Don't Forgot About The Newborn Specialist Training!

Don’t forget the Advanced Newborn Care Specialist Intensive Training Weekend September 9 – 11, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Dulles Airport in Herndon, VA, located just outside Washington, DC.

This a great way for Miami Newborn Specialists to gain some specific training in working with newborns. In order to operate at the top of your game and be in demand, you must be knowledgeable about the current trends in apps and technology, evidence based knowledge and emerging trends in the Newborn Care industry.

Special pricing is still available.

Click here for registration details!

TLC Family Care has experienced Newborn Specialists available to help with your newborn needs.  Call us at 305-256-5905 or visit our website for more information.

The Benefits of a Nanny Agency

TLC For kids has been providing nanny placements in St. Louis for over 27 years and recently opened an office in South Florida. We are often asked why an agency can be a benefit for families when there are so many do-it-yourself options on the web. I wanted to share a list of quick points to consider when making your choice!

Advantages of Using Nanny Agencies

A good nanny agency saves time for both nanny and family. It has tested procedures for recruiting, advertising, screening, and counseling, and policies regarding both placement and refunds.

It has an established reputation based on previous nanny placements, which in turn draws additional nannies and families into its registry, improving the choices for all.

A good nanny agency treats nanny and family as equals. Both are its clients, for without one it will not have the other.

A good nanny agency provides a solid nanny/family contract.

A good nanny agency stands behind its placements and impartially counsels both parties in case of on-the-job conflict.

A good nanny agency monitors the success of its nanny placements and may even offer workshops and gatherings that support both nanny and family.

Experience with a good nanny agency is probably the best possible introduction to the placement process: when a nanny has fulfilled her commitment to a good agency placement, the experience – awareness of screening procedures and of the many hitches along the way – will help both nanny and family in the next go-around.

A good nanny agency is known by its customer service, the caliber of the nannies and families it serves, and the frequent long-term success of its placements.

Screening Tools Used by Nanny Agencies

Nanny agencies have developed an arsenal of screening tools to help them in their work. A good agency knows how to spot “red flags” and eliminates the candidates who don’t meet their requirements. Sometimes the detailed application and the knowledge that the agency will be screening them alone helps screen those that would otherwise try to apply directly to an on-line site or individual families.

These tools include:

Application forms, which cover education and work history and provide “what-if” questions to assess childcare knowledge.

Minimum standards for applicants.

Age: 18 was the minimum; some nanny agencies may expect applicants to be at least 21.

Experience: initially “some babysitting,” now more often two years full time in a similar situation, even for those with teaching experience (great but not the same).

Education: initially a high school diploma, now often two or more years of college.

Interviews, one or several by telephone (for out-of-state applicants) and/or in person, for both nanny and family. Local applicants should without exception have been interviewed in person, with references checked prior to referral to the family. A premium service may interview nanny and/or family in-home.

Reference checks, as letters or conducted by telephone, anecdotal or fill-in-the-blanks.

Criminal record checks.

Driving record checks.

Standardized questionnaires for interviewing useful in comparing nanny candidates.

Standardized personality screening of nanny and/or family to assess personal style and potential for mutual compatibility of family and nanny.

Preparing to Travel with Kids

Are you planning a family vacation to South Florida?
There are a few things you need to remember when preparing for a family vacation to the beaches of Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
1. Find a family friendly resort.  Hotels like The Fontainebleau, The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, and The Lowes Hotel are great places that both your and your kids will love.
2. Bring swimsuits, hats and sunscreen.  One of the great things about visiting South Florida is the weather.  You can enjoy a day at the beach year round!
3.  Plan some rainy day activities.  There are lots of fun things to do besides going to the beach.  Check out the Jungle Island, The Miami Children’s Museum, and Butterfly World.
4. Set a Date Night.  Just because you are on a family vacation doesn’t mean mom and dad don’t need a night out.  Contact TLC for Kids Miami for  a hotel babysitter in South Florida.  Our sitters are experienced, screened and available to come to the hotel.

New Pinterest Board

Are you on Pinterest?  It’s a great website where you can save recipes, craft ideas, pictures,  anything really.  You make “boards” or categories of the things you are interested in and all your favorite websites will be at your fingertips.

 

The TLC for Kids Pinterest page is full of information for TLC nannies and families.  Some of our most popular boards are  News About Nannies, Oh Baby, and Everybody Cooks.  We also have boards for kids bases upon their age and for families with kids.

 

Jessica has been busy updating the TLC for Kids Pinterest page.

And, since we live in St. Louis, and the Cardinals are in the baseball play offs she had to start a St. Louis Sportsmania Board!  Don’t worry the board isn’t just for the Cardinals.  If you are a Blues or Rams fan we have you covered too.

Stop by and let us know what you think.

 

 

 

TLC Nanny Appreciation Week: Meet Janet!

Today we want everyone to meet Janet L.  Janet’s employers think she is the best.

Here is what her boss said about her,

“Our nanny is the best because she, my husband and I are all on the same team when it comes to raising Rowan. Rather than an employer/employee relationship, I think we collectively have a partnership – we respect her as the care giver, and she respects us as the parents. While each of us may have our own ideas from time to time, the mutual respect that we share results in less criticism, better consensus and ultimately better overall care for Rowan (which is the common goal we all share).

It also doesn’t hurt that we know she truly loves and adores our daughter, which is also mutual. :)”

Thank you Janet for being a great nanny!

 

 

 

Transitioning from Nanny to Household Manager Tips

As kids get older the needs of the family change.  The family you are working for no longer need you to plan play dates, work on gross motor skills, and work on imaginative play.  Instead you are needed for house organizing, chauffeuring duties, and homework help.  TLC For Kids places nannies in full-time Household Manager positions.

I came across these tips from the Regardingnannies.com blog.

 

Understand that you won’t be punching a time clock.  While you may be used to starting when the parents leave in the morning and being done when they come home, the role of a Household Manager isn’t so black and white.  An urgent repair may require a vendor call at 7 am, a delivery may have truck trouble or get stuck in traffic, and will now arrive at 8 pm.  It all requires flexibility, lots of patience, and the ability to think quickly, problem solve and multitask.   If you work more than forty hours in the work week you will be compensated for overtime.

Be Organized.  Keeping an accurate and detailed calendar is a must.  I keep a paper calendar for quick reference on my desk, as well as notes on what tasks were completed that day, follow ups to be done and general notes to self.    I also utilize Gmail and their calendar is great as it syncs with my cell phone and I can color code vendors, school, work and personal appointments. The capability to keep notes on the appointment is a plus as well.   Technology is your friend!  Get to know the latest apps available to help with organization, time management, note taking, mileage tracking and more.

Clearly define your work agreement.  We highly recommend a detailed work agreement.  Since you be doing childcare and household managing make sure the contract covers both.  The contract should clearly define all of the responsibilities and include which role plays a priority in special circumstances, such as sick child, vacations, and inclement weather.  Remember to be flexible.  Not every day goes as planned.

If you are interested in learning more about Household Manager positions please contact us.