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10 Easy Valentine’s Day Activities Kids Will Love

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and soon you’ll be scrambling to find activities for your little ones to do while celebrating the day together! Here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Make heart shaped pancakes – Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast! Put pancake batter into a squeeze bottle and draw heart pancakes on the griddle! You can also cut sandwiches, deli meats, and fruits into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Creating heart shaped cupcakes or muffins is simple, just drop a marble or rolled up piece of tinfoil between the baking liner and muffin tin before baking to create an indent in the finished product, it will look just like a heart!
2. Create a conversation heart wreath – Cut the middle out of a paper plate to create a ring. Have your children help you cut out hearts and write short messages on them such as “I love you” or “You rock” and glue the hearts onto the ring to create a conversation heart wreath. Be creative with your phrases and make them special to your family.
3. Make your own valentines – Younger children will usually have a party in their classroom to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their classmates, so take some time to help your child create their own cards. They don’t have to be fancy, all you need is some construction paper, glitter glue, stickers, doilies, and adhesive to jump start the creativity in your child. Encourage your child to be creative and let them create whatever they want to, the cards don’t all have to be the same as long as there is one for every child in their class.
4. Valentine’s Day scramble – Post a piece of paper on the wall that has the words “Valentine’s Day” on it and see how many words you can create from those letters, adjusting to the age of the children around you. How many words can you find? You could also add the traditional candy heart phrases and see what additional words you can make using those letters.
5. Hold a Valentine’s Day dance party – Invite your neighbors over for a fun, family friendly dance party! Decorate the room with streamers and balloons, choose a few fun songs together, and get ready to dance!
6. Themed worksheets – A quick search online will turn up dozens of Valentine’s Day themed worksheets, from math sheets to crosswords, so you can easily find something to
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7. Love themed books – Hit up the library for books with a Valentine’s Day or love theme; most libraries will have seasonally appropriate books on a separate shelf, which makes finding them easy. Check a few out and read them together!
8. Create coupon books for family members – Talk about what love is and what it means and then discuss various coupons you could create to show family members that you care about them. Offer to walk the dog for free, give a back rub, have one on one time, play a game together or offer to sweep the floor. The receiver can then choose when to redeem the coupons. Coupon books are a great way for kids to be able to give back to the family without a monetary contribution.
9. Go pink and red! – Create a pink and red theme! Pink lemonade, strawberry milk, cupcakes with pink frosting, watermelon, beets, strawberries, and apples are all great pink and red foods to offer for snack time.
10. Make a paper heart chain – Use your cutting and gluing skills to create a chain of hearts to hang up in your house! You can either create a chain by cutting hearts out like you would with paper dolls or cut out hearts together and tape or staple them together to create a chain of unique hearts. Hang them where everyone can enjoy them.

Children love to celebrate holidays and Valentine’s Day is an especially fun holiday to celebrate together. It’s a great time to discuss what love and family means and why it’s so important to recognize it together.

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8 Items to Include in Your Nanny Portfolio

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Nannies know that with the state of the current economy, finding a new job can be a long and frustrating process. Many nannies have created a portfolio in an effort to help themselves stand out during the interview process and to highlight their achievements to prospective families. Here are a few tips to get you started on your own portfolio.

1. Letter of introduction – Often times this will be your first introduction to the family you are going to interview with. You should include a statement on why you choose to nanny, a bit about your background, something about your family that you grew up with and anything else you’d like your future employers to know about you.
2. Resume – Your portfolio should always include your resume; you should list essentials, such as educational background, certifications,
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   and previous positions you have held. It’s best to keep it streamlined and as simple as possible so that it is easy for your future employer to read.

3. Letters of reference – You should get a written letter of reference from each family that you work for. It is suggested that you get letters from your family while you are working for them, just in case things don’t end on such a positive note, but most families are happy to provide them after you have ended your position with them.
4. Phone references – It’s also nice for families to be able to contact some of your previous employers by phone to have a conversation with them. You should always let your references know that someone may be calling and only give out phone references if you are truly interested in the position.
5. Photos – It is a nice, personal touch to add a few photographs of you and the kids you work with doing activities that you love to do. Please ask permission from their parents before including any photos of children that are not yours!
6. Age appropriate activities – A short list of age appropriate activities for different age groups can be a great addition to your portfolio. It shows parents that you are aware that each age and stage involves different types of activities.
7. Local activities – Compiling a short list of activities to do in the local area shows parents that you have researched the area and know of some great, local, educational spots to bring the children to.
8. Certificates and certifications – You should always include copies of certificates from classes and conferences that you’ve attended as well as copies of any certifications that you have (CPR, lifeguarding, teaching).

When putting together your portfolio make sure that everything looks neat and tidy and fits into a binder well. Be sure to make and bring along copies of any pages you want to leave behind for parents to reference later after your interview. Families will often have several candidates to review during the hiring process, and if your information is easy to reference and stands out you are more likely to secure a second interview and hopefully land the job.

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How to Offer Criticism So It Sounds Positive

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Erin

There will be times as both a nanny employer and a parent that you will need to offer constructive criticism to either your nanny or your child for guidance. Making sure that your criticism is well-received and accepted as something that is being shared with good intentions often depends upon your ability to make it sound positive, rather than having it come across as an assault on someone’s character or decisions.

Don’t Get Personal

There’s a difference between offering tips for better performance or making better decisions in the future and causing people to feel as if you’re criticizing them on a personal level. Remember that you’re addressing a specific behavior or incident, not the person behind it. When you avoid making statements like “You always…” or “You never…” as you explain your stance, you’re also avoiding accusations that could put your nanny on the defensive. Make sure that you’re not attacking or belittling her as a person when you bring your concerns to the table.

Use the “Sandwich” Technique

By preceding an observation about a poor choice with a compliment and immediately following constructive criticism with another compliment you can help the criticism to sting less than it

would if you simply delivered it with no buffer. This is referred to as the “sandwich” technique, and is regarded in Human Resources circles as one of the most effective methods of sharing a critique in the professional world.

Keep the Purpose of Your Criticism in Mind

It’s easy to meander off the path of your chosen subject, especially if you’re under a lot of stress or are concerned about several aspects of your nanny’s behavior. To make sure that your criticism is accepted as it’s intended, to offer suggestions for better performance and professional guidance, it’s best to stick to the issue at hand. Resist the urge to make several negative points, as it can make your nanny feel as if she’s being assaulted with a barrage of complaints about her work performance.

Don’t Approach the Situation When You’re Angry

When you’re particularly upset about a situation with your nanny, you can easily lose your temper if you approach it while you’re still angry. Allowing yourself time to cool down and think about the problem objectively will help you make more coherent, cogent points about what needs to be changed and ensure that they don’t come across as offensive or make her feel as if her character is being assailed. When you’re calm and offer your criticism in a collected, composed manner, you’re also reducing the likelihood of a dramatic scene.

Feedback Versus Instruction

If you’re only slightly concerned about something and want to make sure that your nanny understands that you aren’t wild about the way she handles a specific task or responsibility, it’s best to tell her so by offering constructive feedback. When you approach her with strong instructions about how these things must be handled, you run the risk of making her feel like she’s inadequate as an employee, even if you’re satisfied with her work overall.

You Don’t Have to Be Vague to Be Gentle

Being gentle means that you’re not approaching the situation by attacking your nanny or being mean-spirited as you give criticism, not that you address your concerns with vague language. If you don’t directly address the problem at hand, the conversation can feel more like a passive-aggressive means of controlling her than genuine feedback and legitimate concerns.

While a conversation about mild concerns and gentle criticism should be managed with a light hand, there’s nothing wrong with adjusting your approach accordingly if the problem you’re dealing with is a serious one. Making sure that your criticism comes across as a gentle direction is important when the issue is a relatively minor one, but things that put your child’s safety at risk or directly challenge your parenting philosophies may not require such a delicate approach.

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10 Tips on Coping with Nanny Burnout

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Nanny burnout can happen at any time to any nanny. If you’ve been there before, you know the feeling well. You’ve lost interest in your job, you are no longer performing your duties to the standards of your employers and you just don’t care anymore. The longer you’ve been in a job, the more likely it is to occur,

though it can happen at any point to even the most experienced and dedicated nanny. You can prevent getting to the point of burnout with a few simple tips. Communicate with your employers – Great communication with your employers is essential in so many ways in the nanny profession. It’s important that your employers know what is going on so that they can do their best to help you get back on track. Connect with other nannies – Find a local support group in your area and get together with others who are doing the same job that you are. Nobody understands what you’re going through more than other nannies! They can provide a safe place to vent and suggest ideas to get you through this rough patch. If you live in an area without a local support group, you might want to consider starting one. There are likely other nannies in the area going through the same things that you are. You can also search online; there are plenty of online support groups for nannies, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Leave work at work – It’s hard to walk away from work and not think about the kids you are so emotionally attached to, but you need to do just that. You are their nanny, not their parent, and you need to leave work at work and focus on your personal life when you’re at home. Find things that interest you outside of work, take up a new hobby or start a new home improvement project. Even if you are a live-in, escape to your area of the house and use the kid free time to focus on a new book or writing project. Use vacation time – Many nannies get

vacation time that they don’t use. Vacation time is the perfect opportunity to plan a getaway where you can relax and pamper yourself after working hard to take care of others. Use it as a time to recharge and revitalize yourself! Even if you aren’t able to go far during your vacation, you should still use the time to explore the area around you and take advantage of the resources in your local area. Take care of yourself – Keep yourself healthy by eating correctly, exercising daily and obtaining medical care as needed. If you are sick and tired it’s much harder to care for the children in your care. Don’t feel guilty about taking a sick day or time off to go see the doctor; nannies are people and they get sick too! Do what you need to do to get healthy again so that you can continue to provide optimal care for the kids. Reduce your hours – Most nannies work a lot of hours each week, so if you’re feeling burned out you should see if you can’t work with the parents to reduce the number of hours you work. Sometimes the parents are able to arrive home earlier a few nights a week, but if that’s not possible, see if it’s reasonable to get a babysitter a few nights a week to help out. You need your time in the evenings to recharge and prepare for the next day, which is impossible if you are only arriving home in time to go to sleep and wake back up the next morning to do it all over again. Reduce stress – There are a lot of influences outside of work that can cause stress. Add in the stress of work itself and the stress factor is only compounded. Find ways to de-stress. If you are financially worried, work out a budget. If you are someone who needs a physical outlet for stress, find a yoga class to attend. Do what you can to

reduce the stress in your life. Say no – You can say no to the requests for extra hours, extra job duties or extra kids! Don’t feel guilty about it. Instead, recognize your limits on what you can handle and stick to them! Pace yourself – You are one person and you simply cannot accomplish everything in a single day. Allow yourself to take breaks as needed and catch your breath. Being a nanny is a marathon, not a sprint! Know when to quit – Sometimes you just have to know when to quit. Not every job will last forever. If you’ve tried everything, talked with the parents and still find that you’re experiencing burnout feelings, it’s probably best to resign from your position. Having a nanny who is burnt out will not benefit anyone in the long run and you have to know when to cut your losses and call it quits. Nobody wants to be the burnt out nanny, but it happens. Knowing what you can do to create a healthy environment for yourself and the family you work for can reduce the likelihood of experiencing severe burnout. Remember to take care of yourself, communicate, and connect with others.

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10 Ways to Show Your Nanny Appreciation

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill A good nanny works hard when she’s with your kids; there is no question about that. She chooses to do her job because she loves children and enjoys working with families. Why not show her a bit of appreciation when you can? These tips will help give you some different ideas on how to show your nanny just how much you care about her and the job that she does with your children.

1. Verbally thank her – Sometimes words can be the best way to convey your appreciation to your nanny. By verbally thanking her for the great job she does with your children she will know that you notice and appreciate what she does for your family on a daily basis.
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   your kids make a card – Some of the best gifts are the ones that are made by your children. Have your children make a card and decorate it with their artwork and then have them add a personal note to the card if they are able to.

3. Give her a gift card to a local coffee shop or bookstore – Nothing says thank you like a cup of coffee and a book to read during some unusual downtime your nanny might have!
4. Surprise her with a day off – If you don’t need your nanny for a day
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   here and there, let her know as far in advance as you can and give her the (paid) day off! Most nannies work during normal business hours and having a day off during the week will mean that she can run her errands and make appointments without taking time off of work.

5. Give her a bonus – Cash is always appreciated, so give her a bonus as a thank you for her hard work.
6. Create a photo book for her – Create a photo book of pictures of the kids
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   (and your nanny doing activities with them, if you have them!) and add some special messages inside the book. Have your children help you create the book by adding their favorite memories. You can do this online or by printing out pictures and putting them together yourself in a small photo album.

7. Give her a spa gift certificate – Your nanny has a long day with your children, running around, playing on the floor, running errands and doing laundry. A massage is just what she needs to help her relax after a long week of constant activity.
8. Say thank you in a note – Write a personal note to your nanny thanking her for everything she does on a daily basis to help keep your household running smoothly.
9. Give her flowers – Have your kids help you pick out a nice bouquet of flowers to give to your nanny to brighten her day when she arrives at your house.
10. Have the kids choose a small gift for your nanny – Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that your kids pick out for your nanny. It might be something that reminds them of her, something that is funny between them or something that represents an activity that they all enjoy doing together.

Hopefully one of these ideas will fall into your creative ability and budget range and will bring a smile to your nanny’s face when she receives your token of appreciation.

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How Being Paid Under the Table Hurts Nannies

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Erin

It’s estimated that only 5 to 10% of employers pay taxes on their nanny’s wages. This means that an overwhelming majority of nannies are being paid cash or under the table. While this arrangement can save the nanny money in the short term, in the long term it can cause a lot of problems. Here are some ways that being paid cash can hurt, rather than help, a nanny.

The nanny won’t be able to collect unemployment if she’s fired. When a nanny employer pays his nanny legally, he pays a variety of employer taxes, including state and federal unemployment insurance. This means if the nanny is fired, she’ll be able to file for and receive unemployment benefits. That weekly check is often the only money the nanny has coming in while she searches for a new job. Although it doesn’t replace her whole income, it does replace a large percentage of it and can be a financial life line. Nannies who are paid under the table are not entitled to unemployment. They can be fired without notice or cause and outside of any severance outlined in their nanny contract, receive no additional financial help. Of course, a fired nanny can blow the whistle on her employer for not paying her legally and hope to receive benefits after all the legal maneuvering, but that means she’ll also be blowing the whistle on herself for not reporting her income.

The nanny won’t be able to prove income. This is important for any caregiver who wants to get a credit card, rent an apartment, buy a car or get approved for a home loan. If a nanny employer doesn’t pay taxes on his nanny, the nanny has no way to prove she’s employed or how much money she earns. Even if she moves onto a job that does pay taxes, she has no credible work or income history.

The nanny won’t be able to collect Workers Compensation if she’s hurt on the job. Although not every state requires domestic employers to carry Workers Compensation, many of them do. This means that if a nanny is hurt on the job, she can receive benefits quickly and without having to sue her employer. It’s a valuable workplace right. However, nannies who aren’t paid on the books can’t collect Workers Compensation without having to first prove they were actually employed at the time of their injury. This means they have to endure the time and expense of a legal proceeding and open themselves up to the IRS penalties of failing to report their income.

The nanny isn’t building up her Social Security retirement account. When an employer pays taxes on his nanny, both he and the nanny are contributing to her Social Security account. In fact, the employer is matching every dollar the caregiver pays into the system. The amount the nanny will receive from the government when she reaches retirement age depends on how much was paid into the system. So if she spent years being paid under the table, the amount paid into her retirement account won’t accurately reflect her lifetime income. Instead, it will be much lower, so the amount she’s able to collect will be much lower. Why is this so important? A majority of Americans rely on their Social Security retirement benefits to meet their basic living expenses. Unless the nanny is regularly contributing to an independent retirement account, she too will be relying on Social Security in her later years.

The nanny won’t be able to collect disability benefits if hurt and unable to work. The same Social Security contributions that fund retirement also fund disability insurance. When a nanny is being paid legally, she is paying into the system that entitles her to collect temporary or permanent disability benefits if she becomes disabled. That means if she’s unable to work, she will be guaranteed a monthly income based on how much she contributed to the Social Security system. Nannies who are paid under the table and don’t contribute to the Social Security system are greatly decreasing the amount they can receive. Nannies who don’t pay taxes throughout their careers won’t be eligible at all. The math is simple: if you don’t pay in, you can’t collect.

The nanny is breaking the law and, if caught, will have to make up it all up. If the nanny is ever caught for not reporting her income, she will be responsible for back taxes, penalties, fines and interest. Depending on how long she’s been collecting her wages in cash in this and previous jobs, this could easily add up to thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. For nannies who think they’ll never get caught, it’s easier than most think. Many nannies are red flagged because their employers, either personally or through their business, are audited.

So while for many nannies it can be attractive to save money by being paid in cash, it can have negative long term affects.

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How Nannies Can Keep Their Business and Personal Life Separate

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Erin

Great nannies often become more than employees to the families they work for, taking on a role more akin to family friend than household worker. While a close relationship with employers is, in some ways, the Holy Grail of a career in private childcare, it can also become a burden if you aren’t careful. Maintaining necessary boundaries and keeping your personal life completely separate from your professional one without damaging the relationship you’re building is a careful balancing act, but one that is necessary to maintain a good working environment.

Live Out

Live-in nannies are far less common than they once were, with the majority of private childcare providers living off their employers’ property. If you have a choice in the matter, however, you may want to carefully weigh the risks and benefits before moving into their home. While you can eliminate both your commute time and the cost of maintaining a household, you could be effectively eliminating any expectation of privacy as well and walking into a situation that allows your employers to inadvertently take advantage of your proximity. If you don’t want to have discussions about where you were and when you came home on your night off, you should probably opt to maintain your own residence and commute to work each day.

Don’t Bring Last Night to Work With You

You can’t reasonably expect your employers to respect your personal life and need for privacy if you come to work showing clear signs of over-celebrating the night before. If you don’t want your employers questioning your choices or concerning themselves with the personal decisions you make while you’re off the clock, don’t allow the consequences of those decisions to show while you’re working.

Establish Boundaries Early

It’s far easier to establish boundaries at the outset of your relationship with the family you work for than struggling to reverse a trend of prying or mutual over-sharing. Establishing personal boundaries doesn’t mean you have to remain aloof or avoid connecting with the family you work for on an emotional level, just that you institute a policy of maintaining a polite distance from one another’s personal lives from the moment you assume a post. Making sure that you have these boundaries in place will not only protect your private personal matters, it can also help your employers understand that you’re not at their beck and call during your off hours if you live in. Warding off job creep, unpaid overtime and all manner of morale-destroying pitfalls of working as a nanny can be as simple as making sure that you establish reasonable boundaries early on.

Do the Kids’ Laundry, But Don’t Air Your Own

Just as showing up to work with an obvious hangover makes it apparent that you were celebrating to the fullest the night before, you cannot expect to keep your personal affairs private if you allow them to seep over into your professional life. An argument with a significant other or a falling out with a friend might be upsetting, but it’s imperative that you leave those feelings at the door when you report for work. Frequent melodrama in your personal life can also cause your employers to wonder about your judgment and decision-making abilities, which could affect your job stability even if your work performance is satisfactory otherwise.

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

A trend of sharing too much or having heartfelt talks about your private lives can be next to impossible to reverse, and it can start with as little as one deep conversation. Unless it directly affects your charges or your ability to do your job, it’s best not to ask your employers if they’re having difficulty, especially if you suspect marital problems. Offering your shoulder for support is undoubtedly a kind gesture, but it’s also a slippery slope that can end in the complete destruction of any boundaries you and your employers have in place.

While it’s in everyone’s best interest to avoid any heart-to-heart talks about the state of your love lives, that doesn’t mean you have to keep your employers at arm’s length or treat them with detached coolness. It’s possible to be gentle and kind without welcoming revelations of marital discord or financial strife, just as you can maintain something akin to a friendship without cluing your boss in on every poor choice you make in your personal life. Striking that balance isn’t always easy, but it is almost always worth it in the end.

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How Nannies Can Use the Resources for Infant Educarers Approach

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Erin

Resources for Infant Educarers, commonly known as RIE, is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1978 by Magda Gerber, an infant specialist and educator, and Tom Rorrest, M.D., a pediatric neurologist. The guiding belief behind the organization is that when adults treat infants with respect, the infants grow into well-adjusted, independent individuals. The organization offers a variety of training opportunities for parents and childcare professionals to learn and practice the RIE approach. The RIE approach, which is loved by many and disputed by others, encourages parents and caregivers to show respect for the baby’s experience. But what does that mean exactly? Here are some ways nannies can try out the RIE approach during their day and see how it fits in with their childcare philosophy. Talk your way through your day. One of the key principles of the RIE approach is that adults should have ongoing communication with an infant. Tell your charge what you are going to do before you do it. Say “I’m going to pick you up right now” or “I’m going to lay you down so I can change your diaper now” before picking the child up or laying him down on the changing table. Outlining what you’ll be doing in advance is respectful to the infant and helps the child develop a sense of predictability. This may seem awkward at first, but those who practice RIE have found that this type of communication lays the foundation for a thoughtful and respectful relationship between adult and infant. Don’t jump as soon as your infant charge begins to fuss or cry. Magda Gerber said, “Remember, crying is a baby’s language – it is a

way to express pain, anger, and sadness. Acknowledge the emotions your baby is expressing. Let him know he has communicated.” Although many believe the RIE approach advocates that a parent or caregiver should avoid comforting a crying baby, that isn’t what RIE experts advise. Instead, they suggest that when a baby is crying she is expressing herself, and the adult caregiver should listen and try to decipher the cries rather than jump right to soothing the baby. Janet Lansbury of Elevating Child Care says, “Granting our children this freedom to be their whole selves — unconditional acceptance — will lead to far fewer enraged or depressed adults in the future.” If you’re unsure of what the infant wants,

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ask. As you can guess, there are many times when a nanny might be unsure of what a crying infant wants. Rather than quickly taking action to stop the fussiness, the RIE approach suggests the nanny ask the child what she wants. This not only shows respect for the child, it’s also helps the caregiver more accurately understand what the baby is trying to communicate. When faced with a fussy baby after a feeding, the nanny may ask, “OK, you’ve just had a full bottle but you’re fussy. Do you have gas that’s making you uncomfortable?” If the baby is still fussing after a big burp, the nanny may then ask, “Well that big burp must have made you feel better. Are you still hungry?” Every time the caregiver takes the time to understand the messages the baby is sending, she’s building a respectful relationship where the child feels understood and safe. Opt for self-directed play. Nannies often feel it’s their job to engage and entertain their charge throughout the day. The RIE approach encourages caregivers to let the baby lead the play experience. Magda Gerber said, “Infancy is a time of great dependence. Nevertheless babies should be allowed to do things for themselves from the very beginning.” In practical terms, this means letting babies decide what interests them, allowing them the frustration that comes with attempting and failing to do something new, and supporting them as they learn how things work for themselves. Magda Gerber believed that infants are dependent, but not helpless. She saw young infants as “capable self-learners” who wanted and were able to initiate play

and explore their environment without the direction of their caregiver. Of course, it’s the caregiver’s job to make sure the child is always safe, but not to “do” for her. An infant lying on the floor trying to grasp a toy just out of her reach may take 5 or 6 minutes to reach that toy. She may get frustrated by her failed attempts to reach it and temporarily move her attention to a closer toy, but in the end she’ll move her body in a way that allows her to grasp the toy. It’s difficult for a caregiver to watch this process and resist the urge to simply move the toy closer to the child. However, simply watching rather than doing gives the infant the opportunity to explore and master her body and environment. There are lots of ways a nanny can incorporate the RIE approach into her work with her infant charge. For many nannies and parents, it offers practical ideas for creating a respectful relationship with the infant.

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How to Set Yourself Apart From Other Nannies During the In-Person Interview

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Erin

If you’ve made it to the in-person interview stage, chances are the family you’re interviewing with is interested in hiring you as their nanny, or at least interested in learning if you could be the right nanny for their family. Before the interview, it’s important to reflect on why you’ve chosen to be a nanny, why you think you may be the right nanny for the family you’re interviewing with, and your basic childcare philosophies and nanny experiences; thinking these things through prior to the interview will help prepare you to answer any interview question that comes your way. You’ll also want to be sure you know how to get to your interview location as well as how long it takes to get there. Leave enough travel time to arrive at your destination a few minutes early.

In addition

to these basics, there are a few extra things you can do to set yourself apart from other nanny candidates during the in-person interview.

Dress the part

While it can be tempting to put on a suit and sport two inch heels to your job interview, don’t. When it comes to nanny job interviews, the dress code is that the outfit should be as functional as it is fashionable. A pair of slacks, nice jeans or khakis and a blouse or a polo shirt paired with a pair of flats or tennis shoes typically works well. Your appearance should be clean and neat.

Show up with a portfolio

A copy of your resume and letters of reference, along with a portfolio that showcases your nanny experience, will likely impress a potential employer. Include a childcare philosophy statement, copies of current CPR and first aid certifications, any educational certificates or certificates of attendance from childcare related or nanny conferences, sample schedules, samples of activities you’ve done with the children in your care and a photo journal showing you doing something fun or educational with past charges.

Engage the kids

While having an in-person interview when the children are present, it’s important to interact with and engage the children. Get down to eye level to speak with them, get on the floor and play with them, and ask age-appropriate questions of them. If you’re interviewing for a position with a newborn, ask if they’d like you to hold the baby. If they say yes, be sure to ask where the

nearest sink is so that you can demonstrate your concern for the baby’s health by washing your hands first.

Ask good questions

Many times, a nanny interviewing for a position may have years more childcare experience than a new mom. The mother of a newborn may not have yet considered her childrearing philosophy or discipline strategy of choice. Formulate appropriate questions based on what you know about the family. Questions like, “Why have you decided on hiring a nanny?” “Can you tell me what specific duties you’d expect of me?” and “How do you envision your nanny spending the day with your child?” can open the door to learning more about the parents, family and position.

Bring resources

If you’re interviewing with a new mom who has never hired a nanny or if you want to be sure parents understand you must be paid legally, bring along brochures from a reputable nanny payroll and tax company like www.4nannytaxes.com. Leaving a copy of your resume, any letters of references and important resources will convey that you’re a professional.

Interviewing doesn’t come naturally for everyone. For some nannies, the mere thought of an in-person interview causes anxiety; for others, the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents is an exciting one. Regardless of how you feel about in-person interviews, you must put your best self forward and be proactive in establishing yourself as a professional who is qualified and deserving of any nanny job. Doing so will surely set you apart from others competing for the same position.

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Questions Nannies Should Ask During the Family Interview

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Erin

Interviewing for a job can be a nerve-wracking and overwhelming experience. You’re focused on how to make the best impression on the family, how to

sell yourself to the parents, and how to standout over all the other candidates they’ve interviewed. However, it’s important to remember that you’re interviewing them too. The nanny/family match is a two way street and it’s just as important that the family meet your needs as it is that you meet theirs. Here are 5 questions you should ask during the family interview to make sure it’s a good match for both of you. What is your parenting philosophy? That’s a big question that will lead to a detailed discussion about how they raise their children. There are lots of things you should talk about around this issue. Do they tend to be more lenient or strict? Do they set clear expectations with their child? What happens when those expectations aren’t met? How do they feel about giving children choices? What’s their communication style with their children? What’s their biggest parenting challenge? Different ideas on how discipline issues should be handled is one of the biggest issues that come up between nannies and parents, so knowing you’re both on the same page is key to ending up in the right job. How do you see the role of

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the nanny? How an employer views your role in the household is an important part of a good nanny/family match. Their ideas should line up pretty closely with your ideas to avoid any ongoing power struggles or frustration. Do your potential employers see their nanny as simply an employee or more like a member of the family? When faced with a discipline issue, do they see her as part of the decision-making team or do they make the decisions themselves and then expect her to carry out their wishes? Do they back the nanny up when she imposes a punishment or lets a child experience the natural consequence of his actions? How much freedom does the nanny have to make decisions about her day? Some nannies work best when they have complete control over the details of their day. They like to plan their own outings and activities, decide when they’ll do job related tasks like laundry or sorting through the play room, and create an environment that supports their ideas around what’s important. Other nannies are fine with their employers planning activities for them, giving instructions and time tables for completing tasks, and detailing what type of environment the nanny should create each day. There’s not a right or wrong approach to this issue. However, it is important that both the nanny and parents agree on one approach. Otherwise, both sides will be in constant conflict over who’s in charge. How much flexibility do you need? Some families don’t veer from the stated job description. Their needs don’t change and the nanny can count on doing only what was originally asked of her. Other families need more flexibility. They have a general schedule, but often need late nights or weekend babysitting. They have a working list of things the nanny is responsible for, but also need her to take on other tasks occasionally. They don’t expect the nanny to take over other jobs, like housekeeper or cook, but they do want someone who’s willing to pitch in when needed. Make sure that you’re comfortable with the amount of flexibility the family wants. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated when you feel the family keeps asking you to do things that aren’t part of what you agreed to when you were hired. What issues did you have with your previous nanny and how did you handle them? The family may have loved their previous nanny, but no relationship is perfect. By delving into what issues came up in their relationship and how the family handled those problems, you can gain valuable information about the parents’ employer and communication

styles. If the family had a troubled relationship with their last nanny, this question can be a springboard for talking about the things that they want to see happen differently in their next nanny relationship. If the family’s communication style was less than effective with their last nanny, this is a great opportunity to explore their willingness to tackle issues in a new way moving forward. By asking the right questions during the family interview, you can gather the information you need to make the best decision.

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