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Expert Insights: Kathy Webb on How the Fiscal Cliff Effects Household Employers and Employees

January 4, 2013

With the Fiscal Cliff negotiations taking center in news broadcasts and papers, everyone is well aware that the country was in some type of fiscal crisis. But with news coverage in the topic so wide, it can be hard to narrow in on how the resolutions practically affect household employers and employees.

Recently I connected with Kathy Webb of Homework Solutions, a nanny industry leader on household pay and tax matters to figure out how the recent negotiations truly impact those in our industry. Here’s what she had to share.

eNannySource: There has been a lot of talk about taxes and paychecks recently. What do household employers need to know?

Kathy: The Fiscal Cliff negotiations were certainly in the headlines! The most important take away for household employers is that the two year “Payroll Tax Holiday” was allowed to expire. What this means is that Social Security payroll withholding will go up by 2% over 2012, and every employee’s net paycheck will be smaller. There are some changes coming to Federal Income Tax withholding formulas, however, these will not significantly impact household employees.

The HomeWork Solutions’ Nanny Payroll Tax Calculator is up to date with published tax changes, most importantly the Social Security tax change. Employers should certainly recalculate before issuing any 2013 payrolls. Employers who fail to collect via deductions the correct tax amounts will still need to remit the additional tax to the IRS.

eNannySource: How about at the state level? Are there any particular changes at this level?

Kathy: Ten states and several large cities including San Francisco increased the minimum wage effective January 1, 2013. HomeWork Solutions’ website maintains a list of the minimum wage that applies to household workers. Washington State has the highest state minimum wage at $9.19 per hour, and the City of San Francisco the highest minimum wage nationwide at $10.55. Also, every year state unemployment tax rates are adjusted.

New York State employers are legally obligated to provide their employees their annual Pay Rate Notice between January 1 and February 1, 2013.

eNannySource: What other 2013 changes should a Household Employer be aware of?

Kathy: Many household employers reimburse the business use of their nanny’s personal vehicle at the IRS mileage reimbursement rate. This rate increased a penny to $56.5 cents per mile for 2013. Employers and nannies alike should remember that they have the obligation to maintain appropriate documentation of the details of the reimbursed business expense.

eNannySouce: Wrapping up 2012, what particular activities are needed to close out last year’s payroll obligations?

Kathy: January is a busy month for payroll tax reporting. What is top of mind for many nannies is that they are due to receive their Form W-2 no later than January 31, 2013 for 2012 wages. Employers, in addition to the W-2 forms, are also busy with 4th quarter reporting and end of year reconciliations.

It is very important to remember that nannies and almost all household workers are employees of the family – NOT independent contractors. Nationally, prosecution of employers for willfully issuing a Form 1099 to an employee is an enforcement priority. The US Department of Labor, the IRS and many states now formally share information between the agencies to facilitate the identification of offenders and the enforcement of payroll tax and labor laws.

eNannySource: 2012 Household Employment Taxes are reported to the IRS with the family’s income tax return. Are there any changes in this process?

Kathy: The Form 1040 Schedule H process has been largely unchanged over the last decade. The one item that catches employers by surprise, however, is when their Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) jumps unexpectedly. The bleak employment picture over the last 5 years has severely strained state unemployment funds, and the majority of states have had to take loans from the Federal government to meet benefit payment obligations. Currently 18 states are in arrears in their loan repayment and as a result the employers in these states face significant increases in their FUTA tax rate – a so-called “credit reduction.”

Most important for household employers is that families in these states who are household employers were ineligible for e-filing of their personal tax returns for 2011 and indications are this will continue for 2012 returns, as IRS computer systems are unable to accept the “credit reduction” worksheet.

HomeWork Solutions’ FAQ Common Questions: End of Year “Nanny Tax” Filings goes into considerable detail regarding these end of year activities. HomeWork Solutions’ representatives are also available for free telephone consultations weekdays at 800.626.4829, and welcome your calls.

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Pre-Reading Skills Nannies Can Work on With Kids

January 3, 2013

Part of a nanny’s job description is helping their charges meet developmental milestones and learn about the world around them, which is why it’s important for those striving to make a career out of private, in-home childcare provision to learn the best methods of doing just that. When you’re working with toddlers, it’s necessary to understand how many skills must be mastered in order for them to be prepared for the hard work of learning to read and write when they enter preschool and kindergarten. While there are a variety of teaching styles and philosophies out there, some skills are almost universally accepted as those that are integral to the process. These skills are among those that nannies can work on with their charges, helping to set them up for future academic success.

Matching

Matching skills are among the earliest that little ones can master on their path to reading, as it helps them to understand how to connect words with concepts. Matching pictures with spoken sounds, then matching pictures to others that are thematically related, is a key aspect of learning to read. Matching shapes, patterns and letters eventually evolves into the ability to match and recognize the patterns of printed words, phrases and sentences. Using homemade or store-bought flashcards, playing matching games, and working on the concept of matching through explorative play are all effective ways of building that foundation.

Rhyming

Working on rhymes and learning about rhyming words helps little ones to develop phenome awareness, which is the understanding of how words sound and are formed. This essential building block of pre-reading skills can be established and developed through rhyming games, listening to rhyming books as they’re read aloud, and singing songs that prominently feature a recognizable rhyme scheme. Researchers at Montreal’s McGill University, including experimental linguist Michael Wagner, claim that their studies suggest that hearing a word spoken will activate rhyming words in the listener’s brain. In fact, a 2004 study shows that young children associate the way that words sound and the fact that they rhyme over the words’ actual meanings.

Letter Recognition

Helping kids to learn the alphabet usually begins with singing the same melody that’s been associated with the ABC’s for generations. After kids have largely mastered the task of reciting the letters of the alphabet, it’s time to start helping them connect the sounds of those letters with their visual representation. Flashcards printed with a single letter are a great way to reinforce this association; once kids have learned the shapes that make up a letter, you can then move on to associating a letter with a familiar image. For instance, “A is for Apple,” et cetera.

Language Skills

While speaking to children in a pleasing tone is most effective, doing so in a high-pitched, babbling sort of “baby talk” actually does more harm than good. The earlier a child is exposed to spoken language, the more easily he will absorb and learn to repeat it. With a strong grasp of language comes an increased ability to master early reading skills, so make sure that you speak with your charges often, and do so in a clear, understandable voice. Even children that have not yet mastered verbal skills on their own will do so more easily if they’re exposed to plenty of spoken language as he reaches late infancy and early toddlerhood.

How to Properly Handle Books

When toddlers are taught to properly handle a book, making sure that it’s not upside down, they’re already mastering an important pre-reading skill. Turning the pages in sequence, looking at the pictures, and learning to understand that the words printed on the page are what makes up the story, helps them grasp the concept of print and understand that words are read from top to bottom and from left to right. Encouraging your charges to look at their books by holding them the right way and properly turning the pages establishes and reinforces skills he’ll need when he begins early reading in earnest.

Sequencing

Even if your toddler-aged charge can’t read his own bedtime story yet, you can help him to learn a valuable skill along the path to reading by working on the concept of sequencing. Learning that a puppy can’t dry off before he jumps in a puddle or that cookies can’t be eaten until they’re baked reinforces the logic behind sequencing, a fundamental skill. Making sequence cards, practicing predictions of upcoming events in a story, and even working together to help him write a story he dictates to you are all great ways of establishing the ability to recognize and understand sequencing.

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10 Things You Should Do Before Your First Nanny Job

December 19, 2012

Becoming a nanny is an exciting career choice, however it’s also a hard field to break into. Here are some tips to make sure you’re ready to tackle landing and succeeding at your first nanny job.

Become CPR/first aid certified. You can take this basic training through the American Heart Association, The Red Cross, your local hospital or other community outreach programs. There are also online programs available, but this is the type of training you should take in person. An average class can last between 4 and 6 hours and will give you a solid understanding of how to help a child in an emergency.
Get basic child development training. To be a quality childcare provider, you need to have a basic understanding of child development. This will help you design a well-rounded day, develop a positive and effective discipline approach, plan fun and educational activities, and understand how to best support the children you care for. There are many ways to get this basic training. Most resource and referral agencies offer a core competency educational program and many community colleges offer basic certification programs.
Round out your childcare experience. To qualify for the widest number of jobs, you need to have at least 1 to 3 years of recent and relevant childcare experience. It’s helpful if you’ve worked with different age groups and with 2 or 3 children at a time. If you have gaps in your childcare experience, you can fill them in a number of ways. You can find babysitting jobs through online sites or classifieds, you can work for a temp nanny agency providing sitting, back-up, hotel or event care, or you can work in a formal childcare setting like a daycare or preschool.
Learn about the unique role of a nanny. Being a nanny is different than any other childcare job. The only way to really understand what you need to do the job well is to learn from other nannies. There are lots of Google and Yahoo discussion groups, Facebook groups and local nanny support groups that connect you with other nannies. These are perfect places to ask questions, get support and learn about the unique challenges that come with being a nanny.
Get letters of reference. Every nanny placement agency and parent you apply with will require letters of reference from past childcare jobs. The best time to get a letter of reference is while you’re still working in the job or soon after you’ve left so that all the ways you’ve contributed to the position are still fresh in the mind of the parent or supervisor. If you don’t have a letter of reference for a past childcare job, now is the perfect time to ask for it.
Write your resume. Having a well-written resume that outlines your work history, your childcare experience, your education and any special skills you have is a must. There are lots of different formats that are acceptable. Make sure you check your resume for accuracy, spelling, grammar and formatting.
Decide what you’re looking for in your first job. Every nanny job and every nanny employer is different. Make sure that you have a clear picture of what you’re looking for before you start your search. Think about the ages you want to work with, the number of children you’re comfortable with, the responsibilities you’re willing to take on, the type of household you’d like to work in and the kind of parents you want to work for.
Research the resources in the area you want to work in. Parents appreciate a nanny who knows about the kid friendly offerings in the local community. Get to know the playgrounds, fountain parks, story times and classes in the area you want to work. This will help you win parents over and also help you plan fun outings once you’re on the job.
Connect with local nannies. Nannies don’t have co-workers to turn to for some adult conversation to break up the day, to ask for advice on a work problem, or to get support from. You can create your own network by connecting with other nannies in your area. Your nanny network will be a big help to you as a caregiver and will give you and your charge friends for field trips, play dates and craft parties.
Join the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is the largest childcare organization around. Their professional journals and online site offers lots of high quality resources that will increase your understanding of child development, give you creative ideas to fill your days and keep you up-to-date on the latest childcare research.

Your first nanny position will bring you lots of unique joys and challenges. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with a family in a meaningful way while having a lot of fun. Being a nanny is a great job choice for those who have a genuine love for children and a true interest in caring for them.

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Ways to Encourage a Service Attitude in Kids

December 12, 2012

We all hope our children will grow up to be the kind of adults that reach out a helping hand to those less fortunate. However, a service attitude doesn’t just happen; it has to be given ample opportunities to take root and grow strong. Parents can have a profound impact on nurturing that attitude. Here are a few ways you can help your child develop a service attitude that will stay with them throughout their lifetime.

Model a giving heart. Children learn best by watching those they love and respect. If you want your child to truly value helping others, show him that’s it’s important to you through your own words and actions. Find a cause that you’re passionate about and get involved in whatever way you can. It doesn’t always have to be a hands-on project; there are many support jobs that make the direct work possible. Maybe your cause is best served by working on the fundraising committee, or folding and mailing out newsletters, or managing the volunteers. Whatever you do, talk about it with your child and involve him whenever possible. Let him know how your actions help others and share the benefits you get by being part of the project.

Promote the idea that one person can make a difference. Many people today are pessimistic about the impact that one person can have. But the belief that one person who gives from the heart can make a real difference in the world is at the heart of the service attitude. Instill and nurture the belief that your child can make the world a better place. Seek out news stories that spotlight people, especially children, who have taken positive actions around an idea they believe in. Read books where the hero is kind and loving towards others. Celebrate small victories and acknowledge that every big victory started with one step. Focus on what you can accomplish rather than what you can’t. Starting a compost project in your neighborhood won’t stop global warming, but it will contribute to a sustainable community. Working a shift at a homeless shelter won’t end homelessness, but it will help local people get a night’s sleep away from the cold and rain. Empower your child to see and embrace the possibilities.

Give your child the opportunity to get involved in a real way. We often don’t let young children participate in volunteer projects because we want to protect them from the harsh realities of the world. However, most children are able to handle much more than we think they can. They’re able to see past the problems and connect with the people affected. There are many volunteer opportunities that welcome children and help parents explain the issue in age appropriate ways. You and your child can volunteer to serve meals at a homeless shelter, visit isolated seniors in a nursing home, collect winter coats for foster children, or work a shift at a pet adoption day. What you do isn’t important. Taking the time to volunteer on a regular basis is what counts.

Encourage giving with everyday actions. While volunteer projects are a great way to introduce your child to helping others, a true service attitude is something that’s present every day. Get in the habit of joining with your child to think of ways you can help others in your everyday world. Carry a supply of water bottles and granola bars in your car and hand them out to the homeless people standing on street corners. Purge the play room and closets on a regular basis and donate the toys and clothes that aren’t being used. Pick up trash off the sidewalk and put it in the street side trash can. Give up your seat on the train to an elderly person. Return a shopping cart to the store front for a mom with young kids. Ask a child who’s sitting on the sidelines if he’d like to join in the game. There are endless opportunities throughout the day for both you and your child to help others.

Start a gratitude habit. Studies show that people who are grateful for what they have, whatever that may be, are more likely to be happy in their lives. Being grateful also helps you feel good about what you have when others around you have less, so you should consider starting a gratitude habit with your child. Talk at breakfast about what you’re looking forward to, share at dinner what things happened during the day you’re grateful for, or end the night with saying thank you.

No matter how young your child is, take the time to nurture his service attitude. It’s a passion that will stay with him for a lifetime.

Posted in Child Safety | 1 Comment

How Much to Tip Your Nanny on Christmas

December 11, 2012

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again – it’s Christmastime! Along with all the friends and family you have on your gift giving list, you’re also probably trying to figure out how much to tip your nanny. You want to say thanks for the wonderful care she provides, for the extra things she does without being asked, and for all the days when she goes above and beyond to make your life a little easier. But how much is enough?

The industry standard for a Christmas tip or bonus is one to two weeks’ salary. However, there are several factors that affect what’s right for your particular situation. Here are some things to think about when deciding on an amount.

Your budget. For some families, one or two weeks’ salary is simply not in the budget. If it’s a stretch financially for you to even afford a nanny, it’s probably next to impossible to add on several hundred dollars to her end of year check. The good news is your nanny probably understands your financial limitations. Especially if she knows you sacrifice throughout the year to pay her a fair and competitive wage. In those situations, it’s a good bet your nanny doesn’t expect a big tip and will be happy to receive a little extra cash during the holiday season. It really is the thought behind the gift that matters. The important thing is to show your caregiver that you appreciate all her hard work and to say thank you for the great care she gives to your child.

She’s a new employee. If you’ve recently hired your nanny, you’re not expected to give her a hefty tip at the end of the year. She understands that she’s new to the job and hasn’t put the time in to earn an extra week’s salary. However you want to make sure that you still give her a gift or bonus that says you appreciate the work she does. A $50 gift card to her favorite store or $100 cash bonus is always a welcome surprise.

She’s a long time employee. If your nanny has been with your family for several years, the amount she receives will be higher than average. Not only are you saying thank you for the great work she does, you’re letting her know how much you appreciate and value her loyalty and dedication to your family. This is especially true for long term nannies that aren’t receiving regular raises because they’ve hit the hourly rate ceiling. The end of the year bonus is the perfect way to provide a financial reward for a job well done.

Her regular pay rate. Generally, nannies that make an average or above average hourly rate or salary receive a larger end of year tip than those that make a below average hourly rate or salary. This is a reflection of what the family is able to afford rather than the nanny’s value to the family or her performance. The idea is that families that can afford to pay their nannies competitively throughout the year can also afford to provide the standard bonus of one to two weeks’ salary. Of course, just because they can afford to provide it doesn’t mean they have to. Ultimately the bonus is a way of saying thank you. Families that do provide a generous tip do so because they genuinely recognize the great work their nanny is doing.

Her compensation package. If you’re providing your nanny with valuable benefits throughout the year, like health insurance, extra paid time off, or professional development dollars, you can give a much smaller end of year tip. Nannies recognize the extra costs involved in offering those benefits and are happy with the trade-off. Again, you still want to offer a small $50 or $100 gift card or cash gift as a thank you.

Other bonuses she receives during the year. Some nannies receive a bonus on their nannyiversary, the yearly anniversary of their hire date. If you celebrate that date with your nanny and give her a bonus each year on her nannyiversary, your end of year tip need only be a small holiday or cash gift – something to let your nanny know you’re thinking of her and appreciate having her in your life.

The end of year tip or bonus for your nanny is a perfect way to say thank you to an important person in your life. A perfect companion to a gift is a card with a heartfelt message inside that lets her know you value all she does for your family.

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My Nanny Gave Notice, Now What?

December 6, 2012

In a perfect world, nannies would stay with their work family until the children outgrew the need for childcare, and parents and nannies would plan for the nanny’s departure as they would for any other essential childhood milestone.

But the world isn’t perfect and nannies come and go. While it’s typically more convenient for the family when the nanny leaves on their terms, this simply isn’t always the case. Whether a nanny is getting married, is expecting a child of her own, or wants to move onto greener pastures, nannies can and do give notice that they’ll be leaving their posts. When this notice comes, savvy-employers need to have an action plan in place.

Reviewing your nanny work agreement is the first thing you’ll want to do if your nanny gives notice. If crafted thoroughly, your agreement should include a section on termination of the working relationship. This section may outline what the nanny agreed to in terms of how much notice she’ll give, how any unused accrued paid time off will be handled, and what steps she needs to take, if any, prior to her last day of employment. It may also include employer options, such as providing severance pay rather than having the nanny work out her notice.

If no written agreement has been made, now is the time to hammer out the details surrounding your nanny’s departure. If you’ve made a verbal agreement, put it into writing so that there are no misunderstandings with regards to expectations.

After you’ve solidified the logistics of when your nanny’s last day of work will be, you’ll want to develop an end plan. Your end plan may vary depending on how long your nanny has been with your family, if she lives in or lives out, and the circumstances surrounding her decision to move on. While it can be tempting to keep the ending short and sweet, this is a time where you’ll want to put your children’s best interest above your own. If your nanny has been with you several years, phasing her out by cutting down her work hours may be a good choice. Now is also the time to discuss when you’ll tell the children their nanny is leaving and how much information you’ll share. It’s important that the parents and nanny are on the same page so the children don’t feel like the nanny leaving is anyone’s fault.

If you plan to allow your children to continue their relationship with their nanny, you’ll want to discuss that as well. This way everyone is prepared to answer when the children ask when they’ll see their nanny again.

Parents will also need to remember to collect essential items like house keys, credit cards, unused petty cash, insurance cards and any other items your nanny has accumulated for her work use prior to or on the nanny’s last day.

When you’ll begin your next nanny search will depend on how much notice your nanny has given and your confidence level in being able to work through her notice successfully. Sometimes, after a nanny has given notice, the parents want to terminate the relationship on the spot. For practical, as well as for their children’s emotional attachment to the nanny, this isn’t always the best course of action. Ideally, you’ll want to give yourself two to eight weeks to secure a new nanny. Nannies who have been with their family for years and who are leaving on good terms may even be willing and eager to help you in your new nanny search.

While it can be difficult to set any negative emotions aside, ending your working relationship on a good note is best practice. If your nanny has cared for your children for several years, you’ll want to honor the dedication and contributions she’s made to your family. A farewell dinner, a handmade gift and, if she’s gone above and beyond to be accommodating during the transition, perhaps even a cash bonus are appropriate ways to say thanks.

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Expert Insights: Can Children Become Too Attached to Their Nannies? With Gary M. Barnard, PhD

December 4, 2012

by Michelle LaRowe
Editor in Chief

In my 15 plus years in the in-home childcare industry, one of the most common fears I’ve discovered parents considering hiring a nanny have is a fear that their nanny and children with develop too close of a bond and that their child will become more attached to his nanny than he is to his own mother. Recently I had a chance to catch up with Dr. Gary Bernard, a practicing child psychologist, and get his insight into the connections children form with their caregivers. Read on for what he had to share.

eNannySource: How important is quality childcare during the early years?

Dr. Barnard: The quality of childcare in the early years forms the foundation for security, trust, autonomy, self-regulation and much more. This is the first responsibility of parents. The second is to choose partners wisely to help parents be successful in this most important journey. Early childcare providers (parents, relatives, nannies, teachers or others) can effectively bond with children and present, consistently, a loving and interactive set of behaviors that promote a strong, secure and healthy attachment.

eNannySource: How do you define quality childcare?

Dr. Barnard: Research on secure attachments suggests that the quality of interactions between the caregiver and child are more important than the quantity of interactions. So…the quality of childcare is directly related to the caregiver’s understanding and ability to be available to the child with an organized set of behaviors that are socially appealing and interactive so that the needs of the child are met. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, affection, smiling, play, and being very knowledgeable and attentive to the developmental needs of the child. Secure attachment promotes healthy exploration and self-confidence for the child. Quality caregivers know the importance of helping children to learn how to do for themselves, so they can later learn how to do for others.

eNannySource: What do you say to parents who are concerned that their nanny has bonded too closely to their child?

Dr. Barnard: I have never personally seen anyone “bond too closely” to a child. When a caregiver emotionally and behaviorally bonds with a child, it promotes healthy attachment to that caregiver, if the specific behaviors of the caregiver are appropriate and supportive of the healthy development of the child (wow―that’s a mouthful!). What am I saying? There is a difference between strong and healthy attachment and “parental alienation.” Most parents are going to recognize how a strong bond-attachment to a nanny is nothing to be threatened by…but they will also recognize when that bond-attachment is not healthy and may be more about the needs of the caregiver, which may tend to alienate the parent. When the caregiver is focused on the best interest of the child, they are able to reassure parents that they are mindful of the need to nurture a balanced and healthy attachment with the child.

eNannySource: Many parents worry that their child will think that their nanny is their mom and love them more. What do you say to that?

Dr. Barnard: Assure parents that you are aware of these feelings and see them as a valid emotional response for a parent who is not with their children as much as they would like to be. These are natural feelings to have, so you are sensitive to them and you can reassure parents that you are well aware of your task…and it is not to take on the powerful role of “Parent.” In fact, it is to play the role of trusted partner and loyal employee with the most precious part of their business―their child―of course.

eNannySource: How can parents and nannies encourage children to form a secure bond with their caregiver?

Dr. Barnard: Parents and nannies can encourage children to form a secure bond-attachment with their caregiver by having respectful, direct and honest communication about what is working and not working. This isn’t much different than how co-parents, or parents and grandparents encourage healthy bond-attachments. You also model it. This requires that you spend some time together with the child as you interact with them in play, story-telling, reading, etc. Associate fun and something positive with the time you share together. All kids get this!

eNannySource: How can working parents build secure connections with their children?

Dr. Barnard: Quality of time and shared experiences are the specific reasons for a child to form a secure attachment with a parent. The parent’s time with their children may be brief, but it can be of the highest quality. To reach that level of high quality parents must be completely available when they are with their children. They must develop routines and structures that support a “secure base” so that their children will learn healthy independence, while at the same time will know and trust that they are loved and will always have a safe way back to their parents love and support. Lots of smiles, play, affection, interest, affirmation and respect will be some of the specific behaviors that need to genuinely and consistently be “front and center.”

eNannySource: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Dr. Barnard: All children need and thrive on the predictability of our honest belief in them and our unbreakable connection with them. That can never be reinforced too much in any relationship.

Gary M. Barnard, PhD, has been a practicing child psychologist for close to three decades. He has been a high school teacher and coach, taught university classes as an adjunct instructor/professor in child and adolescent psychology and developmental psychology, consulted with numerous school districts, conducted extensive clinical research as co-owner of Cerebral Research, L.L.C., and worked as both the clinical director of a child/adolescent unit in a psychiatric hospital and as the Chief Psychologist of a psychiatric hospital.

His book, Becoming a Power Parent: Seven Guiding Principles for Creating a Healthy Family, to be released in November 2012. He also has a weekly national radio show each Monday afternoon called the Power Parent Hour. You can follow Dr. B at www.thepower-parent.com .

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10 Great Destinations to Bring Kids on a Field Trip

November 29, 2012

Few events are as exciting to kids as the almighty field trip. The thought of escaping the confines of the home for an afternoon can send children into paroxysms of joy, leaving nannies struggling to keep up with their exuberant charges. Here are 10 great field trip ideas to take the kids on that will help them learn in a more hands-on way, which aids greatly in retention and comprehension for some kids that struggle in those areas.

Farms and Orchards – Helping kids understand where their food comes from can be as simple as planning a trip to a local farm or orchard. Most of these places are welcoming to playgroups and children’s organizations, even offering special activities and lessons for touring children.
Petting Zoos – A visit to the petting zoo can provide kids with a hands-on lesson in caring for domestic animals, allowing them the chance to get up close and personal with animals that they might not have access to normally. Kids who live in dense urban areas are often limited in their opportunities to interact with any domesticated animals that can’t be kept as pets; a trip to a local petting zoo can help them have a personal experience with farm and barnyard creatures.
Traditional Zoos – Learning about more exotic animals can be exciting for kids when it entails a trip to the zoo, where they are able to observe animals in an approximation of their natural habitats, and can even catch demonstrations from trained specialists.
Living History Museums – Grasping the concept of life before electricity can be difficult for today’s always-on, constantly connected kids. A field trip to a living history museum can be like stepping into a time machine, helping kids learn more about their ancestors by watching actors portray a specific era in character.
Botanical Gardens – For kids who are fortunate to live in an area with a botanical garden, the opportunities to examine many types of plants, small birds and insects are endless. Pairing natural science with a day outdoors, these field trips are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Art Museums – Many art museums have special sections that are specifically geared towards kids, providing them with the opportunity to learn about classic masterpieces and, in some cases, even create their own in workshops.
Science Centers – Science centers and museums built solely for kids are always a good choice for field trips; the interactive exhibits and experiments are great ways for kids to grasp scientific concepts by seeing them in action, and are a welcome alternative to reading a description in their text books.
National Parks – The options for education and fun at a national park are almost limitless, as most have specialized programs just for touring playgroups and kids’ organizations. These parks can be a wealth of knowledge, and provide kids with hours of educational fun.
Wildlife Reserves – Petting and traditional zoos offer kids a chance to observe animals in something that resembles their natural habitat, but a wildlife preserve allows them the opportunity to see indigenous creatures actually surviving in the wild with limited human intervention.
Local Historical Landmarks – It’s important for kids to understand their local history and heritage, and visiting local points of interest and historical sites can be a great way to do just that. Whether your group opts for a guided or self-guided tour, there’s plenty to learn about your city and its history from these local treasures.

Depending on your area, there can be dozens of great options for field trips. Many sites offer special tours or activities to playgroups, so look into what’s available near you.

Posted in Child Care Tips | 1 Comment

10 Ways to Prevent Nanny Burnout

November 19, 2012

Working as a nanny can be a stressful job, as nannies often work in isolation, take on tasks far outside the typical job description, and struggle to maintain a healthy nanny/family relationship. Burnout is common, and is harmful to both the nanny and the family she works for. Here are 10 ways a nanny can avoid burnout:

Don’t take on more than you can handle. Nannies are natural helpers, and usually are more than willing to take on additional tasks as needed. This inherent desire to help is one of the things that make them great caregivers. However, that trait can backfire when they take on more responsibilities and tasks than they have the time and energy to do. Remember, one person can only do so much, so know what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing, and what’s required in your job. If your employer asks you to take on more than you can handle, politely say no.
Keep the lines of communication between you and your employers open. A stressful nanny/parent relationship can be a huge contributor to nanny burnout. Make it a point to check in with your employers on a regular basis about things that are going on with the kids and things that are going on with the job. Let them know when there’s a problem, and be open to their feedback. By keeping the lines of communication open, you can address issues as they come up. This helps keep job-related stresses at a minimum and helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed and burned out.
Maintain a life outside of your job. Nannies typically work 45 to 60 hours a week, and when you add on a commute, the schedule can be grueling. It’s not easy to find the time to do things you enjoy, but maintaining a healthy life/work balance is crucial to staying happy on the job. When all you do is work, or think and stress about work, it’s easy to fall into the burnout trap.
Connect with other caregivers on a regular basis. Being a nanny is a unique job. No one except another nanny can really understand the job’s distinct challenges. By connecting with other nannies in your local area, you’ll have a safe place to turn to for support and resources.
Develop a regular practice that reduces your stress. Working with children all day can be a stressful endeavor. Find a regular practice that you enjoy that can also help you keep stress at bay, such as meditation, a hand craft like knitting or crocheting, or yoga. It’s not important what the practice is, just that you enjoy engaging in it and that you do it on a regular basis.
Exercise regularly. Nannies that have a regular exercise routine are better able to handle stress, which is one of the major contributors to burnout. Exercise doesn’t have to be a boring workout at the gym; the best kind of workout is the kind that you love, that helps you build strength and endurance while still having fun. Try hiking, swimming or biking. Explore a kick-boxing or yoga class. It can be challenging to find the time to fit regular exercise into your day but finding a workout that you love to do can make it easier to make it a priority.
Have a financial cushion. Childcare isn’t a high paying field, and many nannies worry about making ends meet. Financial worries and feeling like you’re not getting paid fairly for the hard work you do can be a big contributor to nanny burnout. To help ease money stresses, build a financial cushion. Save enough money to pay your bills and keep you afloat for at least 4 to 6 months.
Focus on the things about your job that you love. Every job has both good and bad qualities, but sometimes it’s easy to get wrapped up solely in the bad things. After a while, it may seem like there are only bad things. By staying aware of the good things too, you can keep a more balanced, realistic view of your job. You will still have struggles and challenges, but you’ll also have lots of joys and fun moments.
Avoid working too many hours. The typical nanny job demands more than the usual 40 hour work week. In some jobs, it’s easy for the hours to get out of control without the parents or the nanny realizing it. Before you accept any overtime, make sure you’re leaving yourself enough time to enjoy your friends, family and hobbies. Balance is the key.
Leave a job when it’s time. Sometimes you’re simply not well suited for a job. Before you enter the burnout stage and your performance starts to suffer, it may be time to leave the position. Although quitting a job is never easy and should be a last resort, sometimes quitting is the best option for both the nanny and the family.

Nanny burnout is a serious thing. By taking precautions against burnout and maintaining a healthy life/work balance, you can stay happy in a position for a long time.

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30 Blogs With Tips for Screening Nannies

November 19, 2012

Making the decision to hire a nanny versus enrolling your child in center-based care can be a difficult one. When you do finally arrive at a concrete decision to opt for in-home care, you’ll still be charged with the equally challenging task of finding a nanny with the right qualifications and beginning the arduous process of thoroughly vetting her. If you’ve chosen to hire independently rather than working with an agency, you’ll also be forced to start the process from scratch, by yourself. These thirty blog entries discuss the many aspects of thoroughly screening nanny candidates, offering valuable hints and information along the way.

Interviews

After wading through the sea of applicants and settling on the most promising among the bunch, you’ll need to begin the process of setting up one-on-one interviews with the candidates you’ve chosen. These interviews will not only be an opportunity for you and prospective nannies to get to know one another, but also for you to continue thinning the list of applicants. These five blogs are filled with nanny interview hints and advice, helping you to begin the process as confidently as possible.

Reference Checks

Career nannies understand that their references are worth their weight in gold, and must be protected at all costs. In an industry reliant largely upon reputation and word of mouth, a quality nanny will guard that reputation carefully and be proud to supply potential employers with the references that corroborate it. Still, you may have little to no experience handling the process of checking references if you’ve never hired a nanny before, which is where these bloggers can offer some pointers.

Keep it Legal

With the power of the Internet and the help of an unscrupulous character or two, it’s actually quite easy to access significant amounts of background information on a nanny candidate. Despite the simplicity of obtaining that information, some of it cannot legally be used to make a hiring decision. In the interest of helping first-time nanny employers keep their background screening process completely above board, these five bloggers provide a bit of information about Federal hiring laws.

Drug Testing

Determining whether or not a promising nanny candidate is a recreational user of illicit drugs is a very important part of the hiring process for some parents, though the process can be anything but simple. These five blogs tackle the subject of pre-employment drug screenings from a practical point of view, offering quite a bit of valuable advice and information.

Background Checks

Whether you want to know about her driving record, criminal history or simply want to make sure that she’s not on the National Sex Offender Registry, there are a variety of reasons for employers to run a criminal background check on a nanny candidate. These five blogs offer advice on how to properly conduct a background check, what they entail and the best methods of legally obtaining the information.

Certifications and Education

Knowing that you’ll be leaving your children in the hands of a well-trained, competent nanny can offer the greatest peace of mind of any childcare decision you ever make. While there’s no standard legal certification process for nannies across the country, the self-regulating industry does offer a variety of potential classes, certifications and workshops. These five blogs discuss the different types of certification a nanny might have, explaining their value to first-time nanny employers.

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