The Official Blog of Morningside Nannies

How to Let Your Nanny Go

Nannies play an integral part in the lives of the families who employ them. Whether it’s due to disappointing job performance, a personality conflict or a change in financial status or childcare needs, letting a nanny go is never easy.

If you’re preparing to let your nanny go or are considering it, there are a few steps you can take to make doing so easier.

Step 1:

Consider your reasoning. Are you letting your nanny go because she did something wrong or because of no fault of her own? Terminating the employment of a nanny for cause will be handled much differently than terminating a nanny because the family’s care needs or financial situation has changed. If you suspect your nanny of wrongdoing, depending on the infraction, the proper course of action may be immediate termination. If the nanny is being let go because there is a personality conflict or for circumstances outside of her control, developing a termination plan often makes more sense.

Step 2:

Develop your termination plan. If immediate termination is required, the nanny should be presented with her final paycheck and all household items such as keys and credit cards should be collected. If the nanny is being let go for other reasons, you’ll want to decide on the workout plan. If you’re moving, for example, helping with the transition may be part of the work out plan.  You’ll also want to decide on her final work date and when and how you plan to tell her that she’s being let go. The longer your nanny has been employed by your family, the longer her phase out typically will be.

Step 3:

Tell your nanny. Once you’ve solidified your termination plan, you’ll want to set aside time to tell your nanny. If she’s not being terminated immediately you’ll want to set up a meeting to discuss her termination when the children are not present. You may wish to consider telling her on the last day of her workweek so that she has time to process the information before returning to work. When you tell your nanny the news, provide a brief and clear explanation for why she’s being let go. During your conversation, you’ll also want to discuss with your nanny what, if anything, you want her to tell the children when you’re ready for them to know.

Step 4:

Tell your kids. After you tell your nanny you’re letting her go, you’ll need to break the news to the kids. If your nanny is being let go for no fault of her own, you may wish to tell the children together so you can frame the information in the same way and reinforce that her leaving is no one’s fault. If you’re nanny is being dismissed because she’s done something wrong, you’ll want to provide a simple, straightforward reason for letting her go.

Step 5:

Provide an opportunity for closure. If your nanny is leaving on good terms, provide closure to your family and your nanny by having a farewell celebration. Sharing a special meal together provides an opportunity to talk about the time you’ve spent together and what your future relationship will be like. If you’re letting your nanny go for cause, you’ll need to determine if it’s appropriate for her to say goodbye.  When it’s time to say goodbye, it is important to remember that the children have a separate and independent relationship with their nanny and they may feel different about her departure than you do. When talking to the children about when they’ll see their nanny next, be careful not to make promises you can’t keep. You won’t want to tell your children your nanny will still babysit, for example, if you have no intentions of using her as your sitter.

Step 6:

Tie up loose ends. On your nanny’s last day you’ll want to present her with her final paycheck and severance pay, if applicable, a letter of reference and perhaps a goodbye gift. A framed photo of your nanny with your family will serve as a nice memento. Some parents prefer to conduct an exit interview and also give their longtime nanny’s a cash bonus. On her last day you’ll want to be sure you’ve collected any of your belongings and that any of hers are returned.

When letting your nanny go you’ll always want to be mindful of the conditions of her work agreement and be sure that they are met. If your work agreement has a provision for two weeks’ notice, in some cases it may be best to pay her in lieu of working out her notice.

At Morningside Nannies, we support our clients beyond the initial placement. If you’re a Morningside Nannies client and are considering letting your nanny go, we’re here to provide you with support. Give a placement specialist a call today at (713) 526-3989 to discuss your situation.

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When Nannies Administer Medication

When it comes to caring for children, it’s not uncommon for kids to develop illnesses that require either over-the-counter or prescription medications. For families with nannies, the responsibility of administering may be shared between the parents and the nanny.

To prevent medication mix-ups, it’s essential that there is a clear, written policy in place for both parents and nannies to follow with regards to administering medication.

First and foremost, the policy should include a statement that articulates that the nanny should only administer medication, including over-the-counter medication, with the parents’ consent. This consent should be in writing or given electronically via text or email to prevent verbal miscommunication.

Second, all medications should be properly stored in their original packaging with prescribing orders and kept out of reach and sight of the children.  Any included instructions should also be kept with the medication along with the proper dosing instrument, usually an oral syringe or a calibrated cup.

Third, medication duties should be clearly defined. The fewer number of people responsible for administering medication the less likely a mix-up is to occur. If a child is scheduled to receive a morning, afternoon and evening dose of medication, assign who is responsible for administering each dose.

Fourth, the instructions should be clearly presented. Parents must be sure that their child’s nanny clearly understands the instructions for administering the medication. She should be able to articulate back what the medication is for, the correct dosing instructions and how the medication should be given, handled and stored. She should also be made aware of potential side effects and be able to articulate what conditions would require immediate medical attention.

Fifth, a log book should be kept and completed. A medication grid should be created that leaves boxes for each dose that must be given. The dosing instructions should be clearly written across the top. For each dose box fill in the exact time the medication was given, the amount of medication that was administered and the initials of the person who administered the medication. The log should be reviewed prior to administering each dose.

Regardless of who is giving medication the basic nursing rule of three should be followed. The medication label should be checked three times prior to giving the medication. The first time when you pick up the medication and remove it from where it’s being stored, the second when you are preparing to give it and the third when you go to give it.

For children who require ongoing medical treatment, parents may wish to hire a nanny with a nursing background. Morningside Nannies represents nannies who have backgrounds as nursing students, certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. To learn more about our current pool of qualified candidates, contact a placement specialist today at (713) 526-3989.

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Turning a Part-Time Job Into a Full-Time One

For many parents, finding a nanny to provide part-time care is a real challenge. Many career nannies require full-time employment, so parents who are recruiting nannies to work less than 30 hours per week can have trouble filling their positions quickly.

There are, however, ways that parents can make their part-time positions more appealing and attractive to qualified  caregivers.

Think in terms of wage requirements. Part-time nannies typically earn more per hour than full-time nannies since benefits and job security are rarely offered. By slightly upping your hourly rate you may be able to meet the full-time wage requirements for a caregiver you wish to hire part-time.

Transition the position to that of a nanny/household manager or nanny/housekeeper. Perhaps the salary requirement isn’t the issue; you simply don’t want to pay for hours that aren’t worked. If you require 30 hours of childcare, but the nanny requires the position to have at least 40, consider how you could use the 10 hours that separate you. Perhaps your nanny can take on household duties and responsibilities like grocery shopping, cooking dinner or running errands or maybe she’ll be willing to double as your housekeeper. If you reduce the hourly rate but increase the hours, you may be able to match the nanny’s salary requirements.

Share a nanny. Do you have a friend who could use a little help caring for the kids? Perhaps you utilize the nanny for the 25 hours of childcare you need and your friend or neighbor uses and pays for the other 15. When sharing a nanny, you may be able to come up full-time hours and full-time pay, making it a win-win for the nanny.

Break the Job into Base and Flex Hours. In addition to your set schedule, consider banking the additional hours to be used as flextime. With those additional hours per week, you won’t have to worry about working late, getting help during bedtime or finding a sitter for date night.

Consider the costs of summer care, sick care and school vacation care. If you’re children are in school and you work, you’re going to need someone to provide care when school is closed, your children are mildly ill and during school breaks. Instead of paying a premium for those services, see if you can stretch your nanny’s schedule and pay to cover 52 weeks of full-time care.  

Hire a Morningside Nannies caregiver. Morningside Nannies has a pool of prescreened and qualified caregivers ready to provide care when you need it most. With our part-time and temporary nannies you only pay for hours you need coverage and for the services you require.

Before writing off the need for a full-time household staff member, reconsider your family’s care needs and budget. In some instances, hiring one full-time employee can be more cost-effective than outsourcing services to a variety of home care and childcare providers.

Whether you’re in the market for childcare or household help, give a Morningside Nannies placement specialist a call today at (713) 526-3989 to find a customized solution to your home and family care needs.

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When Nannies Use Their Cars to Drive the Kids

Each day many nannies drive the children to and from activities in their own vehicles without second thought, but when it comes to transporting children for work if it’s not carefully thought through, it can be risky business.

Whether you’re a parent searching for a nanny willing to use her own vehicle for transporting the kids, or a nanny who currently transports the children in her vehicle, there are a few things worth considering before you continue.

1. Nanny’s Driving Record. Before allowing a nanny to transport the children, a thorough review of her driving record is in order. Being aware of a nanny’s driving history can help parents make an educated and informed decision about letting the nanny transport their kids. Nannies who transport children should always drive responsibly and strive to maintain an untarnished record, since in addition to being the right thing to do, a driving record may be used in hiring consideration.
2. Vehicle Condition. The vehicle used to transport the children should be safe and properly maintained. Vehicles should be able to pass regular inspection and undergo regular maintenance. All safety belts and other safety devices should be working properly and the vehicle should not be in need of repair.
3. Automobile Insurance. Nannies should confirm with their automobile insurance agent that their policy covers transporting children for work. If it doesn’t the additional coverage should be added. Typically, there will be a small increase in premium to secure the appropriate coverage. Parents will often cover or split the cost of increasing policy coverage for work.
4. Car Seats. The nanny should have appropriate car seats properly installed for each child. Resist the urge to move seats back and forth between the parents and nanny’s vehicle to prevent installation errors. Nannies should have the car seat installations inspected by a Certified Passenger Safety Technician. Visit www.cert.safekids.org to connect with one of the several certified techs in the Houston area.
5.  Reimbursement. Nannies should be reimbursed for using the vehicle on the job. The IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate, effective January 1, 2019, is 58 cents per mile. This reimbursement covers gas and normal wear and tear and is only valid for miles used during work, not on commuting miles.

When parents provide the nanny a vehicle to use during working hours, they should be sure to add the nanny to their automobile policy as an additional insured driver and be sure a petty cash fund or other system is established to ensure that the vehicle always has gas.

 

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Creating a Well-Rounded Day

In addition to naps, meals and snacks, snuggles and laughter, personal attention and gentle guidance, nannies should engage children in several core areas to give the children in their care a well-rounded experience each day.

One way nannies can do this is by engaging children in age-appropriate physically, intellectually and socially stimulating activities.

These include:

Reading. Children of all ages can benefit from being read to. Nannies should set aside time each day to share a book with the children in their care. While babies and young children will enjoy looking at picture books, readers may enjoy reading to themselves or their caregiver.

Music. Nannies can do more than sing and dance with their charges; they can also encourage children to make their own music by playing kid-friendly musical instruments or even crafting their own. If there aren’t any instruments or supplies to make them around, don’t worry. With just their voices, pots and pans and a couple of wooden spoons children can create their own symphony.

Art. In addition to providing children the opportunity to create, engaging in arts and crafts can help children develop fine motor skills. Older babies can even eat their creations if they finger paint with pudding on their highchair trays. Older children can paint with cotton swabs or brushes, cut and glue on their own embellishments to their artwork or use soft dough to create their own three dimensional masterpiece.

Imaginary play. From dressing up as a teacher or police man to playing restaurant or architect, children should be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. Get out the cash register, pretend food or building blocks and welcome the kids into the magical world of make pretend.

Outside time. Unless the weather won’t allow for it, make an effort to spend time outside each day. Whether it’s talking a walk or playing in the backyard, fresh air and an opportunity to experience the great outdoors is an essential part of a child’s day.

Free play. Simply giving children a time to explore and play in a safe environment can provide for new and natural learning opportunities. A child’s work is truly their play.

Social opportunities. By talking the children to age-appropriate venues like the local library or indoor playspace or by hosting or attending playgroups or mommy and me type classes, children get to interact with their peers and others in their community. Playing with other children provides an opportunity to build friendships and learn to get along well with others.

When nannies make time to engage children in these core areas they are helping to provide a stimulating early childhood experience and fostering the development of a well-rounded child.

At Morningside Nannies we encourage our nannies to spend their time with children wisely. As early childhood educators and advocates we expect our nannies to provide children with rich, hands-on experiences. To learn more about the nannies we place, contact a Morningside Nannies placement specialist today at (713) 526-3989.

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7 Factors That Influence Nanny Wages

At Morningside Nannies, one of the most frequently asked questions of both parents and nannies is “What is the going rate for nannies?”

While there is no set formula you can use to determine a fair wage for a nanny, there are several important factors that can be used to help determine a fair, competitive nanny wage. These seven factors strongly contribute to a nanny’s earning potential and can help you determine how much to pay your nanny.

1. The current market. When considering hiring a nanny or accepting work as one, it’s important to understand the current market.  Across the country nanny wages vary significantly based on geographical location. Nannies who work in major metropolitan markets like New York or Los Angeles, for example, earn more than those who work in smaller markets like Rhode Island or Milwaukee. In the Houston area, nannies generally earn from $16 to $18 per hour, however depending on the job requirements and nanny’s qualifications, the hourly rate could rise to $20 per hour particularly for competitive positions such as for part-time after school jobs.
2. Experience. When it comes to determining a nanny’s earning potential, experience is king. A well-referenced nanny with ten years of experience has a higher earning potential than a well-referenced nanny with two years of experience. The more experience and the more experience a nanny has that is specific to a family’s care needs, the more a nanny will earn.
3. Education. A nanny’s education will also impact her earning potential. A nanny who has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education can command more per hour than a nanny who does not. Nannies with advanced education and specialized training will also earn more than nannies who do not.
4. Skillset. When considering a nanny’s earning potential her skillset will also come into play. If a nanny can teach a child a second language or teach a child how to ride a horse or play an instrument, for example, a family who is looking for a nanny who is qualified to do teach those things is prepared to pay a premium.
5. Job duties and responsibilities. Nannies are responsible for providing attentive, quality childcare and undertaking all of the tasks related to providing that care. If the parents require their nanny to take on additional household or housekeeping duties and responsibilities, they’ll be expected to pay more.
6. Living status. Nannies who live with their employers receive room and board as part of their compensation package. While live-in nannies used to earn less than their live-out counterparts, the current trend is that they are earning the equivalent or more. This is because the living arrangement typically is a benefit to the family and not the nanny.
7. Wage laws. All nannies are required to be paid at least minimum wage for each hour worked and live-out nannies are required to be paid overtime at the rate of 1.5 times their hourly base rate for all hour worked over 40 in a 7-day period. As of 2017, the minimum wage in Texas is $7.25, the same as federal minimum wage. For parents who require more than 40 hours of service from their nanny and wish to pay their nanny a set “salary” per week, the amount must be broken down into a base hourly wage and an overtime hourly wage and both wages must comply with wage and labor laws.

Parents who pay fair wages and offer a competitive salary package are better able to attract and retain qualified household staff. Parents who offer non-taxable benefits like contributions towards their nanny’s health insurance premium are likely to pay less per hour than those who do not.

When considering nanny care, it’s important for parents to remember that unlike in daycare, nannies get paid per family and not per child. While nannies typically receive a modest pay increase if a child is born during their contract, their rates are based per family, not per child.

Morningside Nannies represents qualified caregivers who have a range of wage requirements. Contact a Morningside Nannies placement specialist today at (713) 526-3989 to discuss your childcare needs and budget.

 

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Nanny or Babysitter? What’s the Difference?

When it comes to in-home childcare terms and definitions, the terms nanny and babysitter often cause the most confusion. While many people believe a nanny and babysitter are one in the same, this is simply not the case.

Many parents and caregivers new to private service use the terms nanny and babysitter interchangeably, however job descriptions and caregiving roles of each are separate and distinct.

A nanny is a childcare specialist who is employed by parents to provide personalized, customized and attentive care to the family’s children in their private home. Nannies partner with parents to help raise the children and are concerned about the children’s ongoing social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development. Depending on the model of nanny care, a nanny may receive specific, daily instructions from the parents or may be in charge of planning the children’s day herself. Nannies typically work 40 to 60 hours per week and may live with the family or live in their own private residence.

A babysitter is hired by the parents to provide a short-term or occasional childcare for the family’s children, typically in their own home. A babysitter may be hired to care for the children for the evening so mom or dad can have some time to themselves or during the week so both parents can attend a school meeting.  While on duty, a babysitter’s main concern is keeping the children safe and engaged until the parents return home. A babysitter focuses on meeting the children’s immediate needs and does so by following the instructions provided by the parents. A babysitter may not have formal childcare experience or training or may be a fully qualified nanny, as many nannies choose to take on babysitting jobs to earn additional income.

While babysitters and nannies may share similar skillsets and levels of experience, it’s their role and responsibilities that really differentiate the two. These differences become especially important when parents begin searching for a private childcare provider.  A parent who hires a babysitter to provide full-time care for her children, for example, will likely end up disappointed in the intensity of care the children receive since a babysitter’s role isn’t to play an active part in forming discipline strategies, educating the children or investing in their ongoing moral growth and development.

For parents who need a few hours of childcare coverage every so often, having a pool of prescreened babysitters to choose from can help to ensure they can secure the childcare they need when they need it most.

At Morningside Nannies, we have a team of prescreened on-call and temporary babysitters and nannies available to meet the care needs of Houston based families. Call one of our placement specialists today to learn more about our babysitting and temporary nanny services at (713) 526-3989.

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Is Working for a Stay-at-Home Mom Right for You?

At Morningside Nannies we place nannies with all types of Houston based families. While many of our clients are couples who both work outside the home, we also place nannies in homes with stay-at-home moms.

At Morningside Nannies, we believe that for a placement to be successful, it’s important for the right nanny to be placed in the right job with the right family. When considering working for a stay-at-home mom, a nanny must consider if doing so would be personally and professionally fulfilling.

In our experience, nannies who successfully work and enjoy working for a stay-at-home mom have five main traits.

Even the best nanny won’t be the right nanny for every family and every family situation. Before considering a position with a stay-at-home mom, nannies must evaluate if they’ll enjoy working closely and sharing the childcare responsibilities while on duty with their employer.

If you’re seeking a new position in the Houston area, contact a Morningside Nannies placement specialist at (713) 526-3989 to learn about our current job opportunities.

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Keeping Nanny On When the Kids Go to School

In the nanny world, it’s not unusual with parents to hire a nanny when their first child is born and keep her on until their last child goes off to school. Having a consistent, long-term caregiver is, mind you, one of the many benefits of hiring a nanny.

However, once the last child of the family starts kindergarten, saying goodbye to a long-term nanny isn’t easy. Many parents have come to rely on their nanny as a constant source of support, a real parenting partner and a trusted advisor on all things parenting and as a result, more and more families are opting to keep their nanny employed.

But that decision is more than an emotional one. For parents who are used to having a full-time nanny, the thought of having to secure and pay for childcare due to school closings and holidays, summer vacation and school breaks, not to mention for before and after school care and for when the kids get sick, is a real concerning one. For this reason, many parents feel justified in keeping their nanny employed full-time even if during the school year full-time childcare isn’t required. Not having to worry who is going to pick-up a sick child or deliver a forgotten lunch can make paying the nanny for on-call hours more than worth it.

Since parents can’t be in two places at once, having another adult who is ready and able to transport children to afterschool lessons and activities can be a real lifesaver. Those extra sets of hands and wheels can mean the difference between children participating in activities and not, not to mention having a little help assisting with homework and getting dinner started for the children.

And as children get older, many nannies also naturally transition into the role of household manager. With the children in school part of the morning, a nanny who is willing to take on a household management role can grocery shop, take the cars in for service, schedule and supervise home maintenance and repairs, organize closets, run errands and tackle other household related tasks can become a real asset to their work family.

So while you may have been thinking about letting your nanny go once your child enters school, you may want to reconsider those thoughts. While you may wish to explore part-time and occasional childcare alternatives, in many cases the convenience and comfort of keeping a full-time nanny on can be worth any savings sacrificed.

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5 Books to Add to Your Nanny Library

While there certainly isn’t one single book or parenting strategy that will work for every parent or nanny, with every child, all of the time, there are many books that provide helpful insight and information to those who care for children.  The following books are worthy reads and are considered solid reference books for nannies.

1. Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care by Michelle LaRowe and Sara McCormack Hoffman. While originally designed to be a study guide for the International Nanny Association (INA) Nanny Credential Exam, this textbook belongs on every nanny’s bookshelf. Covering topics ranging from health, safety and emergency preparedness to early childhood development, it’s a great resource for those working with children in a private setting. The book is available in both English and Spanish and can be purchased from INA directly at www.nanny.org.
2. 1-2-3 Magic. Effective Discipline for Children 2 – 12 by Thomas Phelan. 1-2-3 Magic outlines an effective, non-emotional approach to discipline that focuses on stopping undesirable behaviors and starting good ones. The book is full of practical, simple and straightforward tips that can truly transform a child’s behavior.
3. What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff. A simple, easy to read reference guide, What to Expect the First Year is full of tons of questions and answers that most nannies and parents will have.  Addressing everything from baby care to child development, it’s a handy resource that will spend more time in your hands then on the bookshelf.
4. Baby and Child Health: The Essential Guide from Birth to 11 Years by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Broken into five sections that address children’s physical, emotional and intellectual health, Baby and Child Health is a great resource on many topics including raising healthy children, researching symptoms and diagnoses, understanding diseases and disorders and learning about first aid and caring for ill children.
5. Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber, MD. In Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems Dr. Richard Ferber provides evidence-based advice for helping parents to establish healthy sleep habits and address sleep problems in their children. As readers learn about sleep and body rhythms, they’ll learn effective ways to help increase the quality and quantity of their child’s sleep.

Reading childcare related books taken out from the local library provides a free way for nannies to gain new knowledge. In addition to reading these books and others, if nannies work with parents who adhere to a specific style of parenting or prefer a specific method of parenting, they should read up on that style or method so that they can gain a clearer understanding of the parents’ childrearing approach.

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