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Should I have my children present at the nanny interview?

September 27, 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!

Posted in hiring a nanny | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

How do I pick nannies to interview?

September 23, 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!

Posted in hiring a nanny, Newborn Nanny Care | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Do we need a live-in nanny?

August 12, 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.

Posted in hiring a nanny, Newborn Nanny Care | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

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

August 9, 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 should 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 to get through the initial transition period, however, that’s completely understandable.

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Background Check, Newborn Nanny Care | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Should I use a brick and mortar nanny agency?

August 3, 2010

By, Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

Nanny agencies are professionals in their field. They have years of experience in seeking out nanny candidates. Many families benefit from the help of nanny agencies. Their wealth of wisdom and experience can save you a lot of time. Here are some things you should know about nanny agencies:

1)    Not every nanny agency is the same. There aren’t any governing bodies of agencies so that means that anyone can set up shop as an agency. You need to be smart and ask other parents about their experiences with an agency. Make sure the agency has been around for a reasonable amount of time and is well established in the community.

2)    Some agencies have a fee you must pay before starting a search, while others do not. Ask about this on your first phone call.

3)    Ask what the agency’s fee is. These range from anywhere from 5-18% of the annual nanny salary.

4)    Ask about their “replacement policy.” If you hire your nanny and it turns out it wasn’t the right fit, most nanny agencies will help you find a new nanny for no additional fee as long as it is within their designated window of time.

5)    A good nanny agency will save you hours and hours of time! They will have already interviewed nanny candidates and will only present you with candidates that match your family’s unique needs.

6)    A nanny agency will conduct a nanny background check and check references as part of their overall fee.

7)    Many families attempt to go about conducting a search on their own, only to struggle and spend so much time looking for a nanny, feel fed up and then end up coming to an agency in the end.

8)    A good agency “knows the nanny market” – they know what candidates have been out there looking for a job for years as well as what candidates have the greatest references.

9)    An agency will provide you with support during the process of finding a nanny and help with issues that arise after placement. They can answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process.

10)    A good agency prides themselves on finding the right nanny for families and will do whatever it takes to match you up! 

Posted in hiring a nanny, Nanny Background Check | Tagged , , , | 5 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?

July 16, 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.

Posted in hiring a nanny | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

We have a new baby coming and our nanny is a little bit rusty with newborns, how can we make sure she’s ready for the new baby?

July 12, 2010

by, Dr. Lindsay Heller, The Nanny Doctor

It’s so great to have a nanny whom you trust and who has already been a part of your family for sometime when a new baby arrives, but your nanny hasn’t worked with newborns for some time. For more information on newborn nanny care click on the link. Maintaining the same nanny for your family for as long as possible is a great gift to your children. It will help them to build and maintain solid relationships throughout there lives. That said, it is completely worth doing everything possible to keep your nanny even when your needs change.

The first thing you will want to do is to think about what resources are available to new moms in your community. These resources can often be utilized for nannies as well. For example, your local hospital may have a baby care class that your nanny can attend as a way of “freshening up” her skills. Additionally, this may be a great time to update both your Infant/CPR first aid certification as well as have your nanny get recertified.

In addition to some classes, make sure you have a conversation with your nanny about how you expect a new baby to change your lives and more importantly to your nanny, how it will change her job description. Here’s some good tips on training your nanny for newborn care. Make sure you discuss nanny pay changes, any new responsibilities, and schedule changes. Encourage her to discuss any concerns or questions she may have about this transition. Be honest. If there are some questions you can’t answer yet because you are unsure of how a new baby may change your life, be honest and say that.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to express to your nanny how much she means to you and your family. If you are willing to do what it takes to keep your nanny with a new baby on the way, make sure she knows how much you value her!

Posted in Newborn Nanny Care | 4 Comments

Time to review your nanny’s job description and nanny contract?

July 6, 2010

by, Dr. Lindsay Heller  www.thenannydoctor.com

Maybe you had on your list of New Year’s resolutions to review your nanny’s nanny job description, work agreement and more. Now, it’s time to think about your nanny and your household management.

1) Review your Nanny Job Description
When was the last time you updated your nanny’s job description? As your life goes on and your children develop, your needs will change over time. As a result, you will need to update your job description accordingly.

2) Update your Work Agreement or Nanny Contract
Didn’t develop a work agreement or nanny contract when you first hired your nanny? Well, it’s not too late! eNannySource has a complete nanny contract as part of their Nanny Success Kit. Develop a work agreement that includes a start date to the agreement and an end date. Include a 6 month review date and an annual review date. Include your nannies duties, agreed payment and payment schedule, rules and expectations of the household, how you expect your nanny to handle differences or any questions she may have regarding raising your child. Be sure to include the hours and days your nanny has agreed to work. Include also what days off your nanny has throughout the year as well as how sick/personal days will work in your household.

3) Have your Annual Meeting with your nanny.
You should have an annual meeting with your nanny every year. Ideally this meeting should take place on the same predetermined date every year. At this meeting you and your nanny should sit down, formally discuss your nanny’s current job description and her nanny work, discuss what has been working and what hasn’t been working. This meeting should be a collaborative dialogue. Listen to your nanny and her ideas and make sure you do your best to help her to feel comfortable to discuss her thoughts and concerns.

4) Show your nanny appreciation! The nanny salary .
At this time, it is also a good time to discuss a raise for your nanny. When giving her a raise, you should pair it with why you are giving her a raise and address all of the wonderful things that she has done for your family. This is a time to express your appreciation! A raise should be anywhere from 2-4%.

Posted in hiring a nanny | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Is Your Nanny Water Safety Certified?

June 29, 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.

Posted in Nanny Safety | Tagged , , | 6 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.

June 25, 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!

Posted in hiring a nanny | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments
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