A great tip from a professional nanny!

By TLC Nannies & Sitters | September 27, 2012
In honor of Nanny Appreciation Week I wanted to tell you about one professional nanny’s great idea.
 
I came across Nanny Brandi’s “Nanny Binder” on the Regarding Nannies website and I wanted to share it with you.
 
Here is part of her question and answer:
 
What is a Nanny Binder?
It is a collection of my favorite articles and information from various resources that help me in my development as a professional nanny.
Why did I make one?
Because I kept accumulating all of this information and when I wanted to reference it I didn’t always have a computer handy. I am not a “techie” in the truest sense. Printing the information out and having the information readily available in a binder is what works for me. I carry it with me to work every day because I never know when I might need it.
What do I keep in it?
Anything that is relevant to my job as a nanny. I put information I have gathered from websites and conferences. Specifically I have it organized into sections:
Child Development Tips, Webinars, Personal Improvement, Craft Ideas, Recipes and Forms. For example, in the Personal Improvement section I keep information about improving my resume and portfolio. This is something that is always a work in progress and should be updated regularly. In the Forms section I have an emergency information sheet, household information, medical authorization forms etc. I also keep a copy of my updated work agreement just in case I might want to reference it.
How often do I really use it?
Literally, every day. Whether it is craft ideas for the kids, a recipe, or a few minutes at nap time, I can pull it out and read something that helps keep my focus on being a better nanny. I am constantly printing out and adding more to it so there is always current information for me to read.
How to make one?
It’s very simple and you don’t need to spend a lot of money. To get started I went to an office supply store and found a good sized binder, section dividers and a good three hole punch tool. An extra printer cartridge is also a good idea. You can personalize it anyway you want.
 
What do you think of Brandi’s idea?  Do you have something similar that you bring along to work?
Posted in Featured Nannies and tagged , , ,

Caring for Special Needs Kids

By TLC Nannies & Sitters | September 19, 2012 |

Raising a child on the autism spectrum brings with it a unique set of challenges… Not just for the child, but for the parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.

TLC for Kids is proud to be associated with LoveU2Pieces.  LoveU2Pieces is committed to giving families the time and support they need to raise healthy, successful children in a strong, supportive environment.

Here is an excerpt from one of their blogs that I wanted to share.

“Caring for a child on the autism spectrum is challenging for even the most loving and committed couples. The constant stress,  lack of downtime and exhaustion can test relationships on all levels. Finding time to be a couple, versus parents of a child with ASD, can be almost impossible. Yet the shared responsibility of caring for a child (or children) on the spectrum can actually strengthen a relationship, if the couple makes their bond as important as the care they provide their child.

Take time for yourselves whenever you can. If that means only 15 minutes alone together, take it! There’s no perfect moment, so take advantage of the snippets of time as they present themselves. When you are able to plan a more elaborate date or weekend away, do it. “

TLC for Kids has a special needs staff.  The TLC staff includes professionals and paraprofessionals in the education and special education fields, as well as nurses, nursing students, occupational and physical therapy students and social work students who have experience working with children with a broad range of special needs including; autism, hearing loss, sensory disorders, ADD, ADHD, cerebral palsy, seizures and others.

Please contact us if you have any questions about our special needs staff or if you would like to request one of our experienced sitters.

To learn more about LoveU2Pieces.org and all they do to support families who have autistic kids visit their website.

TLC For Kids, Inc has been St. Louis’ premiere nanny and babysitting agency  for over 25 years.   TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more.  Reach us at info@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.

Posted in Special Needs, Temp Service and tagged , , , ,

Nanny Recognition Week

By TLC Nannies & Sitters | September 13, 2012 |

Nanny Recognition Week is September 23rd to the 29th.

TLC For Kids is very proud of all our of great nannies!  This week is a great time to let your nanny know how much she is appreciated.

Here are a few gift ideas for your nanny:

  • You can give your nanny a membership to the INA or a conference registration to a nanny conference like INA or Nannypalooza.
  • Visit the Nanny Gift Shop for t-shirts and other fun “nanny” gifts.
  • Have your child draw a picture of something that they do together.
  • Look at this adorable nanny glass pendant made by a nanny.

For more great ideas take a look at this blog post from Regarding Nannies.

Thank you nannies for all the hard work you do! 🙂

TLC For Kids, Inc has been St. Louis’ premiere nanny and babysitting agency  for over 25 years.   TLC For Kids dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutor’s, newborn care specialists, sitters and more.  Reach us at info@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.

Posted in News For Nannies and tagged , , ,

Determining your Nanny's Salary

By TLC Nannies & Sitters | September 4, 2012 |

Often times we are asked, “How much should I pay my nanny?”   This is a very important question because you don’t want to underpay the person taking care of your kids!   The average salary for a nanny depends on a few things.

To set a nanny salary you should determine your average range for your area.   Families in major coastal cities pay more than families in smaller central cities.  To find your average salary you can click on the annual salary survey link on the International Nanny Association’s (INA) website.  They have salaries listed by location.  This will give you a good base salary range.  To see where you fall in this salary range you can look at a few things.

First, a nanny’s salary can depend on her education or experience.  Nannies with previous experience working for families are highly coveted and will be at the top of a salary range.  Also, nannies with a background in education or child development will be at the top of a pay scale.

Nannies starting their career with a family will have previous childcare references and earn closer to the average range.

Second, job responsibilities also play a big factor in the salary of a nanny.  When determining a nanny salary a family should also look at the number of children, the hours and the household needs.  Asking a nanny to do more housework will also require a higher salary.

Once a salary has been set it should be agreed upon by both parties and reviewed annually if not more based upon changes throughout the year.

If you have any questions on nanny salaries please let us know.

Posted in Hiring A Nanny and tagged , , , ,