The Official Blog of Morningside Nannies

How to Become a Nanny

When individuals interested in becoming a nanny contact Morningside Nannies to inquire about securing a nanny position, they are often surprised to learn that we require previous nanny or formal childcare experience for consideration of representation.

For those who wish to become a nanny but do not have formal childcare experience, they often ask how an individual can become a nanny if reputable agencies won’t work with anyone without previous, verifiable childcare experience provided to non-family members.

To those who want to become a nanny but aren’t sure how to gain the necessary experience, we offer these 5 tips:

1. Volunteer to gain experience.

Church nurseries and community centers can be a great place to gain practical childcare experience under the supervision of others, especially if you are a member. Or perhaps there is a mother you know that needs an extra set of hands and would allow you to help out. Volunteer a few hours per week to gain experience. Keep a log of your volunteer activities and ask a supervisor to verify it and include a letter of reference.

2. Seek employment in a daycare, camp or preschool.

Many nannies gain their first childcare experience working in formal childcare settings. Working in a formal childcare setting will provide you with hands-on, credible experience and if you do your job well, you will walk away with an excellent reference. Hold onto your written reviews to include in your portfolio.

3. Begin babysitting.

Fill your evenings and weekend with babysitting positions. Build relationship with several families who you can provide regular care for. Keep a journal that tracks your childcare hours and ask the parents to provide a letter of recommendation.

4. Use other avenues to secure a nanny position.

There are lots of ways to secure a nanny position. Online nanny recruiting websites, word of mouth and social networking provide opportunities to advertise your services to parents seeking childcare. A solid reference from a past nanny employer is often key to opening the door to working with an agency.

5. Take continuing education courses.

As you begin to gain practical experience working with children, you’ll also want to expand your childcare knowledge. Be sure your CPR and first aid certification is up to date and enroll in a child development class to expand your knowledge of best practices in early childhood education and care.

Full-time nannies work unsupervised and must have practical hands on experience and basic childcare knowledge to do their jobs well. At Morningside Nannies, we represent only the most qualified candidates to Houston area families for employment.

To be represented by Morningside Nannies, all caregivers must:

• Have at least two years of recent childcare experience.
• Have verifiable, professional childcare references.
• Be able to legally accept employment in the United States.
• Be able to read, write and speak English fluently.
• Have a valid U.S. driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Have access to a vehicle.
• Be a non-smoker.
• Be a minimum of 19 years old.
• Have a high school diploma, GED or formal education in child related studies.
• Have current first aid and CPR certification.

If you meet these requirements we invite you to contact a Morningside Nannies placement specialist at (713) 526-3989 to begin your job search.

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What it Takes to Succeed as a Nanny

Childcare providers who work as nannies for any length of time are motivated by more than a paycheck. While qualified, experienced nannies can certainly earn excellent wages, those who work as nannies typically don’t do so for the money. To succeed as a nanny, a caregiver must be in it for more than a paycheck.

Unlike daycare workers or other types of childcare providers, nannies work in the family’s private home under the direct employ of the children’s parents. This sets the stage for an employment arrangement that is deeply rooted in close working relationships.  For nannies to succeed in their work they must be successful in developing and maintaining a solid relationship with both their employers and their charges. Nannies who succeed in their work typically have a pleasant disposition, are easy to get along with and to be around, are solid communicators and are respectful of their employers role as both boss and parent of their charges.

Since nannies work largely unsupervised for most of the day, successful nannies take pride in their work and are intrinsically motivated. Since there is no one there to pat them on the back for a job well done day in and day out, knowing that they’ve done their job well must be rewarding in and of itself. Nannies must also be self-starters and be willing to take initiative. For their charges well-being and safety, they must have good judgment, recognize when there is a need and be ready to meet that needs, without always being directed to do so.

Working in a private home provides little opportunity for adult interaction and socialization. For nannies who don’t seek opportunities to make friends with caregivers and parents of similar ages of the children in their care isolation can be a real problem. Successful nannies seek out opportunities to attend and host playdates, to attend mommy and me type classes and to visit the local library and parks to make connections and foster friendships that both they and their charges develop.

Unlike with daycares that close at a set time each day, a nanny’s day doesn’t end until the parents return home to relieve her. To be a successful nanny, a caregiver must be willing to be flexible. Parents may get caught up in a medical case or meeting, delaying their departure from work or may hit traffic or an accident on the road which will cause them to run late. While having a set schedule is important, successful nannies are willing to accommodate the parents work schedule, when necessary.

Nannies play an important role in the lives of the families for whom they work. They have a great opportunity to invest in their charges and make a real positive contribution to their lives. For many successful nannies, this is a huge motivating factor for working as a nanny. Nannies and children form an intimate and lasting bond which often extends far beyond the years of a nanny’s employment. Knowing that she’s made a difference in the life of a child is one of the most rewarding and motivating aspects of being a nanny and providing the best childcare possible.

Morningside Nannies only works with the most qualified and well referenced nannies in the Houston area. If you’re seeking a childcare professional, contact a placement specialist  at (713) 526-3989 to begin your nanny search.

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3 Reasons Nannies Stay Long-Term

At Morningside Nannies, the number one reason our nannies stay in their jobs far beyond their initial one-year commitment is a given. It’s because they truly love the kids they care for. But it takes more than love for the kids to make a long-term commitment to a family.

When a nanny dedicates several years of service to the same family, it’s because she’s getting something that she values in return. And that something is far more than a paycheck. Even the highest earning nanny will eventually leave a family if she’s not getting more than a paycheck in return for her work.

While in other types of jobs people may stay long-term because there’s an opportunity to advance within the company, they have great benefits or they like their co-workers, these things most often don’t apply to nannies. So what makes a nanny stay in her position long-term?  The three reasons are more intrinsic than materialistic in nature.

1. Nannies stay long-term when they feel appreciated.

For a nanny to stay with a family long-term she needs to feel like she is appreciated. Depending on the nanny’s style she may feel appreciated when her boss thanks her for doing a good job or does something thoughtful, like letting her out early or asking how a sick relative is doing. Nannies want to know that their employer’s value the worth they do and are appreciative when they go above and beyond.

2. Nannies stay long-term when they feel respected.

Nannies like to be held in high regard. They like to know that their boss values their views, insights and opinions. Nannies feel respected with their employers back their authority with the children, pay them fairly and legally, keep their word, and ask for feedback before making major changes to their duties or schedule.

3. Nannies stay long-term when they feel needed.

Nannies are in the business of helping families. They prefer to work with families who really benefit from their services. Even when the children outgrow the need for full-time, year-round nanny care and the nanny’s role transitions into one of a household manager, she’ll need to feel like she’s filling a real need for her to stay on.

To stay with a family long-term, a nanny needs to feel good about the work she does and about how she’s treated as she does it. Nanny employers should strive to show their nannies appreciation and respect and annually review their nanny’s work agreement to adjust her duties and responsibilities to meet the current needs of the family.

If you’re looking for a qualified nanny to join your parenting team, contact a Morningside Nannies placement specialist at (713) 526-3989 to start your search. Our pool of qualified nannies is eager to find families with whom they can make a long-term commitment.

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Potty Training Tips for Families with Nannies

When you’re the primary childcare provider for a child, you simply start potty training when you feel it’s the right time. However, when you share the day in and day out caregiving responsibilities, potty training has to be a team effort.

Before starting to potty train, the adults who will be responsible for toilet training should have an in-depth conversation about it. During this conversation parents and nannies should discuss if the child is showing signs of readiness, when potty training will be started and what approach to potty training should be taken. Most importantly, parents and nannies must commit to the toilet training process for it to be effective. If everyone commits to the process, yet only the nanny falls through during the week, frustration for everyone will ensue.

While children are typically ready to potty train between the ages of two and three, there are other indicators that that are far more reliable than her age. Children who show signs of potty training readiness seem interested in using the potty or at least in wearing underwear. They also tend to complain about being in dirty or wet diapers and indicate when they need to use the toilet or have just soiled their diaper.

When determining when to start potty training, you’ll want to be sure there are no major changes in the routine or environment coming up, like a move, a vacation or the birth of a new sibling. When you start potty training life should be stable and the child’s routine should be consistent. It’s always a good idea to only introduce one major change to a child at a time.

Before starting to potty train, you’ll want to be sure to have a positive attitude along with the right supplies. You’ll need patience and a sense of humor to survive the process. Accidents will happen. You’ll also need a stool, a potty chair or potty seat and underwear.

You can start the potty training process by having the child sit on the potty a several times per day and rushing to the potty if you notice she has to go. It’s also okay to offer incentives, like one M&M for sitting on the potty and two for using it. If you don’t like the idea of using candy, a sticker reward chart can work just as well.

When the child does use the potty successfully, you’ll need to be ready to do your best potty dance and sing you best potty song. You can’t offer too much encouragement or praise.

If potty training becomes frustrating and the source of a power struggle, take a break and try again in a few weeks. Children should never be shamed for not using the potty.

While it can be frustrating to go through the potty training process with no progress, try to give your child, your nanny and yourself a break. When children are ready and willing to use the potty, the process is a whole lot less stressful for everyone.

 

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8 Websites Nannies Should Bookmark

When it comes to the Internet, there’s no lacking in information. However, not all information resources are created equally. For nannies looking for information and guidance on everything from dealing with difficult work situations to creating an educational lesson plan for their charges, the following websites will be of great help.

Morningside Nannies is a firm believer in the importance of continuing education for nannies. In addition to holding membership in industry associations and sponsoring national nanny educational events, Morningside Nannies offers its own continuing education programs to nannies. Contact a placement specialist at (713) 526-3989 to learn more about the educational programming Morningside Nannies offers.

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4 Things That Can Predict a Good Match

Even Mary Poppins wouldn’t be the right nanny for every family. When it comes to hiring a nanny, the candidate must be more than qualified for the position. Not only must she be able to do the job well, she has to fit in well with the family for the placement to be a successful match and to have long-term potential.

When it comes to matching nannies with families, there are four overriding factors that can help determine if a nanny and family will make a good match.

These include:

Compatibility.

Nannies work in an intimate setting and become actively involved in the lives of those in the families for whom they work. For this reason, nannies must be compatible with a work family when it comes to personality, lifestyle, and communication style to seamlessly fit in. While minor differences in these areas may not affect the relationship, a nanny with a conservative worldview may not be feel comfortable working for a more liberal family and vice versa. Both nannies and families must be comfortable engaging each other for there to be a good match.

A Personal Connection.

Regardless of how good of a match a nanny and family appear to be on paper, unless there is a personal connection between the nanny and the family, the relationship isn’t likely to succeed. When you have a personal connection with someone you’re able to look them in the eye and communicate with ease. You’re relaxed, comfortable and things feel familiar. Since feelings of familiarity breed feelings of safety and security, it’s vital for parents to feel a personal connection to their nanny.

Complimentary parenting styles.

Parents and nannies must share similar or at least complimentary parenting styles for a match to be successful. While all the rules and consequences don’t need to be consistent across the board, the spirits of parenting practices really do.  Matching parents who adhere to an authoritarian parenting style and a nanny who adheres to an authoritative style, for example, won’t likely result in a good match.

A Willingness to Extend Respect.

For parents and nannies to be a strong match, each party must be willing to extend respect to the other. Nannies must support and validate the parents’ role and the parents must support and validate the nanny’s role for there to be a supportive environment. A supportive environment is required to support a strong parent / nanny relationship.

At Morningside Nannies we excel at matching the right nannies with the right families in the right jobs. Contact our placement specialists at (713) 526-3989 and let us help you find the right nanny for your family.

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How to Monitor Your Nanny

When you leave your child in the care of another, whether it’s at a daycare center or home with a qualified nanny, it’s only natural to be concerned about the quality of care that they receive while you are away.

At Morningside Nannies, we strive to educate parents on the importance of continually monitoring the quality of care that their children receive. When parents take an active role in monitoring their children’s care, everyone benefits. Parents are reassured that their children are well cared for, nannies are empowered to discuss problems and concerns, which can create a better work environment, and children benefit from having their nanny held accountable to higher standards.

At Morningside Nannies we encourage parents to:

One of the best things parents can do to ensure that their children receive quality care is to hire a qualified nanny. Morningside Nannies only represents the most qualified nannies and since 1992 has been matching the best nannies with the best Houston area families. If you’re searing for a nanny or want to update your nanny’s background check, call a Morningside Nannies placement specialist today at (713) 526-3989. We’re here to help you find and keep the right nanny for your family.

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8 Ways to Prevent Common Childhood Injuries

While some childhood injuries are not preventable, many common injuries that occur during early childhood are. By taking a few simple and practical precautions, parents and nannies can work together to minimize the risks of preventable childhood injuries and help to create a safe environment for children to confidently explore.

1. Properly store medication.

   To prevent accidental ingestion medication should be stored out of the reach and sight of children. Store medication in a locked safety box placed on a closet shelf to prevent the kids from accessing it. Even topical medications should be under lock and key.

2. Use the right car seats the right way.

   By some estimates 90% of car seats are used or installed incorrectly. Don’t have a relaxed attitude about car seat safety. Be sure that all children are in the right seat, facing the right direction every time they go for a ride. Contact a child passenger safety technician to inspect your car seat installation. You can find a local tech by visiting www.cert.safekids.org.

3. Keep sleep spaces safe.

   A baby’s crib should have nothing but the baby inside. Instead of using a blanket, opt for a sleep sack that will keep him safe and warm. Keep the air in his room circulating using a fan and keep the room temperature between 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure the crib or bed is away from all windows and that all window covering cords in the room are tied up and out of reach. If you’re using a bassinet or crib be sure that it meets current safety standards and that the crib mattress is moves to the lowest position once your baby begins to roll over.

4. Always practice touch supervision near or in water.

   Whether you are putting the kids in the bath or letting them play in the kiddie pool in the backyard, always be within an arm’s reach of the children. When giving a bath, gather all of your supplies ahead of time so you’re not tempted to leave the kids unsupervised to get something. If there is a pool in the backyard, be sure it is fenced in and the gate lock is fully functioning.

5. Keep chemicals away from the kids.

   While it can be convenient to store cleaners and detergents under the sink, doing so can be a real hazard. Keep all cleaners and chemicals in locked cabinets to prevent accidental burns, ingestion and poisonings. Children should not have access to any toxic supplies.

6. Enforce bike safety rules.

   Insist that the children ride the appropriate sized bicycles and that they do so with a well-fitting helmet. Be sure that children are familiar with bicycle safety rules and that they only ride on safe, bicycle friendly paths and areas.

7. Sore firearms under lock and key.

   In addition to teaching children that guns should not be handled, firearms and ammunition should be stored in locked cabinets so that children do not have access to them.

8. Serve age-appropriate food.

   Prevent choking risks by not serving popcorn, whole grapes and hot dogs, hard candy, globs of peanut butter and large chunks of food to young children. Be sure vegetables and meats are tender and cut into small pieces before serving. Grapes should be quartered and hot dogs sliced lengthwise prior to cutting across. Children should remain seated and be closely supervised when eating.

While nannies and parents may have different safety standards when it comes to childproofing the home and participating in activities, most will agree that doing what you can to minimize unnecessary risks to the children is essential.

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Can I Give My Nanny Time Off in Lieu of Pay?

When it comes to working overtime, many parents and nannies assume that instead of being paid for the additional hours worked, a nanny can be given the equivalent of hours off instead.

When it comes down to law, this simply isn’t true.

Nannies are protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Since nannies aren’t classified as exempt workers, the labor laws outlined in the act apply to them.

These laws state that non-exempt employees:

1. Must be paid at least minimum wage for every hour worked.
2. Must be paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 times their hourly base rate for all hours worked over 40 in a 7-day period.  Live-in nannies are not covered under this federal mandate, however in some states, excluding Texas, live-in nannies must also be the paid the overtime differential.

Since the Fair Labor Standards Act requires that nannies be paid for every hour worked, providing nannies time off in lieu of pay is not legally permitted. When it comes to providing employees compensatory time off in lieu of pay, doing so is legally limited to employers of public, government employees only.

As a non-exempt employee, nannies cannot be paid a straight salary per workweek. While nannies and employees may talk in terms of salary, to be compliant with labor laws, a nanny’s salary must be broken down into base and overtime wages. For example, if a nanny earns $600 gross per week for 45 hours of work, the compensation would be a base wage of $12.63 for the first 40 hours and an overtime wage of $18.94 for the remaining five hours, totaling the $600 “salary”.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act nanny employers are also legally required to track their employees work hours. Working hours include all of the time the nanny is at the employer’s home and required to be available for work.  Having the nanny write her start time and finish time in a logbook each day is sufficient for record keeping.

If you have questions about how to pay your nanny, we’ve got you covered. The nanny pay specialists at Breedlove and Associates, Homework Solutions and GTM Payroll Services, Inc. offer complimentary consultations to clients of Morningside Nannies.

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What to Do When Your Nanny Gets Pregnant

Even for parents who have employed the same married nanny for several years, learning that their nanny is expecting a baby of her own may come as a huge surprise. In fact, upon learning the news that their nanny is pregnant, some moms end up feeling a bit guilty because they don’t react to the news in the way they would have thought.

The first reaction to learning that your nanny is expecting a baby may be panic. Although you know your nanny loves children and will make an amazing mom, your first thoughts may center on how this news will affect you.

Take a deep breath. Don’t panic. Chances are, your nanny is panicking enough for both of you.

While expecting nannies are typically over the moon with excitement about their pregnancy, they also are likely worried about job security and how they’ll manage being a working mom themselves.

While at first you may consider a pregnancy announcement to be the precursor to your nanny giving notice or you giving your nanny the pink slip, a pregnancy announcement doesn’t have to signal the end of your working relationship. In fact, there are many reasons why you may not want it to be the beginning of the end of your time together.

If your nanny has been with you for several years, transitioning to a new caregiver may not be something that you want or are even willing to do. This is especially true if your nanny has been with your children since they were born. If this is the case, determining if continuing your working arrangement is feasible may make sense.

If you have an only child, the thought of having a built-in playmate for your child may be attractive. Perhaps you wanted your child to experience having a sibling, but providing him with one isn’t something you’re ready to do. If these cases, exploring the possibilities of an ongoing relationship may be worth doing.

If your budget is stretched but you still require nanny care, keeping your nanny on may be a win-win for both of you. Your nanny may be willing to take a pay cut or forgo a raise if she’s able to bring her child to work with her. You’ll still receive customized, consistent care and your nanny will reap the benefits of not having to find and pay for childcare.

Whether you and your nanny decide to continue your employment relationship or not, you’ll need to discuss future plans. These plans may include securing back-up care should your nanny become ill or be put on bed rest during her pregnancy, hammering out a maternity leave plan and planning for your nanny’s temporary or permanent departure.

If you do decide to continue your working relationship, you’ll need to create a detailed work agreement that outlines expectations with regards to managing care, sharing supplies, caring for ill children and salary and benefits.

Since most nannies will want to bring their babies to work with them, you’ll need to decide if such an arrangement will work for you. While some parents may worry that their nanny will favor their own child or become overwhelmed with caring for two or more children, most seasoned nannies have experience caring for multiple children of varying ages and will handle the situation with professionalism and care.

Whether you need a back-up care provider, help formulating an amended work agreement or wish to begin a new nanny search, the staff at Morningside Nannies is ready to assist you. Contact one of our placement specialists today at (713) 526-3989 for assistance with your care needs.

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