Pay for nannies increased slightly during last year according to industry bodies. The rise is driven by more women going back to work or cutting short maternity leave during the recession. As they do, many are looking to employ a live in nanny to take care of their children. However, if you make this decision, it pays to make sure you make the right choice.

Turning over care of children to another person – even for a short period of time – can be an emotional step. In the case of a live in nanny it’s even more important. This is will be more than just an employer/employee relationship: you are inviting someone into your home; someone who, if everything goes well, will become an extra member of the family. For this reason you should be extra careful when making the choice.

Some people choose to conduct the search themselves. If this is the case make sure you do a thorough background check, for criminal and child abuse clearance. Request at least two previous references and check these thoroughly.

Alternatively, you might want to use an agency. Professional bodies such as these conduct their own research and can provide a certain amount of peace of mind. However, when choosing the agency you should still be thorough. Find out how they select their staff and what guarantees they offer. A good organisation will charge significant sums for this service, so it pays to be picky.

Once you have made your choice it’s time to think about pay. With a live in nanny arrangements can be complicated. Not only do they generally receive competitive weekly pay but they also get free room and board. You will need to make sure there is a separate bedroom with bathroom available as well as making arrangements for use of the car.

Above all it’s important to be welcoming. You are recruiting an extra member of the family here. The nanny should be invited on family outings and all events. However, at the same time you should set boundaries. Agree set working hours in advance. If you require more than this then you will have to pay extra. Don’t expect them to be on call 24 hours a day.

Bringing in a live in nanny can be a huge step. Because she or he will become an extra member of the family you make your choice on all sorts of different grounds: experience and professionalism, but also character and personality. However, if you get the early stages right, it can be extremely useful for you and your family.

By: Dominic Donaldson

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A college prep school is essentially a high school that allows students to focus on their prospective degree prior to college. These schools are usually private and they can be just as difficult to choose as choosing the right college. There are several steps that you will need to take in order to ensure that you choose the right college prep school for your child. There will be several schools to choose from and each will have its own unique curriculum and values.

It is very important for parents and students to choose the right college prep school for the student. The student must be interested in going to the school so that they will be able to maintain their motivation and do well. Parents must include the student in the decision of the school, as the child will ultimately be the one attending and living there. Although parents are the ultimate decision, it is important that the student be involved in the process. The cost of the school is often the first issue when choosing a school and parents will need to know the tuition of the school and how it compares to others. The school should meet most or all of the student’s needs.

Most college prep schools are learning institutions with a high focus on moral lifestyles as well as education. The school should have the same morals and values of the family. Parents will also need to know what the rules are of the school and when the child is able to come home for visiting or when parents are able to visit the campus. A campus tour is also essential in choosing these schools and parents should have a list of questions to ask about the school when visiting. Here are a few areas that you may need to cover:

o Extracurricular activities

o Exercise

o Diet and discuss special diet requirements

o Homework load

o Education goals

o Sleeping arrangements

A general set of questions for each school will help both the parent and the student compare their options. This also allows you to eliminate any emotion or bias. These schools are designed to give a student an advantage when entering college, it is in the best interest of the student to ensure that the school is one that they will be able to happily attend and one that will prepare them for life

By: S Clark

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