Advice from an English Nanny

How to Find the Perfect Before and After School Nanny

2013-10-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Its around about this time of year that we get a lot of calls from families looking for before and after school nannies. In most cases, the children have tried the service provided by the local school and it hasn't worked out for reasons such as the children's after school activity schedule and having to get up too early in the morning in order to leave at the same time as their parents.

Many parents often arrive at the conclusion that a nanny is the perfect solution; the children can stay in bed a little later in the mornings and the parents don't have to rush around before working getting them ready for school. A nanny normally arrives in the morning at approximately 30 minutes before the parents leave for work so that they can assist with the hectic morning schedule of breakfast, getting dressed, preparing school bags, seeing children to the bus etc.

Once the children go to school the nanny is free to leave and will not return until meeting the children off the bus when they finish school. Then its unpacking the school bag, preparing a snack and helping with homework. Its an ideal situation and normally cost effective if you have two or more children in school. It certainly makes life easier for the parents!

Finding the right nanny however can be challenging. In our agency, it's the most difficult position to place because most nannies don't want a job with split shifts, working for about two hours or less in the morning then two to three hours at the end of the day. There is also the question on school breaks when you don't need the nanny to work. Therefore there are some important points to consider when searching for your nanny:

1 - Location
Find a nanny who lives within close proximity of your house. Ideally within a radius of five miles or a 10 minute commute. You want your nanny to be reliable and if a long commute is needed, traffic will become an issue. Also, who wants to get up in the morning and do a long commute only to work for less than two hours, return home and do the same later on in the day.

2- Nanny Qualities
Make sure the nanny is capable of being organized and staying on task. The busiest time in a household with children is the hour before they go to school and the time when they return home so you want to have a trial run first to see if your nanny can meet the hectic demands. She will need to demonstrate that she is able to stay calm.

3 - Homework
If you have children in third grade or higher they will have homework. The nanny will need to be able to assist and help review the lessons of the day.

4 - Driving
If the nanny is required to take your children to after school activities you will need to be sure that she is a safe driver, has a reliable form of transportation and is willing to sign an agreement with you that she/he will not text or talk on the phone while driving. Its really important to emphasize this and not assume that your nanny will know better. Its an epidemic problem.

5- Nanny pay
In order to attract the right candidates and make sure they stay with you, a higher hourly rate may be necessary. If you normally pay $12-$14 per hour in your area, you should consider paying in the region of $14 to $16 or more for this type of position.

6- Background checks
Make sure you run a thorough background check on your nanny before she/he starts and check that they have current CPR and First Aid so that they are ready to deal with emergencies.

Finding the right nanny can really help to improve a family's quality of life and avoid the organized chaos that so many of us find ourselves in.

The Nanny Interview - Getting it Right

2013-09-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have seen many a nanny, who is highly experienced with much to offer a family, lose an opportunity to someone with less experience just because of the way they performed during the face to face interview with the family. Generally the objections are mild, such as the nanny being shy or not asking any questions but occasionally I hear some real bloopers like the time the nanny candidate chewed gum all the way through the interview!

Of course, when you work with a nanny agency there are a lot more hurdles to cross because you need to make a good impression on both the agency and the family. If you really want to land the perfect nanny position you can drastically improve your chances if you follow a few simple rules:

Rule One - Communicate

Whether you are using an agency or applying directly to the family your first line of communication with either be a phone call, email or application form. This is your first opportunity to capture the attention of the person making the hiring decision. It is also the most important. First impressions really do count.

Out of every ten emails I receive from candidates approximately 7-8 of them have spelling and grammatical errors. Many emails are written like a text message i.e. "hello, my name is jo and i was wondering if u r still looking for a nanny." Its no surprise that these emails are deleted without further consideration. Part of a nanny's responsibility, if she is caring for pre-schoolers might be to teach basic writing and reading skills!

Be sure to follow up your application with a phone call if possible or a second email. Nanny agencies can receive upwards of 200 applications a week and you need to make sure yours stands out. Don't take it personally if the agency or family doesn't return your call but whatever you do don't give up.

Rule Two - Look like you want the job
You are not applying for a position working in an office and therefore you don't need to necessarily wear a suit but you do need to look smart and understated. Remember, as a nanny you may be required to step in for the parents at school events and the parents will want to see that you are able to represent the family in a strong light.

Rule Three - Make an impression
The first 30 seconds are the most important? Yes definitely! When you arrive for your interview be sure to get there on time, smile, make eye contact and give a firm handshake. Be sure to acknowledge everyone in the room, especially the children.

Rule Four - Nail the interview!
The family will have lots of questions to ask you. Liston carefully and only answer the questions they ask avoiding going off track onto other subjects. Have a list of questions of your own, ideally with regards to the children and the responsibilities of the job. If the children are present, its okay to play and interact with them - the parents will want to see this.

Rule Five - Finish on a good note
Before leaving, let the family know if you think the job is an ideal fit for you and ask if they would like to set up a time for you to visit again and have more interaction time with the children. Always, always, always follow up with a thank you email reiterating your interest.

Good luck out there. If you follow these simple steps you will dramatically increase your chances of nailing the perfect nanny job.

For Nannies - Questions to ask during an interview

2013-03-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

When you are attend a nanny interview its important you put your best foot forward and present yourself well in order to make a good impression but its important to remember that the interview goes two ways. An interview is an opportunity for the nanny to find out if a family is going to be a good fit. One way to do this is to prepare a list of questions to ask the family beforehand and have them written down.
During the interview allow the family to ask the questions first but make sure you have an opportunity at the end to ask your questions. Here are a selection you can use:

1. What is your discipline philosophy
2. Do you have the children on a set schedule or do you have more relaxed approach?
3. What are the children's favorite activities?
4. What do you like to do as a family when you have some free time?
5. What do you expect of me as a nanny?
6. What are the most important qualities you are looking for in a nanny?
7. How we will communicate on a daily basis?
8. What sort of food do the children eat?
9. What responsibilities will I have?
10. What, if any parenting books have you read/followed?
11. Do the children have any allergies or take medication?
12. Will I be able to take the children out for walks/visits to the park etc.?

Try to avoid asking about money, vacation or benefits during the first interview. If the family like you this can be negotiated but its very off-putting when a candidates first questions are related to financial benefits of the job.
Feel free to print off this list and use it at your next interview. Good luck!

7 Steps To Nailing The Perfect Nanny Job

2012-06-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Finding the perfect nanny job can seem to be a difficult task. However, having a perfect interview can help alleviate many of the hardships to landing the nanny job you most desire. If you follow the tips we have listed below, nailing the interview will be no problem.

1. Preparation
Before you begin your nanny search spend some time preparing a professional nanny resume. Include all your experience with children and any relevant training. There are lots of examples of good nanny resumes online. Also, prepare a strong nanny specific cover letter and include a summary of why you want to be a nanny, the skills and qualities that make you a great nanny, what you are looking for in a job and why you are a good match for the job you are applying for.

2. Research

Before going to the interview, it is important to do your research. Make sure you are aware of what the family expects from you. Find out what your duties and responsibilities will be and how much the position pays. Doing your research is a great way to get a feel of whether this position is a good fit for you. If after your research you decide this position will not work, it will save both you and the family time from meeting to have an interview.

3. References

Your references will always be checked when applying for a nanny job. Therefore, it is very important that you have your references up to date prior to the interview. You may want to contact your references and ask for the best way to reach them so you will have the most recent number. Also, it is helpful to make sure they are aware they are being used as a reference so when they are called they will not be caught off guard.

4. Etiquette

"First impressions are lasting impressions". From your initial contact up to your actual interview, it is important to always be professional. When emailing a potential family, be sure you are using correct grammar and punctuation. No one will take an email seriously that does not use capital letters, has poor spelling and grammar, and little punctuation.

Dress appropriately for the interview. It shows you are taking the job seriously. You do not want to arrive to an interview with jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, or any outfit that is inappropriate or suggesting. It is also a great way to show your respect.

Always be punctual. This is another way to show your respect. It is important to show up to an interview on time or at least 15 minutes early. One way to avoid arriving late to an interview or getting lost, is to go on a dry run before the date of your interview. This will ensure you are certain where the location is and you will get a sense of how traffic is in that area. If you think you are going to be late, give the family a call to explain you are on your way.

5. Prepare a Folder of Your Past Work Experience
It is helpful to bring with you a portfolio of your work experience. This can include pictures of you with kids you have worked with in the past. Also include any certificates you have earned or any other child care related training. This is a great way to show off your work and impress the families.

6. Questions to Ask
It is important for not only the families to ask you questions during the interview, but for you to ask questions to the family. They will expect you to have questions. Listed below are some sample questions you should ask during your interview.

What are my duties as a nanny?
What is your discipline philosophy?
How long do you anticipate this nanny position lasting?
What is your family's favorite ways to spend downtime?
Do any of the children have allergies?

7. Post Interview

After the interview, it is always nice to send a follow up email to thank the family for the opportunity to interview with them. It is polite and it shows your interest in working for them. In this email you could also restate your interest in the position and that you look forward to hearing from them.

If you follow those tips, landing your perfect nanny job should be a breeze. Good luck!

Does your child have tech rage?

2011-10-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

The official definition of 'tech rage' according to the urban slang dictionary is "an overwhelming emotion caused by frustration with one or more technological devices, (e.g., computers, wireless phones)". Can I add some more examples to that list including computer games, the Wii and DSi's?

My husband and I recently fell into the trap that many parents fall into of buying our children DSi's for their birthday. We have eight year old triplet boys and this meant buying three of them. In our ignorance we felt sure that having their own handheld devices would stop all the quarrelling we've experienced with the Wii. Wrong! Now, instead of quarrelling with each other they have moments of anger and frustration that are out of character for our children who, although very lively are generally even tempered.

I need to point out that we see this particular behaviour with the type of games that require a lot of concentration and focus such as Mario or any game that rewards the player with points or prizes. When they win, they have a feeling of joy, albeit temporary. When they loose, their frustration is visible and their whole mood changes for the worse. Its difficult to communicate with them because they are completely immersed 'in the game'. If you've ever seen an addicted gambler at a casino, you will know what I mean.

The good news is that its not all bad. There are times when a DSi is an invaluable tool for keeping your children occupied, car rides being the best example. However, as a parent you need to be selective about the games they play. There is a program on the DSi called Footnotes - it allows the player to create cartoon-like movies adding pictures, artwork and sounds. I've noticed that my children are a lot calmer and more communicative when they are playing this. The DSi also has a camera and program that allows you to change the pictures, add sounds and funny faces. Again, they children are engaged in a positive way and not consumed.

The best approach is to limit the amount of time they spend on these devices and encourage them to balance their free time playing with other, non tech type toys. If you really want happy balanced children get them outside as much as possible in the fresh air. I'll take muddy jeans over moody kids any day!

Multiples SHOULD be treated as a unit.

2011-09-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have read countless articles written by parenting experts and listened to advice from well-meaning acquaintances on the topic of multiples and how they need to be treated as individuals. The common theme suggests that parents give their twins/triplets or more one on one time regularly to establish their sense of individuality. I beg to differ.

As a mother of 8 year old triplet boys I made a decision to stop feeling guilty about giving them 'one on one' time with Mommy and Daddy. We barely have time alone with each other let alone have spend individual time with each child. That's not to say that we don't ever have one on one time but when we do its probably more of a treat for the parent than for the child. A few hours are okay but longer than that and they start to ask about their siblings.

Even if we did have time, we probably wouldn't on any type of regular basis. Unless you are a parent of multiples its very hard to understand. Siblings born at different times automatically get their alone time with parents but multiples do not know any different. They arrive in the World at almost the same moment and from the first breath have a constant companion (s).

I believe that even as young infants multiples are aware that they are part of a group, a unit that is very special. As they grow older it becomes apparent that they are more comfortable with each other than other children although they are still capable of making friends. This doesn't mean to say they don't squabble frequently!

If you are new parents of multiples I can garuntee you will feel a certain sense of missing out on that one on one time that other parents enjoy with individual siblings but at the same time being a part of the unit you have created is one of the most wonderful feelings in the World. Enjoy every crazy second!

The Food Dye Spies - a new fun game for kids!

2011-07-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am always thinking of ways to encourage my children to make smart food choices and trying to keep them as informed as possible on why certain foods are good for you and not so good. They get it for the most part but are presented with so many temptations it must be difficult to say no.

For example, this morning following swim practice they were immediately presented with a Popsicle. After eating them, one of the boys looked at me and said "Mom, oh no! I just ate red 40!!". I had to laugh - its not something you hear many 7 year old boys say.

The reason he knows about red 40 is because of the new game I invented called "FADDS - The Food and Drink Dye Spies". My three boys love pretending to be spies and going on secret missions and so in this game, their task is to find hidden food dyes in food and report back to headquarters with their findings. They are allowed to go through cupboards and put foods into categories. Any foods containing dyes will be carefully investigated and banned if they are found to be particularly unhealthy - they will be labeled quite simply, 'the baddies'.

Before I go any further, let me just say that I am no expert on Food dyes but I do know that foods containing them are generally less healthy than their more natural counterparts. In 2006 Nestle, manufacturers of the popular candy called Smarties (I call them the UK equivalent to M&M's) removed all artificial colorings from this particular candy due to consumer concerns over the effects of food dyes on children's behavioral health.

Unfortunately, others have been slow to follow but I think, at least I hope that as more parents become aware of the connection between food color and their children's behaviour they will begin to put pressure on our food Manufacturers and just like trans fats, bad food dyes will become a thing of the past.

How you know you've found the perfect nanny

2011-07-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day for me because one of my clients found their perfect nanny. I received a phone call from the candidate excited about the family she interviewed with, saying how much she loved the children, the parents, the house, the deck, the walk to the beach and so on and expressed her sincere hope that the family hired her. Two minutes later, I received a phone call from the client saying how much they loved the nanny, how the children warmed to her, how she fed the baby and was just right and they wanted to hire her immediately.

Of course, by the time they met hours of preparation, research, phone calls and emails had passed to ensure a good match but you can never be 100% certain that a family and nanny will hit it off. When it does happen, its a wonderful feeling, for them and me!

Searching for the right nanny for a family is a lengthy and exhausting process....if you do it properly. There are so many factors to consider to ensure the right match. Sometimes the nanny will have exactly the skills, qualifications, even personality traits that a family is looking for but they meet for an interview and somethings just not right.

My advice to families looking for a nanny is to do your homework of course, and then be aware of your feelings when you meet them. Trust your first instincts - they are just as important as background checks and drug screens. You will know when you find the right person but don't rush in to making hasty decisions because the nanny meets all the points on your checklist.

How to get children to do what you ask

2011-07-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

Being the mother of seven year old triplet boys, I've learnt a few things about getting children to cooperate. Before I start, let me be clear that my children are not angels, far from it! When I need them to follow the rules however, they are generally very good.

I don't pride myself on being an exemplary mother, don't have any special discipline styles and I'm not Super Nanny but I do apply a skill I learned in my business days when I managed teams of sales people. I'd never heard the expression used in England but its regularly thrown around here.

Its quite simply "Managing expectations".

Children crave a certain amount of structure in their lives. Knowing what's coming next makes them feel secure and better prepared to practice the appropriate behavior required for any situation. As a parent, or caregiver we have a mental picture of the day ahead but unless we communicate that to our charges, they are running in the dark.

Take today for example. Over breakfast, the boys, my mother and I had a chat about the day to come. We took into consideration tasks that had to be performed (tidying the playroom), walking the dog, the fact that I had to work in my office for several hours (free playtime for them) and fun time this afternoon. We discussed the possibility of rain which would mean indoor activities and a small reward for good behavior (a rare trip to the candy shop in this case).

Including them in the conversation helps them to feel in control of their time and paints an overall picture of the day ahead. Knowing we are doing something fun this afternoon ensures some quiet time for me to work.

This simple method of setting expectations can be used with all ages of children and for all occasions. Next time you go shopping with your child, give it a try. a simple "please don't ask me to buy anything for you because we are only getting items from the shopping list" surprisingly works!

As children get older and they understand how they are expected to behave, it won't be necessary to keep telling them, although a quiet reminder every now and then can go a long way towards a peaceful day!

The best kids parties are the homemade ones!

2011-07-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

I spent a large part of today researching locations for my triplet's upcoming 8th birthday, trying to find an original way for them to celebrate their special day. In the past year they have collectively attended fifteen bouncy inflatable parties and I'm not planning to subject parents to another two hour stand-around listening to loud music and screaming children.

I considered hiring ponies for our backyard and inviting some children to ride them but my husband is rather attached to his lawn and didn't like that idea. Then I pondered taking twelve boys to the movies followed by a visit to our favorite ice-cream shop. I pictured myself herding said boys through the popcorn line and caved immediately.

Thinking back to my childhood in England I remembered a very different kind of party. For a start, it would always be at the birthday girl or boy's home. We would start with party games including 'pass the parcel', 'musical chairs' and 'pin the tail on the donkey' followed by the sumptuous birthday tea. Tiny crust-less ham sandwiches, cheese and pineapple squares on a stick, cocktail sausages, chocolate rice crispy cakes and the best part of all - jelly (jello for my American friends) and ice cream!

All this, followed by a loud chorus of 'Happy Birthday' (without the cha-cha-cha) and time to go home with a slice of home made novelty, sometimes unusual birthday cake wrapped in paper and a balloon.

They were so much fun and always slightly different. Much more enjoyable and interesting than today's $275 one hour and forty five minutes affair, so rigid and structured that by the time the children are starting to relax and have fun, its time to go home. A slice of pizza and grocery store cake. So predictable. Dare I say it, boring.

So this year, my children are going to have their birthday party at home. We are having a water party in the backyard (good for the grass), with lots of fun games and activities for the twelve boys. I am making a 'swimming pool' cake in honor of all the hard work they've put into swim team this year and we are NOT having pizza! Still debating with my husband over the pony but either way we are, at home.

Williamsburg Nanny Agency (15)

2011-06-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Five Reasons Why I love running a nanny agency.....

1. Speaking to a client I worked with three years ago and hearing that they still have the same nanny.

2. Meeting so many wonderful families and hanging out with their children (I get paid to do this?).

3. Working with some of the most caring and nurturing people in the World - nannies!

4. The feeling I get when I know I've found the perfect nanny for a family!

5. Knowing I am in control of my own destiny.

How It Feels To Be A Nanny

2011-06-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

How It Feels To Be a Nanny (For One of the Best Families in Town)

By Katelin Hill

Their mother is going to kill me, I thought as I scrubbed the black crayon off of the floor in vain, only smearing it further. My first day nannying for three toddlers had been spent thus far getting to know the kids, and the second their mother left me alone to go upstairs to relax, BAM—a Picasso, on a canvas of hardwood floor, with a medium of Crayola crayon. That's when I smelled it. Another child had left a little creation of their own in their diaper. I dropped what I was doing to tend to that.

I was holding toddler number two's feet with one hand and a clean diaper in the other when I realized that toddler number three had found the crayon I had neglected to hide, and was decorating the woven clothes hamper. I had to watch the mural unfold as I finished what I was doing, deciding I would rather have crayon on the walls than what toddler number two had to offer.

Since that day, I learned a lot of important lessons. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, for example, should always be kept on hand as they are pure concentrated genius encapsulated in a single several-use sponge. I also learned that a good employer will not kill you over a mini-fiasco such as the one on my first day, and a great employer, such as the one I had, will giggle and tell you that was actually a very mild day in their household, and if that was all that had happened on my first day I should consider myself lucky.

Two years later, I still have yet to beat the feeling I get when I walk through their door and am welcomed by 3 pairs of feet, several sizes bigger than that fateful day, come scrambling to the door for hugs and screaming my name. During the last two years I don't think I have ever been able to get the theme song to Peep and the Big Wide World out of my head (and clapped my hands four times in the appropriate places). I've replaced choice grown-up words by exclaiming “oh fudge!” when a toddler runs right over my fingers while wearing their heaviest sneakers. I've been hugged by dripping wet children fresh out of the kiddy pool with no change of clothes on hand and put Band-Aids on bruises because sometimes it's just not worth it to argue with a three year old if a Nemo Band-Aid is all it will take for him to feel better. Although on the one hand the kids have been highly predictable little beings there was never a shortage of surprises. For example, when I ask one of my babies what he wants for dinner, the answer will never not be “grilled cheese.” Yet when I caught another kid I've recently started watching wiping boogers all over construction paper in place of paint, I can't say I was expecting that.

I have a lot of respect for parents. On several occasions I've arrived home after particularly long days and instead of relaxing kept thinking, “oh crud, where did the kids go?” I think this is how most parents probably feel daily. When I put my toddlers on bikes when they were just starting to learn to ride them I thought my heart was going to pound right through my chest. And the first time we took them to Kidsburg? I think my blood pressure steadily rose the whole hour we were there. That is one terrifying place. Ladders are dangerous, ropes are an accident waiting to happen, and if a bigger kid even looks at one of my babies the wrong way then it's time to mosey on over to a quieter area. Many people have told me I'm going to be the mother one day who keeps her kids enclosed in a protective bubble. There's an idea.

Nannying has been a great experience, and one of the most important things is to find the right family. This family and I were a perfect fit. One of the greatest compliments I've ever received was from the toddlers' mom. She walked into the house a few months after I had started working for her and told me she had forgotten her cell phone, but she told me “when I realized you couldn't call me, I thought, it's okay, because if anything happens Katelin can handle it.” She said that she hadn't trusted anyone like that with the kids, other than her own mother. I have to say though; I do probably raid the refrigerator a lot more than her mother.

It seems like forever ago I was making sure peas didn't get shoved up nostrils and that diapers stayed on their bottoms instead of wherever they felt like ripping them off to leave somewhere for me to step on. They have grown out of their diapers and cribs and gone through about 30 pairs of shoes each, each of which fit them for about a week before another growth spurt hit. They ride the school bus. My babies aren't really babies (and I guess technically they're not “mine”) but big kids now, and I look forward to watching them grow up as long as I have the privilege too.

Going for a nanny interview? Be prepared!

2011-05-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Everyone should prepare for an interview but getting ready for a nanny interview is somewhat different. Here are some points to consider before going to your interview.

For a start, you don't really want to be in a suit because you more often than not, children will be present and parents are interested in seeing how you interact. This might mean getting on the floor and playing with them so make sure you wear something smart but comfortable. The most common compliant is that nanny candidates don't do this and in many cases its lost them the job.

Unlike other interviews, you most likely won't be in a business environment but the family home. Some parents may opt to meet you in a public location for the first interview but at some point they will need to show you where they live and more importantly, where you will be working. This will give you an opportunity to see if you feel comfortable in their environment. If you are a neat and tidy person who likes everything in its place, you probably won't be comfortable in a home with lots of clutter for example.

You must ask questions! Parents are not necessarily used to interviewing people and they may not give you all the information you need. There is nothing more disappointing for an interviewer than hearing that a candidate doesn't have any questions. It sends out a message that the job isn't important to them. Putting some time and preparation into your list of questions is essential.

One way to help with this is to imagine yourself already in the job. Left on your own with however many children the job requires, what sort of questions are you going to need answers to? Some examples are:

- What do you expect from a nanny?

- What are the job responsibilities? If the job description mentions 'light housework' ask them to be more specific.

- What is a typical day's schedule for the children?

- How do you sooth them when they are upset?

- What is your discipline philosophy?

- What activities do the children like?

- What do they like to eat?

- How do you prepare them for nap time?

- Do you want the nanny to take the children out of the house on excursion or stay around the home/neighborhood. If so, does the nanny use her own car? Who pays for the gas?

- How long do you think the job will last? Will the children be attending pre-school?

- Will the family be deducting taxes and paying legally?

Make sure the family are willing to provide a work agreement. This agreement will outline all aspects of the job, list responsibilities, pay, house rules etc. If everyone is on the same page from the start a strong working relationship will build and develop.

Finally, as with any job, be sure to write and thank you letter to the family following the interview and make sure you spell the children's names correctly.

Good luck!

Nanny Sharing - a more cost effective way to keep your child at home

2011-01-24T07:17:00.001-08:00

If you are considering hiring a nanny but have concerns about the costs involved you might want to consider a 'nanny share' situation when two families agree to hire one nanny to care for both children and by doing so significantly reduce the costs involved with hiring a private nanny.

Generally this works well if each family has one child requiring care and the children are approximately the same age, give or take a year. There are many things to consider before making this decision in order to ensure the arrangement works well. Here is a useful list of talking points:

1. Parenting Style

First, both families must discuss their philosophy on raising children including discipline style, schedules, appropriate activities and generally, how they want the nanny to spend their time with the children.

2. Location

Next, both parties must firmly agree where the child care will take place i.e. at whose home. Families might decide that the children will stay at one location at all times or switch off on a schedule. Also, bear in mind how long it will take to reach each other's houses during rush hour.

3. Safety

Once a location(s) has been agreed both parties need to be sure that the home is childproofed to their standard.

4. Compensation

Obviously you are going to agree on an hourly rate to pay the nanny but you will also need to discuss holiday pay, overtime, vacation, expenses if the nanny is taking the children out of the house and finally what happens is one party decides to leave the arrangement and how this will affect the nanny's pay.

5. Responsibilities

In addition to general child care what other responsibilities are you giving the nanny? e.g. laundry, meal preparation, emptying dishwasher etc. If you agree to use two locations will the nanny be doing the same tasks in each home?

6. Hiring the Nanny

How are you going to find the nanny? Decide if you are going to use a nanny agency or do the search on your own. If you do the search on your own be sure to conduct thorough background checks and drug screens and check that they have excellent references and training in CPR and First Aid. A good agency will do this for you.

7. Communication

Going forward how are you going to communicate with each other and the nanny? You should agree to meet on a regular basis and encourage open communication all round. The best tool to help ensure a smooth long-term relationship between nanny and both families is a work agreement prepared in advance. This document clearly lists every aspect of the job and is signed by all parties prior to work commencing.

Nanny share can be a wonderful option for your child. They really do get the best of both worlds - the care, nurturing and attention that a professional nanny can provide and the social aspect of daycare without all the germs! For more advice contact the Williamsburg Nanny Agency 757-645-3898 or visit our website www.williamsburgnannyagency.com

My thoughts about nanny wages

2010-06-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

I recently worked with a family who used the Williamsburg Nanny Agency on a previous occasion. They had been delighted with the nanny who unfortunately had to leave to move to a different state. During our first meeting I explained that the hourly nanny rate they could expect to pay for a professional nanny was a minimum of $12 to $14. Experience has taught me that its better to manage a client's expectations by being upfront and telling the truth.

I could tell they weren't keen on the idea of paying more than $10 per hour but I explained that in the case of hiring a nanny the old adage of 'you get what you pay for' could never be more true. Anyway, to cut a long story short I sent them eight strong candidates with excellent nanny experience and they ended up hiring a nanny they found on their own through a nanny website.

Naturally, I blamed myself for doing a poor job and not finding the right nanny (rare for me) only to find out from the ex-nanny that they hired an inexperienced illegal immigrant and paid her $9/hr which in some ways, was a relief to hear because I realized that despite the fact they were prepared to pay my fee they didn't want to pay the nanny anything above $10.

I truly hope it all works out for them for the children's sake if nothing else but why do we pay so little for childcare? I can understand if parent's are struggling to support a family and money is an issue but in the case of a professional couple, living in an upmarket neighborhood and driving nice cars why do they turn into Scrooge when it comes to their own children?

A good nanny works hard and earns every penny. So why is nanny work so underpaid? I like to see myself as an advocate for helping to increase nanny wages. Last week, two nannies sent me emails telling me their hourly rate had been increased. They were so excited! Just think how much happier they will be around the children they care for and how much more likely they are to stay with the family. We all know that children need consistency in order to thrive and taking care of a nanny can be the best way to provide it.

The challenges of a nanny/parent relationship.

2010-05-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

I recently calculated how many nannies we had before starting the agency and I'm ashamed to admit that it was more than ten. I think five of them were during the first year alone! Gradually as we became more experienced with the hiring process our nannies started to stay longer. In reality, we lowered our expectations and increased the hourly rate from $10 to $12.

You see, we had this image in our minds of 'Nanny'. You know....the nanny who magically cares for the children perfectly while at the same time doing the laundry, preparing their organic steamed vegetables and feeding the cat (very ashamed to admit the last one) all for $10 an hour.

The relationship between a nanny and the parents of the children she cares for can be a challenge. Oh, not to begin with of course. Its normally perfect for the first few months and then the troubles arise. In a way, it can be compared to a marriage. We start with the honeymoon period when everyone loves everyone; the nanny always arriving early and doing more work than expected and the parents going out of their way to make sure the nanny is happy and enjoying her work.

Then we follow up with the cooling off period, normally a few months down the line when everyone settles into a routine. Nanny arrives on time....most days, and the parents begin asking the nanny to take on extra chores "would you mind taking the dog to the vet today?" or "could you get dinner started because we'll be back late (again) tonight".

Finally the relationship can go one of two ways. Either, the nanny leaves or gets fired or both parties are able to communicate, share their woes and come to some arrangement to ensure that everyone is happy. Ultimately, the later option normally leads to the most successful long-term nanny placements because both the nanny and parents come to the realization that no relationship is perfect and there are bound to be differences of opinion along the way.

Open communication and managing expectations are the key components of hiring a good nanny. Before a job offer is made, everyone must be completely clear on all aspects of the job including responsibilities, pay, time off, house rules etc. For example, if parents don't want their children watching television during the day this should be clearly stated. Also, in terms of pay parents need to be sure they are offering the going rate and nannies must learn to be assertive and ask for what they need. A family/nanny work agreement is always a good idea.

At the agency, we take many steps to ensure that the family/nanny match is as close to perfect as possible. But even the best nannies and families can have differences. The best approach is to address a problem as soon as it arises and schedule a time to talk when everyone is calm, preferably without the children around. State your case and avoid making it personal and always, ALWAYS suggest a couple of solutions to overcome the problem.

After school

2010-05-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

When I found out I was pregnant with triplets (boys no less) I spent many a happy hour imagining my idyllic future with them. I always had this particularly vision of the three of them getting off the school bus, running into my arms, delighted to be home. Then we would all sit down around a table, have a (healthy and nutritious) snack and play a lovely game of Candyland.

Hmmmm.... not quite.

In reality, my children are exhausted when they get off the bus and I even got that part wrong because I drive them to and from school now. They don't like the bus anymore and they are only in Kindergarten! The healthy snack has been replaced with dinner because by the time we get home its 4:20 and they are hungry, irritable and just want to plop in front of the TV and watch cartoons.

I've come to the sad conclusion that school is a whole new business for our youngest generation. A very serious business. By the end of Kindergarten our children are now expected to be able to read and write and sit quietly. All day. And, they better be sure to leave gaps between their words, write in a straight line and know how to spell at least 30 words.

In my opinion, children need more of a balance between academic work and play time. After all, we know that children who are allowed to express themselves through imaginative play do better in the long run and boys especially need plenty of exercise, preferably outdoors if they are going to learn anything (I call it brain therapy).

So anyway, back to the topic of after school, my advice is to allow your children some downtime when they get home. Let them choose what they want to do and if that means watching TV for forty minutes then so be it. Encourage them to play outside or take them to a local park but try not to over schedule them with after-school activities. They are on task all day long so give them what they really need when they get home...their freedom (and it doesn't cost a penny!).