How to Find the Perfect Before and After School Nanny

Its around about this time of year that we get a lot of calls from families looking for before and after school nannies. In most cases, the children have tried the service provided by the local school and it hasn't worked out for reasons such as the children's after school activity schedule and having to get up too early in the morning in order to leave at the same time as their parents.

Many parents often arrive at the conclusion that a nanny is the perfect solution; the children can stay in bed a little later in the mornings and the parents don't have to rush around before working getting them ready for school. A nanny normally arrives in the morning at approximately 30 minutes before the parents leave for work so that they can assist with the hectic morning schedule of breakfast, getting dressed, preparing school bags, seeing children to the bus etc.

Once the children go to school the nanny is free to leave and will not return until meeting the children off the bus when they finish school. Then its unpacking the school bag, preparing a snack and helping with homework. Its an ideal situation and normally cost effective if you have two or more children in school. It certainly makes life easier for the parents!

Finding the right nanny however can be challenging. In our agency, it's the most difficult position to place because most nannies don't want a job with split shifts, working for about two hours or less in the morning then two to  three hours at the end of the day. There is also the question on school breaks when you don't need the nanny to work. Therefore there are some important points to consider when searching for your nanny:

1 - Location
Find a nanny who lives within close proximity of your house. Ideally within a radius of five miles or a 10 minute commute. You want your nanny to be reliable and if a long commute is needed, traffic will become an issue. Also, who wants to get up in the morning and do a long commute only to work for less than two hours, return home and do the same later on in the day.

2- Nanny Qualities
Make sure the nanny is capable of being organized and staying on task. The busiest time in a household with children is the hour before they go to school and the time when they return home so you want to have a trial run first to see if your nanny can meet the hectic demands. She will need to demonstrate that she is able to stay calm.

3 - Homework
If you have children in third grade or higher they will have homework. The nanny will need to be able to assist and help review the lessons of the day.

4 - Driving
If the nanny is required to take your children to after school activities you will need to be sure that she is a safe driver, has a reliable form of transportation and is willing to sign an agreement with you that she/he will not text or talk on the phone while driving. Its really important to emphasize this and not assume that your nanny will know better. Its an epidemic problem.

5- Nanny pay
In order to attract the right candidates and make sure they stay with you, a higher hourly rate may be necessary. If you normally pay $12-$14 per hour in your area, you should consider paying in the region of $14 to $16 or more for this type of position.

6- Background checks
Make sure you run a thorough background check on your nanny before she/he starts and check that they have current CPR and First Aid so that they are ready to deal with emergencies.

Finding the right nanny can really help to improve a family's quality of life and avoid the organized chaos that so many of us find ourselves in.

The Nanny Interview - Getting it Right

I have seen many a nanny, who is highly experienced with  much to offer a family, lose an opportunity to someone with less experience just because of the way they performed during the face to face interview with the family. Generally the objections are mild, such as the nanny being shy or not asking any questions but occasionally I hear some real bloopers like the time the nanny candidate chewed gum all the way through the interview!

Of course, when you work with a nanny agency  there are a lot more hurdles to cross because you need to make a good impression on both the agency and the family. If you really want to land the perfect nanny position you can drastically improve your chances if you follow a few simple rules:

Rule One - Communicate

Whether you are using an agency or applying directly to the family your first line of communication with either be a phone call, email or application form. This is your first opportunity to capture the attention of the person making the hiring decision. It is also the most important. First impressions really do count.

Out of every ten emails I receive from candidates approximately 7-8 of them have spelling and grammatical errors. Many emails are written like a text message i.e. "hello, my name is jo and i was wondering if u r still looking for a nanny." Its no surprise that these emails are deleted without further consideration. Part of a nanny's responsibility, if she is caring for pre-schoolers might be to teach basic writing and reading skills!

Be sure to follow up your application with a phone call if possible or a second email. Nanny agencies can receive upwards of 200 applications a week and you need to make sure yours stands out. Don't take it personally if the agency or family doesn't return your call but whatever you do don't give up. 

Rule Two - Look like you want the job
You are not applying for a position working in an office and therefore you don't need to necessarily wear a suit but you do need to look smart and understated. Remember, as a nanny you may be required to step in for the parents at school events and the parents will want to see that you are able to represent the family in a strong light.

Rule Three - Make an impression
The first 30 seconds are the most important? Yes definitely! When you arrive for your interview be sure to get there on time, smile, make eye contact and give a firm handshake. Be sure to acknowledge everyone in the room, especially the children.

Rule Four - Nail the interview!
The family will have lots of questions to ask you. Liston carefully and only answer the questions they ask avoiding going off track onto other subjects. Have a list of questions of  your own, ideally with regards to the children and the responsibilities of the job. If the children are present, its okay to play and interact with them - the parents will want to see this.

Rule Five - Finish on a good note
Before leaving, let the family know if you think the job is an ideal fit for you and ask if they would like to set up a time for you to visit again and have more interaction time with the children. Always, always, always follow up with a thank you email reiterating your interest.

Good luck out there. If you follow these simple steps you will dramatically increase your chances of nailing the perfect nanny job.

For Nannies - Questions to ask during an interview

When you are attend a nanny interview its important you put your best foot forward and present yourself well in order to make a good impression but its important to remember that the interview goes two ways. An interview is an opportunity for the nanny to find out if a family is going to be a good fit. One way to do this is to prepare a list of questions to ask the family beforehand and have them written down.
During the interview allow the family to ask the questions first but make sure you have an opportunity at the end to ask your questions. Here are a selection you can use:

1. What is your discipline philosophy
2. Do you have the children on a set schedule or do you have more relaxed approach?
3. What are the children's favorite activities?
4. What do you like to do as a family when you have some free time?
5. What do you expect of me as a nanny?
6. What are the most important qualities you are looking for in a nanny?
7. How we will communicate on a daily basis?
8. What sort of food do the children eat?
9. What responsibilities will I have?
10. What, if any parenting books have you read/followed?
11. Do the children have any allergies or take medication?
12. Will I be able to take the children out for walks/visits to the park etc.?

Try to avoid asking about money, vacation or benefits during the first interview. If the family like you this can be negotiated but its very off-putting when a candidates first questions are related to financial benefits of the job.
Feel free to print off this list and use it at your next interview. Good luck!

7 Steps To Nailing The Perfect Nanny Job

Finding the perfect nanny job can seem to be a difficult task. However, having a perfect interview can help alleviate many of the hardships to landing the nanny job you most desire.  If you follow the tips we have listed below, nailing the interview will be no problem.

1. Preparation
Before you begin your nanny search spend some time preparing a professional nanny resume. Include all your experience with children and any relevant training. There are lots of examples of good nanny resumes online. Also, prepare a strong nanny specific cover letter and include a summary of why you want to be a nanny, the skills and qualities that make you a great nanny, what you are looking for in a job and why you are a good match for the job you are applying for.


2. Research

Before going to the interview, it is important to do your research.  Make sure you are aware of what the family expects from you. Find out what your duties and responsibilities will be and how much the position pays.  Doing your research is a great way to get a feel of whether this position is a good fit for you.  If after your research you decide this position will not work, it will save both you and the family time from meeting to have an interview.

3. References

Your references will always be checked when applying for a nanny job.  Therefore, it is very important that you have your references up to date prior to the interview.  You may want to contact your references and ask for the best way to reach them so you will have the most recent number.  Also, it is helpful to make sure they are aware they are being used as a reference so when they are called they will not be caught off guard.

4. Etiquette

"First impressions are lasting impressions".  From your initial contact up to your actual interview, it is important to always be professional.  When emailing a potential family, be sure you are using correct grammar and punctuation.  No one will take an email seriously that does not use capital letters, has poor spelling and grammar, and little punctuation.

Dress appropriately for the interview.  It shows you are taking the job seriously.  You do not want to arrive to an interview with jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, or any outfit that is inappropriate or suggesting.  It is also a great way to show your respect.

Always be punctual.  This is another way to show your respect.  It is important to show up to an interview on time or at least 15 minutes early.  One way to avoid arriving late to an interview or getting lost, is to go on a dry run before the date of your interview.  This will ensure you are certain where the location is and you will get a sense of how traffic is in that area. If you think you are going to be late, give the family a call to explain you are on your way.

5. Prepare a Folder of Your Past Work Experience
It is helpful to bring with you a portfolio of your work experience.  This can include pictures of you with kids you have worked with in the past.  Also include any certificates you have earned or any other child care related training.  This is a great way to show off your work and impress the families.

6. Questions to Ask
It is important for not only the families to ask you questions during the interview, but for you to ask questions to the family.  They will expect you to have questions.  Listed below are some sample questions you should ask during your interview.

• What are my duties as a nanny?
• What is your discipline philosophy?
• How long do you anticipate this nanny position lasting?
• What is your family's favorite ways to spend downtime?
• Do any of the children have allergies?

7. Post Interview

After the interview, it is always nice to send a follow up email to thank the family for the opportunity to interview with them.  It is polite and it shows your interest in working for them.  In this email you could also restate your interest in the position and that you look forward to hearing from them.

If you follow those tips, landing your perfect nanny job should be a breeze.  Good luck!

Does your child have tech rage?

The official definition of 'tech rage' according to the urban slang dictionary is "an overwhelming emotion caused by frustration with one or more technological devices, (e.g., computers, wireless phones)". Can I add some more examples to that list including computer games, the Wii and DSi's?

My husband and I recently fell into the trap that many parents fall into of buying our children DSi's for their birthday. We have eight year old triplet boys and this meant buying three of them. In our ignorance we felt sure that having their own handheld devices would stop all the quarrelling we've experienced with the Wii. Wrong! Now, instead of quarrelling with each other they have moments of anger and frustration that are out of character for our children who, although very lively are generally even tempered.

I need to point out that we see this particular behaviour with the type of  games that require a lot of  concentration and focus such as Mario or any game that rewards the player with points or prizes. When they win, they have a feeling of joy, albeit temporary. When they loose, their frustration is visible and their whole mood changes for the worse. Its difficult to communicate with them because they are completely immersed 'in the game'. If you've ever seen an addicted gambler at a casino, you will know what I mean.

 The good news is that its not all bad. There are times when a DSi is an invaluable tool for keeping your children occupied, car rides being the best example. However, as a parent you need to be selective about the games they play. There is a program on the DSi called Footnotes - it allows the player to create cartoon-like movies adding pictures, artwork and sounds. I've noticed that my children are a lot calmer and more communicative when they are playing this. The DSi also has a camera and program that allows you to change the pictures, add sounds and funny faces. Again, they children are engaged in a positive way and not consumed.

The best approach is to limit the amount of time they spend on these devices and encourage them to balance their free time playing with other, non tech type toys. If you really want happy balanced children get them outside as much as possible in the fresh air. I'll take muddy jeans over moody kids any day!

Multiples SHOULD be treated as a unit.

I have read countless articles written by parenting experts and listened to advice from well-meaning acquaintances on the topic of multiples and how they need to be treated as individuals. The common theme suggests that parents give their twins/triplets or more one on one time regularly to establish their sense of individuality. I beg to differ.

As a mother of 8 year old triplet boys I made a decision to stop feeling guilty about giving them 'one on one' time with Mommy and Daddy. We barely have time alone with each other let alone have spend individual time with each child. That's not to say that we don't ever have one on one time but when we do its probably more of a treat for the parent than for the child. A few hours are okay but longer than that and they start to ask about their siblings.

Even if we did have time, we probably wouldn't on any type of regular basis. Unless you are a parent of multiples its very hard to understand. Siblings born at different times automatically get their alone time with parents but multiples do not know any different. They arrive in the World at almost the same moment and from the first breath have a constant companion (s).

I believe that even as young infants multiples are aware that they are part of a group, a unit that is very special. As they grow older it becomes apparent that they are more comfortable with each other than other children although they are still capable of making friends. This doesn't mean to say they don't squabble frequently!

If you are new parents of multiples I can garuntee you will feel a certain sense of missing out on that one on one time that other parents enjoy with individual siblings but at the same time being a part of the unit you have created is one of the most wonderful feelings in the World. Enjoy every crazy second!

The Food Dye Spies - a new fun game for kids!

I am always thinking of ways to encourage my children to make smart food choices and trying to keep them as informed as possible on why certain foods are good for you and not so good. They get it for the most part but are presented with so many temptations it must be difficult to say no.

For example, this morning following swim practice they were immediately presented with a Popsicle. After eating them, one of the boys looked at me and said "Mom, oh no! I just ate red 40!!". I had to laugh - its not something you hear many 7 year old boys say.

The reason he knows about red 40 is because of the new game I invented called "FADDS - The Food and Drink Dye Spies". My three boys love pretending to be spies and going on secret missions and so in this game, their task is to find hidden food dyes in food and report back to headquarters with their findings. They are allowed to go through cupboards and put foods into categories. Any foods containing dyes will be carefully investigated and banned if they are found to be particularly unhealthy - they will be labeled quite simply, 'the baddies'.

Before I go any further, let me just say that I am no expert on Food dyes but I do know that foods containing them are generally less healthy than their more natural counterparts. In 2006 Nestle, manufacturers of the popular candy called Smarties (I call them the UK equivalent to M&M's) removed all artificial colorings from this particular candy due to consumer concerns over the effects of food dyes on children's behavioral health.

Unfortunately, others have been slow to follow but I think, at least I hope that as more parents become aware of the connection between food color and their children's behaviour they will begin to put pressure on our food Manufacturers and just like trans fats, bad food dyes will become a thing of the past.