The Nanny Buzz

International Nanny Association's Membership Drive Contest

2008-12-08T13:01:00.001-05:00

Spread the word about INA with everyone you know and win BIG by participating in our membership drive contest!

INA's membership drive is in full swing and we need your help.

Let's grow our membership by introducing INA to everyone who is interested in the in-home child care profession:

nannies, agency owners, families who employ nannies, educators, and industry service professionals.

Participating in INA's Membership Drive Contest is Easy

Here's what you need to know:

Qualifying for the contest: Simply refer three of your friends to qualify.

Qualifying for a FREE conference registration: Refer five or more new members and win a free conference registration.

Winning an IPOD: Be the one to refer the most new members and claim your IPOD.

Joining INA: What to Tell Your Referrals

Instruct your referrals to call the INA office today:

(Toll Free) 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670.

Make sure your friends let our membership services team know that YOU referred them.

Also, watch out for our monthly membership drive updates, which we hope will help fuel your competitive fire! Good luck!

International Nanny Association

3801 Kirby Dr., Suite 540, Houston, TX 77098.

(Toll Free) 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670. Fax: 713.526.2667

Web site: www.nanny.org. Email: info@nanny.org

The Benefits of Paying Nanny Legally, and the Consequences of Paying “Under the Table”

2008-09-29T15:15:00.002-04:00

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.

Getting Caught

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.

Or maybe your employee quits and turns you in – or tries to blackmail you. Or a disgruntled neighbor reports you.

Under any of these scenarios, the result is the same: YOU GET CAUGHT and face the consequences.

And what are the consequences of paying illegally? They can include:

paying all back taxes, penalties and interest

charges of perjury and tax fraud

up to $250,000 in fines and up to 5 years imprisonment

ruining your reputation and career

There is no statute of limitations for failure to report and pay employment taxes.

Advantages to Hiring Legally

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:

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.

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.

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.

The Bottom Line

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.

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 info@legallynanny.com for a free initial consultation.

© 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.

Put it in Writing: The Value of Employment Agreements

2008-08-29T09:46:00.001-04:00

By Robert E. King, Esq., Founder, Legally Nanny®

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.

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.

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.
What is an Employment Agreement?
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 info@legallynanny.com for a free initial consultation.

© 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.

Nannypalooza '08 Official Sponsor Announcement (Hint, it's Us ;)

2008-07-14T13:10:00.003-04:00

NANC's 3rd annual
Nannypalooza! ˜08
October 4th and 5th, 2007 at the Hilton Philadelphia Airport

Sponsored by Parents With Nannies, Inc. owners of:
NannyClassifieds. com, 4EverythingNanny. com and NannyIsland. com

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS AUGUST 8th!
Nannies can register for as low as $75 including meals!

Join us at a conference designed especially for you.

Nannypalooza! offers, learn today, use tomorrow workshops, each
session time slot offers 3 workshops to choose from. You'll find
great topics like:

• Home schooling Techniques for the Nanny

• Presenting Yourself as an Expert

• Recognizing the difference between challenging behaviors and
special needs

• Creating Your Professional Nanny Portfolio

• Understanding Different Personalities and
How to Work with People more Effectively

• Keeping Your Kids Safe-- An Expert's Guide

• Using Baby Signs Program to Enhance Language Development

• "Niche" Nanny Panel

• Working with the Children who Challenge Us

• Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Contracts But Didn't Know
to Ask

• Financial Planning for Nannies

• Increasing Your Internet Presence

• Great Ideas for Low Cost Publicity!

• Increasing Your Bottom Line with Auxiliary Services

*Extras:
~ Lunchtime roundtable discussions.

~Lots of networking time.

~Raffle prizes and a great goodie bag.

~Vendor tables to visit with some of the most exciting businesses
around.

Convenient schedule, all Nannypalooza! events are scheduled over a
weekend so you don't have to take off work to attend.

Budget-friendly registration fee ( early bird starts at just $75 for
nannies) that includes: all conference activities, Saturday breakfast
and lunch and Sunday breakfast buffet as well as a Sat evening
reception with snacks and a cash bar!

Welcoming atmosphere, whether you come alone or with a group, you'll
find a fun and friendly environment.

For more information visit www.NannyCredential .org
or call 202 318-9156.

PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO ALL THE NANNIES AND AGENCIES YOU KNOW.

Thanks!

Nannies are not Independent Contractors, Congress wants to make that very clear.

2008-06-27T13:22:00.006-04:00

The following "Legal Alert" was sent to us by Bob King, of Legally Nanny.

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. This bill, recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, could directly affect you as a household employer.

H.R. 5804 would significantly increase penalties for employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors instead of correctly classifying them as employees. Additionally, the bill places the burden of proof on the taxpayer to demonstrate that the worker was properly classified. 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.

What does this bill mean to you? Nothing, if you’re doing everything correctly and treating your nanny as your employee. 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. H.R. 5804 could make this an even more expensive mistake.

Under both federal and state law, nannies and other household staff are almost always employees; they are not independent contractors. H.R. 5804 would heighten the already stiff penalties to families mischaracterizing such workers.

New Nanny Networking Site, NannyIsland.com

2008-04-14T15:12:00.004-04:00

We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of Nanny Island, a virtual getaway just for nannies.

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.

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.

So, hop on over to Nanny Island, no diapers, runny noses or tantrums need tending on the Island.

Register for INA's 23rd Annual Conference by April 5 and save

2008-04-03T04:34:00.000-04:00

Don't Forget to Take Advantage of the

Members Only Early Bird Rate

Register for INA's 23rd Annual Conference by April 5 and save $30.00 off the standard conference registration fee.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE (member's only before April 5th)

Full Conference: $295

One Day: $175

STANDARD CONFERENCE FEE (after April 5th)

Members

Full Conference: $325

One Day: $185

Non-Members

Full Conference: $370

One Day: $250

An additional 10% discount is available for the following:

First time conference attendees (enter discount code FTA when you register)

INA members who have not attended a conference in the past five plus years (enter discount code 5YR when you register)

Three or more members from a business or nanny support group (enter discount code AW2 when you register)

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.

Visit www.nanny.org to register today.

Also view workshops, speakers, plan ahead details, airport transportation discount and more.

For more information, call 888.878.1477 or 713.526.2670.

Nanny Conference in Philadelphia. Here's the scoop!

2008-03-10T09:39:00.001-04:00

Do any of your or your nannies/au pairs attend nanny conferences?

There is a great one coming up, pleae see the info. below.

*************************************

Are you ready to CATCH THE WAVE??
NANNYPALOOZA 08
Sponsored by National Association for Nanny Care
www.nannycredential .org

Oct 4 & 5th (Sat. & Sun.)
Philadelphia Airport Hilton Hotel
Philadelphia, PA

The National Association for Nanny Care is proud to once again
sponsor NANNYPALOOZA! This is a one and a half day conference full of
useful workshops, networking opportunities and FUN!
Visit this link for more details:
http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5684076. htm

The conference is inclusive, casual but packed with information you
can use to be the best professional out there.
Here's a link for FAQ's about the Conference:
http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5658922. htm

Early Bird registration starts at just $75 for nannies.
Here's a link:
http://www.nannycre dential.citymax. com/page/ page/5461199. htm

Don't miss out on all the updates! Visit our website at
www.nannycredential .org and click on the Nannypalooza page.
Sign up for Nannypalooza Updates and stay informed on all the
exciting events!

Please feel free to forward this message to any other nannies or
agencies you know! Everyone is welcome!

Father charged with neglect after nanny takes child

2008-02-29T15:39:00.004-05:00

On Wednesday in Surprise Arizona, a 15 year old live-in nanny 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.

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.

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.

"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."

To me this is just another reason why background checks are essential. Now families not only have to worry about protecting their children but also about protecting themselves from accusations of neglect.

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.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0229gl-nwvamberfolo0229-ONL.html

America’s Top Nannies

2008-02-20T13:34:00.000-05:00

Overcoming obstacles. Making an impact in a family that really needed help. We know you're out there, Nanny Superstars, and Nanny Net News wants to hear your story. Follow the link below and tell us why you're a real-life super nanny.

Here's what we want to know...

Your stats:

Name
E-mail
City and State
How long have you been a nanny?

What made you decide to become a nanny?
Education level?
CPR/First Aid Certified?

Your story:

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!

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!

Submit your story now

Tattletale Nanny Services, What's Your Opinion?

2008-01-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So, what’s your opinion on these new trends in nanny surveillance? We’d like to know. Leave your comments below.

Nanny Gifts: Tell Us About Some of Your Favorite Things.

2007-12-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

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.

Nanny Gifts: Don’t Forget Nanny this Holiday Season…

2007-11-16T12:53:00.000-05:00

Your nanny makes life better for you and yours throughout the year. (Just imagine holiday shopping without her!) Show her how much you appreciate her with a thoughtful gift from the Nanny Gift shop.

T-shirts
Sweatshirts
Totes
Coffee mugs
And more…

Humorous. Thoughtful. Perfect for today’s nanny. Visit the Nanny Gift Shop and find the perfect gift for your own Super Nanny. SHOP NOW

New Book Celebrates the Nanny-Child Relationship

2007-11-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

A “must” for any child who spends time with a professional caregiver

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.

“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

Nanny / Babysitter murdered after answering Ad on Craigslist

2007-10-29T07:58:00.000-04:00

For 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

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.

Wanted: "MANNIES" & FAMILIES

2007-10-19T10:56:00.000-04:00

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?

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

Or, call our Casting Department at: 212.542.3579

October Issue of Nanny News, Don't Miss It!

2007-10-19T08:42:00.000-04:00

Don't miss the new issue of Nanny News. 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. http://www.4nanny.com/newsletter.shtml

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.

2007-10-19T08:02:00.000-04:00

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)

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.

Overtime Pay Requirement for Nannies

2007-10-16T13:41:00.000-04:00

Nanny vs. Family and Family vs. Annie’s Nannies Household Staffing.

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

Nanny Interviews, tell us about them

2007-10-03T12:34:00.000-04:00

We're looking for your input.

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.

Nanny Night Out a Big Success in NYC

2007-09-14T14:39:00.000-04:00

This is a picture sent in by the Nanny Alliance of New York and New Jersey. It was taken on their night out event to view the new Nanny Diaries movie.

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.

We hope you had a great time ladies. Lord knows you all deserve a night out with the girls.

The Nanny Buzz Welcomes your Comments

2007-09-06T13:56:00.001-04:00

We 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 Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com.

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.

Nannies on a Quest for Rights

2007-09-05T14:48:00.000-04:00

Some interesting news regarding nannies basic employment rights.

Washington Post Article

Secrets Safe with Professional Nannies, Unlike Subject Of New 'Diaries' Movie

2007-08-16T11:25:00.000-04:00

The 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.

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.

Introducing BestNannyCam.com

2007-08-13T09:37:00.000-04:00

Homesight Monitoring Systems Make Safeguarding Your Child Easy

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.

INA Invites You to Share Exceptional Nanny Stories and Photos of Nannies with their Charges

2007-07-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

INA is proud to honor nannies who are exceptional caregivers and have gone beyond the call of duty to enrich the lives of the children in their care. If you are an exceptional nanny or know an INA member who is, you are invited to share your story with the readers of INAVision. The articles selected by the INAVision committee will be featured in the fall issue of INAVision.

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

AZ Nanny “Dream Team” donates time to Parents of Sextuplets

2007-07-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

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.

Attn: Nannies, Nanny / Employer Communication Survey

2007-06-20T16:24:00.000-04:00

My name is Liz Ramus and I am a current nanny and junior at Carroll College in Waukesha Wisconsin. This summer under a undergraduate research program entitled, The Pioneer Scholar, I have chosen to look into the communication between child care providers and adults. Since this area of communication has not been researched I have chosen to start with the nanny population of the US. For this study we are focusing on the nanny's perspective of the communication between themselves and their employers/family.

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.

Summer Nanny / Temp Nanny Payroll Tax Obligations

2007-06-13T12:09:00.000-04:00

Q: I have been asked to be a nanny for a young family. They would like to pay me in cash. This is a temporary position. Do I need to report this on my taxes?

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

INA Names Mother of Four “Nanny of the Year”

2007-06-12T12:57:00.001-04:00

Arlington, VA – Christy Ochs is not your typical nanny. She is the mother of four who took an unusual path to becoming a nanny, a professional caregiver who is a genuine advocate for children, and she represents a positive role model for the in-home child care industry and the International Nanny Association (INA). On May 18, INA awarded Christy its highest honor, The 2007 Nanny of the Year (NOTY) Award during its 22nd Annual Conference held in Alexandria, Virginia.
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.

Bob King, esq. founder of Legally Nanny® joins 4EverythingNanny's panel of industry experts

2007-06-06T12:46:00.000-04:00

We're excited to welcome Bob King to our team of esteemed industry experts. Bob is an attorney and founder of Legally Nanny®, a company that provides legal and tax advice to household employers and domestic employment agencies. Bob received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, studied at the University of Lisbon, Portugal, on a Rotary International Fellowship, and received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School.

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

New "Who's Your Nanny?" show, looking for Nanny Host.

2007-05-30T12:04:00.001-04:00

My name is Sue Skinner and I am the Casting Director for the NANNY HOST for the weekly national television series entitled, WHO'S YOUR NANNY?
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

How to Lose a Nanny in 10 Days

2007-04-27T08:53:00.000-04:00

Loved this article on Parents.com. Learn what not to do and what to expect as a nanny employer. All the nannies will cheer when they read this one.

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

Nanny Diaries - First Look at the Trailer

2007-04-19T11:29:00.000-04:00

This really looks like a cute movie. I thought you'd like a sneak peek.

http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_066122636.html

New Television Concept from the Producers of SuperNanny

2007-04-18T11:26:00.000-04:00

NEW TELEVISION CONCEPT FROM THE PRODUCERS OF SUPERNANNY NOW CASTING CHILDCARE EXPERT Los Angeles, CA –

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

Mandarin speaking Nannies are the Latest "must have" for parents in UK

2007-04-10T13:48:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting article on the rise in popularity of Mandarin speaking nannies in the UK and the lack of qualified candidates.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article1632772.ece

NY Nanny Agencies under Fire

2007-04-08T15:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to an article in today's NY Post regarding unlicensed nanny agencies and illegal agency practices. "The report - expected to be released this week and conducted by the council's Oversight and Investigations Committee - looked at 52 of the city's nanny agencies, companies that connect nannies with families looking for help.
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?

2007-04-08T13:43:00.000-04:00

Q: I am going to meet a potential family next week. As a possible nanny I was hoping to bring a small gift for the children 2 boys (7 and 13 mo.) and 2 girls (5 and 3). I don't want anything too overboard bu I want them to know I am excited to work with them. Any ideas on what I could get them?
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

What's the nanny buzz?

2007-04-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

The nanny buzz is....we've got a new blog. We will be using the blog to let you know about exciting updates to this website, industry news and anything else that we think you'd like to know about. This is also where you will find answers to questions submitted to our panel of nanny experts. If you have questions about working as a nanny or finding and hiring a nanny, we've got a great panel of experts with years of experience in the industry to help. Sorry, we can't take questions directly through the blog, but all you have to do is visit our "Ask the Experts" forum and submit your question. You'll find a link to the forum in the list of suggested links on this blog.

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.