What to look for, what to ask when searching for reputable nanny agencies

1. Is the agency’s phone answered by a live person or do you always get the answering machine no matter what time of day? If there are problems with the nanny you select, will this agency be available to take care of your complaints and live up to their replacement policy?

2. Ask them, how do you recruit your nannies? The best answer will be through word of mouth and repeat business. A quality agency will have nannies and clients who are loyal to them.

3. Ask them what the screening process is before the candidate is even sent on an interview. You do not want unscreened nannies coming to your home.

4. Ask them if they are members of any professional associations, i.e., International Nanny Association (INA), National Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies (APNA), Chamber of Commerce, and or Better Business Bureau. This shows a commitment to their professionalism in business and the industry.

5. Ask them how long they have been in business. There are many fly by night companies in this industry. Granted, every business had to start somewhere, and it is your option to choose a new one as long as there are no other red flags.

6. Ask the agency how nanny interviews are conducted. The International Nanny Association recommends that agencies interview nannies in person and if this is not an option that the agency disclose to the client how the interview was conducted, i.e., by telephone, an agent acting on behalf of the agency, etc.

7. Ask them what the minimum requirements are for the nannies that they represent. Some agencies require professional childcare references and others may not.

8. Ask them what is their procedure regarding reference checking and how many references will be called. The International Nanny Association recommends that at least 2 references should be checked by phone. In addition, the agency should disclose to you all information about the candidate that has been verified through personal and employment references, as allowed by law.

9. Do they have a written contract between the agency and the client? Does this contract spell out the time periods within which replacement and/or refunds will be made by the agency?

10. Do you have training programs or support groups for your nannies? Many agencies will offer group CPR training programs, nanny night out, or holiday functions for their nannies. This shows a commitment to their nannies which results in commitment from the nannies to the agency, thus a bigger pool of experienced nannies.

11. Look for and expect an in-depth client interview (that means with you.) You want an agency that listens to your needs and sends you applicants that fill those needs.

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Is a Summer Nanny Right for You?

Summertime, and the living is easy, as they say. But when the demands of work and day-to-day life are added to the round-the-clock demands of having the kids home for summer, the result can be a hectic season, indeed!

Many families strike the perfect balance during the school year, concocting an ideal weekly schedule of activities that allows the children to be home when the parents are home, and occupied when they’re not.

Then that final school bell rings, and families who have not planned ahead can find themselves scrambling…but it doesn’t have to be that way! There are plenty of positive ways to allow your children to enjoy their hard-earned summer vacation, all while meeting your own responsibilities…which most likely don’t come with a seasonal respite.

In cases like these, a summer nanny can be a great solution.

Your summer options

There are many ways to approach childcare during the summer months, and different solutions work for different families.

A fixture in many a’ summer reminiscence, summer camp is just fine for some children – but this goes on a case-by-case basis. The more social the child, the more prepared they’ll be for all-day recreation at camp. But as we all know, some children dread the very idea.

In cases like these, some families find that hiring a summer nanny can be a great way to enrich their children’s summer experience, ensure that parents can meet their demands at work, and maintain a relative level of normality throughout the out-of-school months.

What to expect from a summer nanny

Like all nannies, summer nannies have different backgrounds and levels of experience. One common scenario is the college student looking for summer work experience, with a secondary aim of traveling to a new place. (In other words, to wherever their employer family lives.)

In this case, it is important to be clear about your expectations, and also to be considerate of your summer nanny’s time off the clock. Much like you expect some time away from the office (and even away from home!), your nanny deserves some time to unwind when not busy with their duties. If they’re new to the area, show them around. Give them ideas of places to explore. The happier the nanny, the happier the family.

Other summer nannies have regular jobs during the school, year, but have the summer off and are looking to supplement their regular position. Many are teachers. Some are healthcare workers. Most have interesting experiences to share and creative ideas that can open new worlds to your child during their months off from school.

It’s something to think about

A summer nanny can be a great addition to the household, providing that you do the appropriate amount of research and take the time to find the right match for your child and family.

In short, they’re a great option for families that need full-time summer childcare and prefer an in-home option.

Need help finding a summer nanny? Visit NannyClassifieds.com < http://www.nannyclassifieds.com/families/family_works.php>>

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The hiring of a nanny takes time and special care to find the right match for your family. But if you’re looking for a live-in nanny, the search becomes tougher and the review process essential.

Your live-in nanny will become a day-to-day part of your household, a role model for your children, and indeed, a part of the family. For that reason, you must determine exactly what you’re looking for well before your first nanny interview ever happens.

If it sounds like serious business, it is. But consider the brighter side as well. A live-in nanny also brings great value and joy to your family, when the fit is right.

Indeed, many live-in nannies are talented professionals devoted to caring for and enriching the lives of the children in their care. Some are retired educators. Others have expertise in the medical field. And, of course, each potential live-in nanny comes with his or her own unique background and experience level.

So, what does your family need?

Seeking the right live-in nanny

There are all kinds of nannies for all kinds of families. When conducting your search for a live-in nanny, you should consider the role you will expect them to play within the fabric of your family.

Here are some things to consider:

• Will your nanny’s duties be explicitly related to childcare, or do you need assistance with household chores as well? (Examples include cooking and/or meal preparation.) If the latter, you may be looking for a Nanny Housekeeper, which you should specify in your search.

• Is this the first time your family has hired a live-in nanny? If so, consider how this will impact your family’s day-to-day experience and prepare for it.

• Have you prepared appropriate accommodations for your live-in nanny? In her off hours, your nanny should be able to enjoy a reasonable level of privacy, even within the home.

• What kind of hours will you need from your nanny, and what wages are appropriate given your expectations?

• Task-wise, what do you expect from your live-in nanny on a day-to-day basis?

• Should your nanny have a particular educational background or level of experience?

• What do you hope your nanny will bring to your child’s life?

When you’ve thought about the above questions, you’ll be in a much better position to evaluate candidates for your live-in nanny position. Again, this is a case where the right fit is of great importance. Although it happens from time to time (and is sometimes beyond your control), you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your nanny hire does not work out and you have to begin the search process all over again.

The Live-In Nanny Work Week

One of the greatest benefits of hiring a live-in nanny is that she can become such an integral part of your child’s day-to-day life. That being said, your nanny needs some time off, just like any other employee! Be a good employer, and remember to respect your nanny’s boundaries as much as you will expect them to respect yours.

Minimize obligations which will conflict with nanny’s day off. Pay extra for overtime hours. Most importantly, be respectful and award your live-in nanny for a job well done. As an employee that becomes an integrated part of the employer household, it’s easy to forget that your nanny has a life outside of your home.

The golden rule for live-in nannies

Above all else, keep an open line of communication with your live-in nanny. Provide feedback and encouragement. Encourage your nanny to be candid about her observations, questions, and even frustrations.

Just as you want your live-in nanny to be honest with you, be honest in return. It’s a surefire way to develop a positive environment for you, your family, and your live-in nanny.

Since many Live-in Nannies are willing to relocate for the right position, NannyClassifieds.com is the perfect place to conduct your search on a national level. Click here to search the nanny database and place your free ad.

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Choosing the right caregiver for your family is not only a very emotional decision — it can be very time consuming and perhaps even a bit overwhelming.

But there are ways to not only ease your stress, but also to increase your chances of finding the perfect nanny. The key is to carry out your nanny search in an organized way, with the appropriate considerations in mind.

What to Look for in a Nanny When looking for a nanny for your family, you’re not just hiring an employee — you’re selecting a role model and caregiver who will become a real part of your child or children’s life. For that reason, prepare for a careful nanny-selection process, and expect to spend some time going through that process. By putting in the appropriate level of research up front, it will ensure a happy experience for you, your child, and your nanny.

Before you even begin to review nanny resumes, decide what you’re looking for. Will your nanny be with you every day? (Allowing for days off, of course.) Will she be there nights and weekends? Are you looking for help with household duties as well?

To ensure a positive experience with your nanny, you must be 100% honest about your needs and requirements on the front end. Otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated, or your nanny will become overwhelmed. Needless to say, neither scenario makes for a positive long-term experience for you or your kids.

Here are some additional things to think about:

• Will your nanny live with your family?
• Should your nanny have his or her own transportation?
• How much are you willing to spend?
• How much education do you prefer your nanny have?
• What level of experience do you expect?
• Should your nanny have any specific first-aid experience or medical knowledge?

In a sense, these may seem like simple questions. But by having well-defined answers in mind before you start your search, you’ll be in a much better position to find a nanny who fits your requirements.

Take the Time

The very best advice we can offer to any family seeking out a nanny — whether it’s for the first time or not — is to take the time necessary to do it right. A successful nanny search requires research, patience, and diligence. If your gut tells you something is not right, keep looking. Don’t settle because you’re running short on time.

Where to Find Your Nanny

There are numerous ways to seek out a nanny for your family, from classified ads to tailored online searches. The benefit of an online search is that it often affords your family both a wider range of options and a greater level of specificity in defining your nanny search criteria. Curious how an online search works? Nanny Classifieds is designed to connect the right nannies with the right families. Click Here and see how it works

Regardless of the recruitment method you choose, once you’ve identified some qualified nanny candidates, it’s time to begin interviews. Whenever possible, conduct nanny interviews in person, though an initial phone interview can help to screen candidates.

Nervous about your nanny interviews? That’s totally normal! Simply be thorough and thoughtful as you ask questions. It’s better for you, and it’s better for your nanny.

Legalities, Taxes, and More

What are appropriate wages for a nanny in your area? How do you handle taxes? Do you offer benefits? If you’re like most people, you’re not an expert in the legal and tax-related requirements that come along with hiring a household employee. Luckily, you can glean important lessons from others, including experts who specialize in the field. Link up with other families with nannies in your area. Contact an expert. It may be a little work on the front end, but it will be more than worth it in the long run. Have a specific question? Ask the Experts at 4EverythingNanny.com

One More Time—Take Your Time

We can’t say it enough. Give yourself a solid month or two, and you should have the time you need to find the right match. Keep in mind that this is far different than hiring a new office worker. Turnover at an office is understandable and adults are accustomed to handling new faces. But, your little ones may become quickly attached to a nanny and won’t understand the other issues involved.

Need help? Search our Nanny Database for available candidates in your area and place a Free Help Wanted Ad. Start Here.

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