Who you, a Guru? After you read these 424 Nanny tips, you'll be one. But we're looking to recruit a Guru to blog, write a 101 tip Nanny book, and become a leader of this community.
Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 4PM Eastern.
Babysitting Tips for Teens
New to babysitting? Start by being a babysitter to just one child. Meet the parents and the child ahead of time so you can all get to know each other and decide if the arrangement will be a good fit. Its also not a bad idea to consider spending the day with the kids and their mom or dad before you spend a night alone with the child. You can learn about the child's daily schedule, favorite activities and food preferences. Before the parents leave, make sure you know all of the emergency numbers and a number that you can reach the parents at if need be. Some basic safety tips for sitters include never opening the doors to strangers. Also, never tell anyone on the phone or at the door that you are "just the sitter". Approach your job professionally and respect the parents' home and valuables. Before the parents are expected home clean up any messes you and the child have created and tidy up the main living area. Make sure to leave the house in the same or better condition than when you arrived. The parents will appreciate your respect for their space.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Nanny Tip: Figuring Out a Reasonable Nanny Salary Scale
You don’t let your nanny visit the nanny next door, do you? Because, you know what? They’ll talk. So, if you’re not paying a nanny salary anywhere in the vicinity of other people in the neighborhood, you're going to have some explaining to do.
There really isn’t any set nanny salary standard. It pretty much depends on where you live and whether you’ve hired a live in or live out nanny. If you’ve advertised nanny positions through online nanny placement agencies, you’ve probably been reminded on more than one occasion that as professionals, nannies should reserve a fair pay.
That said, there’s no strict guideline to follow. If this is the first time you’ve had to consider nanny salaries, follow these guidelines to get you started:
1) Find out what people in your town are paying nannies and take an average of that number.
2) Next, write that average down and add a few dollars below and a few dollars above so that the figure is now part of an hourly wage range.
3) Jot down notes next to the figures as to what job qualifications and experience should match which hourly rate. For example, you may put someone with considerable experience and professionalism at the top of the scale. Someone with little or no nanny experience might start at the bottom of the scale, but with room for advancement.
4) Finally, consider any benefits you’d like to offer and whether you’d offer them right away, as incentive after a “probationary period”, or gradually over time.
This is probably the fairest way to come up with a nanny salary scale that’s proportional to what others are offering nearby.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
FICA Nanny Tax Rules
The FICA nanny tax rule involves 15.3% of a nanny's wages. This percentage should be divided up between the nanny and the employer, with each one paying half or 7.65% of the total amount. The half which the nanny is responsible for paying can be paid one of two ways.
An employer can withhold the nanny's 7.65% tax from her paycheck. This is the same method an employer uses for his or her employees.
In most cases involving domestic help, however, the employer may pay the nanny in cash without withholding any of the nanny tax. If this is the case, you are responsible for paying the entire 15.3%.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Nanny Tip: Basic Boundaries to Protect the Live In Nanny
It might seem that having a live in nanny is an open invitation to work her 24/7. However, nothing could be further from the truth. It’s true that live in nannies may find themselves working longer hours than their non live in counterparts, but live in nannies are usually compensated for the extra hours worked.
As a live in nanny, it’s important to set certain boundaries. You’ll be sharing a lot of space with the family you work for. Your privacy and the family’s privacy are extremely important. In fact, before you sign on any dotted lines to accept a live in nanny position, make sure the contract clearly outlines what the job description will be, which room in the house you’ll have, whether you’ll have access to the kitchen, and whether or not you’ll have your own private bathroom.
It’s important to remember all of those little subtle threats to your privacy and down-time that won’t necessarily show up in any contract. If anything, these little “something’s” could show up at your bedroom door. It’s important for the family to explain to their kids that just because you’ve become the live in nanny, doesn’t mean you want the kids banging on your bedroom door all hours of the night.
It takes time for a family and a live in nanny to find a good, working rhythm. However, with a little work, communication, and a signed contract, there should be very few problems.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Documenting a Nanny Contract
In many cases, families and nannies seek the extra protection that documentation of a nanny contract could provide. While the nanny contract may not be that legally binding if taken to court, there are some instances in which the contract should protect the interest of both the employing family and the nanny. Immediate termination or resignation, abuse, withholding payment, lapsed insurance policies, and other issues may need to be resolved within a court of law. Because of this, it is important to document the nanny contract. This can be done in a number of ways, including the following:
If the parties involved are using a nanny agency, the agency should keep a record of all nanny contracts and agreements.
If the parties used a lawyer, the lawyer should have the nanny contract signed and notarized before filing the contract and issuing a copy to each party involved.
If the parties have drawn up the nanny contract without any legal aid, they should sign the contract before a notary public, and each party should be given a copy of the nanny contract.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Nanny Tip: How To Keep A Good Nanny
Finding a nanny that you and your family feel comfortable with is hard enough, but how would you feel if your neighbor or best friend stole her? Nannies have to live, and if a better offer comes along, there’s nothing stopping them from moving on.
That’s where nanny contracts can help. A nanny contract won’t give you a lifetime commitment, but it could mean the difference between having enough notice to find a new nanny and leaving you high and dry. Contracts are a great way to boost communication between you and your nanny, allowing for periodic “check-ins”. You can build into the contract a time to get together again and discuss any pay increases, etc. That alone could make a huge difference in how long you’re able to hold on to your nanny.
The nanny contract can include as much, or as few, details you want. With nanny contracts, more is better. They should at least include rate of pay, job expectations, hours of work, any overtime expectations and compensation for that, and whether the nanny will have use of the family car. By building a follow up clause in the contract, you’re giving the nanny the message that she’s important to you. Knowing that there’s an opportunity coming up to renegotiate salary and benefits could mean the difference between keeping her, or having her take another job offer.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Finding the Right Nanny for Your Family
You can find the best nanny in the world in terms of qualifications, experience, and even education, but if she doesn't have a good relationship with you and your children, she won't be the right nanny for you. So, how do you go about finding a nanny that will fit into your family? Consider the following points:
Your nanny should be willing to answer any questions that you might have pertaining to her experiences, her education, her training, and her philosophy on childcare.
Your nanny should meet and even exceed your expectations pertaining to the job duties you've determined to be beneficial for your family.
Your nanny should follow the specific guidelines you've set concerning your child's daily schedule and any behavior issues that might arise.
Your nanny should understand that any and all misunderstandings or problems within your household should be brought to your immediate attention.
Finding a nanny doesn't have to be difficult if you are clear about your expectations and willing to open your home to someone who will become like a member of your family.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Nanny Tip: Keeping the Nanny Search Anxiety-Free
Chances are you know how to find a nanny, but you might be concerned about how to find a trustworthy one. Start interviewing a few candidates and you’ll begin to wonder if there’s anybody sane enough out there to trust with your little darlings.
Fear not! By going through a reputable online nanny finder agency, you’ll feel confident that the nannies have gone through some basic screening. Some agencies don’t go through an initial screening process, allowing anybody with the designation “nanny” to post their profiles on the webpage.
While you want word to get out that you’re hiring a nanny, don’t go so far as to post a Nanny Wanted sign on your front lawn. That’s just an invitation for disaster. You’ll wind up with more resumes in your mailbox than you can shake a stick at. You’ll wind up talking with people who couldn’t look after a flea circus let alone your children!
The best way to ease anxiety levels when conducting a nanny search, is to keep the search for finding a nanny professional. Talk to close friends and family for references, or complete an online profile with nannies4hire.com. Just remember, you don’t have to hire anybody unless you feel 100% comfortable.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Advantages of Hiring a Live In Nanny
While families are often hesitant to hire a live in nanny, there are some distinct advantages of doing so. These include the following:
A live in nanny can provide flexibility with working hours. If something unexpected occurs, a live in nanny can be there to pick up the slack.
Live in nannies can provide a nurturing relationship that is based on the day to day interaction and care-giving that the child receives from the live in nanny.
A live in nanny can help parents manage their home life more efficiently, providing support and assistance when needed.
A live in nanny can provide round the clock care when a parent has to be away from the home for a day or more.
Live in nannies will ease the exhaustion that midnight feedings can bring to new moms and dads.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
5 Steps to Quality Childcare
Five good steps to choosing quality homelike childcare are as follows: Start looking as far in advance as you can. Finding high quality childcare options can take some time. Search by calling your nanny referral agency or speak with friends and family who have children in childcare. If you visit a daycare center, make sure to take a list of questions to ask the staff about the facility. Think about what you saw and make the best choice for your child/children based on your personal priorities. Finally, stay involved - call, visit and do what needs to be done to be sure you are receiving quality childcare.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Part Tme Nanny Sharing
Part time nanny sharing is a relatively new idea that is often overlooked. Part time nanny sharing occurs when two or more families are able to share a nanny in one of two ways:
One way to participate in part time nanny sharing is to team up with another family to hire the same nanny. In this case, the nanny would work so many hours for one family, and then she would work so many hours for the other family.
Another way for nanny sharing to work is by hiring a nanny who will watch the children of both families at one or another of the family's homes. Both families will be expected to pay the nanny's salary for either method.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Driving Ms. Nanny
Most families require that the live-in nanny be able to drive the children. Whether it is a to play date, the doctor's office or to preschool a nanny needs t be able to drive. It is a good idea that you obtain your have a driver's license before applying for a home child care position.
LifeTips is part of ideaLaunch, the hub for a group of websites offering
solutions that help clients improve mind share, market share and profit online.
