Tax Savings on Child Care Costs and Nanny Agency Placement Fees


Good article from MarketWatch about how parents can save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of money saving tax breaks for child care. 

Placement agency fees are covered, and so are some other unexpected expenses
 “Both the FSA and the child-care tax credit cover a wide range of expenses, including nursery school, after-school programs, and babysitting by a relative (as long as that relative isn’t a dependent and the babysitting was so the parent could go to work). Many parents are surprised to learn that the FSA and tax credit also cover fees that parents pay to a placement agency to find a nanny, which can be several thousand dollars, Swope said.”  Continue reading here

2021 Holiday Bonus Guide for Your Nanny, Babysitter or Housekeeper

Naturally, we get the question below a lot during this time of year and wanted to offer some guidance.

“We LOVE our new nanny and want to acknowledge our appreciation this holiday season. As you know, Mary (name changed by the agency for privacy) has only been with us for less than 1 month. What are the typical guidelines for a bonus? As always, appreciate your help!”

 

To answer your question, a full-time nanny can usually expect a holiday bonus of one week’s compensation – two week’s pay depending upon her length of service.  Additionally, if the nanny has been with the family less than a year, half of her weekly salary is standard. If the nanny is  just starting, a $100 gift card sets a nice tone.  A hand-written note of thanks expressing your appreciation and referencing a yearly highlight of the caregiver/child relationship is an additional way to show your genuine gratitude. 

Some families will include an extra little something coming from the children like a homemade card, cookies or her favorite confection which surrounds the monetary gift with genuine warmth and appreciation from the child.

For the part-time regular babysitter that provides care several times each month, a gift equal to one night’s pay is the norm. Many families choose to provide a $50-$100 gift card to her favorite shop, cafe, nail salon etc.

Housekeeper/Cleaner, one or two week’s pay, depending upon her length of service and a small gift like a bottle of wine, fine chocolate or Mani-Pedi gift card.

Obviously, this is a general guideline of industry norms in the NY Metro Region. Some families give considerably more or less depending on overall job performance, length of employment, particular circumstances, and family budget. 

Wee Care Nanny wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful and joyous holiday season!

 

 

Stamford Thanksgiving Day Parade-Sunday, November 19, 2017 (12 PM to 3 PM)

On Sunday, November 19, 2017, the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place in Downtown Stamford, CT along Summer Street. The parade starts at 12 PM  and features spectacular helium balloon cartoon characters and wonderful marching bands. It is great fun for the whole family. Arrive early and bring chairs.

Wee Care Nanny Agency is beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful nannies, housekeepers and families. We appreciate your dedication and professionalism. 


 We wish you and your family a happy & healthy Thanksgiving Day! 

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)-Deadline to Renew DACA Protections is October 5, 2017


We have been getting many questions and hearing a lot of misinformation about the end of the DACA program.  Here are the facts:

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, if you are a current beneficiary of DACA, and your DACA protections will expire between Sept. 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018, you have ONLY 1 month or until October 5, 2017 to apply for one last renewal.

DACA beneficiaries who are set to lose their protections on March 6, 2018 or later will no longer have authorized status.

CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high quality, and confidential immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. (212) 568-4692

http://www1.cuny.edu/sites/citizenship-now/about/contact/

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency


Pound Ridge, NY 5K and Kids Fun Race & Fireworks Show-Saturday, July 1, 2017



Pound Ridge, NY 5K & Kids Race


Saturday, July 1st is the annual Independence Day Race in Pound Ridge, NY.  Start the holiday weekend  off right with a 5K run through scenic Pound Ridge. The race is followed by the Kids Fun Race-5k-road-race for toddlers to tweens. The 5K starts at 9AM and the kids’ races begin after the 5K is completed.  Race Information and Registration
Pound Ride Elementary School
7 Pound Ridge Road Pound Ridge, NY

  FIREWORKS SHOW

The spectacular annual Fireworks show starts around dusk in the Pound Ridge Town Park. Fireworks, music and don’t forget your picnic basket. $30 parking fee for non residents.
  • Date: July 1, 2017
  • Time: 5:00pm to 10:00pm
  • Venue: Town Park
Address: 179 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge, NY 10576 
  It is a great day of fun for the whole family. Wee Care will have fun summer giveaways for the kids. We hope to see you there! 

Four on the Fourth Road Race in New Canaan, CT July 4, 2017 -RACE RESULTS


Congratulations to the winners and everyone who finished. Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 4th is the 35th annual (4 on the 4th) Independence Day Race in New Canaan, CT. Great healthy way to start off the day with a 4 mile run along scenic OenokeRidge in New Canaan, Conn.

Please stop by and say hello as Wee Care Nanny Agency will be sponsoring post-race refreshments at the finish line and have summer giveaways for all. We hope to see you there!

 Race starts at8 AM (new start time), St. Mark’s Church, Rt. 124 New Canaan, Conn. For more information about the race or to register online,  click here.



 Ready for the runners!




K-5 Bedford, NY BCSD Elementary Bike Run on Sunday, May 21st @ 8AM

7th Annual Bedford, NY Central School District Bike Run

Summer is upon us. Fun, fitness, creativity and community!


The 7th annual Elementary Bike Run. is on Sunday, May 21st from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Fox Lane Campus in Bedford, NY. Children from Mount Kisco, Bedford Hills, Bedford Village, West Patent, and Pound Ridge Elementary Schools will be participating. It’s one of our favorite events and Wee Care Nanny Agency is delighted to be a supporter.  


BCSD Bike Run RACE RESULTS HERE
Age Level Bike Laps Run Laps
4th -5th Graders 5 laps – (2 miles) 4 laps (1 mile)
2nd 3rd Graders – 3 laps (1.2 miles) 2 laps (1/2 mile)
K 1st Graders – 2 laps (0.8 mile) 1 lap (1/4 mile)

National Nanny Training Day 2017 CT/NY (Saturday, April 29th)


Wee Care Nanny Agency is proud to be the CT/Westchester host of the 7th Annual National Nanny Training Day “NNTD” 2017.    Register early and save. We expect over 100 attendees this year!
   

 Saturday, April 29, 2017
9:00AM to 3:00PM
Crowne Plaza Stamford Hotel
2701 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06905

We welcome all NYC, Westchester & CT Nannies. Only 30-45 minutes from NYC and Westchester, NY.
 
Join us for a day of networking and ongoing training featuring several experienced industry leaders speaking on a variety of topics to help you advance your employment skills, and improve your work-life balance. To register click here or call (203) 359-8410 or (212) 364-5142.


Along with interesting and informative workshops, we will have great raffle prizes,  a delicious buffet lunch and plenty of time to network and share our stories. 

Attendees receive a certificate acknowledging participation in National Nanny Training Day 2017.

For more info or to register click here or call (203) 359-8410 or (212) 364-5142.

Pictures from last year’s event.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny

Holiday Bonus Guide for Your Nanny, Babysitter or Housekeeper

Understandably, we get the question below a lot during this time of year and wanted to offer some guidance.

“Hope all is well! Since we are new at the whole nanny thing (Sandra is AMAZING!) I wanted to get your thoughts on a holiday bonus. I know Sandra (name changed by agency for privacy) has only been with us since October but I still want to pay her a holiday bonus, she works so hard. What are the typical guidelines for a bonus? Thanks so much!”

To answer your question, a full-time nanny can usually expect a holiday bonus of one week’s pay – two week’s salary depending upon her length of service.  Additionally, if the nanny has been with the family under a year, half of her weekly salary is standard. If the nanny is  just starting, a $100 gift card sets a nice tone.  A hand-written note of thanks expressing your appreciation and referencing a yearly highlight of the caregiver/child relationship is an additional way to show your genuine gratitude. 

Some families will include an extra little something coming from the children like a homemade card, cookies or her favorite confection which surrounds the monetary gift with genuine warmth and appreciation from the child.

For the part-time regular babysitter that provides care several times each month, a gift equal to one night’s pay are the norm. Many families choose to provide a $50-$100 gift card to her favorite shop, cafe, nail salon etc.

Housekeeper/Cleaner, one or two week’s pay, depending upon her length of service and a small gift like a bottle of wine, fine chocolate or Mani-Pedi gift card.

Obviously, this is a general guideline of industry norms in the NY Metro Region. Some families give considerably more or less depending on overall job performance, length of employment, particular circumstances and family budget. 

Wee Care Nanny wishes you and your loved ones a wonderful and joyous holiday season!

Posted by Wee Care Nanny