the relationship. I suffered through too many sleepless nights before moving on and starting all over again. While you're moving forward slowly with your daycare arrangement, check for signs that the nanny prefers one family or one child over another, advises Conroy. "In sharing nannies, there's a high potential for the nanny to compare children, compare families and build stronger ties with one family over another," she says. "Such unintentional alliances may drive wedges between families and relationships, causing hurt feelings." Communicate with the nanny about your desire for her to treat the families equally. Once you believe you've found good partners, consider planning weekly meetings with them. "There are always issues that come up," says DeBroff. "You have to almost schedule weekly meetings, even if it is 15-minute phone call." Once your daycare plan begins working smoothly, congratulate yourself. You have established a very special environment for your child or children: an environment that will reap benefits for years to come. "Nanny sharing is a community builder," says Nichola Zaklan, a parent in Portland, Ore., who shares a nanny. "It integrates your place in the community as an adult with other parents in a real way. You work hard with other parents to create something that benefits the children." Source: babiestoday.com |
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04/17/10 | Determining Nanny Pay For Full-Time & Part-Time Nannies
One of the questions most frequently asked is what kind of nanny salary should be offered. It's an excellent question, but tough to answer in brief, because many variables come into play when considering nanny pay.
Nanny salary range A nanny's salary range in the U.S. is from $300 to $800 per week for full-time nanny jobs. If paid hourly, the range is $7.25 to $18 per hour. Many factors are taken into consideration, such as the experience level, amount of schooling/education and also whether you live in a large urban area, where the cost of living is higher. Remember that the nanny salary is normally quoted net of taxes. What does the nanny salary include? Are you planning to pay the nanny's taxes? What about health care? (Some families offer it and some don't.) You should also decide ahead of time whether paid vacation and sick time are included, and whether to compensate for overtime. Part-time nanny pay Part-time nannies are in very high demand and it may be necessary to by more for a qualified nanny. · Live-in nanny salary Live-in nanny salaries are somewhat different than live-out nannies since room and board is included. However a live-in nanny salary won't be much lower than the nanny pay of a comparable live-out because of supply and demand. You may be able to find a live-in nanny with limited experience that lives in another state for substantially less nanny salary because of the lower experience. What else does the nanny offer? Does she have CPR and first aid training? Education that pertains to childhood development and years of experience? Will she also do general housekeeping duties for you? If you answer yes to any of the above, then the nanny you are considering should land on the higher end of the pay scale. Nanny pay determined by where you live Nanny pay varies substantially around the country. Normally it's based on the local cost of living and the size of the community you live in. Larger cities tend to pay higher nanny salaries. It's a good idea to talk to friends about what they're paying their nannies and to call a local nanny agency to find out about local nanny pay. Get creative with nanny pay! Maybe you really like the nanny and she's well qualified, but her nanny salary requirement is out of reach. It's time to get creative! Many families make other arrangements that are just as satisfying. Many families are doing nanny shares now. For example, maybe you can pay college tuition and a small salary in exchange for a live-in nanny. Or, you could exchange your professional services for nanny care. If you're a dentist or a doctor, perhaps you can offer free medical care as part of the agreement or the use of a car by the nanny. If you start off the relationship with honesty and open communication, you'll lay the groundwork for a good relationship for many years to come. Be sure to check out our large nanny article library for many good articles on nanny-related issues. About the Author Steve Lampert is the president of eNannySource, an online nanny agency that brings together families and nannies. Lampert has been helping nannies and families find each other since 1994. Prior to founding eNannySource he ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Lampert |
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04/11/10 | Top 10 Nanny Safety Tips!
1) Know your nanny – conduct a thorough background check and acquire a copy of her or his current driving record. 2) Make sure your nanny is CPR/First Aid certified. 3) Create a House Book – keep a binder in your home with important safety information, such as any pertinent emergency phone numbers, hospital and pediatrician addresses, copies of your children's medical cards, a consent release for your nanny to make decisions in an emergency, etc. 4) Provide your nanny with a cell phone. 5) If your child has allergies, make sure your nanny is well-aware. 6) Be sure your nanny knows your family's emergency plan. 7) Your nanny should always carry your child's medical card, pediatrician's address, and the address of the nearest hospital. 8) First Aid Kits – one for the home, one for your nanny's car, and a travel-size kit for the stroller. 9) Provide a neighborhood map to be kept in your child's stroller. 10) Positive communication is key! You don't want your nanny to be afraid you when an emergency arises. www.TheNannyDoctor.com |
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04/11/10 | How to communicate with your nanny
When we follow up with our clients and nannies once their employment relationship has begun sometimes there are problems to address in the first three to four months. The most prevalent problem I encounter is a break down in communication. We always recommend that both our clients and nannies take a business approach to their employment relationship at the core of which is establishing an employment contract. Other helpful aids are a nanny journal, childcare profiles and scheduled brief meetings to discuss the position (including a three month performance review). Employment contract Such an agreement should limit misunderstandings regarding employment conditions, making sure that all parties are on the same page now and in the future. Issues covered in the employment contract can include salary, benefits, hours of work, main duties and responsibilities, vacation entitlements, use of a vehicle and travel with the family. Nanny Journal Most nannies we interview like the idea of using a nanny journal. The purpose of this journal is to encourage communication between employer and employee. Child profile A child profile is designed to ease your child and your nanny through the initial transition period. You can download this form directly form our website if you are a member. These forms address the child’s eating habits, preferred activities, sleeping routine and the parent’s philosophy with regard to discipline, safety and nutrition Schedule brief meetings Many nannies cite poor communication as a reason for leaving a position. So it is important to take time at the beginning and the end of each day (in the first two weeks) to meet with your nanny briefly. If possible do this when the children are not able to hear this discussion, especially if they are older. After this initial period is over consider a weekly review which involves an informal discussion allowing both parties to give and receive feedback. Provide positive feedback and praise for a job well done; conversely, if you are unhappy in any way with the nannies performance, discuss this immediately. Although all of the above suggestions are useful it is important, during the interview and screening period to thoroughly assess your nanny with regard to her communication skills. You may want to ask situational questions to asses the applicant’s ability to communicate. Discuss a negative scenario that you may have experienced with past caregivers and ask the applicant how they would handle the situation and communicate to resolve it. When checking references always ask how the nanny communicated with the parents and the children. Source: opti-mum.com |
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04/11/10 | Steps to Bring a Foreign Nanny to the USA
Find a nanny who encompasses your values and can teach your children something. Make sure this person has at least one year's experience working as a household domestic worker. Otherwise they do not qualify for the required documentation. Nannies from China, India or the Philippines also do not qualify.
Apply to the Department of Labor for a labor certification. Fill out and file the permanent employment ETA Form 9089. The nanny can not be offered a temporary or part time job or they will not be admitted to the United States. On this form you will describe job duties, wages, training, experience and other qualifications that the potential immigrant possesses. There are directions to help you with this form online as well. Petition U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services for a visa on behalf of the nanny after you receive a labor certification. Fill out an I-140 form, which is a petition for alien worker form, and file it, following instructions and remembering to send in the fee with it. Follow the conditions of the visa carefully, and you will be able to have a foreign nanny without much more hassle. Source: ehow.com |
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04/04/10 | Evaluating Nanny Success - Is Your Nanny Working Well With Your Child?
After you've hired a nanny and she has worked for you a while, it's important to keep an eye on the situation. You might find either that things are not working out and it's time to make a change, or you may eliminate anxiety because you know you've made the right choice. Signs that the nanny might not be doing her job well:
Remember, most nannies are loving and devoted caregivers. And often when things don't work out, it's not necessarily a sign of abuse, just simply that the nanny either wasn't qualified or isn't a good fit. If you stay diligent and communicate regularly with her, it will lead to a healthy and happy relationship with the nanny. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Lampert
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03/28/10 | Find a Good Nanny
Your child need a better care in your absense, so finding a good nanny is very important. Please follow these steps while appointing a nanny.
Contact a nanny agent or agency who can find you a suitable nanny as per your requirements. Its is better to go for a professional nanny agency which is a member of International Nanny Association. While enrolling in a agency for nanny be clear and accurate about required qualities in a nanny you are looking for and explain same thing to them. It is better to choose a agency who do background check of prospective nanny and give good referance. Cross check the referances provided by prospective nanny or agency by calling them or meeting personally so you do not leave any stone unturned for security of your family and child. Please read and understand Nanny Contract and encourage the prospective nanny to do the same. After interviewing prospective nanny, checking nanny credentitals if you are happy, hire applicant as a nanny to your child. By paying the agency, save yourself from lot of hassels and mistakes by hiring an inexperianced nanny. |
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03/28/10 | Nanny salaries: What you need to know
Let's face it: you can't always be there to take care of your child. In your place, you want someone who you can trust. Someone your children can rely on and who will give them the personal attention and loving care that they deserve. You've decided that a nanny is the right option for your family's childcare needs. Now, the only thing left is figuring out whether hiring a nanny is right for your budget.
You might be surprised to find out that, with a little planning, hiring a nanny can be affordable for almost everyone. The first thing to consider is the nanny's schedule. Will a nanny be providing full-time care for your young ones while you work at your own full-time job? Will you and your spouse be taking turns with the children by working part-time weeks in between your nanny's hours? Are your children home all the time, or do they need nanny supervision after school or on weekends and during vacations only? Remember that hiring a nanny is not just for parents working forty-plus hours a week. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, work from home, or work minimal hours outside your home, you may find that the services a nanny can provide are priceless when you compare your nanny's pay to the added peace-of-mind, relaxation, and renewed patience that even a few hours' break from your childcare duties can create. Whether you are just starting your nanny search or you are ready to draw up the contract, the first thing to think about is what you will get for your money. How will your proposed nanny's salary affect the quality of care, as well as the amount of hours, you expect from your nanny? One way to make your decisions educated when you are thinking about a salary for your nanny is to simply ask around. Other people you know have hired a nanny, so, ask them how much their nanny gets paid and what the negotiations of the nanny contract are. Call local nanny agencies in your area and talk to nannies about what their expectations are. If you are requiring your nanny to provide their own car and use it on the job you will need to reimburse the nanny for mileage based on Federal standards or your state's standard if higher. This becomes necessary if your nanny will be picking up your kids from school or driving them off to sports practice Remember that the best way to be comfortable with your nanny's salary is to openly discuss it with your prospective nanny at the appropriate time before hiring her. Nanny Salaries
The salary range of nannies varies so greatly because of regional costs (the average salary in Boston vs San Diego are different) and the differences in nannies' experience and education. Source: enannysource.com
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All your hard work in feeding the baby, giving him different food and teaching him to take in the food starts giving result now. At this age the baby is generally ready to and interested in eating with the rest of the family.