Monday, December 3, 2007
Nanny Gifts: Tell Us About Some of Your Favorite Things.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Nanny Gifts: Don’t Forget Nanny this Holiday Season…
Humorous. Thoughtful. Perfect for today’s nanny. Visit the Nanny Gift Shop and find the perfect gift for your own Super Nanny. SHOP NOW
Friday, November 9, 2007
New Book Celebrates the Nanny-Child Relationship
“My nanny and I” gives young children confidence to know that their nanny is there to do more than baby-sit them. The child will be able to read about how they will learn, play, and be taken care of through the day. Most importantly, the children will see that mom and dad come home at the end of each day.
“Vivid color illustrations accompanied by easy to understand text creates a meaningful image for a small child. This book will help transition the setting of bringing a new nanny into the home… and help create the bond between nanny and child,” says author Hilary Lockhart.
The book is available at: http://www.mynannyandi.com and http://www.amazon.com for $7.99 US plus shipping. Wholesale orders can be placed by nanny agencies and nanny support groups to get books as low as $3.60 per book!
For more information, please contact: Hilary Lockhart P: 480-422-2150 F: 888-202-7738
Monday, October 29, 2007
Nanny / Babysitter murdered after answering Ad on Craigslist
Katherine was murdered by a 19 year old man after answering an ad on Craigslist for a babysitter. (In case you have been living in a cave for the past 10 years, Craigslist.org is a free classifieds service that is used by millions of people for everything from job postings to selling used cars.)
While the owner of Craigslist says that nothing like this has ever happened "to his knowledge" through Craigslist, this time it did. For years now we have offered Internet Safety Tips to the nannies who use NannyClassieds.com. I think it is important to once again post them as a reminder. Whether you are answering an ad on Craigslist, on a local newspaper website or through one of the big nanny recruiting sites like NannyClassifieds, you need to be cautious and smart. Just think of it this way, if you were answering a personal ad for a potential date, would your first meeting be at his house? never. The same should hold true for a first time meeting with an employer. Here are more common sense tips for safely using the internet to find a nanny or babysitting job.
Safe Job Searching on the Internet
1. Do not post your phone number for the world to see. Even if you have an unlisted phone number, it takes only seconds to access your name and address on the internet using a reverse phone directory. Be choosy about who you share your phone number with through email for the same reason.
2. Use a third party email provider such as hotmail or yahoo. If you are an AOL user and innocently filled in your profile with all kinds of personal information, get rid of it.
3. Stay away from services that are completely free to families. Online nanny databases that charge a subscription fee and monitor their subscribers will help weed out the less scrupulous.
4. Do your own investigating. Run a reverse phone directory search to see if the phone number they are using or have given you belongs to the name they have given you.
5. Be sure to exchange pictures via email or mail and make an effort to interview the family on several occasions. If the family is a two parent household and you have only dealt with Dad, ask to speak with Mom. If there are excuses for her absence, do not pursue the job any further.
6. Check family references. Yes, nannies can ask for references especially if you will be traveling a distance to accept the job. Even if you are not, it is a great way to find out what type of employer this family has been in the past. Ask for the names and numbers of the family's previous caregivers and call them. Ask them what their experience was like? Were they treated well by the family, respected? Were they paid on time?
7. Keep track of what the family has told you in previous conversations and make sure their answers are consistent.
8. If you will be traveling to a strange family's house for an interview, have the family send you a letter of intention to hire which would include their home address. Keep this with a family member. Bring a friend or family member with you. They can meet the family at the door and then wait in the car.
9. Try to stay with a friend in town if possible. If you have no friend to call on, ask that the family put you up in a hotel for at least the first night there and ask that a friend accompany you if you are within driving distance. Do not commit to staying in the house with them and ask that they supply the name and confirmation number for the hotel. Explain that this is for safety reasons. You should check into the hotel first and ask that the whole family including the kids meet you in the lobby for your first meeting.
10. Babysitters, meet in a public place for your first interview and ask that the kids accompany Mom or Dad.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wanted: "MANNIES" & FAMILIES
Or maybe you’re a family that leads a fabulous, busy lifestyle with a fantastic Manny that cares for your children. If you already have a Manny, or you’re interested in hiring one, let us know.
We’re searching for Mannies, and their respective employer families, to star in a new reality series for a major cable network.
If you think you and your situation is captivating enough to be a TV show, then contact us with details, including photos, and/or a video showcasing your amazing lifestyle.
Contact: TVMannies@Yahoo.com
October Issue of Nanny News, Don't Miss It!
We've been publishing Nanny News (previously called Nanny Net News) since 1999. To check out past issues, visit the archives.
Cooking Site is looking for Kid Friendly Recipes and Tips on Getting Kids to eat healthy.
Visit http://www.JerseyBites.com and submit your recipes, tips and tricks to getting kids to eat healthy. You may find your submission in an upcoming issue of Nanny News.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Overtime Pay Requirement for Nannies
The Mistake
A family paid their nanny on an hourly basis. The standard work week for the nanny was 50 hours. The family paid a standard rate for every hour worked each week.
The Law
Why is this a problem? Household employees must be compensated according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which provides the framework for federal and state wage and hour law. The FLSA classifies household employees as non-exempt workers, requiring that the household employment industry provide overtime pay.
Whether a household employee is paid by the hour or on a salary, they are entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week. Overtime time pay must be paid at 1.5 times the standard hourly rate. If an employee is paid on an hourly basis, overtime pay is easy to track. If an employee is paid a salary for a standard work week of more than 40 hours, overtime pay should be addressed as a component of the written contract to ensure protection under the law.
The Mess
· After three and a half years of employment, the relationship was deteriorating and both parties agreed to terminate employment. Unfortunately, both parties were disgruntled at time of termination.
· The disgruntled nanny learned of the overtime requirement and decided to sue her previous employer for overtime pay. Her standard rate of pay was $12 per hour. This produced an overtime rate of $18 per hour. The nanny was suing for an additional $6 per hour for 2000 hours of overtime, or $12,000.
· The family hired a lawyer and attempted to sue Annie’s Nannies Household Staffing for the $12,000. Their claim was that Annie’s Nannies had a legal responsibility to inform the family of overtime law during the placement process. They contended that they were not informed of the law and that they would have been in compliance had they been made aware of this legal requirement.
· Annie’s Nannies also hired a lawyer to fight the potential law suit.
The Outcome
· Annie’s Nannies was able to prove that they had informed the family of the overtime requirement during the placement process, as Annie’s Nannies provides a package of educational material from Breedlove & Associates addressing payroll and tax requirements. They referred the family and their attorney to the overtime segment of the Overview of Household Employment Taxes – one of the pieces included in their educational package.
· The family dropped their claim against Annie’s Nannies.
· The case was eventually settled out of court for the amount of overtime due.
How the Whole Thing Could Have Been Avoided
· Annie’s Nannies now discusses legal requirements with each client in addition to providing written information. This case if proof that our busy clients do not always read the information provided to them.
· Had the family incorporated overtime pay into the contract and payroll, they would have avoided a lawsuit from a disgruntled employee.
Breedlove & Associates • 888-273-3356 • www.breedlove-online.com
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Nanny Interviews, tell us about them
Nanny Interviews: What’s the Hardest or Craziest Question You’ve Asked or Been Asked? Just click on the Comment link below to submit yours.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Nanny Night Out a Big Success in NYC
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Nanny Buzz Welcomes your Comments
Also, we've launched a new, fun site for anyone who enjoys cooking and sharing recipes. It's called http://www.JerseyBites.com. I'm a Jerseygirl, hense the name. We hope you enjoy it.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Secrets Safe with Professional Nannies, Unlike Subject Of New 'Diaries' Movie
The movie, based on the 2002 novel by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, deals with the caretaker of the child of a bossy, socialite mother and a businessman father who has a roving eye for other women.
Sheilagh Roth, founder and executive director of the English Nanny & Governess School in Chagrin Falls, OH, says, "Professional nannies -- those trained for the role of nurturing and rearing children through childhood -- would never, never tattle about what goes on in the personal lives of her employers."
Mrs. Roth's school, founded in 1984, features such specific subjects as creative play, self defense, nutrition, child development, travel safety, cultural enrichment, etiquette, and even techniques to evade the paparazzi.
"We don't want movies such as this one to frighten parents from hiring a professional nanny, thinking that their family secrets will be exposed," she says. "Our nannies sign contracts and swear vows of confidentiality when accepting positions."
The school's graduates work throughout the United States with high-profile families.
Here is Mrs. Roth's list of Nanny "No-No's" for Employers:
1. Respect: Don't treat nannies as live-in slaves. They are
professional child-care experts, not housekeepers, maids, or family
chefs. Verbal abuse is not tolerated.
2. Duties: Don't expect them to be on call 24/7. Duties outside of
normal hours are considered overtime. Nannies sign contracts spelling
out duties, benefits, and compensation.
3. Authority: Don't allow other family members to give orders. Nannies
report directly to the heads of the household.
4. Privacy: Don't discuss the nanny's private life. Nannies are trained
to be discreet about your family matters and expect the same courtesy.
Nannies should have separate and private living quarters.
5. Communication: Don't abdicate child development responsibility. Open
dialogue is essential for discussing the child's developmental
progress.
6. Vacation: Don't automatically expect the nanny to accompany the
family on vacation. Expect to pay for travel and overtime.
7. Exclusivity: Don't expect the nanny to baby sit for your friends or
relatives, too.
8. Clean-Up: Don't expect your nanny to clean up after your parties or
mishaps.
Contact: http://www.nanny-governess.com/
English Nanny & Governess School, Inc.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Introducing BestNannyCam.com
When families need to choose a home monitoring system, the choices can be overwhelming. According to Deborah Smith, President of Parents with Nannies Inc , the decision doesn’t have to be difficult. In the past, families often relied on home-taping systems. Instead, Smith encourages real-time viewing technology, such as the Homesight system from Xanboo.
“We’ve never endorsed a video-taping situation because we don’t believe that children should be put in harm’s way until Mom or Dad get home,” says Smith. In other words, the goal shouldn’t be to catch a nanny in the act.
Instead, Smith urges the use of real-time systems that are out in the open. Just like professionals in other industries, she notes, most nannies are comfortable with being monitored -- as long as they know about it. As one nanny remarked, “By being open to nanny candidates about the home monitoring system, it will freak out the bad apples and please the professionals.”
The easy-to-install Homesight system provides users with real-time video feeds from their computer, cell phone, or PDA. In addition to helping parents monitor a childcare provider, the Homesight system helps users keep an eye on pets or teens. “It’s also a great way for families to stay connected while Mom or Dad is away on business,” Smith says.
Homesight video feeds are 100% secure. While most wireless video cameras send signals to a nearby base station, making them vulnerable to interception, the Homesight system sends its feeds via power lines directly around the home.
Visit BestNannyCam.com to learn more about this terrific new product for nanny employers.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
INA Invites You to Share Exceptional Nanny Stories and Photos of Nannies with their Charges
Is photography your hobby? If you have a knack for taking pictures, you are also invited to send us photographs featuring nannies with their charges. The photographs selected by INA’s publication committee will be featured on the covers of updated INA publications.
Please note that only articles and photographs from current INA members will be accepted and considered.
Exceptional Nanny Article: Guidelines
Article Requirements: Articles should be typed and limited to 600 words. Choose your own title. Please email your article to the email addresses below.
Photo Requirements: Forward a photo of yourself for the byline along with a completed photo consent form. If you are writing about a nanny you know, forward a photo of the individual along with a photo of yourself for the byline. Please ensure that photos are of a high resolution (jpeg) and are forwarded as an attachment via email. Mail or fax a photo consent form to INA for each individual featured in the photograph(s) you submit for publication. If minors are featured in a photo, please note that a consent form should be filled out by the parents and nanny. INA will not print the names of minors who are featured on the photos submitted. A photo consent form is attached for your convenience
Deadline: Your article must be received by August 6, 2007 for consideration. Please email your article to the email addresses noted below and mail or fax your photo consent form(s) to the INA office.
Article Submission Acknowledgement: By forwarding your article to INA, you agree to have it printed in full or in part in INAVision if selected by INA for publication; and/or posted online on the INA website. Please note that INA reserves the right to edit your text.
Photos Submitted for INA Publications: Guidelines
Requirements: Your photo(s) should feature a nanny interacting with her charge(s) or a group of nannies interacting with their charges. Please ensure that photos are of a high resolution (jpeg) and are forwarded as an attachment via email. Mail or fax a photo consent form for each individual featured in the photograph(s) you submit for publication consideration. If minors are featured in a photo, please note that a consent form should be filled out by the parents and nanny. INA will not print the names of minors featured on the photos submitted. A photo consent form is attached for your convenience. Please mail or fax all photo consent forms to the address or fax number noted below.
Deadline: Photo(s) must be received by August 6, 2007 for consideration. Please email your photo(s) to the email addresses noted below. Remember to mail or fax the applicable photo consent form(s) to the INA office.
Photo Submission Acknowledgement: By submitting your photo(s) to INA, you agree to have your photo(s) printed on INA publications if selected by INA for publication; and/or posted on the INA website.
INA Contact Information
Email addresses: Please email your article and/or photos to: projects@nanny.org and cc: desireeday@sbcglobal.net. You may fax your photo consent form to 713.526.2667 or mail it to: 3801 Kirby Dr., Suite 540, Houston, TX 77098
Monday, July 16, 2007
AZ Nanny “Dream Team” donates time to Parents of Sextuplets
Phoenix, AZ – For parents Jenny and Bryan Masche, having six babies─Bailey, Blake, Cole, Grant, Molly and Savannah, aka the Masche Miracles─born 10 weeks premature on June 11, was a dream come true. Little did they know that another dream was about to enter their lives in the form of four career nannies and newborn care specialists--the self described “Baby Dream Team.”
“When a family of multiples needs extra help and can’t afford the expense of professional child care, we like to step in and donate our services,” said Tonya Sakowicz, newborn care specialist and long-time nanny to triplets. When Sakowicz of Phoenix, Arizona heard about the Masche Miracles, she gathered her Baby Dream Team of newborn care specialists─Lisa Stipe of Arkansas, Cortney Gibson of Indiana, and Clelie Bourne of Kentucky─and the ladies flew to Arizona to meet with the family and grandparents. The ladies are all members of the International Nanny Association, an educational resource association dedicated to promoting quality in-home child care.
To ensure voluntary efforts are coordinated, the dream team is creating a Masche Miracles Volunteer’s Handbook for families and friends who will time to care for the babies. The handbook will cover issues such as hygiene, sleep techniques, maintaining family confidentiality, and more. The team will also create a daily log book to keep track of the babies’ eating, medication, diapers, and sleeping patterns. “Our goal is to have one of the newborn specialist at the house when the babies come home, which should be by the first week of August,” offered Sakowicz. There are several Arizona-based newborn care specialists with experience caring for twins who will work with the Baby Dream Team. Sakowicz believes this opportunity will not only help the family, it will also provide a great learning experience for the local newborn care specialists.
Sakowicz and her team members have contacted the vendors they use and asked them to donate products for the babies. “We’ve had such a great response. These babies are going to get some of the best baby products on the market.” Some of the donors include: Miracle Blankets, Babysense 5 Monitor, Aden and Anais Swaddling Blankets, Doctor Brown Bottles, sound machines from HomeMedics, and Inch Bug, “bumpy name labels.”
For more information on the Mashe Miracles and how to donate, visit www.maschemiracles.com.
INA is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1985. It is an educational association for nannies and those who educate, place, employ, and support professional in-home child care providers. Membership is open to those who are directly involved with the in-home child care profession including nannies, nanny employers, nanny placement agency owners, nanny educators, and providers of special services related to the nanny profession.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Attn: Nannies, Nanny / Employer Communication Survey
Nannies, please visit the website at www.nannyparentcommunication.com to take the online survey. The survey will take a maximum 10-15min to complete and is only available until June 30. The information submitted is 100% confidential and anonymous and will not be shared with your agency or current family.
Those who participate in the survey are eligible for one of five $30 Visa Gift Cards. Information to submit contact information is available at the end of the survey and will not in any way be attached to your survey responses. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at elizabeth@nannyparentcommunication.com.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Summer Nanny / Temp Nanny Payroll Tax Obligations
A: Household employment law states that a nanny, even a temporary one, is a household employee. You are the employee of the family you work for and if you earn $1500 or more while working for them, they are required to withhold your federal and state taxes and report them to the state and the IRS on your behalf. And you are always required to report all wages you earn on your annual income tax returns each year. Unfortunately, there are no positions exempt from reporting income on annual tax returns. For additional details, please feel free to give us a call and visit our website.
Hope this helps.
Stephanie Breedlove
Nanny Tax and Payroll Expert
4EverythingNanny.com
Breedlove & Associates, LP
888-273-3356 phone
512-347-9331 fax
www.breedlove-online.com
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
INA Names Mother of Four “Nanny of the Year”
When Christy turned 49, she decided her child rearing days were not easily left behind—even though she had already reared four children, one with downs syndrome, and two step children. “I chose to be a nanny because the idea of doing for the parents what I would have loved to have had done for me as a young parent was very appealing. I loved the idea of not only providing a secure and loving environment for their children, but also taking some of the daily pressure off of their shoulders by doing their laundry, straightening up the house and helping the children with their school assignment.”
Christy is now working with her third family and cares for three-year-old Hawk who attended the conference with his mother. During the award ceremony, he presented flowers to Christy. “My boss, Jill, nominated me for the NOTY. I was so honored and touched to have been nominated, especially by my employer. Lot’s of people go through their entire working lives without feeling appreciated. I can't tell you how much this nomination meant to me. Every time my little charges say "I love you Nana!" I feel like Nanny of the Year.”
What does it take to be INA’s Nanny of the Year? Officially, it takes at least five years of professional nanny experience; an education in the field of child care; a nomination from a nanny recruiting agency or employer; and several references. Unofficially, it takes a lot of love and patience.
Christy is the founder/moderator of the Denver Area Nanny Association. She has been a member of INA since 2001, and is also a member of NANC (spell out) and Nanny Support Group Leaders. She was inspired to start the Denver Area Nanny Association in 2003 after attending her first INA conference. Now with 28 local members, the group arranges play dates, nanny dinners and coffee gatherings, and organizes and participates in CPR/First Aid training for nannies.
INA is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1985. It is an educational association for nannies and those who educate, place, employ, and support professional in-home child care providers. Membership is open to those who are directly involved with the in-home child care profession including nannies, nanny employers, nanny placement agency owners, nanny educators, and providers of special services related to the nanny profession.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Bob King, esq. founder of Legally Nanny® joins 4EverythingNanny's panel of industry experts
Bob founded Legally Nanny in 2003. Legally Nanny (http://www.legallynanny.com/) assists domestic employers with a wide variety of household legal and tax issues, including payroll; drafting employment, confidentiality and severance agreements; and calculating and preparing back taxes and reports. The firm also defends employers who are facing audits, investigations, and lawsuits from governmental entities as well as nannies. In addition, Legally Nanny assists domestic employment agencies with business, dispute resolution, and labor & employment legal matters.
Bob will be answering questions from our visitors on legal matters concerning household employment and employment taxes.
4EverythingNanny has been offering free advice to visitors since 1999. Over the years we have fielded hundreds of nanny employment related inquiries. Our panel of experts include professional nannies, accountants, agency owners, and attorneys. No matter the question, our team is able to offer sound, reliable advice, for Free. To submit a question to one of our experts, click here: http://4nanny.com/experts.shtml
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
New "Who's Your Nanny?" show, looking for Nanny Host.
WHO'S YOUR NANNY? is being produced by Summerhill Entertainment, www.summerhill.tv for Alliance Atlantis' SLICE network, www.slice.ca.
The NANNY HOST is a paid position.
The HOST, an experienced and accredited nanny, 28-45, drives this series. She is a distinct character in her own right and brings credibility and authority to her position. In each episode she oversees the process as three nannies are put through their paces with various childcare challenges to determine which of the three would be the best nanny for one specific family. The jobs are prestigious and so the positions are highly desired by these nannies.
The NANNY HOST is vibrant, has a sense of humour and is entertaining to watch. She is highly opinionated with insights on parenting and childcare. She engages in her 'tell it like it is' manner, leaving viewers wanting to come back for more. Her no nonsense tough love approach is merciless when necessary, but balanced by a sympathetic warmth that shows her compassion and understanding.
The NANNY HOST can interact naturally and can confidently provide succinct assessments.
I am presenting NANNY CANDIDATES' photos, BIOS/resumes and video to Summerhill Entertainment and Alliance Atlantis on June 6th and so am hoping to hear from interested nannies as soon as possible.
Mention you heard about this opening on 4EverythingNanny.com
I look forward to hearing from you.
Most sincerely,
Sue Skinner
Casting Director-CDC
SMS Concepts Ltd.
5 Allister Avenue
Toronto, ON.
Canada
M1M3K7
416-690-2390
smsconcepts@rogers.com
www.smsconcepts.ca
Friday, April 27, 2007
How to Lose a Nanny in 10 Days
http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jhtml;jsessionid=JOVIJOB30FKYFQFIBQNSCAQ?storyid=/templatedata/parents/story/data/1176930890630.xml&categoryid=/templatedata/parents/category/data/1131027588419.xml&page=4
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Nanny Diaries - First Look at the Trailer
http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_066122636.html
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
New Television Concept from the Producers of SuperNanny
Ricochet Television is creating their next parenting phenomenon. Following the sensation of SUPERNANNY on ABC, the production company that created the show is now looking for America’s next child care expert to host and star on a brand new television show.Casting producers are searching the country this spring to find a dynamic, caring and credentialed person to carry the series due out this year. Are you a male nanny, a teacher, a doctor, a child psychologist or another type of viable family specialist? If so, you could be the person chosen for this major opportunity.Childcare experts and people with a background in family issue resolution who are interested in hosting the show should visit, www.ricochettelevision.com/newprograms.com or call 888/7-CASTING.
Potential candidates should fill out their application and submit it along with a five-minute video introducing them, and showing them working in their element by May 1st.
Ricochet Television has headquarters in the United States and Britain. Their international hit SUPERNANNY is currently watched by 13.5 million viewers in the US and UK, and there are 13 other local country ‘Supernannies’ worldwide. The Supernanny brand also includes the online parenting community http://www.supernanny.com/.Please call 323/904-4680 or email newprogams@ricochettelevison.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Mandarin speaking Nannies are the Latest "must have" for parents in UK
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article1632772.ece
Sunday, April 8, 2007
NY Nanny Agencies under Fire
More than half of the 38 agencies that responded to investigators are breaking the law in some way, the report alleges."
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04082007/news/regionalnews/slap_at_nanny_agency_ripoffs_regionalnews_angela_montefinise.htm
Should I bring something for the kids on my interview for a new nanny position?
Thanks- :)
A: I think it's a lovely gesture to want to take a gift to the children, but I don't really think it's a great idea.
I think maybe you could consider taking your favorite children's book to read with them and then ask them what their favorite is, or maybe you could take a small art project that you could do with them, but in my opinion it is not necessary to take them a gift.
If you have made up your mind to take a gift, then I suggest a book, perhaps one of your favorites.
Good Luck!
Glenda Propst
Nanny / Employer Expert
Saturday, April 7, 2007
What's the nanny buzz?
So, to get things started, one of the upgrades happening on 4EverythingNanny involves the Nanny Agency Locator. The Locator, after many years of faithful service, is in desperate need of a face lift. So, she's getting one. You'll notice that many of the states already have a shiny new look. This process should only take a week or so to complete so we thank you for your patience.
I also want to remind everyone that the International Nanny Association's annual conference is coming up in May. Deadline for early bird registration is April 15th. Go to INA's website at www.nanny.org for more info and to register.
That's it for my first post. I hope you'll check in regularly for updates.