The Official Blog of Morningside Nannies

Is a Nanny Share Your Solution to Finding a Quality Part-Time Provider?

For parents seeking part-time childcare, sharing a nanny can be a cost effective option. Sharing a nanny secures parents the childcare coverage they need and allows the children to receive the consistent, quality care they deserve.

When it comes to sharing a nanny, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all model. In fact, a nanny share arrangement can be as flexible as you need it to be. For parents who need a nanny in the evenings, sharing a nanny with a family who utilizes her during the mornings and afternoons may be a great solution. For parents who require daytime coverage, sharing a nanny with another family during those hours can also work well. For parents who work a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, sharing a nanny with parents who need coverage on Tuesday and Thursday can be a suitable arrangement. Depending on your child care needs, you may opt to find another family with coordinating or complimentary care needs.

In addition to splitting the childcare expenses with another family, a nanny share has other benefits. In a nanny share children have a built-in playmate, which can foster socialization and the development of a close friendship. Parents also gain support from another set of parents who they can bounce parenting ideas off of and even trade babysitting duties so both sets of parents can enjoy an occasional sitter-fee free date night. With four parents if the nanny gets sick or needs a day off, there is also a built-in backup plan if parents are willing to take turns taking days off from work to pinch hit for their nanny.

Many professional nannies aren’t interested in taking on part-time work only, so finding a qualified part-time nanny can be challenging. Securing a nanny full-time hours by finding a family who has complimentary care needs or meeting her salary requirements by coordinating with another family opens up the door to a larger pool of qualified candidates to choose from.

Of course, to make a nanny share work, both families have to be willing to hammer out the logistics, interview a nanny and negotiate when it comes to parenting style and expectations. Working out the details like where the nanny will provide care, what will happen if one of the children gets sick and how it will be handled when one family takes a vacation will take some consideration and forethought. Drafting a written work agreement with the other family and then together with the nanny can clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations.

At Morningside Nannies we are seeing an increasing number of families interested in nanny share arrangements. If you’re interested in learning more about sharing a nanny, please contact a placement specialist at 713.526.3989.

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Developing a Household Binder

For many busy families, organizing important household can be a challenge. In addition to organizing basic household information, families with nannies typically have three adult schedules and several children’s schedules to coordinate and manage.

Having a family binder can ensure all important information has a home and can easily be accessed by both parents and nannies. Make your own household binder by adding printed sheets of information and plastic sheet covers and baseball card sleeves to a three ring binder.

The following is a list of information that can be helpful to include.

Children’s Information

Name
Date of Birth
Allergies
Medical Issues
Medications
Clothing Sizes
Immunization History
Authorization to Treat Form
Schedule and Routine

Children’s Contacts

Children’s Pediatrician
Children’s Dentist
Children’s School
Children’s Playmates
Children’s Coaches/Teachers
Pharmacy
Local Library
Local Venues Visited

Insurance Contacts

Children’s Medical Insurance Card
Automobile Insurance Policy Information and Agent Contact
Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Information and Agent Contact

Emergency Contacts

Fire Department
Police Department
Poison Control
Poison Control
Local Hospital
AAA
Mother’s Complete Work Contact Information
Father’s Complete Work Contact Information
Neighbor Complete Contact Information
Local Family Member Complete Contact Information
Out of State Family Member Complete Contact Information

Household Information

House Rules
Alarm Code
Utilities Contact
Landscaper Contact
Plumber Contact
Election Contact
Housekeeper Contact
Auto Mechanic Contact
Baseball Card Sleeve for Holding Business Cards, Library Cards and Museum Passes
Take-Out Menus

Schedules and Calendars

Family Calendar
Parents Work Schedule
Nanny Schedule
School Schedule
Carpool Schedule
Yearly Calendar
Dates to Remember

Depending on your family and household, not all information will apply, you may wish to add more or you may not be comfortable making information like your homeowner’s insurance information readily available to your nanny. The neat thing about a household binder is it’s your to customize however you see fit.

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The 5S’s of Returning Back to Work

Even if you know you have chosen the best childcare provider, returning to work after welcoming a new baby requires a bit of getting used to. Whether you’re going back to work because you financially have to or because you want to, you’ll likely experience a mix of happiness, sadness, guilt and doubt.

As you prepare for your transition back into the workforce, consider these tips:

Solidify your childcare arrangements. If you’re not confident in your childcare provider, you won’t be able to focus on your work. For parents who wish to handpick their childcare provider and have the most control over how their baby spends her day, hiring a Morningside Nanny is the most suitable option.
Set up a routine. When it comes to managing kids and career, a routine will allow you to maximize the time in a day. Wake up a few minutes before your baby so you can tend to your own morning needs before having to tend to his. You’ll also want to do what you can the night before, including getting your clothing out for the day. If you opt for daycare, rather than an in-home provider, you’ll also want to be sure your baby’s bag is packed and ready to go the night before too.
Schedule time for yourself. Whether you pencil in a time-out to soak in the bathtub or return a phone call to a friend, add an appointment with yourself to your daily planner. If you don’t take care of your own needs, you won’t be able to take care of the needs of others.
Skip the guilt. Morningside Nannies team member Michelle LaRowe often says “guilt is mommyversal.” If you’re making the best decisions for your family, that’s all that matters. Whether you work or stay home, you’ll always find something to feel guilty about. Give yourself a mental break and allow yourself to enjoy being at home and work and embrace the additional love from others your baby receives.
Surround yourself with support. When you’re managing work, home and family, it’s important to surround yourself with supportive people and services. When managing home, delegate what you can. Do your grocery shopping online, order take-out once a week; use a dry cleaner that picks up and drops off and signup for Morningside Nannies back-up and temporary care services so extra help is always a phone call away. And when family and friends ask how they can help, let them know. Whether it’s bringing over a meal or snuggling with your baby while you catch a nap, they’ll truly be glad to help.

The Morningside Nannies team is dedicated to helping parents find the right childcare solutions for their family. Contact a placement specialist today at 713.526.3989 to learn more about how hiring a qualified nanny can benefit your family.

Posted in Advice for Parents | Tagged back to work, mommy guilt | Comments Off

5 Solutions for Common Problems Nanny and Employers Face

Even in the best of relationships an occasional problem surfaces. This is no different in the relationship between a nanny and her employers. Fortunately, in the nanny and employer relationship preventive measures can eliminate or minimize most common problems nannies and parents face.

Some of the most common problems we hear about at Morningside Nannies, and our solutions to them, are included below.

Problem 1: Changing of Expectations

By nature nannies are caretakers and helpers. It’s not unusual for a nanny to go above and beyond the call of duty and tackle tasks outside of her required ones if it means lending the parents an occasional hand. However, when a nanny unloads the clean dishes in the dishwasher upon arrival because mom is running late or folds the parent’s laundry because she has to do the kids linens and they are in the dryer, these gestures can become expected daily tasks, and when that happens resentment can settle in.

Solution: Having a written work agreement that outlines the nannies duties and responsibilities can help to prevent job creep. If parents require the nanny to take on additional duties and tasks, speaking directly to the nanny about them can help to ensure everyone understands the new expectations. If the tasks are outside the scope of the work agreement, the nanny should be compensated accordingly.

Problem 2: Payroll Issues

There’s nothing worse than having to ask for your paycheck at the end of the week or to receive a paycheck that’s for less than the anticipated amount. Nannies who have to remind their employers to pay them may feel resentful for having to ask to be paid or to have the amount corrected.

Solution: Parents should provide a logbook for the nanny to track her hours in and the hours tallied in the logbook should be used to calculate the hours worked. Parents should consider utilizing a payroll service like Breedlove & Associates to handle their payroll needs or using direct deposit to pay their nanny promptly on a the scheduled day.

Problem 3: On Time Arrivals

Parents depend on nannies to arrive on time so that they can meet their personal or professional obligations. Nannies depend on parents to arrive home on time so that they can end their workday and fulfill their own commitments. While of course parents understand that nannies can be late due to no fault of their own and nannies understand parents can get tied up at work, if being punctual is an ongoing problem, it’s going to create stress and tension in the nanny and employer relationship.

Solution: When providing the nanny with her schedule parents should avoid presenting the best case scenario. If they’re scheduled to get off of work at 6 but they know that rarely happens, they should adjust the nanny’s hours accordingly. Nannies should allow adequate time to get to work in the morning and make an effort to arrive a few minutes early so that they are ready to begin their day at their scheduled time.

Problem 4: Miscommunication

Miscommunications can arise when parents and nannies don’t fully communicate scheduling changes, expectations or information. Forgetting to tell a nanny that an afternoon playdate has been scheduled or assuming mom passed along the message that dad would be late that evening can be problematic.

Solution: Setting the stage for effective communication is important. Having a logbook or journal, a family calendar, a morning and evening debriefing session and weekly meetings can help to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Problem 5: Presenting a United Front

When addressing behavioral issues with the children, if the parents and nanny aren’t united in their behavioral expectations, setting of consequences the children will sense a crack in the parenting team and will take advantage of it.

Solution: Parents and nannies should strive to create a supportive environment. If the parents disagree on the way a nanny has handled a situation, instead of overriding her decision in front of the children, the parents should speak to the nanny in private and provide alternative ways of handling the situation.

Like with any relationship, when a problem comes up, addressing it and working it out as soon as possible minimizes the impact on the relationship. We encourage families to have open and honest communication and to address issues as they arise.

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Rainy Day Fun in Houston

Being stuck indoors when the kids have loads of energy is no fun. Fortunately, Houston is home to many indoor attractions geared towards children. In addition to the local library or mall play space; there are other fun venues that may be the perfect cure to cabin fever.

Visit the Children’s Museum of Houston

Visiting the Children’s Museum of Houston is a great way to spend a rainy day. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10am to 6pm and Sundays noon to 6pm, adults and children over one enter the museum for just $9 and on Thursdays between 5pm and 8pm, museum admission is free. With 14 hands-on galleries, children can enjoy a fun and educational interactive experience. Check the museum’s website to plan your adventure and make the most out of your trip.

Head to Happy Playground

Heading to Happy Playground will give the kids a chance to play and party. Open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 5pm and Fridays from 10am to 3pm for open play, kids can run, play and climb in a safe and clean indoor environment. Open play is $8 per child with no charge for adults.

Jump on over to Fun Max Jump In

Jump on over the Fun Max Jump in Webster and let the kids jump and bounce on giant inflatables. With an obstacle course inflatable and an inflatable set aside for younger kids, the kids are sure to get some energy out. Open gym times vary, so visit contact Fun Max Jump In prior to heading out. Open play is $7 per child and adults are free.

Wander over to Wonderwild

Wander over to Wonderwild for the kids Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm (summer hours 9am to 7pm) for open play. For $10 for walkers and $8 for pre-walkers, kids can explore soft play structures, jumping pillow and inflatables. Siblings under 9 months and adults are free. Wonderwild is sure to be a wonderful adventure for children ages 8 and under.

But if heading out isn’t on your agenda, don’t worry. We’ve got some creative ideas for you to try out at home. Consider getting crafty with these three Morningside Nannies staff favorites.

Fill a large soda bottle with rice and add small items like a plastic doll shoe, a piece of hard candy, a broken piece of chalk and coins. Tape the cap shut. Shake it up and see what the kids can find.

Bake a batch of cookies. This deliciously good activity even has an educational component. Reinforce basic math skills by having the kids help with measuring, pouring and mixing. For a twist, have the kids decorate make and bake sugar cookies for decorating.

Make homemade play dough. In a pan on the stovetop mix together two cups of flour, two cups of warm water, 1 cup of salt, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar. Heat and stir until a dough forms. Add food coloring or powdered drink mix to add color.

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Changes to the IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate for 2013

Morningside Nannies encourages parents with nannies who use their own vehicle to transport the children and run work-related errands to reimburse their nannies according to the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate.

The IRS mileage reimbursement rate is designed to cover transportation costs including gas, vehicle maintenance and vehicle wear and tear during working hours. The miles a nanny commutes to and from work are not eligible for reimbursement.

As of January 1, 2013, the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate will be $56.5 cents per mile. This amount is one cent higher than the 2012 rate.

Nannies can keep track of work-related mileage by:

Keeping a log book in the vehicle and tracking the starting and ending mileage.
Purchase and use a notepad especially designed to track mileage.
Use an iPhone app like Trip Cubby, Tap2Track or a variety of other available applications.

Once nannies have tracked their mileage for the pay period, they should tally up the miles, multiply them by the mileage reimbursement rate and turn in a reimbursement request to their employers including the number of miles driver, the mileage reimbursement rate and the total requested reimbursement.

Prior to nannies transporting children in their own vehicle, they should confirm that their automobile policy covers transporting children for work. If it doesn’t, the policy should be changed to include such coverage.

Nannies should also ensure that they have proper child passenger restraints correctly installed in their vehicle and that they have a clear understanding on how to safely use them.

Posted in Advice for Nannies, Advice for Parents | Tagged nannies and families, paying nanny | Comments Off

Making Morning and Evening Transitions a Cinch

For parents and nannies, the daily morning and evening transition, more accurately described as the changing of the guard, can be quite stressful. If it happens too fast, the children may feel like they forgot to say goodbye, which can lead to an off start to the next segment of the day. If it takes too long, the children may resist the change, making the transition more dramatic and tantrum filled than it needs to be, leaving everyone to start the next segment of the day on a low note.

So what’s the solution?

At Morningside Nannies we encourage parents and nannies to work together to develop a simple routine that they follow during the morning and evening transition.

In the mornings this may include:

Keeping the pre-nanny morning routine consistent. Knowing that his nanny is going to show up to get him out of bed or right after breakfast will help him to understand what to expect in his day.

Creating a positive association with the arrival of the nanny. If a child is sitting happily, watching his favorite Thomas the Train episode, shutting it off right before nanny comes in will be a recipe for disaster. Instead, have the nanny join him to finish watching his favorite morning show and they can shut it off to start their day together.

Have a special goodbye mom or dad ritual. “See you later alligator, in a while crocodile” followed by a high five and a fist bump may be all it takes to establish a fun way of saying goodbye. A hug, handshake and hearty wave can help encourage successful separation.

In the evenings this may include:

Keeping the pre mom or dad arrival routine consistent. Perhaps the last thing the nanny does before mom or dad arrives home is to give the kids a bath or read a story to them. Knowing that mom or dad will arrive after a specific activity can help children to anticipate what comes next.

Having mom or dad change into “play clothes” when returning home. Nothing signals its mommy time like cozy clothes that are designed to be climbed on. By coming in and getting changed you are signaling to the kids that you’ve transitioned from work to home and are ready to focus on family.

Having a special goodbye nanny ritual. Singing a short goodbye song., chanting a special phrase you’ve come up with together or beeping the horn before you drive away can help the kids to disconnect and move onto mom and dad time more successfully.

While it can be tempting to give just one more hug or high five, prolonging transitions often does more harm than good. Saying goodbye and then following through by leaving signals to a child that she’s in safe and in competent hands. For moms who feel anxious, calling home ten minutes after you’ve left can help ease anxiety. You’ll likely hear lots of giggles and laughter on the other end of the line.

Some children just have a tough time separating and transitioning. With patience and consistency overtime they should more easily adjust to the routine. If a child continues to have a challenge separating and doesn’t calm down after a parent has left, evaluate the routine and the quality of the connection the child and nanny share.

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5 Pillars of a Healthy Nanny and Employer Relationship

When you think about it, there’s hardly a more intimate working relationship that exists than that between a nanny and her employers. The nature of the work and the workplace naturally lend themselves to employers and employees developing a deeper relationship than those engaged in many other types of working arrangements. For this reason, defining the nanny and employer relationship and the boundaries that govern it can be a bit complex and subjective.

In some families, the nanny is treated like a cherished member of the family, invited to family celebrations and included in all family events, while in others, the nanny is treated like a valued employee, the line between employer and employee never being crossed. While neither is necessarily right nor wrong, the attributes of one will likely feel more comfortable to each party.

Regardless of which of these attributes the relationship takes on, however, there are certain traits that are found in every healthy nanny and employer relationship.

At Morningside Nannies, as parents and nannies enter into new working relationships we stress the importance of building them on these five pillars.

Trust

Parents and nannies must work together to develop and foster a culture of trust. Both parties must be willing to trust each other and must be confident in each other’s intentions and abilities.

Building trust starts with being honest, setting and honoring boundaries, being reliable, keeping your word and by being transparent.

Trust isn’t developed overnight. It can take weeks, months or more to develop. It can also be broken overnight.

Mutual Respect

Parents and nannies must have mutual respect for each other for the employment relationship to succeed. Both parents and nannies must value the role each person plays in the household and in the lives of the children.

Mutual respect means having value for each other’s boundaries and each other’s time. It means backing each other up in front of the children, praising in public and criticizing in private. Having mutual respect means treating each other with concern, fairly and courteously, especially in front of others.

Mutual respect can be established from the start of the relationship.

Open Communication

Parents and nannies must work to foster an environment where open communication is appreciated and valued. Open communication allows nannies and parents to share information, concerns and aspirations as they work together to raise the children.

To keep the lines of communication open, parents and nannies can establish a quick morning and evening debriefing routine, maintain a daily log, have a daily check-in time and hold a weekly or monthly meeting.

Parents and nannies should encourage each other to bring up concerns as they come up, to ask questions and to share feelings or concerns with confidence that they’ll be listened to.

Commitment

Parents and nannies must make every effort to honor their commitments. In any relationship, when issues arise walking away can seem like the easy solution. Parents and nannies will experience ups and downs in their working relationship and as long as the child’s safety isn’t of concern, trying to work them out can often be the best solution.

If parents and nannies don’t commit to addressing problems and honoring their commitments, it can be easy for one party to be fearful the other will walk away, which adds unnecessary stress and strain to the working relationship.

When it is known that both parties are vested in the relationship and committed to it, there’s a willingness to invest the time and energy required to improve the working relationship.

Healthy nanny and employer relationships are worth establishing and maintaining. When the employer and employee relationship is healthy, the parents, the nanny and most importantly, the children, benefit from it.

Posted in Advice for Nannies, Advice for Parents | Tagged nannies and families, nannies and parents, nanny relationship | Comments Off

Work-Life Issues Nannies and Parents Should Discuss

When it comes to nannies and families, certain issues come up that are unique to working in a private home. Issues surrounding social media use, computer and phone use, personal errands, getting out of the house and meals are likely to be problematic if the topics aren’t addressed between a nanny and her employer up front.

At Morningside Nannies, we encourage our clients and nannies to have discussions about these five work-life related issues.

Social Media Use

For some nannies and parents, posting images on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter depicting their daily comings and goings is second nature. For others, they’ve been proactive and have purposely kept images of themselves, their children or their charges off of the Internet.

When it comes to sharing images and information on the Internet, not all parents and nannies feel the same way. What one person views as a checking-in with friends and family, another may view as a major safety violation.

It’s important for nannies and parents to discuss what’s acceptable and what’s not when it comes to sharing information and images on the Internet. Some parents are fine if the nanny talks about the child by first initial only and only posts images where you can’t see the child’s face, others won’t allow any sharing of images and information and still others give the nanny free reign so share whatever she feels appropriate because social media gives them a way to keep up with their nanny and child’s daily adventures while they’re away.

Phone and Computer Use

With technology that can keep you constantly connected, it’s no surprise that most nannies will have smart phones, iPods or other pocket-sized devices. While most nannies understand that personal calls should be kept to a minimum during working hours, what’s acceptable and what’s not when it comes to being online or on the phone is something that nannies and parents must hammer out.

Most parents recognize that nannies work long hours without lots of adult interaction, and as such, allow them to use the computer and phone during their downtime- when the children are napping or resting.

While most nannies realize the importance of not talking or texting when driving, it is always good to issue a reminder that when at playground, on a play date or otherwise interacting with the children, the children need their caregiver’s undivided and uninterrupted attention.

Since some parents enjoy getting regular texts and images from their nannies and others don’t, it’s important for parents to clarify expectations with regards to their nanny’s phone and computer use. To do so parents and nannies should have a conversation about what each feels is appropriate and come to an agreement about talking, texting and web surfing during working hours.

Personal Errands

It’s no secret that nanny’s work bankers and doctors hours. For many nannies, it’s impossible to get to the bank, the post office or make a doctor’s appointment outside of her working hours.

While some parents prefer the nanny take the day off to do her errands and schedule her appointments, others prefer the nanny take their child along with her to complete her errands, if she is willing, instead.

If a nanny is out doing errands for the family, some parents won’t mind if the nanny makes a stop to deposit money in the bank or pick up a coffee from Starbucks while others would consider such acts a major violation of trust.

It’s important for parents and nannies to fully discuss what’s allowed and what’s not when it comes to running personal errands on the job.

Getting Out of the House

Most nannies expect that they’ll be allowed to transport the children to and from activities and outings. Nannies who have taken a position and learn that their employer’s had different expectations, may become a bit disspointed.

Some parents are comfortable with their nanny driving their children anywhere and everywhere, others have rules that allow non-highway driving only. Still others may only allow the nanny to transport the children if absolutely necessary.

Having a discussion about transporting the children is essential to ensure both parents and nannies are on the same page. In addition to transportation rules, if the nanny is driving her vehicle it is essential that the nanny confirms her automobile policy covers transporting children for work and if it doesn’t the necessary policy changes are made. If the nanny is using her vehicle, she should also be reimbursed in accordance with the IRS mileage reimbursement rate. If the nanny will be using a family provided vehicle, the parents should ensure the nanny is listed as an additional driver.

Most parents understand that it is healthy for both the nanny and child to attend play groups, age-appropriate outings and activities together. Interacting with peers provides for opportunities for social growth and development. Discussing the parameters of how interactions can take place can ensure that the nanny and child form healthy bonds with their peers.

Meals

It’s no surprise that nannies eat a meal or two on the job given the number of hours they work each day. But when it comes to eating the family’s food, it’s different strokes for different folks.

Many parents have no issue with the nanny preparing and sharing meals with the children. Others prefer their nanny to bring their own food to work with them. Still others set aside a special place in the fridge and pantry for the nanny to stockpile her staples. But even the most casual parent who gives the nanny open access to the fridge may have specialty foods that are off limits to everyone else.

Discussing expectations when it comes to eating on the job is important. Even employers of live-in nannies who provide room and board as part of their nanny’s compensation package should discuss food rules with their nanny. Some parents just have the nanny pick up what she wants to eat when doin the grocery shopping for the kids, others prefer the nanny to leave a list and still others simply provide a cash fund each week the nanny can use towards meals.

Determining what the expectations are of each party can prevent negative issues from arising in theworking relationship. Adding an addendum to the written work agreement outliting the resolutions you’ve come to can ensure that everyone undrerstands the mutally agreed upon expectations.

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4 Ways to Cut Nanny Costs

Many parents love the idea of nanny care but the sticker price, not so much. Fortunately, for those parents who want their children to have attentive and personalized care by a highly qualified provider, there are ways to reduce payroll costs and make in-home childcare more affordable.

At Morningside Nannies, we’re often asked how parents can reduce the costs of nanny care without sacrificing the quality of care. While parents can opt to hire a less experienced caregiver at a less expensive rate, that isn’t always the answer. In fact, we encourage parents to consider these four ways of cutting their nanny payroll costs that don’t involve slashing the nanny’s hourly wage rate.

Pay On the Books

Paying your nanny legally isn’t optional. Yet when parents learn that paying their nanny legally will result in about 10% of the nanny’s annual income in tax obligations, many opt to pay off the books and skirt their tax responsibilities. What they fail to recognize, however, is that in addition to having to pay hefty fees and back taxes when caught, parents who pay their nanny legally have access to significant tax savings and credits that can offset those out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, in some cases, the tax savings can actually be more than the employer’s share of taxes. Using a reputable nanny tax and payroll service can ensure you maximize your tax savings.

Offer Your Nanny Health Insurance

If your nanny requests that you contribute to her health insurance premium, don’t panic. In fact, you may wish to jump at the opportunity. Contributions towards an employee’s health insurance premium are considered non-taxable income. This means that neither the nanny nor the nanny employer is responsible for paying taxes on the funds contributed to health insurance. By reducing the amount of your nanny’s taxable salary, you’re also reducing your employer tax obligation, which can save you a significant some of money.

Share a Nanny

Perhaps you’re interested in all of the benefits nanny care has to offer, but the price tag that comes with it turns you off. Consider sharing a nanny with a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member who is also in need of childcare. While working out the logistics of sharing a nanny can be a little complicated at first, with a solid written agreement with both the nanny and the other set of parents, it’s completely manageable. You’ll cut your nanny care costs in half, you’ll still benefit from the flexibility and convenience nanny care offers and your child will reap the benefits of having an attentive childcare provider who can focus on meeting your child’s unique needs.

Hire a Nanny Turned Mom

It should be no surprise that many qualified, experienced and veteran nannies eventually become primary caregivers of their own children – and don’t want to leave their child in the care of another. Yet those same dedicated, highly referenced and exceptional nannies often have the most difficult time securing employment after they’ve had a child of the their own. Most professional nannies have experience caring for siblings and contrary to what some may believe, won’t be overwhelmed caring for another child along with their own. In fact they are used to juggling the needs of multiple children and if given the chance, most will prove that they won’t play favorites. If you’re looking to secure a qualified nanny at an affordable price, consider hiring a nanny who wishes to take her children to work with her. Many nannies will be willing to accept a lower hourly rate considering the benefits that come along with being able to bring their child own to work with them.

If you’re considering hiring a nanny for your children but aren’t sure about the costs involved, give one of our placement specialists a call at 713.526.3989. We’re here to help you find the best solution to your childcare needs.

Posted in Advice for Parents | Tagged nanny costs, nanny payroll, paying nanny | Comments Off

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