Online Nanny Sites--Parents, what should you look for?

So you have decided as a parent to look for a nanny using an online site. What should you look for?

• Cost of information- make sure you know how much you will have to pay and what information you will get for your money. Some sites will offer you a free preview, but the important nanny resume info will cost you. Also pay attention to how you make contact with the nanny- phone, interview or do you go through the site?
• What information will you get? Will you be provided with references, work history, just the nuts and bolts of a standard job application? Or will you have access to statements from the nanny about their childcare philosophy, experiences, viewpoints and preferences?
• Does the site have a large database of nannies in your area? 
• Are there helpful resources available on the website? Do they have interview questions and tips, salary guidelines, nanny contracts, and other information that you can access for your membership fee? This information is SO valuable especially if you are hiring a nanny for the first time. 
• Do they provide background checking? This is almost always at an additional fee. No two background checks are the same so be sure to find out what is included. You will want to make sure you are checking things out nationally and not just in the current city or state the candidate is living in. 
• Watch out for the term "prescreening". This has vastly different meanings with each different site. Make sure you know what this term means for the specific sites you are using. You will have to do reference checking and background checking yourself when you use an online site to really screen a candidate.  
• Is the site a nanny site? Or does it post jobs for any types of employment? This can affect the amount of time it will take to identify qualified caregivers. 
• Is it easy to use? Can you post all the relevant information about your position including living arrangements, pets, complete job description and the kind of caregiver you are looking for? Are you able to include some personality information about you and your family? Remember a good nanny relationship is based on mutual fit. Both you and your nanny will be interviewing each other! 

The most important thing to remember when searching online for a nanny is that it is an active process. You will be doing the work of a whole agency yourself so be sure you have a plan and ask lots of questions, both of the websites and the nannies you interview!

Online Nanny Sites- Nannies, what should you look for?

Are you a nanny searching for a family? Perhaps you have registered with a traditional agency, but now want to expand your search. Online nanny sites have many benefits for nannies but be careful how you search! Some questions to ask:

• How big is the current family database in my area? Sites often have thousands of jobs but are they close to you? 
• What information are you required to give? What information will families have access to? Many sites require you to give references, personal info etc.. but will not allow families to see this info unless you give your permission. 
• What information will the site prescreen? Will they check your references or run a background check prior to putting your profile up on a site? 
• How will families be contacting you? via email or phone or through the site itself? 
• What information about families will you be given? Is it just nuts and bolts stuff like salary, hours, ages of kids or will there be more extensive info on family personality, job description and additional compensation? 
• Does the site have additional resources you can access such as interview tips, nanny contract information, etc..? Does the site seem nanny friendly and supportive? 
• Does the site belong to NANC or INA? Does the site seem nanny oriented or is it for all kinds of jobs? Do they support nannies by sponsoring training, conferences, support groups or any other means? 
• How long will your resume be posted? Do the family postings seem current and up to date? 
• Does the site give parents salary guidelines and do they fit into the salary range you are looking for? Does the site give parents advice and do you agree with what they are advising parents? Parents will view these sites as "experts" so what the sites tell employers will likely affect their opinions. 
• Finally is the site easy to use? Can you access the job database easily and search for jobs in ways that make sense to you (i.e. by geographic area, salary range, type of position)? Is the site organized in a way that makes sense to you? 

It is very important to remember that in any job search, but particularly when you are using online job sites, YOU MUST BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. Make sure you are following basic internet safety rules when contacting families and be super cautious about giving out your information. Searching for a job online takes a lot more time and requires that you really look at searching for a job as a job in itself. 

Online Nanny Sites -- Are they for you?

Online nanny search websites are here to stay. In this economy they seem to be experiencing a boom in business. There are so many new sites popping up every day it can be confusing. And more and more nannies seem to be flocking to these sites as parents look to them to save a little money in the nanny search process.

It is important to know that while these sites have become more popular, they are still not the same as a traditional brick and mortar agency. The reason these sites are less expensive is that they offer less service. If you are a parent and you are hiring from an online site, you are going to have to do much more of the legwork for your search yourself. This does not only mean a background search and interview, it also includes prescreening candidates, gathering and checking references, clearly defining the contract and job description and more. And you are doing this on your own, with few resources and no experienced person to hold your hand through the process. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of this, you should look into a traditional agency. However, if you are willing to make your nanny search your job for awhile, then online sites can provide you with all kinds of great candidates.

And nannies, online sites are booming with jobs these days. But just like parents, you will need to do more of the legwork yourself than if you had registered with brick and mortar agencies. You will have to make more calls to prospective families, screen out families with "dealbreakers" and search out families that are in your pay grade. Be sure to be safe! Be cautious about information you post online and make sure you are not visiting a family for the first time in their home. Meet in a public place first- or at least make sure you have people who know where you are.

Next post we will talk about what to look for in an online site and start the discussion on what the best practices of online sites should be!

Nanny Care Worth the Investment

The economy has changed things for nannies. Many nannies are finding it hard to find jobs, and especially higher paying jobs. But do you go into the interview and really identify why you are worth the higher salary? Do you know why nanny care is worth the investment?

Nanny care is worth the investment.

• Studies show that early attachments with a consistent caregiver provide children can positively affect kids later social/emotional development. Kids with consistent quality care have better relationships, find it easier to express their emotions and even can preform better in school.
• Kids in daycare have higher rates of childhood illnesses such as ear infections, colds and even the flu.
• Children's brain development is at its peak from ages 0-6. It is essential that kids get the proper stimulation at these ages. Neural pathways can be lost forever if not stimulated at early stages.
• Teenagers go through some of the same developmental struggles as toddlers- the search for independence, the struggle between what I want to do and what I can do, the need for lots of sleep and rapid growth spurts. It is essential to recognize and help children through both of these turbulent periods.
• Nanny care provides parents with an in house expert and support.
• Nanny care can also provide household support, help with errands, light housekeeping, laundry, management issues and scheduling. This frees parents to spend more quality time with their children. While hard to quantify, parent involvement does have a huge influence in raising a healthy, happy, successful child.

I found articles and proof for all of these statements and more in a few minutes with a google search. Make sure you are armed with your facts as you renegotiate your raise or search for a new job. Nanny care is worth the investment.

A nanny is a true innovator!

When you are on the front lines with kids you have to be able to keep thinking. It really brings new meanings to the term "be on your toes". There are thousands of books, hundreds of experts, and countless sources to find new solutions for kids. But the one thing I have learned in my 15 or so years is that no two kids, really no two families are alike which means you always have to be a creative problem solver.

Enter my current situation with a 10 year old charge. He is entering into that hormone induced, moody, pre teen stage that no one warns you about. Oh, I know teenagers can be rough, but I find the transition to be even tougher. I have been down this road before, the advantage of being a nanny is that you do see these things over and over, so I know the drill. I have read the advice and studied up on current theory. We try to set fair limits. We give him some space. We teach him alternatives. We reason with him. Still his grumpy, sassy, angry behavior was driving me crazy!

So I made him grumpy coupons this week. Simple pieces of paper that say "I am in a bad mood, please leave me alone" and I told him he could use these when he was angry for no good reason. I then gave him some parameters, like he had to still treat people with respect, he had to be ready to go on time to activities, and he could not use these coupons during holidays and family obligations. The piece of paper was just a different way for him to communicate how he was feeling, and gave him a nicer, and somewhat humorous way to to ask to be left alone.

I don't know if they will work, but he did say thanks for them. He now is thinking about how to solve the problem instead of fighting against me.

I know lots of nannies who are creative problem solvers like this. You have to constantly be thinking of new ways to approach the situations that crop up. It is the most exciting part of the job really, that there are always challenges to face.