Online Babysitting Sites-Caveat Emptor

More Negative Press for SitterCity

This article comes to us from the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA). Wee Care Nanny is a long-time member and currently serves on its board.

In the past 4 weeks, there have been two additional news stories involving the online matching service, SitterCity. In one case, a Massachusetts woman was accused of stealing $40,000 in jewelry from two families she found on the website. This individual had cleared a SitterCity "background check", which we know does little more than provide a false sense of security to vulnerable parents. Another more tragic case involves a second grade teacher who has been indicted on child pornography and abuse charges. He has also been accused of participating in a child exploitation ring. While we cannot stop these terrible events from occurring, we would like to encourage all APNA agencies to continue to educate parents about the value of proper screening, reference evaluation, and background checks; all services that are included in the APNA agency process.

We at Wee Care Nanny Agency find these two cases extremely disturbing and heartbreaking. We believe the public needs to be better educated about online listing services.

Tragically, in our opinion, the proliferation of online bulletin boards like SitterCity, Care .com, Craigslist, etc. has led to increased crimes against children by inexperienced, unstable or even criminal minded individuals masquerading as professional caregivers. These sites have no barriers to entry. Anyone can post their profile on these sites and hold himself or herself out as an experienced and qualified caregiver. No one is bothering to verify the job seeker’s information before it is posted, or in some cases at all.

In light of this, we thought this was a good time to re post the article we wrote in June 2009 titled "Greenwich Nanny's Arrest Prompts Hiring Advice". We hope this provides insight on how to properly vet and hire a professional nanny, babysitter or other type of caregiver.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

My Sons, the Sous-Chefs

Children Take to the Kitchen

My five year old loves to help me in the kitchen. She washes the fruits and veggies and dices cucumbers and tomatoes with her plastic knife. She loves it and I appreciate the help and time together. I read this in the NYT today and found it interesting and a good way to get the children involved in a lifetime of healthy balanced cooking, self-expression and a great bonding experience. Obviously, safety and supervision are paramount, so know thy future chefs limitations.


Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Medication Safety Tips For the Caregiver

Medication Tips For the Caregiver
Written By : Rebecca Colmer

Did you know that the average senior takes two to seven daily medications?
As we age our bodies change, affecting the way medications (and foods) are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted.

All of these can create a greater risk of drug interactions and side effects. The more medications the care-receiver takes daily, the easier it is lose to track of how many to take and when they should be taken. Caregivers should use a medication organizer for their care-receiver. Consider these other tips: Continue article here


Posted by Wee Care Companions

Eldercare: Keeping Seniors Active and Engaged

Thought we would pass this information along to our dedicated companions and other caregivers helping seniors to become active and engaged and stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.

At Any Stage of the Game, Exercise Pays Off!

How Seniors Can Benefit from an Active Lifestyle

Being a senior doesn’t equal a sedentary life. So, you want to improve the activity level in your mother or father’s life? Perhaps you’ve recently retired from your 25 years as the vice president of your company and at last have the time to devote to a running or rock climbing group. How do you transition more exercise into your everyday routine? With the motivation to stay healthy, especially as you go through your golden years! That way, you can truly reap the benefits of being fit, agile and healthy that lives far beyond your expectations!... Continue article here


Posted by Wee Care Companions

Wee Care Nanny Agency Receives Serendipity Magazine's 2012 Best of Award

Wee Care Nanny Agency  of Stamford, CT was named by Serendipity Magazine's 2012 Best of Everything Issue as one of the must have services for Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

THE BEST LITTLE LIFE SAVERS

Wee Care Nanny

Choosing the person

to watch our children

is the most difficult

decision we make.

These folks ease

fears with rigorous

background checks

and searches. (1435

Bedford St.,Stamford,

CT, 203-359-8410,

weecarenanny.com)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wee Care Nanny wishes you and your loved ones a happy and healthy 2012!

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency