Nanny or Daycare-You Decide

Naturally, this is a choice many parents are confronted with (and we get asked this question often enough) so we thought we would weigh in with our thoughts on the subject. At the risk of sounding self serving, we believe the benefit of having an experienced nanny outweighs even the best run childcare centers.

Why should I hire a nanny instead of using a childcare center? There are many reasons in our opinion:

  • For starters, your children will receive much more individual attention from a dedicated and nurturing caregiver of your choosing, allowing them to build relationship skills and form close bonds.
  • Children have a more secure and safe environment in a home setting. Your nanny can provide a lot of intellectual stimulation that overburdened, understaffed childcare centers may not be able to do.
  • The nanny can teach your children another language, engage them in art projects, and even create a “daycare” environment by inviting over other children to play and learn.
  • Children cared for at home tend to get sick less often than those placed in childcare centers.
  • On the practical side, having a nanny come to you is far easier than packing up your children every morning and driving to a center, and you get the added benefit of having someone to help with the household chores.
  • Finally, if you have two or more children, a nanny is less expensive than even a moderately priced childcare center.

We hope this helps.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Hiring or Working as a Summer Nanny in CT or NY

Had a lot of requests about summer nannies so I thought I would repost this artice. Hope this helps!

Summer Nannies FAQ’s

Summer Nannies: Seven Frequently-Asked Questions About Working as a Summer Nanny, or Hiring One

With summer right around the corner, many families are making plans for summer vacation. As kids look forward to a break from the school-year routine, parents are faced with an array of decisions about summer child care and how to balance the needs of their children with the demands of their jobs. Families also think about vacations, and the challenge of planning a family trip that is fun and interesting for kids and adults alike.

Summer nannies – often students or teachers – frequently figure into these plans. Sometimes families with older children, who do not need a nanny during the school year, choose to hire a nanny for the summer because their children would prefer not to go to summer camp, or because the camp schedule doesn’t cover their needs. By hiring a nanny for summer child care, the parents make it possible for the children to spend unstructured time at home, playing with neighborhood children, taking advantage of local activities, or perhaps just enjoying some down time.

For other families, particularly those with babies or small children, a summer nanny enables them to take a family vacation that meets the needs and expectations of kids and adults alike. By taking a nanny with them on vacation, parents are able to spend some time along together, enjoy a leisurely meal at a nice restaurant, and relax, knowing that their children are well cared for.Whether you’re thinking about hiring a nanny for summer child care, or you’re interested in working as one, you’ve probably asked the following questions:

1. What do summer nannies do? Summer nannies may be full-time, part-time, live-in, or live-out. Like full-time, year-round nannies, they may be asked to manage light housekeeping duties in addition to taking care of children. Summer nannies and families should be sure to discuss these expectations, as well as salary and pay schedule, in advance of committing to work together for the summer.

2. How do families find summer nannies? Parents can find summer nannies through nanny agencies, as well as through the recommendations of friends and colleagues. Some resort and family travel destinations may be able to help you find short-term nanny services. In some cities parents will find nanny agencies that specialize in providing temporary nanny services with complete background checks. At destinations popular with families, the hotel may be able to help.

3. How can summer nannies find jobs? As for nannies, there are many ways to find summer nanny jobs, including through nanny agencies and through word of mouth. If you’re looking for work as a summer nanny, be sure to tell everyone you know of your interest in finding a summer nanny job. If you’re a student, check campus bulletin boards, the school paper, and any other places where families might advertise for a nanny.

4. How should expenses be handled when a nanny travels with a family? It’s important to remember that when a nanny accompanies a family on vacation, no matter how lovely the locale, the nanny is still working. The nanny and parents should discuss and agree on a schedule for the trip in advance, making sure that the nanny’s needs are met in terms of time off and breaks.Families should be prepared to cover all of the nanny’s travel expenses, including airfare, lodging, meals, and admission to attractions which he or she visits with the family. If the nanny does not eat all meals with the family, s/he should be given a meal allowance to purchase meals.

5. What accommodations should be provided? If at all possible, the nanny should have a separate bedroom, not one shared with the children, so that the nanny has a place to rest and relax when off duty.

6. How much does a summer nanny earn? Salaries for summer nannies vary tremendously depending on the number of children in their care, the number of hours they work, the responsibilities they’re given, their level of experience and education, and the region of the country where they are employed. Ballpark guidelines range from $8 to $22 per hour. The best way to find out what’s typical in your area is to ask a nanny agency, or to ask several friends or colleagues who have either hired nannies or have worked as a nanny.

7. What about taxes? Remember that summer nannies are subject to the same tax regulation as year-round nannies. For more info, see: Year-end Tax Tips for Employees

This article was published on nanny.com newsletter, April 2009

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Grandchildren, Grandparents & Technology

Grandparenting and Technology
Written By : Brad Percival

Many children grow up and move away from their parents and have children of their own leaving the grand parents to become long-distance grandparents. Grand parenting long-distance can be a struggle at first but as you become more agreeable with the idea of bonding with your grandchildren through other means, it will become easier on both you and the grandchildren. Best of all, the experience can still be absolutely wonderful….http://www.senioradvice.com/inner.php?aid=161

Posted by Wee Care Nanny

Activities for Grandparents to do with the Grandkids

Grandparenting Activity Suggestions
Written By : Colleen Kitchen

Calling all parents and grandparents: Are you stuck for a suggestion for activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren? Look no further — you have found a big list of things to do. Surely there will be at least one of these things that captures someone’s imagination. This is only a jumping off place, to spark you to think of many other ideas. If you know of a great activity for grandchildren and grandparents to do, please write to me: I’d love to hear it. Here is my list:
http://www.senioradvice.com/inner.php?aid=155

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Seniors Aging Well, The Benefits of Laughter

Priceless Humor and the Benefits of Laughter
Written By : Diane Carbo

Research has shown that human aging has a mind body connection that we enjoy with the benefits of laughter. Humor, priceless humor, and our response to it can have many unexpected health benefits.

Who would ever think that laughing can be so beneficial? Here are some reported health benefits of laughter and a good sense of priceless humor:
http://www.senioradvice.com/inner.php?aid=113

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find extensive helpful information that will be continually updated.

Upcoming Events for Familes-Kids Fest (Wilton, CT) & Parenting Fair (Stamford, CT)

Great Fun for the Family

Wee Care Nanny Agency is pleased to announce that we will be apart of two great upcoming events in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

1. The nineteenth annual KidsFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wilton High School Field House on Sunday, March, 28, 2010. The Kids Fest is an exposition designed for young families with entertainment, education and businesses catering to parents and children. There will be a puppet show, music, face painting and much more. Wee Care Nanny will be meeting with families and discussing our services for permanent and temporary nannies, housekeepers, babysitters and other domestic providers.

2. Wee Care Nanny will again be a featured vendor at the Parenting Fair at UBS in Stamford from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010. This event is sponsored by the Working Parents Network (WPN) at UBS and is for UBS‘ several thousand employees based in the area. Wee Care will be discussing all of our services with a focus on our Sitting Service (Wee Care Sitters) and corporate back-up care.

We hope you will stop by and say hello!

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Video Games Shown to Promote Healthy Aging in Seniors

Wii Games Promote Healthy Aging

Written by Diane Carbo

Nintendo Wii games are like using a brain fitness program to promote healthy aging. You flex your mental muscles as well as improve physical fitness at the same time.

Studies show that in 2008, 26 percent of aging individuals over the age of 50 played video games. This is an increase of 9 percent from 1999, according to release of data from the Entertainment Software Association…

www.senioradvice.com/inner.php?aid=172

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Helping Moms Manage Communication with their Nanny

I read this article and wanted to pass it along. We are frequently guiding parents on how to communicate certain requests to their nanny. It is true that bringing up certain issues with your current nanny can cause some families a lot of unnecessary angst. It is always a good idea to have an employment contract in place which spells out all the responsibilities of the job and compensation package. Go over the work agreement before the job begins and work out any foreseeable issues or misunderstandings. Naturally, issues will arise once the job begins and you should address that verbally and in your contract. And agree to always have an open line of communication going forward. We end the sample employment contract we ask families to complete before the nanny starts her first day with the following language:

We want to welcome you into our home and our children’s lives. We are happy to have you and hope you will remain with us for a long time and become a major part of our children’s lives.

The Parents and Nanny both agree to sit down at a mutually convenient time and discuss any disagreements, misunderstandings, or change in job description in a calm and rational manner. We will treat each other as professionals with courtesy and respect always keeping in mind that the children’s well being and happiness is always first and foremost.

How to Speak Nanny
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/garden/04nannies.html?em

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency