Showing posts with label nanny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nanny. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The Answers to 10 Top Nanny Compensation Questions

Writer Kimberly Coleman looked to Deborah L. Smith (DS) the President of Parents With Nannies, Inc. and Kathleen Webb (KW) the co-founder of HomeWork Solutions for expert advice regarding common questions that parents ask regarding nanny pay.

1. What is an appropriate birthday present for a nanny?
(DS) Money is always the most appreciated gift. Birthdays don't have to be quite as expensive as Christmas. It all depends on what you can afford. If you appreciate your nanny, let her know it.

(KW) Birthday gifts vary greatly according to the tastes of the nanny and the means of the employer. Some examples are concert tickets, a spa treatment, camera, gift cards for restaurants/movies/stores, flowers, etc.

2. What is an appropriate holiday (i.e. Christmas) present for a nanny?
(DS) Money is always the most appreciated gift. For Christmas a week or 2 weeks salary plus maybe a small gift to unwrap is appropriate.

(KW) Christmas is an unusual holiday, as many families give a gift similar to the birthday gifts above as well as providing a holiday bonus. Again, the relationship between the nanny and the family and the family's means play roles here. We found in our payroll practice in 2005 that 69% of the families provided a year end bonus payment. 1 - 2 weeks salary was the average span. Amounts ranged from $250 - $5000.

3. Should you pay nannies for holidays when you (and they) don't have to work?
(DS) Yes, most full time nannies get the major holidays off and paid.
(KW) Yes.

4. Should you pay nannies when you are sick and can't work?
(DS) Yes, it is not the nanny's fault that you are sick and can't work. The nanny still has to pay her bills. This should be the rule of thumb for days off that the nanny does not request. If it is the family's choice to go away or to excuse the nanny for a day or two, it is not fair to expect the nanny to do so without pay.
(KW) Yes.

5. Should you pay nannies when your kids are sick and you stay home from work with them?
(DS) Yes. Also, nannies are used to caring for sick children. It is one of the reasons that you hire a nanny.
(KW) Yes.

(KW) (For questions three through five) The golden rule is the best to fall back on in these situations - do unto your nanny as you would have your boss do unto you! In general, the nanny should be paid for every day that they are regularly scheduled to work, whether the family decides to use them or not. A full time nanny will expect to be paid for all holidays when the parents are not at work (July 4th, Christmas, etc.). What these holidays are vary, particularly with the parent's occupations (medical and emergency personnel, airline and hospitality employees might get different holidays).

(KW) (For questions six through eight) Most full time nannies have some vacation and/or sick time negotiated into the employment agreement. Moms beware - the first time you dock your nanny for missing work because they caught your kid's cold could be the last time she works for you. The total paid days is most commonly 10 per year, and flex days are the way things are going. So, the nanny has a pool of 10 flex days she can use for sick time, vacation time, personal time, etc. This will vary among nannies and families - the work agreement is vital here to determine this in advance of the problem.

6. Should you pay nannies when they are sick and can't work?
(DS) I think it is probably advisable to include some sick days in her contract. I have seen numbers from 3 per year to 10 per year. (See more on sick days below)
(KW)Flex.

7. Should you pay nannies when their kids are sick and they have to stay at home from work with them?
(DS) This should constitute a sick day. Many parents have commented to me that they do not specify a number of sick days in there contract, they simply "cover" for nanny if she is sick. I think it is probably advisable to include some sick days in her contract. I have seen numbers from 3 per year to 10 per year. The decision basically depends on how generous you are and your ability to make other arrangements if the nanny gets sick. If you have to pay for expensive "alternate" care when your nanny is ill, you may want to stop the paid sick days at 3. If, on the other hand, you can make arrangements when the nanny is sick and you'd rather not have her bringing her germs around the kids, offer more paid sick days so that she doesn't feel financially obligated to show up to work with strep throat or worse. Some parents require their nanny to work six months to a year before offering paid sick days.
(KW) Flex.

8. Should you pay if your nanny has to miss work for uncontrollable reasons (i.e. death in their family, jury duty, weather prohibitions, and transit strikes)?
(DS) Families should use their own discretion in this matter. Nanny could use a sick day or vacation day. Or, as in my case, I would just pay my nanny if she had to miss a day because her brother died for instance or she got snowed in. It seemed too cruel to dock her pay when these things were beyond her control. This is where the family needs to look at nanny as more than an employee if she has been loyal and conscientious, on time and not taking advantage of time off. My own personal nanny was so dedicated in 3 years that she was never late and only took a few sick days because of stomach flu. There was no reason to dock her pay in my opinion.
(KW) Flex.

9. Should you pay if your nanny needs to go on maternity leave?
(DS) Maternity leave is usually too financial impossible for most families. Some families who love their nanny and want her back will hire a temporary nanny to take her place until she is ready to come back. If the family is financially able to pay maternity leave, then it is up to them. Rule of thumb in all instances...if you love your nanny, do what it takes to keep her.

(KW) Maternity leave is not commonly paid by nanny employers. They may cash out flex days, but that is the extent of it. Nannies also do not always take the 6 - 8 weeks professionals do, but are often back at work within a few weeks with their infant (assuming that was the agreed arrangement when she left).

10. How much vacation time should a nanny receive?
(DS) Nannies get at least one week paid vacation, usually two. Families commonly ask nanny to plan one of those 2 weeks around the family's vacation to save on alternate childcare expenses.
NOTE: All of the above variables should be covered in a Work Agreement between the employer and nanny at the time of hire. Sample agreements that you can use can be found at http://4nanny.com/work_agreement.htm

Kimberly Coleman is the founder of Mom in the City http://www.mominthecity.com a social and support group for expectant moms and moms with children five and under in the New York City metropolitan area. She is also the NYC Metro and Long Island parenting guide for ParentZone.com/BabyZone.com ([http://nyc.parentzone.com] ).
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_Coleman

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Monday, June 17, 2013

How to Find a Nanny

Source : http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-find-a-good-nanny_5933.bc

The key to find the right caregiver for your child? Be willing to keep looking until you find the person who will be the best fit for your family.

You shouldn't compromise on this issue one bit, so be prepared for a long search. You'll need to be patient and resourceful, and consult everyone from friends and family to online nanny agencies to find possible candidates.

This list may help you find the nanny of your dreams:

Step one: Identify your priorities

First, decide what you want. Talk to your partner about what your ideal nanny would be like. Do you want someone older who's mature and experienced? Is a nanny with a degree in early childhood education your top choice? Make a list you can refer to when you start interviewing applicants or talking to nanny agencies.

Step two: Do your research

Get the word out. Have friends and family let their contacts know you're looking for help – personal references can be the most reassuring. Put a notice in school newsletters and post a flier at local parenting resource centers and even on bulletin boards in gyms, shops, and cafes.

Go to the pros. Find out if there's a nanny training program in your area, then call the staff for referrals. In many communities, nanny and babysitting training programs are run by community centers, charities, and other organizations that may not be easy to find on the Web. Also ask friends and neighbors or call your local community recreation organization.

You can also contact a private nanny placement agency. These firms screen candidates before agreeing to represent them and can help you find candidates who meet your criteria. They verify a nanny's work experience and should check for any driving violations or a criminal record. Some also require nannies to have a physical exam including blood and tuberculosis tests.

You'll have to pay a hefty fee for this service – between $800 and $5,000, depending on where you live and which services you want – but you'll save time.

Go online. Try Web sites such as 4nannies.com and enannysource.comOnline nanny referral services like these – which post listings from parents and prospective nannies – are less costly than local agencies, but not free. Fees range from $20 to $800 or more, depending on how long you keep your listing active and the type of service you need.

Basic services usually include helpful guidelines and forms, with background checks available for additional fees. Some services make you pay a finder's fee. But websites sometimes run promotions to waive fees or offer discounts, so check back from time to time.


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How to Find the Best Nanny for Your Family

Source : http://pregnant.thebump.com/new-mom-new-dad/newborn-basics/articles/how-to-find-good-nanny.aspx

Start Out Right
You can begin your nanny search by asking friends and family for recommendations; by going online to caregiver listings websites, local message boards and college job boards; or by registering with a nanny placement agency. Katie Bugbee, executive editor at caregiver listings website Care.com, recommends that parents give themselves three months to find a nanny. It can take awhile to find someone you love. Plus, it’s not uncommon for there to be heated competition with other families, so the right one could get away, lengthening your search.

Caregiver Listings Sites
Websites that provide listings of prescreened nannies let you in on a lot of information about a caregiver -- such as their experience, availability, salary requirements, background check and references -- to help you decide whether you want to meet them. These are a few popular ones:

Sittercity has a database of over 2 million caregivers, including nannies, babysitters and pet sitters. For $35 a month, $70 for three months or $140 for a year, you can post a job and get access to caregivers’ profiles that include a description of experience, a photo, availability, a background check, references and referrals.
Care.com has a free basic membership that allows users to post a job description and to have access to prescreened caregiver profiles. In order to contact a caregiver and be able to view basic background checks, a user must upgrade to a premium membership for $35 a month. For an additional $59 fee, members can get a comprehensive background check that includes a search of county, state and federal courthouse arrest and conviction records. Want a deal? The Bump readers can use coupon code “thebump2012” for 20 percent off the usual cost of a premium membership (expires March 31).

Nannies4hire.com offers three different member packages. All memberships allow parents to post jobs and view caregiver profiles, save their top picks and conduct an advanced search. Basic membership is $100 for 30 days. For $130, members receive 60 days of access to a multistate criminal history search, and for $200, members receive 99 days of comprehensive background checks.

University Job Boards
Most universities have job boards that allow individuals to post for a position that they’re seeking to fill. If you’re looking for a part-time babysitter or a graduate student who’s available for a full-time nanny position, this may be a good option for you.

Local Message Boards
If there are local message boards for new moms in your area, chances are they’ll feature “nanny available” listings. These are usually posted by moms who are trying to find a new position for a nanny they no longer need. These boards are also an ideal place to put up a “nanny wanted” post. If you live in a small community, the recommendations for nannies that you receive might even come from an acquaintance or a friend of a friend.

Nanny Placement Agencies
Agencies offer the highest level of service, and with that comes a hefty price tag. So what’s the advantage of using an agency? According to Kathleen Webb, cofounder of the company that runs NannyNetwork.com, “Agencies are a great route for families that are pressed for time and especially for first-time nanny employers. The agency can cut 40-plus hours of effort out of the hiring process.” An agency prescreens nannies and interviews couples to get a detailed snapshot of what they’re looking for and will send only those candidates’ portfolios that meet their requirements. Once a nanny is selected, agencies will help their clients prepare the employment offer and work agreement.

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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Do you need to find a nanny?

Before you find a nanny online for your child, it is best to ascertain first your child's needs. By knowing your child's needs, you can define your standards. The standards shall be your guide on how to find a nanny.


You need to decide if the nanny is a stay-in or not. Factors such as the nanny's age, educational and cultural background, as well as her related experiences are all important. Some parents prefer that their nanny has a degree in early childhood education. Talk with your partner about the qualifications and come up with a list.


Start your search. You can check the yellow pages and the classified section of local newspaper for the nanny agencies. Each agency has its own standards and measures in hiring nannies. Choose the top 5 or 10 agencies and contact each one of them. Inquire about their requirements and procedure to find a nanny.


If someone sounds interesting and qualified, request for an appointment. You can discuss further, with the authorized representative, about your concerns and needs. You can also take a look at the profile or resume of qualified nannies.


Once you have sorted out the resumes, you can narrow down your choices to the top 10 or top 5. Set a schedule for an individual interview with them. Relative to your agreement, you can initiate the interview alone or you can do it with your partner.


Once someone has passed your screening, you need to ensure their background. Some agencies have done the background investigation before they welcome applicants for a nanny position. However, it would be wise if you initiate an independent criminal check. Your family's security should never be compromised.


If you are not lucky with classified ads, you might find a nanny by posting a flier on the bulletin board of the local parenting resource centers. You can also request the school of your children to allow you to post a flier about your search for a nanny on their information board.


In some communities, there are community centers that conduct babysitting and nanny training program. You can check them out on your telephone directory or you can visit your local government to help you find their address.


Friends, neighbors, officemates and relatives can also help you with your need. In most cases, these people may have hired nannies before. They can recommend the nanny, or they can tell you the agency where they have found a nanny before.


The agencies that you have found in the newspapers and the referrals may also have their own website. Even if you were not able to get the exact website, it is enough that you get the name of the agency.


The internet is a good source to find a nanny. You can use the search engines such as Google, Yahoo!, and MSN to locate their website. You can even type the keywords on the search box and the search engine will present to you lists of websites.


Online agencies can help you find a nanny. The procedure may even be more convenient, because you can access their database for possible applicants. You can also narrow down your search by providing information about your preferred nanny.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com

Author Source :
Planning to get a nanny? Visit http://www.nannypro.com. Hiring a good nanny for your kids is our expertise. We also serving a nanny background check. Go to <a href="http://www.nannypro.com/content/pages/background-checks#Basic">Babysitters </a> and find out how our services can be helpful to you. Our registered babysitters at our site are qualified to be your nanny.








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Looking for a Nanny Job in London

Ref : http://www.articleblast.com/Business_and_Management/Careers_and_Employment/Looking_for_a_Nanny_Job_in_London/


When kids are small generally, parents take care of them. They leave their work and fully concentrate on their kids but as their children starts getting little older, they start to get an itch of starting working again in the real world. But they don't leave their kids alone in the house. They generally hire nanny agency, household staff, babysitter, etc. so that someone trusts worthy can look after their child.

You can find nannies in nanny agency - this is a household staff agency which provides caretakers with which have a proper experience and are ready to handle your children in any situation. Usually nannies are paid well and health insurance and other benefits depend on the family which hires them. Not only children they are also supposed to take care of the house. They have to keep it clean and tidy as it is a part of their job.
Other than nanny you might go for a babysitter to look after your kids. Babysitters are usually teenagers. Generally babysitter are hired to work for few hours, a day, week or few nights for emergencies, party, doctor appointments or special events, etc. As Babysitter work for few hours they are paid less in comparison to nannies. And they don't get any extra benefit.

Other than Babysitter and Nanny, you can also prefer to go with au pair. An au pair is a live-in- assistant that can look after your children. Generally, au pairs are not certified person to work with children so they might be last option left in emergency. As it is a question of a child care people have to be strict.

No matter which childcare option you choose, you also have to decide where you are going to find your hired help. Most parents' first thought is to check classified ads online or in the paper, however these do not necessarily offer the most reputable candidates. The best route to take when finding a person for childcare is to check the website for a household staffing agency. These agencies deal with on-hand or "in house" individuals. These agencies can find you exactly who you need, when you need them, and for how long you will require them. And the individuals or companies are indeed people that you can trust to look after your children.

A nanny job in London will do background checks on each caretaker before hiring them, which means checking on their references and work experience. This is nice for you as a parent because now you don't have to worry whether you checked everything out or if the person really is a good nanny. If you are looking for a nanny plus something more, like senior care placement London, some sites that offer childcare services will have options for the elderly as well. This is nice, especially if you like how the agency works because if you need other services, you can use them instead of searching all over the internet again for another company. It's about saving time, but it's also about finding a quality person to watch over your house and your family.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
 
Author Bio :For more information visit our website: Nanny Job


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Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Difference Between a Nanny and a Babysitter - Know Whom to Hire

Source : http://goarticles.com/article/Difference-Between-a-Nanny-and-a-Babysitter-Know-Whom-to-Hire/6297596/

 Looking for someone to provide childcare for your family? If yes, you may be considering hiring a nanny or a baby-sitter. Though they may sound similar, they differ greatly with respect to their job responsibilities. This article sheds light on the differences between a nanny and a babysitter.

What makes a nanny?
A nanny is a professional hired to take care of a family’s child/children. Nanny care is a full time job and responsibilities vary depending on the age of the children as well as the specific requirements of the family. 
Though the primary responsibility of a nanny is to nurture the children, the job of a modern day nanny also includes monitoring the children, designing activities that help in the overall development (personal and social) of the children, scheduling play activities, picking up and dropping off a various activities, helping with homework, etc.

Depending on the kind of role and responsibilities a family is looking for in a nanny, will depend upon the kind of nanny a family will choose. Following are some examples:
 
Live-in nanny: 
The role of a live-in nanny is to provide full-time, in-home child care. A live-in nanny takes full responsibility for the children. From waking them up in the morning to putting them sleep at night, feeding and meal preparation, personal care such as bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning their room, she will do everything related to care for the children.
 
Live-out nanny: 
A live-out nanny shares only some of the responsibilities as a live-in nanny. A live-out nanny will only be responsible for the children during her work hours, generally for about 6 to 8 hours a day.
 
Nanny share:
 A nanny share refers to sharing a nanny with two or more families. She works part time with each family caring for the children at different times of the day.

As being a nanny is considered a profession, qualifications, certifications and training required/desired by a professional nanny may vary from state to state and country to country.

A babysitter is a person whose services are occasionally utilized to look after the child/children. The services of a babysitter are mostly sought after on weekends or evenings. Teenagers or college students often take the role of a babysitter. They come whenever their services are required.

Key differences:
A nanny generally has a set schedule and has more responsibilities in caring for the children than a babysitter. A nanny, will often establish much a much stronger relationship with the children and family as she spends more time with a family than a babysitter would. Babysitters are typically young, and often have very little to no experience with child care, whereas nannies are often older, have several years of experience and often have some kind of training (CPR/First Aid, Child Development, etc.).

Responsibilities: Though the job roles and responsibilities of both nanny and babysitter vary depending on the family and their needs, there are few things that are to keep in mind:
-While nannies will generally have the same set schedule every week, whether it be full time, part time, or live-in, a babysitter is often only utilized occasionally.
-While babysitting, the role of babysitter includes monitoring the children, keeping them entertained, feeding them, and taking care of them until their parents return home, typically for a short period of time.
-A nanny may sometimes need to handle the role of a housekeeper, driver and a cook, while the babysitter is generally not expected to handle roles such as these.

Payment: Compensation is another difference between nannies and babysitters. Since a babysitter generally has less experience and will only work for a limited period of time, a babysitter’s rate of pay is often less than that of a nanny. The number of hours they will work and job duties and responsibilities should also be taken into consideration.

Nannies, as they are similar to regular employees, are paid on a monthly basis or on an hourly rate based on their contract/agreement. Moreover, nannies may also enjoy the benefits of health insurance, paid vacation/leaves, over time payment, etc.

Taxes: Nannies are often considered household employees, while babysitters as self-employed. Tax deductions also depend on the annual incomes of a nanny/babysitter.

Whom to hire:
Choosing a nanny or a babysitter will depend entirely on your needs and the requirements of the job.
If you are working parents, hiring a trustworthy nanny is an excellent option. A live-in nanny not only takes care of your child but also helps you with many of the household chores (with prior agreement). Hiring a nanny leaves you with peace of mind as you are aware that your child is in safe hands of a professional.

On the hand, if you are not working but still need someone to take care of your child when out for short periods (e.g. date night), then a babysitter may make more sense.

A reputable nanny referral agency can be very beneficial in understanding your needs requirements, and can help you choose the right option for your family.

About the Author

Looking for Orange County nanny agency? Then check Crunch Care, a premier in-home care staffing service in Orange County. The local community looking for nanny Orange County, will get a valuable resource through our services as they are professional and reliable.
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