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Posts Tagged ‘nannies’

California Nanny Gate. What went wrong?

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Here in California we’ve had another “Nanny Gate” occur that could affect the governor’s race. I’d like to share a few of my thoughts on the subject. Having owned a prominent Los Angeles nanny agency for many years that only placed “legal” nannies I can say that most families didn’t care about this issue, any more than they cared about paying their nannies “on the books”. Families are interested in whether the person will be good for their children.

In the Meg Whitman case the family hired their housekeeper through a well known nanny agency in the Bay Area, Town & Country Resources. From what I’ve read the nanny agency did their job and got the documentation they needed from the housekeeper and no doubt gave the paperwork to the Whitman family.

What went wrong? The law is clear that employers and nanny agencies don’t have to verify the paperwork submitted to them. Thankfully they don’t have to decide if a Social Security card or Green Card is legitimate. Now E-verify is readily available to verify documents, but I don’t believe it was as well established when the housekeeper was hired as it is now.

My sympathies were with the family until they received the notice from the Social Security Administration saying the SSN didn’t match their employee’s name. That was the red flag. The family didn’t follow up on that and continued to keep the housekeeper employed without asking any questions.

If it were me, I would have investigated this issue further and since they considered the housekeeper a “member of the family” I would have done what we do for family—gotten right to work to help her get documentation. The nanny that works for my family for over 13 years now had a work permit that was renewed yearly. Eventually it would no longer be renewed and she would be “illegal”. We contacted an immigration attorney and through a long, arduous process that made it all the way to the Federal 9^th Circuit of Appeals. She eventually obtained her Green Card and her life has been changed forever—as has our family’s.

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, nanny, Nanny Gate, nanny services
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Having a second baby and your nanny

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

We are having a second baby.

Do we need to pay our nanny more?

Should we hire a new nanny?

Adding a new child to your family may not be as big a change as that first child, however it is still a transition that a family needs to adapt to, and that includes the nanny! As soon as you feel comfortable sharing your big news of the new baby with family and friends, make sure you sit down and discuss it with your nanny. Make sure you discuss the following:

Ask her how she feels about this new change
Ask her what questions she has about what this change will mean for her.
Inform her of your plan and again check in with the nanny about her thoughts and feelings.

Before you sit down and let your nanny know about your new baby on the way. Sit down with your partner and discuss what the plan is going to be. Are you going to hire a new nanny or give your current nanny a raise? There are some factors to consider. What’s the age difference between your children? Will one person be able to help care for a newborn and your other child? Does your older child have activities that they need to be driven to? Will you be home for a bit as well? If you feel as though your nanny will be able to take care of both children and you are even planning to stay home for a bit at the beginning, then you will want to give your nanny a raise. If you feel as though you need additional help, then you will need to begin the search for an additional nanny. Sometimes families only need an additional nanny through the first few months, sometimes the first few years. You will need to decide what is right for your family.

Most nannies will expect to have their nanny salary increased due to the increased workload and responsibility. Not increasing her nanny pay could create resentment on her part and that’s never good in a nanny/family relationship.

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, nanny, Nanny Salary, Nanny work
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Should I have my children present at the nanny interview?

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

This question is a very common question that I get from new moms. There are many layers to the nanny interview process and many layers of screening candidates that needs to take place. Your children really don’t need to be present until the very end of the process. Exposing your children needlessly to nannies who may or may not be their next nanny can leave them feeling anxious and uneasy. At first, you may choose to screen nanny candidates out via e-mail. Then you may choose to interview potential nannies over the phone where you continue to narrow your search. After that step, you may choose to Skype with them or meet them at a local coffee shop to see how you feel about them in person. Once you are pretty sure this candidate is “the one” you can invite them to your house for an in-person interview where they can meet the kids. When you have this meeting, take care not to tell the children this may be their next nanny. Children may either attach themselves immediately or push this potential nanny candidate away if they know that this person may be their next nanny. Instead, have the nanny have a try-out day and tell the kids “Susan” is helping us out today. Watch how the children interact with her and see if it’s a good fit!

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, nanny, nanny interview, nanny services, Nanny work
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How do I pick nannies to interview?

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

Selecting nanny candidates to interview can be a tricky task that requires some skill! Fortunately enannysource.com provides you with what you need to know in to focus your nanny search and select only the cream of the crop to interview! The most important step is making sure that you have a clear idea of what you want and what you need in a nanny. After you have determined exactly what you are looking for, it is time to see who fits the bill! Here are some tips for determining who is in and who is out.

1) Make a list of qualities you can’t live without in a nanny! This is different for every family so it is important that you determine what your list is. Do you want someone with multiples experience? Someone who has been a live-in nanny? Someone who has a degree in child development? Someone that has nanny newborn experience?

2) Make a list of qualities that are absolute deal breakers! Does your nanny need to know how to swim? Do they need to be comfortable around dogs? Does she need to have cared for newborns?

3) Start the nanny screening process early. Don’t wait for the in-person interview to ask all of the questions. Start screening candidates via e-mail, then over the phone, or Skype and then in in-person. Only a select few of the potential nanny candidates should make it to the in-person interview.

4) Select only candidates who put their best foot forward! Individuals with strong portfolios, including their resume, cover letter and letters of reference are usually pretty together people themselves. This also goes for e-mail correspondence. If they are great at communicating via e-mail and professional, that will carry through to their day to day nanny work with your family!

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, nanny interview, nanny services
Posted in hiring a nanny, Newborn Nanny Care | 1 Comment »

NannyPalooza 2010. Celebrating the Nanny Profession-across America!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

The National Association for Nanny Care is putting on NannyPalooza events in 18 cities across the U.S. on September 18 and 19. NannyPalooza is to further the education of professional nannies. NannyPalooza corresponds with National Nanny Recognition Week, which is September 19-25. These events are priced at no more than $25 and are to further nannies education in areas such as language development, discipline and working with challenging kids.

Nannies help make working families WORK all across America, so let’s get the word out to all those hard working nannies about these fantastic events. For a list of dates and cities go to: http://www.nannycredential.org/npeventlist.html

eNannySource is dedicated to furthering the nanny profession and fostering understanding between nannies/children and nannies/families.

Tags: nannies, nanny, Nanny work
Posted in hiring a nanny | 1 Comment »

Do we need a live-in nanny?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

By Dr. Lindsay Heller The Nanny Doctor

By now you may be well into your search for the perfect nanny. You have made a list of your needs and perhaps you have even consulted with other families with live-in or live-out nannies.

Many families enter their nanny search knowing already what type of nanny they need. However, with so many great child care options available to families these days, it’s harder to make a choice. A quick survey of families in your area may reveal that live-out nannies are more common than live-in nannies. However, if your family needs a live-in nanny, then there are a few important things you need to consider.

1. Do you have enough space?
If you plan to hire a live-in nanny, you will need to provide a dedicated bedroom. If your live-in nanny will be caring for an infant, she may sleep in the nursery with the baby on occasion, but she will still need her own bedroom as well.

2. Are you prepared to feed an extra mouth?
Since your nanny will be living with you, then you will be required to provide meals and snacks. Consider the expense of extra groceries when preparing a budget.

3. Do you have an extra vehicle?
Not every nanny owns a car. If you expect your live-in nanny to drive the kids to school or run the occasional errand, then you may need to provide her with a car. Or perhaps you can lend her your own car. Either way, you need to make sure your nanny has a valid driver’s license and is covered by your auto insurance.

4. What about vacations?
Like all bosses, you need to consider time off for your employee. Be sure to work in a minimum of one week’s paid vacation and all major holidays off with pay into your plans.

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, Nanny work
Posted in hiring a nanny, Newborn Nanny Care | No Comments »

To use a nanny cam or not to use a nanny cam…that is the question!

Monday, August 9th, 2010

By, Dr. Lindsay Heller The Nanny Doctor

So, you are thinking about using a nanny cam…you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Let’s talk about how to handle and manage these fears. This is a delicate and sensitive issue. There are not only legal issues to consider but also how it may impact the relationship you have with your nanny.

If you are thinking about using a nanny cam, you probably have a lot of fears related to leaving your child with a nanny. Some of these fears are natural, while others may be common but irrational. You may have heard about nannies abusing children in the news and now that you have your own little one, you are deathly afraid. First of all, you need to know that nannies rarely abuse children. Secondly, you need to know that it is natural to be a little afraid and cautious, however, your fear shouldn’t paralyze you, it should lead you to make good choices about who cares for your child and listening to your gut. Knowledge builds confidence, so please vet your nanny carefully using the eNannySource Nanny Success Kit and Nanny Background Check before hiring a nanny and using a nanny cam.

First Things First
When it comes to using a nanny cam, I recommend that you let the nanny know in the interview that you are planning to use one. Now, for some this may seem contradictory, however, it is not! I’d rather that an incident is completely prevented rather than “caught” and being up front about your use of a nanny cam can raise awareness for the nanny and help to prevent any issues.

Trust
In addition to the laws, you may want to think about how this may affect your relationship with your nanny. Trust is very important in this unique relationship and needs to be nurtured. If you are to go with a nanny cam, you should discuss this with your interview candidates prior to hiring (in the interview) and once hired, have the nanny sign a document stating that they are aware of the “hidden camera.” This way you are hiring someone who you know is comfortable with this practice. A nanny who finds out after some time working for your family that there is a nanny cam may feel insulted and any trust you may have built will be ruined.

Is it legal?
The short answer is it is legal to use a hidden camera in all 50 states, however it is illegal to record someone’s speech in 15 states without their consent. California Video recording of “confidential communications” is prohibited without consent.  The laws of 13 states expressly prohibit the unauthorized installation or use of cameras in private places. In some states, installation or use of any device for photographing, observing or overhearing events or sounds in a private place without the permission of the people photographed or observed is against the law. A private place is one where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from unauthorized surveillance.  Consider that studies and polls show that many care providers are not necessarily against video taping of child-provider interaction, it’s just that they want to know about it. It seems to be a matter of trust and feeling of deception. Some parents handle the situation by telling a potential care provider upfront that a nanny cam will be used so that they can feel comfortable and confident about their child’s care. It’s then up to the nanny to accept or decline the position with a family who uses a nanny cam.

A final note
If you feel so concerned about someone caring for your children, you shuld listen to that gut instinct and not hire them to care for your children. If you think you are feeling a little anxious as a new parent and need the nanny cam toget through

By, Dr. Lindsay Heller The Nanny Doctor

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, Nanny Background check, nanny interview
Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Background Check, Newborn Nanny Care | 2 Comments »

Our nanny’s birthday is coming up and we want to show her our appreciation for her nanny work. What’s an appropriate gift?

Friday, July 16th, 2010

By, Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

Your nanny cares for your child with love and sensitivity on a daily basis. Her birthday is the perfect opportunity to show her how much you care about her and appreciate how much nanny work she does for your family. Unfortunately, so many families don’t take notice of this special day in the life of their nanny and miss out on an opportunity to let her know she is important. Here are some quick tips for celebrating your nanny’s birthday:

1) Take note of when her birthday is and plan ahead of time to celebrate it!

2) Get your children involved. Ask them to create a drawing for her or art project. Let your children know why you are doing something for your nanny and how much you love and appreciate them. Encourage your children to talk about why they love her so much and what she means to them. Write their words down on the back of the artwork in quotes for the nanny to read.

3) Are your children too young for artwork? Send flowers to your nanny on her birthday from your baby with a note about how much you appreciate her!

4) As far as gifts go, there is quite a range of what is acceptable. The bottom line is you should do what is comfortable and feels right for your family. While some families are able to give huge cash gifts, other families may be able to give a nanny $100 or $50. You may also choose to give her a paid day off – which can be great because it doesn’t affect your budget. You can also think outside of the box – think about your friends…do they own their own businesses? Perhaps you know a friend who is a massage therapist and you can get a deal on a massage and pass on a gift certificate to your nanny.

5) Try to avoid buying something extravagant. What may be beautiful or special to you may not be useful for your nanny. Instead of a designer scarf, get her a gift card from a local grocery store or a gift card for a restaurant. These kinds of gifts can go a long ways and also extend to your nanny’s family which can be an extremely valuable gift. Offer to purchase her bus pass for a year, listen to her, has she been complaining about a dishwasher that keeps breaking down? If it’s within your budget, these are the kind of gifts that can be really appreciated by your nanny.

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, Nanny work
Posted in hiring a nanny | 1 Comment »

Is Your Nanny Water Safety Certified?

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

by, Lisa Werth http://modernizingmarypoppins.com/
Lisa is a nanny with many years of experience

For more articles on nanny safety issues

In July of 2008 and now in June of 2010 two nannies have died in drowning accidents while caring for young charges. That is two nannies too many.

Many years ago, I myself as a nanny on duty at the time had to dive into a deep pool to pull a struggling child out of the water.

When I heard of both tragedies the immediate thought that came to mind was could they swim? Why did they never learn what to do in case of a water emergency?

After the first nanny died a few summers ago, I started to become vocal about the need for families with pools who were hiring caregivers to be responsible and hire only those that can swim. In May of 2009 I was out on a hike with another nanny one weekend near the Potomac River, and she asked if it was possible to swim in it? I looked at her as if she was crazy. Rivers have currents and the Potomac has big rocks.

This got me thinking though about what people do and don’t know about water in general and what precautions do they need to take.

With my charges, I like to get out in nature, whether it’s a trail over a creek or river, near a duck pond at a playground, or on the shoreline of a lake. I’ve done all types of things with them over the years. In hindsight, in most of those jobs my former employers never asked me if I could swim or test me for water safety knowledge.

Yes, I do know what to do; I nearly drowned when I was four. A childhood neighbor friend of mine did drown the summer we were twelve in a diving accident. A few years after that my cousin’s toddler drowned in a bath tub. I am perhaps hyper vigilant when it comes to children and water. I read all the articles and pamphlets that I come across about precautions and procedures to take.

According to the American Red Cross each year, more than 830 children ages 14 and under die as a result of unintentional drowning. On average, an annual 3,600 injuries occur to children due to a near-drowning incident.

I have been on many interviews with families that have pools, or go sailing and boating. Some live or vacation on waterfront properties. Many of my charges have been in swim lessons and then want to go to the pool or the beach, and the parents expected me to take them. Likewise, there are many nannies in our country working in situations where water is a part of the job. One thing I do know, is while life guards are good, it doesn’t mean a nanny should let down her guard.

I am American Red Cross Water Safety Certified. I received this training through a nanny retreat. At the International Nanny Association Conference in the spring of 2010 several others became certified in water safety too. It would be great to see a majority of nannies become trained in this. If there is a

nanny agency, association or organization in your area encourage them to offer a training time on water safety including the ARC certification.

Parents, if you are going to hire and nanny and you have a pool or even think there is the remote possibility of them being near or in any type of water, please insist that your nanny be trained in water safety. And, know water safety yourself; take the course together if you both need it. It is inexpensive and just a few short hours of your time.

After you complete the water safety training have drills with your nanny and children. Create Rules and plans for what to do in an emergency. Post them somewhere near your pool because in a panic situation having those steps there can be a extremely vital to help remind people on what to do.

Periodically look over the guidelines put out by the American Red Cross and other health and safety organizations. Know CPR and First Aid, sometimes the accidently drowning can occur after a slip and head injury. Have pool side medical emergency kits and devices to aid you if needed. Always have a cell phone nearby too. Put the address to your location on the safety rule board you have posted so if visitor needs to call 911 they can direct the dispatcher to where you are.

Please obey city ordinances regarding gates, covers, etc. around pools. Make sure household doors that lead off towards pools and bodies of water are securely locked so that curious little children don’t head out toward the water undetected.

Make sure your friends and neighbors know your expectations too. One time as a nanny, I came home while my employers and charges were away to discover some friends of theirs using the pool. Another time the neighborhood boys came over to apologize for being in it without telling their parents or us.

Here are some additional links for you to have as reference to go over with your family and nanny,

http://www2.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/healthtips/safetywater.html

http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/water.html

http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/drowning/open-water-safety-tips.html

PLEASE, help prevent another child and nanny drowning tragedy.

Tags: nannies, nanny, Nanny Safety
Posted in Nanny Safety | 2 Comments »

It seems like my nanny isn’t listening to me. I tell her one thing and she looks like she is agreeing and then will go and do something else.

Friday, June 25th, 2010

By, Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

As a professional nanny consultant, I hear from nannies and families all over the world about their struggles and daily challenges. The topic of a nanny not being a “self-starter” tends to be quite a common issue, however this topic is a bit more complex than it may seem on the surface. As with all nanny-family relationship issues, we need to look at both parties’ potential part in the problem. Take a look at this article on evaluating nanny success.

Examine how you are communicating your expectations and needs to your nanny. It is not enough sometimes to just tell your nanny to do something.

There are many factors that could affect communication. Ask yourself is there a language barrier issue? Is there a cultural misunderstanding? Are you not being clear in setting the expectations? Are you assuming that they “should know this because they are a nanny”?

These are common contributing factors to the problem of your nanny not following through on one of your requests. The best way to communicate your expectations to your nanny is in a thorough, purposeful manner. This may mean:

1) Demonstrating how you expect a task to be completed

2) Writing out directions regarding your expectations

3) Sitting down and setting aside some time to discuss why it didn’t work, or why it wasn’t exactly how you had requested.

If you troubleshoot and determine that there isn’t a language problem, it isn’t a cultural misunderstanding, you have set clear expectations, not made any assumptions, then it may be an employee behavioral problem. Your nanny may have an idea of how they are going to do something and have rigid beliefs that they have a better way of doing something. This is when you need to sit down and have a talk and explain to her that things cannot continue this way. Assess the current situation. State that you have requested she do xyz, and ask why she hasn’t been able to do xyz. Listen to your nanny, there may be a real reason why xyz is not happening. However, if there isn’t really an answer probe a little further and ask her what you can do to ensure that xyz happens. In other words, find out how you can set her up for success!

Tags: hire a nanny, nannies, nanny services, Nanny work
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