Los Angeles Nannies

Day care

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How to be a live-in-nanny

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There are many wonderful reasons to choose to be an at home caregiver. Live-in nannies experience many great perks like zero commute time, no-cost housing, and a unique opportunity to truly bond with a family. Yet with these benefits also come some obvious challenges. How can you navigate working from home in someone else’s home effectively and successfully? Here are some tips on how to be a great live-in nanny.

Communication

Before accepting a live-in position, it’s important for both nannies and parents to fully and effectively communicate their expectations and needs to ensure a healthy and happy work relationship. To avoid any awkwardness down the line, here are some great topics to cover that you may not even think of until you’ve already lived with your nanny family:
  • Toiletries: are things like toothpaste, shampoo and soap expenses your nanny family will pay for, or are you expected to purchase them yourself?
  • Vehicles: will you use the family car to transport the children to and from school and activities? If you already have your own car, will you be able to store it in their driveway or garage?
  • Guests: can you entertain friends or partners in their home?
  • Food: are you expected to chip in for the groceries, or are you included in the family meal plan? Are you expected to eat with the family if you are off the clock?
  • Spacial awareness: are their parts of the house that are off limits to you while you are not working? Are you able to watch the family TV? Are you included in their Netflix plan?

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries!

I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: set boundaries! Your nanny family are not mind readers, so you will need to explicitly tell them what you are and are not comfortable with, and what you will need from them in order to successfully provide the best care for their children. As you are working from home (someone else’s home), the work-life balance may be difficult to manage. During your off hours, the children may come to find you and play or ask for something. Make sure that you enlist the parents as your partner in this to ensure you don’t have to be the one to discipline or ask for space from the children while you’re off the clock. It is also inevitable that the more you work in someone else’s home, the more responsibilities you may begin to take on. Keep a log of every new task you take on, if your job duties begin to greatly expand, you could be due for a raise. On the flip side, if it becomes too much, let your nanny family know that it’s taking away from your ability to care for their children. Set the boundary that you already have as much as you can handle on your plate. Check out our blog on creating healthy boundaries with your nanny family.

“It goes without saying that while you are living in your family’s home, you should continue to be a role model for the children even off the clock. Children learn from example, and they will be looking to you to teach them, even if it’s your day off. Remember to always clean up after yourself as you go along. ”

Set monthly meetings and check-ins

Like any roommate situation, it is important to keep a clear, open dialogue about how things are going. Setting up a monthly meeting can be a great opportunity for everyone to air out any grievances or make suggestions without it being awkward or one-sided. Just knowing that you will soon have an opportunity to bring something up can ease the tension in a situation. There may be many questions that come up long after you’ve already started working that you couldn’t have foreseen without having lived it. Make sure you don’t hold anything in, however, as this could lead to awkwardness or resentment and that’s the last thing you want with your employer, especially one that you live with!

Be mindful of your free time

It goes without saying that while you are living in your family’s home, you should continue to be a role model for the children even off the clock. Children learn from example, and they will be looking to you to teach them, even if it’s your day off. Remember to always clean up after yourself as you go along. If you are always putting away your dishes and cleaning up your messes, it will teach the children to do the same. Watch your language while you’re on the phone and don’t gossip about your family or the children, it’s very unlikely that your room would be soundproof and kids like to play spy as it is! While in the home, don’t engage in any illicit or inappropriate activities that the children could catch you at.
While there are obstacles to face for live-in nannies, there are also a ton of benefits. Live-in nannies have the opportunity to really make an impact on children’s lives and they don’t have a commute or housing costs. If becoming a live-in nanny is something you are interested in, reach out to us! We would love to assist you in any way that we can on your job search.

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Best Apps for Nannies

When you think of your many daily nanny to-do’s, the household phrase “there’s an app for that” probably doesn’t come to mind. And yet we’ve found 8! Childcare is an ancient profession, scheduling playdates, meal prep, and communicating with parents have all been practiced for centuries without technology. However, app developers have found ways to streamline all of the things nannies do every day, so you can focus more on the things you love best about your job, like creating amazing sensory trays and teaching your charges the alphabet. Here are our favorite best apps for nannies lives easier.

Baby Connect

Baby Connect is an amazing app designed to assist specifically the parents and nannies of infants. Baby Connect is like a mood ring for baby apps, you can track and log meal times, diaper changes, feedings, sleep, naps, scheduling like appointments, and literally the baby’s mood. This way, parents and nannies can better understand and communicate about the baby’s overall health, ensuring that nothing is slipping through the cracks in terms of the baby’s care.

Daily Nanny

The Daily Nanny is every nanny’s e-personal assistant. Similar to Baby Connect, families and nannies can log all things child care to ensure consistent communication when it comes to the children. In addition, there is an in-app messaging system, the ability to share and upload photos, and a tracker for the nanny’s hours worked and ability to keep track of payment.

“Being a childcare provider is one of the most rewarding jobs, but is not without its challenges. These apps take some of the stress off of daily administrative tasks so that nannies can focus more on what is important: childcare.”

Instacart

For nannies and family assistants who also do grocery shopping for the household, Instacart is an amazingly efficient way to grocery shop. Time spent driving, loading up the cart and soothing meltdowns in the candy aisle is better allocated to the child’s development. Instacart allows you to create a grocery list from the store of your choice and delivers to your desired location in less than an hour. It also has in-app coupons making it an ideal app for nannies.

Flushd

Flushd is the Uber for public restrooms. Out on a walk with your kids and are suddenly faced with a dirty diaper? Running errands with a toddler in the throws of potty training? Flushd will direct you to the nearest public bathroom, and even tell you which ones have changing tables. An indispensable resource for nannies.

First Aid: American Red Cross

The trustworthy organization has an app to assist nannies in minor healthcare practices, providing excellent accompaniment to all First Aid training. From small cuts, burns and bruises to allergic reactions, the American Red Cross app can assist nannies and caregivers in providing the best care to children in a pinch.

SmartICE

SmartICE, ICE being the acronym for “in case of emergency,” is an excellent app to ensure that all caregivers are prepared and have what they need to handle an emergency situation calmly and efficiently. The app contains medical profiles on each family member and can help first responders understand each person’s medical needs such as medications taken, allergies, and medical history to ensure that everyone gets the best care and quickly. 

DOL-Timesheet

DOL-Timesheet was designed by the U.S. Department of Labor to track hours and timesheets easily. For nannies who work part time, for multiple families or for busy families with many employees, it’s a great way to track exactly how much is earned and has a section to log each work day, which can help with unemployment should the need ever arise.

Triplog

For nannies who spend much of their time transporting their kids to and from school, piano lessons, soccer practice, doctors appointments and playdates, Triplog is a great resource for tracking reimbursements for mileage

Being a childcare provider is one of the most rewarding jobs, but is not without its challenges. These apps take some of the stress off of daily administrative tasks so that nannies can focus more on what is important: childcare. 

 

What are your best apps for nannies and childcare? Let us know below!

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Nannies in LA

Top Tips for New Nannies in LA

Nannies in LA
Los Angeles is a hub for many things, including childcare. With new opportunities for great positions opening daily, nannies flock to Hollywood for their next big nannying gig. Los Angeles Nannies are known for having big work perks like traveling with families, health benefits, and even the occasional appearance in a reality show. However, it is important for nannies to remember their priorities for being in the industry: nurturing the development and safety of the child. Here are our top tips for nannies new to LA looking to make their mark in the childcare industry.
 
Find an Agency
Many nannies coming to Los Angeles end up searching job boards wondering “where are all of the A-List jobs?” Nannies can always find perfectly stable jobs online, but the higher paying jobs with benefits and healthcare are almost always offered through the security and verifiable agency. Besides having higher paying jobs, agencies are beneficial for nannies new to an area for a number of reasons. Agencies have all of the connections to jobs already, so you don’t need to hit the ground networking for your perfect family. Agencies will also negotiate and advocate on a nanny’s behalf, even long after a nanny has been hired. In an area where nannies may not know anyone, agencies will always be there to lend an ear, give legal or pay advice, and stand up for a nanny in conflict with a family. Agencies help guarantee hours, create schedules, and mediate work agreements ensuring that each party starts off on the right foot. Agencies never take money from nannies (and if they say they do, run in the other direction)!
 
Take Your NDA’s Seriously
We’ve all seen the headlines in People magazine, “nanny of x celebrity tells all.” Do not be that nanny. Nondisclosure agreements exist for a reason, and that is to protect the family and mainly the children. Tabloids can pay a pretty penny for a good story, but selling out your nanny kid is low and will guarantee you will never work in childcare in Hollywood or any other city again. Remember that when you are a nanny for a high profile family, you represent the parent’s brand. It’s important to always behave professionally in the real world and on social media. Never post anything you would be uncomfortable with if your nanny child saw it.
 
Sign a Work Agreement
Before starting with your nanny family, make sure you have a work agreement in place with clear outlines of your duties, hours, schedule, benefits, and overtime compensation. In Los Angeles, many entry level jobs like Production Assistants, Interns and Personal Assistants end up doing many menial tasks outside of their job description. Remember that you are not on a set, you are a childcare professional with extensive experience in your field, and running errands is not your first priority. If you accept errands to be a part of your position, that’s more than fine, but if it’s not agreed upon in your work agreement prior to your start date, any additional tasks should be discussed with the possibility for a raise. There are many wonderful, caring families in Los Angeles, but like in any town, there will be parents who seek to take advantage. If you are ever asked to do something you are uncomfortable with, do not be afraid to say no. This is why it’s also beneficial to have an agency on your side. Agencies can intervene on a nanny’s behalf and have the tough discussions for you.
 
Remind yourself of your priorities
It is completely normal and manageable for nannies to have other career aspirations outside of nannying. But while on the job, the children are your first and only priority. If you find yourself looking at nanny jobs for connections or networking outside of childcare, you should not be a nanny. If you think you can do both, be warned that children pick up on everything and will sense that you have ulterior motives. This kind of behavior from their caregivers can be detrimental to a child’s development, so think twice before you use your nannying skills as leverage to further your career outside of childcare.
 
Practice Self Care
Self care is a millennial buzzword floating around hashtags, but despite it’s trendiness the sentiment is important. Taking care of your emotional and physical wellbeing is paramount to your success as a nanny. Parents in Los Angeles are busy to say the least, and you never know when a last minute meeting may pop up or a parent gets stuck in traffic, extending your day or calling you in when you were expecting a day off. Because life comes quickly for all, it’s important that you take care of yourself. If you live-in or the parents work from home and your days are long with the children, schedule a daily activity with the kids that centers you. Be it going for a walk or engaging in an art project, make sure that you fully embrace a self-care mantra so that you can come back energized and ready or anything. 
 
Find Support
Coming to any new city can be an isolating experience, and finding your tribe can be the key to ensuring your happiness as well as your success in your nanny career. Connect with other nannies you meet at the park or story time or the pick-up line. Talk about your experiences (within your NDA’s) and share advice, activity ideas, and even network to help each other find new jobs. Having friends who are nannies can be a great way to feel supported and seen. There are also a number of nannying groups on social media that you can join for advice and tips. 
 
If you ever find yourself approaching that nanny burnout, make a list of all of the things you love about being a nanny. Remind yourself why you chose this unique, rewarding, playful career in the first place. Make a list of all the things you love about LA. If you are new to Los Angeles or thinking about moving here, reach out to us! We can help you make an action plan to making your time here as successful as possible.

How to Find Your Nanny

There are three main, tried and true ways to find a nanny. What works for your friends or neighbors may not work for you. Every family has different needs, and the way you search for your nanny will reflect that. 

1. Referral:

Many families find their nannies through word of mouth. Maybe your neighbors children are starting school and their nanny’s services are no longer needed. It’s important to note that even if a nanny comes recommended to you, you should still go through a hiring process. An interview, trial and checking of references is imperative, as what worked great for your acquaintance may not work for you and you don’t want to be blindsided on the very first day. 

“Nannying is a profession like any other, and they deserve scheduled performance reviews to go over any changes in their performance or duties. Performance reviews are a time where raises are expected to be discussed.”

2. Online Search:

There are numerous great resources for parents to find nannies online. Nannies can upload resumes, work history, certifications and previous letters of recommendations to online profiles for parents to peruse. It is worth noting, however, that anyone can sign up for a profile, the websites themselves do not always verify or do background checks without parent request, so it’s important to make sure you do your own background check, call references, and extensively hire candidates.

3. Agency:

It may seem like a red flag to search for a nanny online, and going through the interview hiring process may be too much work for some families to take on, which is where an agency comes in. All agencies in California are required to screen candidates through TrustLine, California’s premier background check that examines candidates on multiple different areas that most people do not have access to. Agencies do all of the legwork for families to ensure that each nanny is verified, professional and compatible for your family.

Knowing Your Nanny is the Right Fit

Now that you’ve undergone the search method that works for you and you have a solid pile of candidates to choose from, how do you know which one is the right one for your family? At Los Angeles Nannies, we like to believe that finding your nanny is a lot like dating. Take your time, review your options, discuss your priorities and expectations, and act fast when you find The One. As in dating, you want to make sure that your priorities and expectations align to ensure a happy relationship. Find out what your priorities are as a family and in the interview, ask leading questions about the candidate’s personality, morals and ethics are. Reach out to us for our comprehensive list of nanny screening questions. 

Keeping your Nanny

Now that you’ve found The One, how do you make sure they don’t become The One That Got Away?

Craft and sign a work agreement. 

Prior to your nanny’s start date, draft up a work agreement explicitly outlining your expectations, your nanny’s job duties, terms, and benefits. Include the start date, the weekly schedule, salary offered with overtime, a confidentiality agreement, and a return of property if the nanny will have use of the family car. For live-in nannies, create clear outlines of living expectations like household rules, accommodations offered, and anything else relevant for living with your family. Having a clear understanding of what is and isn’t acceptable can greatly help you both down the line should any issues emerge. No idea where to start? We have a comprehensive work agreement that can be tailored to your needs. Reach out to us for more information.

Provide benefits. 

Your nanny is an investment in your child’s wellbeing and future. Having a longterm nanny is beneficial for your child’s emotional and social development, which are the foundations of their academic success. Providing health insurance and paid sick leave and vacation time is a great way to show your nanny that they are valued and appreciated, which in turn will greatly benefit your family. A nanny who is provided for financially will work harder and longer than ones who are not taken care of. Nannies who are not financially fulfilled will burn out quicker and may seek benefits elsewhere when they become available. 

Pay over time. 

Nannies are miracle workers, but they don’t expect to do it for free. They have their own personal lives and their time should be valued and respected. If your nanny is expected to work over 40 hours in a week, by California law they are entitled to 1.5x their hourly rate.

Pay your nanny on the books. 

While it may seem like a great idea to pay your nanny under the table, it is actually in both your and your nanny’s best interest to provide legal pay. Your nanny has access to unemployment benefits and social security, and you are protected against audit should there be any need for worker’s comp or discrepancies. Paying your nanny legally communicates to them that you see them as a professional.

Performance reviews. 

Nannying is a profession like any other, and they deserve scheduled performance reviews to go over any changes in their performance or duties. Performance reviews are a time where raises are expected to be discussed. Has the nanny taken on more responsibilities that were not listed in your agreement originally? Have you had another child since they first started? These are things to be discussed in a performance review, and where having that initial work agreement comes in handy for both parties.

Acknowledge your nanny.

 In all positions, there is nothing worse than an employer who doesn’t notice your efforts. Take time to drop in and observe your nanny with your child. Compliment their approach and communicate how much you appreciate them. A happy nanny who feels respected and appreciated will want to stay with a family that values all of their hard work. If you are unsure how to broach the subject of proper nanny-employer etiquette, check out our Honest House Promise.

Communicate frequently. 

Have an issue? Talk about it! Want to make changes to your work agreement? Have a discussion! Going on vacation? Give advance notice! Need your nanny to stay late? Ask, don’t demand. Nannies are superhero childcare providers, and they’re also human beings with feelings and are capable of constructive criticism. If you disagree with something your nanny does, have an open, constructive conversation of how you’d like them to do things. Don’t avoid confrontation only to bottle up and resent your nanny.  If you don’t communicate your needs, your nanny will not know to expect to change their habits. Your nanny is not a mind reader and would love to know exactly how you’d like things done so they can do their job successfully. If you are expecting any major changes to their job duties, like having another child or changing their hours and schedule, make sure you speak to them with advance notice and ask them if that is something they are comfortable with. Changing the duties without consent while operating under a work agreement can cause trouble for you later, and your nanny will appreciate the respect you show them by communicating with them.

Finding a nanny is no easy feat, and keeping your perfect nanny is another matter. A commitment to being a respectful and ethical employer will assist you and your family greatly in keeping your super star family. If you have any questions or require assistance in any of the above steps, reach out to us.

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Nannies during COVID

COVID-19 and Children

Nannies during COVID

The spread of misinformation can be just as contagious and equally as toxic as any pandemic. When it comes to protecting our children, who can we trust and how can we take preventative measures? Referring to the Center for Disease Control, who’s only bias is keeping the population healthy, is usually our best bet. Here is what the CDC has to say about COVID-19 and our children:

Will my child get sick?

In most cases, children and the elderly are most affected by disease, due to their sensitive immune systems. However, the CDC says “based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults.” While some children have fallen ill, the vast majority of cases have been found in adults, seemingly going against the grain of the usual fear that children would fall into the category of high risk people.

How can I take actions to protect my child?

Protecting your child from COVID-19 is no different from teaching your child regulatory health precautions.

  • Have them frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds and use hand sanitizer frequently. Encourage them to avoid touching their eyes, nose, mouth, ears and face with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid people who are sick, especially if they are coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean and disinfect high traffic surfaces in your house such as doorknobs, tables, chairs, counters, handles, light switches, desks, toilets, and sinks. It would also behoove you to disinfect technology like phones, iPads and gaming systems.
  • Wash clothes and plush toys on the highest possible heat setting with the appropriate amount of detergent.

“”Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs.” says the CDC”

How will I know if my child is sick?

COVID-19 symptoms in children do not differ from adults, except in that they tend to be milder. “Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs.” says the CDC. As there have been few reported cases of the virus in children, it is difficult to say exactly how they will be affected, there is still much to be learned about the virus’s impact on children.

Should I have my child wear a face mask?

The CDC says no, only those who have the illness or symptoms of the illness should wear masks and it is not necessary for children to wear them preventatively.

Disease can be frightening, especially when there are so many more questions than there are answers. Remember that as long as you and your children are washing your hands and staying away from those that are ill, you are doing the best you can. We are not health care experts, but if you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us.

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