Are you really looking for a Nanny?
Before you go looking for one, I would advise you to consider if a Nanny is what you need.
Many use the title while not ready to back up the meaning of it.
In my experience most of those who offer to be, or who request, a Nanny should more accurately use the title of Babysitter.
The difference between the two is why my services seem to cost more than someone who intends to carry out the tasks of a babysitter; I intend and qualify to fill a very different position, with greater and many more responsibilities; requiring additional competencies, and a deeper and vaster commitment.
I bring more than the bare necessities for providing more than for a child's most immediate and basic needs, and supervising and babysitting What Is.
I bring, and commit to acquire and cultivate, competencies required and useful to assist in structuring, running, and upholding, a developmentally appropriate social, physical, and psychological environment; customized for Your child (not some generic theoretical concept of children's needs). This involves setting up and running structures that support and facilitate growth and adaptation; adaptation as outcomes of coping with and learning from the immediate and known, and adaptation as developing a set of skills and attitudes that will enable a child and empower the person he or she is becoming to thrive in and because of coming, anticipated, and unknown challenges and conditions.
I will work with you, rather than for you; you are hiring me not just to extend but to complement you.
Also, although I will be employed by you I would be your child's Nanny; it is the child’s needs I adapt to, more than yours. I will of course enforce and uphold the philosophy of parenting, the structures and values of the household, but I will do so in a way that is customized to what I learn over time of your child’s unique personality in combination with the skills and knowledge I bring.
It is crucial that you understand that while I have all the competencies stipulated by the International Nanny Association (INA), unlike a babysitter my role requires that I form deep and personal bonds of trust and attachment with your child. I will not merely be the person currently hired to carry out a check list of tasks.
So it is she or he who makes the most important judgment of my fit for the position.
While being a Nanny is extremely rewarding, it is also hard work. Nannies often work without the support or company of co-workers. In addition, Nannies also have to be prepared to work through situations where the family’s philosophy and lifestyle are considerably different from their own. If I were so lucky as to be approved as Nanny by you and your child, I will commit to being there as a caregiver for your child over the long haul; working through difficulties and investing myself not just in seeing to your child’s daily needs and well being in the present, but in supporting your child's development and lifelong growth.
I will expect that I will not be summarily fired, and will relinquish my right to quit, for the sake of a better opportunity or a whim.
So, before you go on to hire a Nanny ask yourself if that is what you really need.
Respectfully
Liza
Before you go looking for one, I would advise you to consider if a Nanny is what you need.
Many use the title while not ready to back up the meaning of it.
In my experience most of those who offer to be, or who request, a Nanny should more accurately use the title of Babysitter.
The difference between the two is why my services seem to cost more than someone who intends to carry out the tasks of a babysitter; I intend and qualify to fill a very different position, with greater and many more responsibilities; requiring additional competencies, and a deeper and vaster commitment.
I bring more than the bare necessities for providing more than for a child's most immediate and basic needs, and supervising and babysitting What Is.
I bring, and commit to acquire and cultivate, competencies required and useful to assist in structuring, running, and upholding, a developmentally appropriate social, physical, and psychological environment; customized for Your child (not some generic theoretical concept of children's needs). This involves setting up and running structures that support and facilitate growth and adaptation; adaptation as outcomes of coping with and learning from the immediate and known, and adaptation as developing a set of skills and attitudes that will enable a child and empower the person he or she is becoming to thrive in and because of coming, anticipated, and unknown challenges and conditions.
I will work with you, rather than for you; you are hiring me not just to extend but to complement you.
Also, although I will be employed by you I would be your child's Nanny; it is the child’s needs I adapt to, more than yours. I will of course enforce and uphold the philosophy of parenting, the structures and values of the household, but I will do so in a way that is customized to what I learn over time of your child’s unique personality in combination with the skills and knowledge I bring.
It is crucial that you understand that while I have all the competencies stipulated by the International Nanny Association (INA), unlike a babysitter my role requires that I form deep and personal bonds of trust and attachment with your child. I will not merely be the person currently hired to carry out a check list of tasks.
So it is she or he who makes the most important judgment of my fit for the position.
While being a Nanny is extremely rewarding, it is also hard work. Nannies often work without the support or company of co-workers. In addition, Nannies also have to be prepared to work through situations where the family’s philosophy and lifestyle are considerably different from their own. If I were so lucky as to be approved as Nanny by you and your child, I will commit to being there as a caregiver for your child over the long haul; working through difficulties and investing myself not just in seeing to your child’s daily needs and well being in the present, but in supporting your child's development and lifelong growth.
I will expect that I will not be summarily fired, and will relinquish my right to quit, for the sake of a better opportunity or a whim.
So, before you go on to hire a Nanny ask yourself if that is what you really need.
Respectfully
Liza
The following is based on The International Nanny Association's basic guidelines:
A NANNY WILL BE PREPARED TO:
Nannies must also be able to communicate effectively with both the children and their parents, keep documentation of observations and insights relevant to children’s well being and development, and be able to cooperate with authorities and other caregivers in supporting a child’s development and growth.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NANNIES
Although training, experience and personality may vary from Nanny to Nanny, all qualified Nannies share a genuine love and respect for children and have the desire to make a positive contribution in the lives of children under their care.
Nannies generally have one or more of the following in their background:
WHAT SALARY AND BENEFITS CAN A NANNY EXPECT?
It is important to note that if a Nanny is paid a salary, the salary must be translated into an hourly rate to determine whether or not the Nanny’s wages comply with the Fair Labor Standard Act. To determine whether the wages comply, divide the weekly salary by the number of hours worked to calculate the base hourly wage. If the employee works 40 or more hours in a 7 day period, overtime must be included at a rate of 1.5 times the base hourly wage. The base hourly wage must be equal to or greater than your state minimum wage. If the state minimum wage is less than the federal minimum wage, the wage must be equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage to be compliant.
Employment benefits that most Nannies receive, both live-in and live-out, typically include:
A NANNY WILL BE PREPARED TO:
- Tend to each child’s basic physical needs
- Provide explicit accounts of, and be held accountable for, past and planned actions and their rationale
- Organize play activities and outings
- Set behavioral guidelines
- Provide discipline when appropriate
- Provide social and intellectual stimulation according to each child's abilities and needs
- Provide transportation
- Do housekeeping, when related to the children
- Travel with the family.
- Do meal planning and preparation for the children
- Launder and care for clothing belonging to the children
- Identify, act upon, and care for common health problems and deceases as well as correctly perform emergency care measures while awaiting medical professional intervention.
Nannies must also be able to communicate effectively with both the children and their parents, keep documentation of observations and insights relevant to children’s well being and development, and be able to cooperate with authorities and other caregivers in supporting a child’s development and growth.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NANNIES
- A Nanny must be at least 18 years of age.
- A Nanny must have completed high school (or the equivalent).
- A Nanny must be in good general health, with proof of immunizations and, where states require, a negative TB test and/or chest x-ray.
- Nannies legally be able to accept employment in the country where they work.
Although training, experience and personality may vary from Nanny to Nanny, all qualified Nannies share a genuine love and respect for children and have the desire to make a positive contribution in the lives of children under their care.
Nannies generally have one or more of the following in their background:
- Extensive babysitting and/or daycare experience
- Experience raising a family of their own and an affinity for in-home child care
- A degree in early childhood education or elementary education and the desire to work one on one with children
- Extensive experience working with children and a desire to use their specialized skills working one on one with a child in a private residence.
WHAT SALARY AND BENEFITS CAN A NANNY EXPECT?
It is important to note that if a Nanny is paid a salary, the salary must be translated into an hourly rate to determine whether or not the Nanny’s wages comply with the Fair Labor Standard Act. To determine whether the wages comply, divide the weekly salary by the number of hours worked to calculate the base hourly wage. If the employee works 40 or more hours in a 7 day period, overtime must be included at a rate of 1.5 times the base hourly wage. The base hourly wage must be equal to or greater than your state minimum wage. If the state minimum wage is less than the federal minimum wage, the wage must be equal to or greater than the federal minimum wage to be compliant.
Employment benefits that most Nannies receive, both live-in and live-out, typically include:
- Two weeks of paid vacation each year
- 8 to 10 paid holidays off
- Health insurance or a percentage of their health insurance premium paid for as a non-taxable benefit
- Use of employer’s car during working hours
- Paid sick days.
- Contributions to retirement plans
- Annual bonuses
- Paid professional development days
- Reimbursement for professional expenses such as the INA conference attendance.