tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59723550297351840782024-03-18T23:12:57.987-04:00The Nanny BuzzYour source for everything new on 4EverythingNanny.Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-67964012988899413292008-12-08T13:01:00.001-05:002008-12-08T13:02:26.617-05:00International Nanny Association's Membership Drive Contest<p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(23, 54, 93);font-size:12;" >Spread the word about INA with everyone you know and win BIG by participating in our membership drive contest!</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >INA's membership drive is in full swing and we need your help. </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Let's grow our membership by introducing INA to everyone who is interested in the in-home child care profession: </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >nannies</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >, agency owners, families who employ nannies, educators, and industry service professionals</span>.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-size:14;" >Participating in INA's Membership Drive Contest is Easy</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Here's what you need to know:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <table style="border: medium none ; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1pt solid black; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.65in;" valign="top" width="638"> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:12;">Qualifying for the contest:</span></b><span style="font-size:12;"> Simply refer three of your friends to qualify.</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.65in;color:-moz-use-text-color black black;" valign="top" width="638"> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:12;">Qualifying for a FREE conference registration:</span></b><span style="font-size:12;"> Refer five or more new members and win a free conference registration.</span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: none solid solid; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 6.65in;color:-moz-use-text-color black black;" valign="top" width="638"> <p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:12;">Winning an IPOD:</span></b><span style="font-size:12;"> Be the one to refer the most new members and claim your IPOD.</span></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%; color: rgb(0, 32, 96);font-size:14;" >Joining INA: What to Tell Your Referrals</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Instruct your referrals to call the INA office today:</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >(Toll Free) 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Make sure your friends let our membership services team know that YOU referred them.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" >Also, watch out for our monthly membership drive updates, which we hope will help fuel your competitive fire! Good luck!</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" > </span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);">International Nanny Association</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);">3801 Kirby Dr., Suite 540, Houston, TX 77098.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);">(Toll Free) 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);"> Fax: 713.526.2667</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153);">Web site: <a href="http://www.nanny.org/" target="_blank">www.nanny.org</a>. Email: <a href="mailto:info@nanny.org" target="_blank">info@nanny.org</a></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-29023331764695943422008-09-29T15:15:00.002-04:002008-09-29T15:19:50.162-04:00The Benefits of Paying Nanny Legally, and the Consequences of Paying “Under the Table”<o:p></o:p><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s not easy being a household employer. For some, the legal, tax, and insurance issues make paying their employees “under the table” seem easier and cheaper. But this decision can be penny-wise and pound-foolish if you get caught. Even if you don’t get caught, you’ll be missing out on legal and tax advantages that you can’t use if you’re paying illegally.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Getting Caught</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Make no mistake, getting caught paying someone “under the table” is easier than you think. For example, if your household employee files for unemployment, social security, disability, or workers compensation benefits, you’ll likely get caught for not paying her employment taxes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Or maybe your employee quits and turns you in – or tries to blackmail you. Or a disgruntled neighbor reports you.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Under any of these scenarios, the result is the same: YOU GET CAUGHT and face the consequences.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And what are the consequences of paying illegally? They can include:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>paying all back taxes, penalties and interest</p> <p class="MsoNormal">charges of perjury and tax fraud</p> <p class="MsoNormal">up to $250,000 in fines and up to 5 years imprisonment</p> <p class="MsoNormal">ruining your reputation and career</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>There is no statute of limitations for failure to report and pay employment taxes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantages to Hiring Legally</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But there are advantages to hiring and paying nannies, elder care providers, and other domestic employees legally! If eligible, you may be able to maximize your tax savings in a number of ways, including:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Save taxes by putting up to $5,000 pre-tax per family per year into a Dependent Care Account to help pay for your nanny.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Eligibility for the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for a minimum tax credit of 20% for the first $3,000 in qualifying expenses for each of your first two children per year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In addition to these potential tax savings, another advantage to paying legally is your peace of mind. Don’t underestimate how worrying about getting caught and the consequences of hiring illegally can take a toll on you personally and professionally.</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>The Bottom Line</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After maximizing your potential tax advantages, paying a nanny legally can add as little as 4% to your cost. On a $20,000 annual salary, that’s roughly an additional $800, a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes along with paying legally. Regardless, the significant consequences of getting caught mean that it’s just not worth the risk of paying under the table.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Robert E. King, Esq. is the Founder of Legally Nanny, the leading law firm representing household employers and domestic employment agencies.<span style=""> </span>Legally Nanny assists clients in hiring, employing, and paying nannies, elder care providers, and other household employees legally.<span style=""> </span>For more information, feel free to contact the firm at (714) 336-8864 or at <a href="mailto:info@legallynanny.com">info@legallynanny.com</a> for a free initial consultation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>© Copyright 2008 Legally Nanny. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice. This material is not intended to seek employment in any jurisdiction in which Legally Nanny is not allowed to provide professional services.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-39398812929943665452008-08-29T09:46:00.001-04:002008-08-29T09:48:01.068-04:00Put it in Writing: The Value of Employment Agreements<em>By Robert E. King, Esq., Founder, Legally Nanny®</em><br /><br />You’ve just hired your nanny or other household employee. You’re thrilled, she’s thrilled, and you’re in the employer-employee version of a honeymoon. You can’t imagine that anything will ever go wrong.<br /><br />While in most cases, fortunately, that’s true, in other cases things can get contentious if your understanding of the details of your arrangement is somehow different than your employee’s understanding of them. This is where ugly disputes can begin, some of which may ultimately cause the end of the employment relationship. Shared expectations are critical and, as with most things in life, the devil is in the details.<br /><br />Even though this employer-employee relationship will and should be more familiar than most – your nanny is an important figure in your child’s life and is in your home, after all – you should not be too casual about your relationship. Remember that on a basic level it needs to be professional: right from the beginning, make sure that you’re clear about your expectations. This includes performance, days off, and more. The more specific you can be, the more smoothly things are likely to go. This is where employment agreements can be invaluable, so that there are no unpleasant surprises on either side.<br />What is an Employment Agreement?<br />Sometimes referred to as a contract, an employment agreement outlines a nanny’s terms of employment and specifies how the employer expects her to care for the children. As an aside, the title of the document, i.e. contract, employment agreement, or work agreement, doesn’t matter; they are all essentially the same document. More importantly, the agreement is legally enforceable and greatly reduces potential disputes.<br /><br />Let’s say, for example, that you are offering your employee five vacation days per year. You were planning for her to accrue them throughout the course of the year, but didn’t articulate that to her; meanwhile, she wants to take all five paid vacation days during her second month on the job. Had you spelled it out completely in an employment agreement, a potential dispute could have been avoided.<br /><br />An employment agreement should contain important provisions such as listing the nanny’s job duties, work hours and compensation, detailing, for example, any vacation, sick days and holidays you are planning to offer your nanny.<br /><br />Many household employers also utilize an employment agreement to emphasize their privacy and confidentiality expectations of their nannies, important points when you have someone working so closely within your home. The document should include anything you and your nanny have agreed to so that there is no ambiguity down the road.<br /><br />This document can be complicated and is not like a typical agreement used in corporate or non-household settings. Rather, it should be tailored specifically with domestic employment issues, laws, and requirements in mind.<br /><br />Further, the document is legally binding on all parties who sign it or otherwise consent to its terms. Thus if a family and a nanny sign off on an employment agreement, either party can enforce its terms, most typically through a breach of contract action if either side fails to live up to its obligations. The legally binding nature of this agreement makes it all the more critical to have an experienced attorney draft this important document specifically for your household employment situation.<br /><br />Robert E. King, Esq. is the Founder of Legally Nanny, the leading law firm representing household employers and domestic employment agencies. Legally Nanny assists clients in hiring, employing, and paying nannies, elder care providers, and other household employees legally. For more information, feel free to contact the firm at (714) 336-8864 or at <a href="mailto:info@legallynanny.com">info@legallynanny.com</a> for a free initial consultation.<br /><br />© Copyright 2008 Legally Nanny. All rights reserved. This article is for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice. This material is not intended to seek employment in any jurisdiction in which Legally Nanny is not allowed to provide professional services.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-36833403256111585972008-07-14T13:10:00.003-04:002008-07-14T13:14:37.536-04:00Nannypalooza '08 Official Sponsor Announcement (Hint, it's Us ;)NANC's 3rd annual<br /><span class="nfakPe">Nannypalooza</span>! ˜08<br />October 4th and 5th, 2007 at the <a href="http://www.hiltonphiladelphiaairport.com/">Hilton Philadelphia Airport<br /></a><br />Sponsored by Parents With Nannies, Inc. owners of:<br /><a href="http://www.nannyclassifieds.com">NannyClassifieds. com</a>, <a href="http://www.4nanny.com">4EverythingNanny. com</a> and <a href="http://www.nannyisland.com">NannyIsland. com</a><br /><br />EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS AUGUST 8th!<br />Nannies can register for as low as $75 including meals!<br /><br />Join us at a conference designed especially for you.<br /><br /><span class="nfakPe">Nannypalooza</span>! offers, learn today, use tomorrow workshops, each<br />session time slot offers 3 workshops to choose from. You'll find<br />great topics like:<br /><br />• Home schooling Techniques for the Nanny<br /><br />• Presenting Yourself as an Expert<br /><br />• Recognizing the difference between challenging behaviors and<br />special needs<br /><br />• Creating Your Professional Nanny Portfolio<br /><br />• Understanding Different Personalities and<br />How to Work with People more Effectively<br /><br />• Keeping Your Kids Safe-- An Expert's Guide<br /><br />• Using Baby Signs Program to Enhance Language Development<br /><br />• "Niche" Nanny Panel<br /><br />• Working with the Children who Challenge Us<br /><br />• Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Contracts But Didn't Know<br />to Ask<br /><br />• Financial Planning for Nannies<br /><br />• Increasing Your Internet Presence<br /><br />• Great Ideas for Low Cost Publicity!<br /><br />• Increasing Your Bottom Line with Auxiliary Services<br /><br />*Extras:<br />~ Lunchtime roundtable discussions.<br /><br />~Lots of networking time.<br /><br />~Raffle prizes and a great goodie bag.<br /><br />~Vendor tables to visit with some of the most exciting businesses<br />around.<br /><br />Convenient schedule, all <span class="nfakPe">Nannypalooza</span>! events are scheduled over a<br />weekend so you don't have to take off work to attend.<br /><br />Budget-friendly registration fee ( early bird starts at just $75 for<br />nannies) that includes: all conference activities, Saturday breakfast<br />and lunch and Sunday breakfast buffet as well as a Sat evening<br />reception with snacks and a cash bar!<br /><br />Welcoming atmosphere, whether you come alone or with a group, you'll<br />find a fun and friendly environment.<br /><br />For more information visit <a href="http://www.nannycredential/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#8e7e54;">www.NannyCredential</span></a> .org<br />or call 202 318-9156.<br /><br />PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO ALL THE NANNIES AND AGENCIES YOU KNOW.<br /><br />Thanks!<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-11048759995180411722008-06-27T13:22:00.006-04:002008-06-27T13:27:17.749-04:00Nannies are not Independent Contractors, Congress wants to make that very clear.<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">The following "Legal Alert" was sent to us by Bob King, of <a href="http://www.legallynanny.com">Legally Nanny</a>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">As part of Legally Nanny’s continuing Legal Alert series, I wanted to let you know about H.R. 5804, the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act of 2008.<span style=""> </span>This bill, recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, could directly affect you as a household employer.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">H.R. 5804 would significantly increase penalties for employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors instead of correctly classifying them as employees.<span style=""> </span>Additionally, the bill places the burden of proof on the taxpayer to demonstrate that the worker was properly classified.<span style=""> </span>Finally, in addition to increasing the penalties for failing to properly pay employees and provide correct payroll information such as W-2 forms, the legislation also imposes increased penalties for intentionally disregarding the worker’s proper classification.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">What does this bill mean to you?<span style=""> </span>Nothing, <u>if</u> you’re doing everything correctly and treating your nanny as your employee.<span style=""> </span>However, some clients insist on mischaracterizing nannies and other domestic workers as independent contractors – or just paying their nanny under the table – in an effort to avoid paying household employment taxes.<span style=""> </span>H.R. 5804 could make this an even more expensive mistake.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">Under both federal and state law, nannies and other household staff are almost always employees; they are not independent contractors.<span style=""> </span>H.R. 5804 would heighten the already stiff penalties to families mischaracterizing such workers.</p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Robert E. King, Esq. is the Founder of Legally Nanny, the leading law firm representing household employers and domestic employment agencies.<span style=""> </span>Legally Nanny assists clients in hiring, employing, and paying nannies, elder care providers, and other household employees legally.<span style=""> </span>For more information, feel free to contact the firm at (714) 336-8864 or at <a href="mailto:info@legallynanny.com">info@legallynanny.com</a> for a free initial consultation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle; text-align: left;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt;">© Copyright 2008 Legally Nanny. <span style=""> </span>All rights reserved. <span style=""> </span>This article is for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice. <span style=""> </span>This material is not intended to seek employment in any jurisdiction in which Legally Nanny is not allowed to provide professional services.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-17673721066231938802008-04-14T15:12:00.004-04:002008-04-16T11:31:29.633-04:00New Nanny Networking Site, NannyIsland.comWe are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of <a href="http://www.nannyisland.com/">Nanny Island</a>, a virtual getaway just for nannies.<br /><br />Every "Islander" gets their own blog, photo album, personal page and access to all the lively discussions going on in the forums. Come visit with old friends and make brand new ones from all over the country.<br /><br />Your Tour Guides for Nanny Island are Kellie Geres and Glenda Propst. These fantastic nannies have respectively 19 and 23 years nanny experience. Kellie and Glenda will be on hand to show you around the Island, answer any questions you may have and and help to organize Island activities.<br /><br />So, hop on over to Nanny Island, no diapers, runny noses or tantrums need tending on the Island.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-16031821874819472312008-04-03T04:34:00.000-04:002008-04-03T04:35:48.093-04:00Register for INA's 23rd Annual Conference by April 5 and save<p style="line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:130%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; color: navy; font-weight: bold;">Don't Forget to Take Advantage of the</span></span></b></p> <p style="line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:130%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; color: navy; font-weight: bold;">Members Only Early Bird Rate</span></span></b></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p> <div> <p><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:#006666;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">Register for INA's 23rd Annual Conference by April 5 and save $30.00 off the standard conference registration fee. </span></span></b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"></span></span></p> </div> <blockquote style="border-style: none none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color maroon; border-width: medium medium medium 1.5pt; margin: 5pt 0in 5pt 3.75pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 4pt;"> <div> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%;"> </span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><strong><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;">EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">(member's only before April 5th) <strong><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;"><span> </span></span></b></strong></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Full Conference: $295 </span></span><span style="color:navy;"><span style="color: navy;"></span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">One Day: $175</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;"> </span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><strong><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;">STANDARD CONFERENCE FEE</span></span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></b></strong><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">(after April 5th)</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><strong><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Members</span></span></b></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Full Conference: $325 </span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">One Day: $185</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;"> </span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><strong><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Non-Members </span></span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></b></strong></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Full Conference: $370 </span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">One Day: $250</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;"></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></b></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy; font-weight: bold;">An additional 10% discount is available for the following:</span></span></b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;"> </span></span></p> <div> <ul type="disc"><li style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">First time conference attendees</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:gray;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: gray;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;">(enter discount code FTA when you register)</span></span></li></ul> </div> <div> <ul type="disc"><li style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">INA members who have not attended a conference in the past five plus years </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;">(enter discount code 5YR when you register)</span></span></li></ul> </div> <div> <ul type="disc"><li style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Three or more members from a business or nanny support group </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: navy;">(enter discount code AW2 when you register)</span></span></li></ul> </div> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%; color: black;">Only one discount may be applied. These discount categories are subject to eligibility of attendee and will be verified by INA. . Be sure to see the Registration Form for complete details regarding discounts and all related conference fees.</span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 125%;"> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;color:#006666;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(0, 102, 102);"> </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:100%;color:navy;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: navy; font-weight: bold;">Visit <a href="http://www.nanny.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:navy;"><span style="color: navy;">www.nanny.org</span></span></a> to register today.</span></span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Also view workshops, speakers, plan ahead details, airport transportation discount and more.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For more information, call 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670.</span></span></p> </div> </blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-82028644815213317672008-03-10T09:39:00.001-04:002008-03-10T09:41:42.204-04:00Nanny Conference in Philadelphia. Here's the scoop!<div>Do any of your or your nannies/au pairs attend nanny conferences?</div> <div>There is a great one coming up, pleae see the info. below.</div> <div>******************************<wbr>*******</div> Are you ready to CATCH THE WAVE??<br />NANNYPALOOZA 08<br />Sponsored by National Association for Nanny Care<br />www.nannycredential .org<br /><br />Oct 4 & 5th (Sat. & Sun.)<br /><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Philadelphia Airport Hilton Hotel</span><br /><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Philadelphia, PA</span><br /><br />The National Association for Nanny Care is proud to once again<br />sponsor NANNYPALOOZA! This is a one and a half day conference full of<br />useful workshops, networking opportunities and FUN!<br />Visit this link for more details:<br /><a href="http://www.nannycredential.citymax.com/page/page/5684076.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:#003399;">http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5684076. htm</span></a><br /><br />The conference is inclusive, casual but packed with information you<br />can use to be the best professional out there.<br />Here's a link for FAQ's about the Conference:<br /><a href="http://www.nannycredential.citymax.com/page/page/5658922.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:#003399;">http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5658922. htm</span></a><br /><br />Early Bird registration starts at just $75 for nannies.<br />Here's a link:<br /><a href="http://www.nannycredential.citymax.com/page/page/5461199.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color:#003399;">http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5461199. htm</span></a><br /><br />Don't miss out on all the updates! Visit our website at<br />www.nannycredential .org and click on the Nannypalooza page.<br />Sign up for Nannypalooza Updates and stay informed on all the<br />exciting events!<br /><br />Please feel free to forward this message to any other nannies or<br />agencies you know! Everyone is welcome!<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-42266749497681821582008-02-29T15:39:00.004-05:002008-03-03T14:07:31.069-05:00Father charged with neglect after nanny takes childOn Wednesday in Surprise Arizona, a 15 year old <a href="http://www.4nanny.com/finding_nanny.shtml#live-in">live-in nanny</a> disappeared with her 18 month old charge. She was said to have left the house at 4pm to take the baby to the park. At 7:30 when she hadn't returned, the father of the child contacted authorities.<br /><br />Thankfully, the baby was found the next day. What is unprecedented about this incident, is that immediately after the baby was returned, Child Protective Services took custody of the child claiming that the father had been negligent in the care of his son.<br /><br />You see, the father found his "nanny" on Craigslist. He believed her when she told him she was 19 when in truth she was a 15 year old runaway with a drug problem. Obviously, this father never conducted a background check on his care giver. And this is what Child Protective Services is using as grounds for removing the child from the father's care.<br /><br />"CPS came down, talked to us and concurred with us that his actions were neglectful," Ortega said. "Through his own admission, he didn't take the precaution to see who he had to take care of his son."<br /><br />To me this is just another reason why <a href="https://www.nannyclassifieds.com/families/background_screening.php">background checks</a> are essential. Now families not only have to worry about protecting their children but also about protecting themselves from accusations of neglect.<br /><br />Had this father spent as little at $69 to check out his nanny, he would have avoided the horror of a missing child experience and the heartbreak of having his son removed by authorities. The read the referenced article, click on the link below. Use the comments link to give us your feedback on this issue.<br /><br />http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0229gl-nwvamberfolo0229-ONL.html<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-38445229111804359232008-02-20T13:34:00.000-05:002008-02-20T13:35:39.689-05:00America’s Top NanniesOvercoming obstacles. Making an impact in a family that really needed help. We know you're out there, Nanny Superstars, and <i>Nanny Net News </i>wants to hear your story. Follow the link below and tell us why you're a real-life super nanny. <p class="Story-Body">Here's what we want to know...</p> <p class="Subheads">Your stats: </p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"><ul><li class="Story-Bullets">Name</li><li class="Story-Bullets">E-mail</li><li class="Story-Bullets">City and State</li><li class="Story-Bullets">How long have you been a nanny?</li></ul></td> <td valign="top"><ul><li class="Story-Bullets">What made you decide to become a nanny?</li><li class="Story-Bullets">Education level?</li><li class="Story-Bullets">CPR/First Aid Certified?</li></ul></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p class="Subheads"><b><i>Your story:</i></b></p> <p class="Story-Body">Are you a member of local or national nanny association? Are you active in the community as a volunteer or part of an organization? Tell us a little about yourself and your life as a Nanny!</p> <p class="Story-Body">Photos are encouraged, but not required. Each month, we'll publish our favorite story in the newsletter – and if we print your story in an issue of Nanny Net News, we'll send you a free nanny sweatshirt or tee-shirt of your choice!</p> <span class="Story-Body"><a href="mailto:TopNanny@4Nanny.com">Submit your story now</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-58009053006828448902008-01-10T15:05:00.000-05:002008-01-10T15:09:09.757-05:00Tattletale Nanny Services, What's Your Opinion?<p class="Story-Body"><span class="Story-Body">I’m sure many of you have heard about, visited, or even contributed to the ISawYourNanny blog. For those of you who haven’t heard, ISawYourNanny is a blog that takes reports from citizens who have witnessed good and bad nanny behavior. The blog has been getting a lot of press – and to be frank, the press likes it because it provides the “negative nanny” slant that certain media outlets can’t seem to get enough of. </span> </p><p class="Story-Body">But does it really work? Does the blog really do its job and protect children from the abusive or neglectful nanny? I don’t think so. How many parents are going to check the blog on a daily basis to see if their nanny has been reported? Is that really an efficient way to monitor nanny behavior? By posting on ISawYourNanny, a witness to an incident may feel like they "did" something. In reality, they have only vented their frustration. The chances of the family actually reading the blog post are pretty slim. </p> <p class="Story-Body"><img src="http://netwaveinteractive.com/clientpages/nanny/08-01/images/pic-HowsMyNanny.gif" align="left" height="121" width="205" />On the flip side, I was recently introduced to a woman who has come up with an innovative service targeting the same dilemma. The company is called HowsMyNanny.com, and it too has been attracting a lot of press. Unlike the blog that relies on the tireless will of the worried nanny employer, HowsMyNanny takes the work out of the “spying,” so to speak. </p> <p class="Story-Body">HowsMyNanny, modeled after the “How’s My Driving” bumper sticker on commercial vehicles, is a license plate that can be attached to a stroller. Each plate has an individual number. To report a good or bad nanny, all a witness has to do is visit the website and report the incident using the ID number. When an issue is reported, the family subscriber receives an e-mail with the information from the witness.</p> <span class="Story-Body">This approach has clear benefits. By registering on the site, parents can ensure that they’ll be notified if a report on their nanny comes in. In other words, it takes the guesswork out of witness reporting. In that way, the site avoids sensationalism, instead providing an outlet for direct, useful information.<br /></span><img src="http://netwaveinteractive.com/clientpages/nanny/07-11/images/blank.gif" height="20" width="20" /><br />So, what’s your opinion on these new trends in nanny surveillance? We’d like to know. Leave your comments below.<br /><span class="Story-Body"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-50857835965454735992007-12-03T11:33:00.000-05:002007-12-03T11:36:19.649-05:00Nanny Gifts: Tell Us About Some of Your Favorite Things.What's the best gift you've received from an employer? What do you wish an employer would give you this holiday season? Just use the comments link below to submit your feedback.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-69629816708446729652007-11-16T12:53:00.000-05:002007-11-16T13:02:49.375-05:00Nanny Gifts: Don’t Forget Nanny this Holiday Season…<span style="font-size:85%;">Your nanny makes life better for you and yo</span><span style="font-size:85%;">urs throughout the year. (Just imagine holiday shopping without her!) Show her how much you appreciate her with a thoughtful gift from the <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/4nanny">Nanny Gift shop</a>.</span> <ul><li style="text-align: left;"><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">T-shirts</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cafepress.com/4nanny"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2l9t8klNFjQ/Rz3bIw0bnfI/AAAAAAAAALY/KvUtqAmx6HU/s400/ad2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133500093862485490" border="0" /></a></p></li><li><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sweatshirts</span></p></li><li><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Totes</span></p> </li><li><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Coffee mugs</span></p> </li><li><p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And more…</span></p> </li></ul> <p class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Humorous. Thoughtful. Perfect for today’s nanny. Visit the Nanny Gift Shop and find the perfect gift for your own Super Nanny. <u><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/4nanny"> SHOP NOW</a></u></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-17143665914298129912007-11-09T09:43:00.000-05:002007-11-09T09:51:14.142-05:00New Book Celebrates the Nanny-Child Relationship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Nanny-I-childrens-board/dp/0755475526/ref=sr_1_1/104-4158784-4917500?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193414255&sr=8-1"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SIMJbgm6hjD4FmJJ8M-vqaDfdk_q3eIukWnajbts94QGfXooXknTsv5Njpf7u7QOfQlPWxndWhMHK-9-OzNYph92Oju-J3tgEVgnVZtCFB2DkJpBJz4S6ZlpyT89JdzhLlu-xQeVOldl/s320/My+nanny+and+I.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130852330807294322" border="0" /></a><span class="style1" style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span style="font-style: italic;">A “must” for any child who spends time with a professional caregiver<u1:p></u1:p></span></i></span></span></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span> <div> </div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></b><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on" u2_x003a_st="on"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" ></span></span></b></st1:city></st1:place><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >Much of the attention in child care lately (has) been focused on the parents and nanny. This book is dedicated to the most important people in the equation; the children who have nannies. The special emotional connection between nanny and child, and the bond that is created is at times forgotten when speaking about this very intimate relationship.<u1:p></u1:p></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div> <div> </div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" > “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.</span><u1:p></u1:p></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div> <div> </div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >“Vivid color illustrations accompanied by easy to understand text creates a meaningful image for a small child. <span class="style1">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.<u1:p></u1:p></span></span></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div> <div> </div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >The book is available at: </span></span></b><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a title="blocked::http://www.mynannyandi.com/" href="http://www.mynannyandi.com/"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">http://www.mynannyandi.com</span></span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" > and </span></span></b><b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a title="blocked::http://www.amazon.com/" href="http://www.amazon.com/"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">http://www.amazon.com</span></span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" > 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!</span></span><o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >For more information, please contact: Hilary Lockhart P: 480-422-2150 F: 888-202-7738 </span></span><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:12;"><br /></span></span></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-85011405882684973532007-10-29T07:58:00.000-04:002007-11-01T11:18:15.699-04:00Nanny / Babysitter murdered after answering Ad on CraigslistFor those of you who haven't heard the tragic news about 24 year old Katherine Olsen from Minneapolis, here is a link to a news article. http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=268354<br /><br />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.)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Safe Job Searching on the Internet<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />7. Keep track of what the family has told you in previous conversations and make sure their answers are consistent.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />10. Babysitters, meet in a public place for your first interview and ask that the kids accompany Mom or Dad.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-30278081829853836882007-10-19T10:56:00.000-04:002007-10-19T12:59:40.636-04:00Wanted: "MANNIES" & FAMILIES<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2l9t8klNFjQ/RxjiDNBzwaI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/739547w4Ugw/s1600-h/Mantuxedohatumbrella.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123093120798671266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2l9t8klNFjQ/RxjiDNBzwaI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/739547w4Ugw/s320/Mantuxedohatumbrella.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Are you a full-time, preferably live-in, male nanny (a.k.a. Manny) for children of a wealthy and outgoing family? Do you think you have what it takes to be one?<br /><br />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. </div><br /><div><br />We’re searching for Mannies, and their respective employer families, to star in a new reality series for a major cable network.<br /><br />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. </div><br /><div><br />Contact: <a href="mailto:TVMannies@Yahoo.com">TVMannies@Yahoo.com</a> </div><div>Or, call our Casting Department at: 212.542.3579</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-2099179054306038602007-10-19T08:42:00.000-04:002007-10-19T08:49:57.269-04:00October Issue of Nanny News, Don't Miss It!Don't miss the new issue of <a href="http://www.4nanny.com/newsletter.shtml">Nanny News</a>. We're very excited about the new format and think you will really enjoy it as well. Not a subscriber? What are you waiting for? Its free. Sign up here. <a href="http://www.4nanny.com/newsletter.shtml">http://www.4nanny.com/newsletter.shtml</a><br /><br />We've been publishing Nanny News (previously called Nanny Net News) since 1999. To check out past issues, visit the <a href="http://www.4nanny.com/nanny_net_news_archives.htm">archives</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-4727958766162371932007-10-19T08:02:00.000-04:002007-10-19T08:41:52.397-04:00Cooking Site is looking for Kid Friendly Recipes and Tips on Getting Kids to eat healthy.JeseyBites.com, New Jersey's fastest growing cooking blog, is looking to start a section on Cooking with Kids and is reaching out to the experts for help. If you are a nanny who has some tricks up her sleeve in the cooking for kids department, Jersey Bites wants to hear from you. (Oh, and, NJ outsiders are always welcome)<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.jerseybites.com/">http://www.JerseyBites.com</a> and submit your recipes, tips and tricks to getting kids to eat healthy. You may find your submission in an upcoming issue of <a href="http://www.4nanny.com/newsletter.shtml">Nanny News</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-70083012300517807332007-10-16T13:41:00.000-04:002007-10-16T13:44:08.873-04:00Overtime Pay Requirement for NanniesNanny vs. Family and Family vs. Annie’s Nannies Household Staffing.<br /><br />The Mistake<br />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.<br /><br />The Law<br />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. <br />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.<br /><br /><br />The Mess<br />· 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.<br />· 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.<br />· 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.<br />· Annie’s Nannies also hired a lawyer to fight the potential law suit.<br /><br />The Outcome<br />· 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.<br />· The family dropped their claim against Annie’s Nannies.<br />· The case was eventually settled out of court for the amount of overtime due.<br /><br /><br />How the Whole Thing Could Have Been Avoided<br />· 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.<br />· Had the family incorporated overtime pay into the contract and payroll, they would have avoided a lawsuit from a disgruntled employee.<br /><br /><br /><br />Breedlove & Associates • 888-273-3356 • www.breedlove-online.com<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-75803185783675331492007-10-03T12:34:00.000-04:002007-10-19T09:08:30.040-04:00Nanny Interviews, tell us about themWe're looking for your input.<br /><br />Nanny Interviews: What’s the Hardest or Craziest Question You’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ve</span> Asked or Been Asked? Just click on the Comment link below to submit yours.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-51993753761736247422007-09-14T14:39:00.000-04:002007-09-15T07:56:00.747-04:00Nanny Night Out a Big Success in NYC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRxi1xl5ZUHDm0v7QDJV3T9WznEqwJOJ6eBz30TipwhE7KS2-7MB00SjMJj3wKunFPvQ7jzmGMoE0IekFZu-D3h2hR9S4IxHTLjd9dAnnPsYQIhb1wwrS1TOL9tjaQPH1K9wEPOYRFaJi/s1600-h/Nanny+Alliance+Nanny+Diaries+Day+in+NYC+Sept+2007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110132520112522274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRxi1xl5ZUHDm0v7QDJV3T9WznEqwJOJ6eBz30TipwhE7KS2-7MB00SjMJj3wKunFPvQ7jzmGMoE0IekFZu-D3h2hR9S4IxHTLjd9dAnnPsYQIhb1wwrS1TOL9tjaQPH1K9wEPOYRFaJi/s320/Nanny+Alliance+Nanny+Diaries+Day+in+NYC+Sept+2007.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is a picture sent in by the <a href="http://www.nannyalliancenyandnj.com/">Nanny Alliance of New York and New Jersey</a>. It was taken on their night out event to view the new Nanny Diaries movie.<br /><br /><div><div><div>To help these ladies celebrate properly, 4EverythingNanny donated T-Shirts and Sweatshirts from our Nanny Gift Shop as well as a $100 Visa Check Card. </div><br /><div>We hope you had a great time ladies. Lord knows you all deserve a night out with the girls. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol7gyToUKmWA7lHeqADC-GC-Nm0ngjxG9V5PEiCu_i32qNaJZUBOXA5T3C23oRnWb1cIYSDXSma0mUOt0g03d3DGaTfDTRn0LWZ9UaGEwe3hdEcHOiv3kDeFo1hNgggPaIRbbpkZCy-Rc/s1600-h/Winner+of+Nanny+Shirt+~Courtesy+of+Deborah+Smith+of+4Everything+Nanny[1].com.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110132305364157458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgol7gyToUKmWA7lHeqADC-GC-Nm0ngjxG9V5PEiCu_i32qNaJZUBOXA5T3C23oRnWb1cIYSDXSma0mUOt0g03d3DGaTfDTRn0LWZ9UaGEwe3hdEcHOiv3kDeFo1hNgggPaIRbbpkZCy-Rc/s200/Winner+of+Nanny+Shirt+~Courtesy+of+Deborah+Smith+of+4Everything+Nanny%5B1%5D.com.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-36731578060645577822007-09-06T13:56:00.001-04:002007-09-06T14:01:04.993-04:00The Nanny Buzz Welcomes your CommentsWe are happy to announce that we are opening up the blog to user comments. So, for future posts, we hope you'll read and respond with your thoughts on important matters concerning the nanny industry. If you have any topics you would like introduced, email them to <a href="mailto:Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com">Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com</a>.<br /><br />Also, we've launched a new, fun site for anyone who enjoys cooking and sharing recipes. It's called <a href="http://www.jerseybites.com/">http://www.JerseyBites.com</a>. I'm a Jerseygirl, hense the name. We hope you enjoy it.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-37765042908525266482007-09-05T14:48:00.000-04:002007-09-05T14:50:33.835-04:00Nannies on a Quest for RightsSome interesting news regarding nannies basic employment rights. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/03/AR2007090301223.html?referrer=emailarticle">Washington Post Article</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-43599237040851970152007-08-16T11:25:00.000-04:002007-08-16T11:27:59.403-04:00Secrets Safe with Professional Nannies, Unlike Subject Of New 'Diaries' MovieThe new movie "The Nanny Diaries(C)" has the founder of the first and only English nanny school in America a bit perturbed about how nannies are portrayed.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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."<br />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.<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />The school's graduates work throughout the United States with high-profile families.<br /> Here is Mrs. Roth's list of Nanny "No-No's" for Employers:<br /><br /> 1. Respect: Don't treat nannies as live-in slaves. They are<br /> professional child-care experts, not housekeepers, maids, or family<br /> chefs. Verbal abuse is not tolerated.<br /><br /> 2. Duties: Don't expect them to be on call 24/7. Duties outside of<br /> normal hours are considered overtime. Nannies sign contracts spelling<br /> out duties, benefits, and compensation.<br /><br /> 3. Authority: Don't allow other family members to give orders. Nannies<br /> report directly to the heads of the household.<br /><br /> 4. Privacy: Don't discuss the nanny's private life. Nannies are trained<br /> to be discreet about your family matters and expect the same courtesy.<br /> Nannies should have separate and private living quarters.<br /><br /> 5. Communication: Don't abdicate child development responsibility. Open<br /> dialogue is essential for discussing the child's developmental<br /> progress.<br /><br /> 6. Vacation: Don't automatically expect the nanny to accompany the<br /> family on vacation. Expect to pay for travel and overtime.<br /><br /> 7. Exclusivity: Don't expect the nanny to baby sit for your friends or<br /> relatives, too.<br /><br /> 8. Clean-Up: Don't expect your nanny to clean up after your parties or<br /> mishaps.<br /><br /> Contact: http://www.nanny-governess.com/<br /><br />English Nanny & Governess School, Inc.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5972355029735184078.post-64932761686615902702007-08-13T09:37:00.000-04:002007-08-14T08:26:46.371-04:00Introducing BestNannyCam.comHomesight Monitoring Systems Make Safeguarding Your Child Easy<br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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.<br /><br /><br />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.” <br /> <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://www.bestnannycam.com">BestNannyCam.com </a>to learn more about this terrific new product for nanny employers.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The Nanny Buzz is the official blog spot for 4EverythingNanny.com, your online resource for everything nanny!</div>Deborah Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10652354514553902385noreply@blogger.com2