With the weather being so beautiful, I've been thinking about spring cleaning. I used to do spring cleaning with the children I cared for. When we were done, we'd choose a charity to donate everything to and discuss how we were very lucky because we had everything we needed while other people (especially focusing on children) did not. It go to the point with some of the kids that they wanted to "spring clean" 5 or 6 times a year! Doing a major pre-Christmas sweep was another thing we did. That way there was room for all their new Christmas swag and hopefully it made some other childrens' Christmas a bit brighter.
When doing the spring cleaning, I discovered that a few tactics worked better than others. The children had a play area upstairs and a playroom in the basement. I'd have them help me with the toys they played with often (ie: the play area upstairs), but the playroom downstairs I would do myself. I'd start paying close attention to what they played with often downstairs and if I wasn't sure whether I should get rid of it or not, I'd ask the children. At first they wanted to keep everything, but, given some time, they made good decisions. With board games, we'd sometimes play them one more time before putting them in the bag to go to charity. I'd make-up games for us to play while cleaning. For example: I'd put the bags or boxes on the other side of the room and the children would have races to place their items in the bags. We'd also play "I Spy" with them for items I thought should go. (They didn't always agree with me!) Playing games made it go faster and made it a lot less "work" for all of us. The process typically took a few days and when we were done I'd take the kids with me to drop off the items. I think that seeing where their toys and games were going helped them to understand how much they had.
The saying goes that "charity begins at home". Spring cleaning is a great way to teach children about those who are less fortunate and get your house cleaned out at the same time! Happy cleaning!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Do you need a social media policy for your nanny?
Now is the time of social media. At any given time you can watch someones foursquare to see where they're checking in, look at their facebook page to see what they're doing at each venue, read their tweets, and look at their photos on flickr. It's fun to see what your friends and family are up to, but when hiring a nanny or babysitter you should be concerned with what they're posting and where in order to ensure the safety of your children.
It's nice for you to see where your children are and what they're doing, but on public sites, that could mean a lot of other people can see what they're up to also. I am a huge proponent of the nanny being in contact with the parents throughout the day. But when it comes to social media, I urge you to think about what you want publicized and what you don't and then discuss it with your nanny. I've seen babysitters and nannies post photos online of the kids they're watching. Some do it with the permission of the parents, but most don't.
Confidentiality is important in a working environment that's as personal as a nanny, especially if the parents are in the public eye. One thing that I tell a lot of parents is that they may feel like they're stating the obvious, but not everyone thinks the same. It's better to have rules and policies laid out for the caregiver than have to set rules as you go.
It's nice for you to see where your children are and what they're doing, but on public sites, that could mean a lot of other people can see what they're up to also. I am a huge proponent of the nanny being in contact with the parents throughout the day. But when it comes to social media, I urge you to think about what you want publicized and what you don't and then discuss it with your nanny. I've seen babysitters and nannies post photos online of the kids they're watching. Some do it with the permission of the parents, but most don't.
Confidentiality is important in a working environment that's as personal as a nanny, especially if the parents are in the public eye. One thing that I tell a lot of parents is that they may feel like they're stating the obvious, but not everyone thinks the same. It's better to have rules and policies laid out for the caregiver than have to set rules as you go.
Monday, March 7, 2011
You don't have to be wealthy to hire a nanny!
There seems to be a misconception out there that you must be very wealthy to hire a nanny.
The truth is, if you have 3 or more children (and in some cases 2 or more), hiring a nanny is quite cost effective.
Look at it this way: In central Iowa, the average cost for childcare is $150 per week per child. Of course this goes up or down depending upon the ages of the children, various needs, etc. That's $450 a week for a family with 3 children. If you take that times 52 weeks, you're paying $23,400 a year. This doesn't take into account your childcare provider getting sick, your child being sick, or your provider taking a vacation. Those instances can eat into your personal and vacation time. Many parents don't have the luxury of being able to take the day off when their child is ill. They're sent scrambling for a friend, neighbor, or relative to take care of that child.
Now look at hiring a nanny. In central Iowa, the average nanny is paid between $400 and $550 a week. At $450 a week, you're going to spend about $29,000 a year including taxes, worker's compensation insurance, etc. Yes, that's pricier than daycare, but now let's look at how a nanny can save you time, frustration, and money.
You no longer have to worry about getting your kids up in the morning, fed, dressed, teeth brushed, and out the door.
The nanny will do the children's laundry, change the sheets, and help keep the house tidy.
No more scrambling for sick care for your children.
You get to choose who your child spends each day with. At a daycare center you never know who's going to be caring for your child from day to day. Also, your child is no longer in competition with 3 to 10 other children for the attention of their caregiver.
The nanny can run errands (grocery shopping, picking up things you need for the children, etc.).
You get to choose what your child works on each day with the nanny. Together you and your nanny can come up with a curriculum to follow so that your child's educational needs are being met.
Your child can go to the zoo, the pool, the park, the library, or a movie; whatever you and your nanny agree on.
Hiring a nanny will offer your child the change to learn, grow, and explore with a caregiver that's focused on them and their well being.
If you have any questions about hiring a nanny or you're interested in finding out more, please feel free to contact me via phone at 515.480.0568 or e-mail: colleen@auniquenanny.com
The truth is, if you have 3 or more children (and in some cases 2 or more), hiring a nanny is quite cost effective.
Look at it this way: In central Iowa, the average cost for childcare is $150 per week per child. Of course this goes up or down depending upon the ages of the children, various needs, etc. That's $450 a week for a family with 3 children. If you take that times 52 weeks, you're paying $23,400 a year. This doesn't take into account your childcare provider getting sick, your child being sick, or your provider taking a vacation. Those instances can eat into your personal and vacation time. Many parents don't have the luxury of being able to take the day off when their child is ill. They're sent scrambling for a friend, neighbor, or relative to take care of that child.
Now look at hiring a nanny. In central Iowa, the average nanny is paid between $400 and $550 a week. At $450 a week, you're going to spend about $29,000 a year including taxes, worker's compensation insurance, etc. Yes, that's pricier than daycare, but now let's look at how a nanny can save you time, frustration, and money.
You no longer have to worry about getting your kids up in the morning, fed, dressed, teeth brushed, and out the door.
The nanny will do the children's laundry, change the sheets, and help keep the house tidy.
No more scrambling for sick care for your children.
You get to choose who your child spends each day with. At a daycare center you never know who's going to be caring for your child from day to day. Also, your child is no longer in competition with 3 to 10 other children for the attention of their caregiver.
The nanny can run errands (grocery shopping, picking up things you need for the children, etc.).
You get to choose what your child works on each day with the nanny. Together you and your nanny can come up with a curriculum to follow so that your child's educational needs are being met.
Your child can go to the zoo, the pool, the park, the library, or a movie; whatever you and your nanny agree on.
Hiring a nanny will offer your child the change to learn, grow, and explore with a caregiver that's focused on them and their well being.
If you have any questions about hiring a nanny or you're interested in finding out more, please feel free to contact me via phone at 515.480.0568 or e-mail: colleen@auniquenanny.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The ins and outs of hiring a babysitter
I've had a few people ask me lately how they should go about interviewing and hiring babysitters. As someone who has done a lot of babysitting (and still does) and has helped others find sitters; I have some advice.
When you first interview the babysitter, be sure that you have questions written down that are important to you. Ask about their experience, any education they've received dealing with children, come up with emergency scenarios to see how they would deal with them, and be sure that they're certified in CPR and First Aid.
Do your homework before you hire a babysitter. Find out what the going rate is for babysitters in your area. Ask friends, neighbors, and people you know that babysit. There are also a few online websites that will tell you what you should be paying depending on the number of children, the babysitter's experience level, etc. Talk with the babysitter about this before you agree to have them come babysit. Keep in mind that a dollar or two more an hour isn't going to break the bank and might be the difference between a good babysitter and a great babysitter.
Have your children meet the potential babysitter under your supervision. See how they interact with your children. Don't be afraid to get your child's input also. Once the potential sitter has left, ask the kids what they thought. After all, most children are blatantly honest (which is a very good thing in this situation).
If you have a child that isn't yet vocal, it might be a good idea to invest in some sort of nanny cam. They are available online for $100 and up. This allows you to see what goes on when you're not at home and make sure that the babysitter is paying attention to your child the way they should.
Once you decide to hire the babysitter, ask them to come for just an hour or two while you and your spouse run errands or visit friends in the neighborhood. This gives the sitter and the kids a trial run to see how things go. When you get home, ask the sitter how it went (preferably without the kids around). You want to make sure that this person is comfortable with you and honest about how the evening went. Once the sitter leaves, ask the kids what they did and what they think of the babysitter.
Finally, go with your gut. I know that this sounds silly to some people, but it amazes me how many people hire the first babysitter that comes along, even though it may not be a great fit. You'll know within the first few minutes if this person is going to get along well with your child.
Now that you've hired that great sitter, here are a few things that you should be sure to go over with the babysitter.
First, be sure that they know both you and your spouse's cell phone numbers, the address of your home, the home phone number, and a neighbor's number. Let the babysitter know if you'll be calling while you're gone and whether you'll be calling on your house phone number or their cell phone. I've had parents upset with me before when I didn't answer the house phone, but I don't typically answer someone's house phone unless I know that the parent will be calling.
Outline your house "Babysitter Rules". A big one to address is that of their phones. They shouldn't be talking on the phone, texting, tweeting, or facebooking while they're supposed to be taking care of your children. Having their phone nearby for you to call is one thing, texting their friends is another. The babysitter also shouldn't have friends over. These things may seem obvious to you, but may not be obvious to your babysitter. Also, let the babysitter know how much television time, computer time, or videogame time you're comfortable with the children having. Some families let the kids watch a movie as a special treat when the babysitter is over. But this is also a good time to tell the kids that the TV needs to be off. They can have a game night with the babysitter or crafting time instead of staring at the television for three hours.
Write down an outline of each child's day from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night. Update this as often as their routine changes and post it on the refrigerator or somewhere equally accessible. You never know when plans might change drastically and you won't get home by bedtime. This also helps should you and your spouse be called out of town suddenly and one of your family members is taking care of your children. Be sure to include things like what your child eats at each meal, snacks, TV time, computer time, learning time, nap time, what all your child takes to bed, bedtime ritual, and what to do if they aren't going to sleep. Every child is a little bit different and having their schedule written out helps the babysitter immensely.
Hopefully these points will help you find and keep a great babysitter so you and your spouse get a much needed night out!
When you first interview the babysitter, be sure that you have questions written down that are important to you. Ask about their experience, any education they've received dealing with children, come up with emergency scenarios to see how they would deal with them, and be sure that they're certified in CPR and First Aid.
Do your homework before you hire a babysitter. Find out what the going rate is for babysitters in your area. Ask friends, neighbors, and people you know that babysit. There are also a few online websites that will tell you what you should be paying depending on the number of children, the babysitter's experience level, etc. Talk with the babysitter about this before you agree to have them come babysit. Keep in mind that a dollar or two more an hour isn't going to break the bank and might be the difference between a good babysitter and a great babysitter.
Have your children meet the potential babysitter under your supervision. See how they interact with your children. Don't be afraid to get your child's input also. Once the potential sitter has left, ask the kids what they thought. After all, most children are blatantly honest (which is a very good thing in this situation).
If you have a child that isn't yet vocal, it might be a good idea to invest in some sort of nanny cam. They are available online for $100 and up. This allows you to see what goes on when you're not at home and make sure that the babysitter is paying attention to your child the way they should.
Once you decide to hire the babysitter, ask them to come for just an hour or two while you and your spouse run errands or visit friends in the neighborhood. This gives the sitter and the kids a trial run to see how things go. When you get home, ask the sitter how it went (preferably without the kids around). You want to make sure that this person is comfortable with you and honest about how the evening went. Once the sitter leaves, ask the kids what they did and what they think of the babysitter.
Finally, go with your gut. I know that this sounds silly to some people, but it amazes me how many people hire the first babysitter that comes along, even though it may not be a great fit. You'll know within the first few minutes if this person is going to get along well with your child.
Now that you've hired that great sitter, here are a few things that you should be sure to go over with the babysitter.
First, be sure that they know both you and your spouse's cell phone numbers, the address of your home, the home phone number, and a neighbor's number. Let the babysitter know if you'll be calling while you're gone and whether you'll be calling on your house phone number or their cell phone. I've had parents upset with me before when I didn't answer the house phone, but I don't typically answer someone's house phone unless I know that the parent will be calling.
Outline your house "Babysitter Rules". A big one to address is that of their phones. They shouldn't be talking on the phone, texting, tweeting, or facebooking while they're supposed to be taking care of your children. Having their phone nearby for you to call is one thing, texting their friends is another. The babysitter also shouldn't have friends over. These things may seem obvious to you, but may not be obvious to your babysitter. Also, let the babysitter know how much television time, computer time, or videogame time you're comfortable with the children having. Some families let the kids watch a movie as a special treat when the babysitter is over. But this is also a good time to tell the kids that the TV needs to be off. They can have a game night with the babysitter or crafting time instead of staring at the television for three hours.
Write down an outline of each child's day from the time they wake up in the morning until they go to bed at night. Update this as often as their routine changes and post it on the refrigerator or somewhere equally accessible. You never know when plans might change drastically and you won't get home by bedtime. This also helps should you and your spouse be called out of town suddenly and one of your family members is taking care of your children. Be sure to include things like what your child eats at each meal, snacks, TV time, computer time, learning time, nap time, what all your child takes to bed, bedtime ritual, and what to do if they aren't going to sleep. Every child is a little bit different and having their schedule written out helps the babysitter immensely.
Hopefully these points will help you find and keep a great babysitter so you and your spouse get a much needed night out!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Newbie
Today is the first blog I've ever written for public consumption. I had a writing project for a college composition class to write a blog but I never let anyone know that I was doing it. That way I was saved from the embarrassment of having others read my ramblings. Now that I am a business owner, I've decided to allow others to read my ramblings! (lucky you) :)
Exciting things are coming for the agency. We've been open for 3 months today! Starting this blog is my celebration of that very short milestone. I will be launching a babysitting service in the next month to go along with the nanny placement service. All sitters will be screened in the same manner as my nanny candidates, which means extensive background checks, drug screens, and in-depth one on one interviews. They will also be certified in CPR and First Aid to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.
This blog will be a go-to spot for you to read about new happenings with the agency. I will also write blogs on various child care subjects; special needs issues; and advice for families regarding hiring, retaining, and communicating with your nanny. I hope that nannies and families find information here that help them maintain a great relationship with each other as well as the children. Have a great day!
Exciting things are coming for the agency. We've been open for 3 months today! Starting this blog is my celebration of that very short milestone. I will be launching a babysitting service in the next month to go along with the nanny placement service. All sitters will be screened in the same manner as my nanny candidates, which means extensive background checks, drug screens, and in-depth one on one interviews. They will also be certified in CPR and First Aid to ensure the safety and well-being of your child.
This blog will be a go-to spot for you to read about new happenings with the agency. I will also write blogs on various child care subjects; special needs issues; and advice for families regarding hiring, retaining, and communicating with your nanny. I hope that nannies and families find information here that help them maintain a great relationship with each other as well as the children. Have a great day!
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