Archive for January 28th, 2010

Becoming a Nanny

Author: admin

Jan 28



Entering the field of professional childcare by becoming a nanny can be a wonderful start to a career in this area or merely a fulfilling way to be gainfully employed while attending college or graduate school, or while you are trying to decide your next move in the work world. While it is one of the more unusual forms of employment, being a nanny can have more profound rewards than any other form of employment. It gives you the opportunity to create loving relationships that may last for the rest of your life. What a wonderful way to have a positive influence on young lives!

Many of the responsibilities of a nanny are similar to those of a babysitter, but a nanny is a professional position that requires much more. If one makes the mistake of approaching the career with a casual attitude or enters the field choosing to take it lightly, it will be difficult to find and keep employment. Taking care of other people’s children is a privilege and a serious commitment. Often, families will want to hire people with backgrounds or degrees/certifications in childcare or education, particularly Early Childhood Education. These are not necessary, but they do give families a measure of confidence that the field holds interest for the nanny and that she/he is serious about pursuing a career in this area. A nanny with a degree or certification in education will be a great resource for the family when it comes to learning and behavioral issues as the children grow.

Despite ones educational background, the most important qualification a nanny can hold is one of responsibility. Families will be looking for applicants with the maturity to take responsibility for the care of their children. They will expect the nanny to look after their children with kindness and keep them safe, just as they would. A nanny is in the strange position of not being a relative but always having to ask herself/himself, “How would I behave if I were the parent?” Eventually, this question will fade, and the behavior will become instinctive.

When you are a nanny, either part-time or full-time, you supplement the family dynamic in a way that can be very rewarding, if you live up to the expectations of your employers. Herein lies the fundamental issue of the profession: expectations. Before accepting a position, it is critical that both parties (the potential nanny and the family) are clear about their expectations…leave nothing to assumption! Every detail should be discussed and put into writing. If you expect to have holidays off, to get paid extra for working weekends, to have paid sick days, etc., all of these requests need to be settled prior to accepting employment.

However, even if you think you have considered every possible scenario, there will always be issues that surprise you. This is why it is important to have excellent communication with the family. Weekly or monthly meetings should be arranged to discuss the finer points of family life that arise, or major issues that need sorting. The employer-employee relationship should not disintegrate even when one feels as though she is a member of the family. Serious issues should be discussed with other nannies and professionals in the field before approaching the family. Sometimes, for example, nannies will find that they disagree with the parenting-style of the family or decisions made by the family that affect the children. It is easy to become very protective of your charges! It may be difficult to know when to step in and raise these issues and when to let the family proceed on its own course.

Nannies come from a variety of backgrounds and age-groups – from college students to mothers of grown children. Some positions may require only a few hours a week, while others will require the nanny to live-in and work 60 hours a week. The nanny may be required to simply get the children to and from school, or she may be responsible for all daily activities, including cooking, laundry, and some cleaning. Again, the nanny’s responsibilities will depend upon the family’s needs and expectations. As far as pay goes, this will depend upon the time commitment, job requirements, and the market of a particular region.

The International Nanny Association (INA) is a tremendous resource for those contemplating work in this area. The INA recently completed a survey called the “2009 INA Salary and Benefits Survey Recap.” It provides excellent information regarding how much nannies of different regions and with different time commitments got paid, how they found their positions, tax information, and various other issues of compensation. Almost anything you would want to know about being a nanny can be found at this site. In addition, talking with nannies, both current and retired, is an excellent way to get first-hand information and detailed stories about their experience and what you might expect from the job.

Becoming a nanny can be an enriching and life-changing experience for everyone involved! Do your research and consider stepping into this rewarding field and become a Los Angeles Nanny today!

By: Denise Weber

About the Author:
Denise Weber is a professional Los Angeles Nanny. She enjoys writing and reading.



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How to Hire a Nanny That Can Protect and Care for Your Children

Author: admin

Jan 28



Having a daycare center, you need to hire the right nanny that can aid you to protect and take good care of the children under your facility. Take note, all nannies are not equal with each other, so, you need to employ someone that can effectively protect and care the children.

Between the ages of 18 to 50 are the ages of professional nannies and may hold some advanced degree in early childhood development. Typically, professional nannies attended workshops in order to learn more on how to deal with kids. Nannies, usually, take good care of tiding up which are related to kids and cook for the children.

Indeed, nannies are qualified in daycare center. Nannies can provide professional and friendly services that can offer flexible daycare solutions to families. With your daycare, you have flexible hours, and regular routines, so you can hire a nanny to assist you in completing all the works to be done each day. Yes, nannies have some sort of childcare qualification, so you can get some for your facility.

You can use an agency in looking for nannies or you can look for yourself, just make sure to screen the applicant carefully in order to assure that you’ll be getting the right nannies. You are dealing with kids here, so you need to be sure that the nannies you’ll be hiring with truly protect and take good care of kids.

Nanny is like a substitute mother that will be there to teach and nurture the kids, someone who will protect and keep the kids away from harm. Nannies are full time caregivers that will stay in your facility.

Before deciding the best nanny for your daycare, you need to think on what exactly you are seeking for. You need to decide whether you need a full time or part time nanny, a live- in or commute nanny and so on. Jot down all you need and decide on how you will pay, will you be paying per hour, and what are the duties that you will let the nanny fulfill.

There are phone interviews, but this method is informal, it is still best to meet the applicant face to face in order to see her behavior upfront. Having the right nanny can provide you and the families of the kids’ peace of minds. So, you need to give your very best in seeking the right nannies for your daycare center. Be alert.

For more info see: How to start a daycare center

By: Dolson McArt

About the Author:
Dolson McArt – Author of: How to Hire a Nanny That Can Protect and Care for Your Children

Contributing to EzineArticles.com since March 2007.



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The ABC’s of Nanny Childcare

Author: admin

Jan 28



For any parent, caring for your children is the primary concern that dominates your daily thoughts. Especially for working parents or single-parent households, childcare can be a major stressor if you cannot be home to meet children’s needs. While there are many benefits to daycare, hiring a nanny for your children may be the most beneficial for them. In their own home, children feel more comfortable and free to play, learn, and live under the guidance of a specialized child caregiver. When hiring a nanny, there are many important steps to take and tips to remember that will ensure you and your family the most positive experience.

First, and perhaps most important, do an adequate and thorough background screening and reference check of all potential nannies. As your children will be under this person’s supervision without your attendance for a large percentage of the time, you need to ensure your children’s safety above all else. Secondly, choose someone whose childcare style closely matches your own. Inconsistency in discipline is detrimental to your children and can cause serious long-term problems. Avoid any miscommunications about discipline and the like by discussing it in-depth with applicants.

Once you have hired your nanny, it is important to remember his/her role. Many parents may have misconstrued conceptions and expectations of their nanny, which causes unhappiness for him/her and for your family. After clearly discussing what is expected, a nanny may be responsible for: preparing children’s meals, children’s laundry, children’s bathing, grooming, etc., cleaning dishes/kitchen after children’s meals, and keeping children’s bedrooms and play areas straightened up. Remember that a nanny is not a housekeeper; his/her primary concern is the children and their needs. He/she should not be expected to clean all of the areas of the house, do the parents’ laundry, or clean up after any pets. Choosing the right nanny for your family can greatly ease your stress as a parent and can create harmony in your home and your children’s lives.

By: Billings Farnsworth

About the Author:
Northwest Nannies Inc. (http://www.nwnanny.com/) is nationally acclaimed for offering the finest in the education and placement of Professional Nannies. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.



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Choosing a Portable Home Security System

Author: admin

Jan 28



With homeowners all over the country installing home security systems, people who rent their homes are wondering, “But what about me?” The option of running wires and mounting cameras isn’t available to them, but the threat to their homes and families is just as real. These are the people who portable home security systems were designed to help.

Many styles of portable systems are now on the market and meet the needs of people who can’t use a wired system. If you are a renter, you’ll want to be able to take your system when you move, not leave it for the landlord. And if you’re taking a long distance trip alone, a portable security unit would help keep you safe in your hotel room. Since most of these systems are either plug-in and run or cellular, it’s easy to use them anywhere.

Before deciding if a portable unit is right for you, take a look at the following questions:

Where will your unit be located, and what do you want it to do? Would you prefer no wires showing? Would a mobile camera be helpful for you? Will you be moving and wanting to take the system you paid for with you? Were you planning to hide your camera somewhere very tiny?

If you agreed with any of the above statements, you’d probably be smart to check out portable home security systems before deciding what to buy.

Portable home security systems come in all price ranges to fit any budget. Many of the units are very small, run on batteries, and are self-contained units. There are also a number of cellular models available that don’t incur any roaming charges when you take them on trips.

As you go up the price range you’ll find units that include both an alarm system and motion detector. You’ll also find a number of styles that can be used in different applications. For example, if you want a model that will just lie flat on a shelf and not attract attention, there are some to choose from. Or if you want one specially made for travel, you can buy one that will hang on the hotel doorknob.

Although many people like the reliability of a wired-in system, there are others who feel the wireless systems are more secure. We’ve all seen movies and TV shows in which would-be thieves and killers cut the phone wires. With a wireless system, there are, of course, no wires to cut.

Another portable option for home security is one that contains a camera. Wireless camera systems are less expensive than wired models. Of course, there are some people who wouldn’t like having to change the battery packs and recharge them after every four to six hours of use as you have to do with a portable system.

Even if you have little to spend, you’ll still be able to find a portable home security system in your price range which will give you protection no matter if you live in a rental unit, your own home, or are staying in a hotel room.

By: Rex Magnum

About the Author:
Thanks for stopping by and reading about Portable Home Security System, as well as Home Security. To learn more, visit MYHOMESECURITYCENTER.COM where some very informative articles are being featured.



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Essential Steps for Performing a Background Check on a Nanny

Author: admin

Jan 28



Were you aware that right now there isn’t any national or state regulations concerning babysitters or nannies? What it boils down to is that almost anyone can apply for a nanny position just by calling themselves a nanny by trade. How scary is that? This shows the importance of checking up on the people who are looking after your children. Parents needs to familiarize themselves with performing background checks and the steps involved.

Most people run into the problem of nannies providing their own references, and that leads to them choosing previous employers or just about anybody who would portray them positively. These are not exactly the best recommendation you can get. That’s why I recommend having background checks done on all potential nannies. Here are a few other steps you should take when performing a background check on a nanny:
What you want to do is get at least three references from your nanny and get in contact with every single one of those contacts. You want to find out as much information and details as possible. Try to ask questions about the length of their employment and the quality of her work. Ask for a reason why their business relationship ended and if there were any problems at all. Most importantly, find out if they would ever hire that nanny again. If the references your nanny provided don’t give you as much information as you would have originally liked, it is perfectly acceptable to ask for more references. You’ll run into this problem more commonly if you can’t get a hold of a reference on the nanny’s list. Once you found a nanny that meets most of your early qualifications, have her fill out an application as she would at any other job. Ask for information such as her date of birth, driver’s license number, any previous names, and names of the last five employers besides those earlier references. You should also get the names, addresses and phone numbers of close relatives, colleges or schools attended and dates as well as her last three home addresses. Basically, I would ask to see just about anything else you feel would be important. Before you run a background check, inform her you will be doing so and get her to sign a waiver authorizing that you can. This shouldn’t be a problem at all to a trustworthy nanny. It’s the ones who are hesitant on giving you all of this information that you need to be worried about. Once you get all of her information, you can start contacting everyone on the list to verify they are who she said they were. Start with relatives first then work your way to previous employers. Ask them if the information she provided you was indeed true and ask for their opinions on her. If you think you would feel more comfortable collecting as much information as possible, then by all means do so. There are a number of different background check services available online for you to use. I know a few families who even hired a personal investigator to look into a nanny’s background. They aren’t too expensive depending on how deep you want them to look into her background.

By: TL Kleban

About the Author:
For further stories like this be sure to check the countless cheap magazines available for purchase at Magsforless at www.magsforless.com. They sell over 75 different magazine subscriptions with hundreds of other subjects to choose from.



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How to Find a Nanny – 5 Tips For Finding a Good Nanny

Author: admin

Jan 28



In today’s world, finding a nanny for your child can be quite a challenge. In fact the task often feels near impossible for some parents. Where have all the good nannies gone? Answer: They’re probably already taken! But don’t let that deter you as there are still some good Nannies out there and there are a number of things you can do to snag one, before someone else does.

#1 – Let Everyone Know You Are Looking


This may seem obvious but you wouldn’t believe the number of parents that fail to do this. Let everyone know, especially other parents, that you are looking for a good nanny. The more people you talk to, the more people will be on the lookout for you and the greater chance they might refer you to one.

#2 – Use the Community Centers and Libraries


If you have a community center or library nearby, take a trip there and see whether they have any local bulletin boards where you can view “Nanny Available” ads or even place your own “Nanny Wanted” ads completely free. The best part of doing this is that the nannies listed or responding to your ads will more than likely be local to you where you live.

#3 – Go to the Park


Why the park? Because that’s where all the nannies are! Taking your child to the park is a great way to meet nannies and since nannies typically have a large circle of friends who are also nannies you’ll find that once you start talking to some of them, they will very often know of a nanny friend who’s looking for a position. Visiting the park during weekdays is best for this as that is when nannies are most likely to be there.

#4 – Go to the Web


The internet has a number of resources you can use to find a Nanny. When considering the internet, most people might automatically think of classified ad sites such as Craigslist. Though these can be effective, even better resources are Nanny Search sites. Nanny Search sites are websites where available nannies post their profile for parents to view. The profile may include details regarding their age, where they live, their child care experience, and even their salary expectations. If a parent is interested in a nanny, they simply contact them via e-mail or phone. Though the majority of these nanny sites are free only to nannies, there are a select few that are free to everyone; both nannies and parents.

#5 – Use an Agency


Lastly, if you can afford it, an effective way to find a nanny is to use an agency. There are numerous agencies out there to choose from. When searching for an agency, pay close attention to their number of years in business and ask for references from other parents who have used them in the past.

Whichever method you use to find a nanny, once you find one it’s very important to ensure you interview them, perform background checks, and most importantly use your intuition; if something doesn’t feel right, it usually means something isn’t right. Finding a good nanny can be a real challenge but utilizing these five tips will make it an achievable one.

By: Charlotte Ball

About the Author:
Charlotte Ball is author and webmaster for Nanny Flower & Nanny Flower Canada. Start your free search now at:

NannyFlower.com – Free Nanny Search in the USA, UK, and worldwide.

NannyFlower.ca – Free Nanny Search in Canada.



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Choosing Between A Low And High Decibel Alarm System

Author: admin

Jan 28



When choosing an alarm system, you may run across the option of choosing a low decibel alarm or a high decibel alarm system. What are the benefits of each type of system? Each one offers unique options for security, but how do homeowners know which one is right for their needs? Below, you’ll find an explanation of each type, as well as their benefits and drawbacks.

About the quiet alarm/low decibel alarm: When choosing an alarm system it is important to understand what type of alarm is used. Many security systems come with a low decibel alarm. This type of alarm is useful in certain situations, though it has significant drawbacks. A low decibel alarm is quiet enough that only the homeowners can hear it. Unfortunately, that is its drawback. This type of alarm is definitely not recommended by industry experts. If someone is breaking into your home, you do not want a quiet alarm that no one can hear but you.

While in some instances (businesses for example) a silent/low frequency alarm is a desirable thing, it most definitely is not a good thing where home security is concerned.

The high decibel alarm: A high decibel alarm is the only type that you should consider. Before purchasing any alarm system, ask the company if this type of alarm is provided and, if so, what the decibel output of the alarm is. Why is this the best option? If someone breaks into your home, you want your alarm system to come into play immediately, with dramatic benefits. While professional 24 hour monitoring services will dispatch the police after receiving an alarm event, a high decibel alarm can drive burglars away from your home long before the authorities arrive.

Burglars do not like to be noticed. Anything that can draw unwanted attention to a break-in is a good thing in this respect. A high decibel alarm does exactly that. With a piercing siren, it announces to the entire neighborhood that someone is entering your home unauthorized. Many burglars will flee the scene immediately when this occurs. Driving a criminal away before they have a chance to enter your home is the best way to protect your family, your home and your possessions. Anything less than a high decibel alarm will provide less than satisfactory results in this regard.

In most cases, an alarm of this type can be configured to sound in conjunction with a number of preset security items. For instance, it can be set to sound if the contact between magnetic contacts is broken, or it can be set to sound a specified number of seconds after this contact is broken. This allows the homeowner to get to the control panel and disarm the alarm if necessary, before it sounds. However, it is a better option to set it to sound off immediately. Disarming the alarm system with a keychain remote is a better option than giving a burglar valuable time to get into your home.

By: Bruce Kelly

About the Author:
Bruce Kelly is a Home Security Specialist with 10+ years of experience configuring and installing home alarms. ADT is the Nations leading service provider for residential security monitoring.



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