Scammers Posing as Parents Target Would-Be Sitters & Nannies on Care.com and Other Online Sites

As always, scammers are taking advantage of people in a vulnerable state as they seek employment. If you are using Care .com or any online listing boards, keep your guard up.  As with anything you do online, always exercise common sense.

Nannies and baby sitters are being targeted by a scam designed to take their money and leave them without jobs. Randy Mac reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. (Published Monday, Feb 2, 2015) See Report Here


 

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Guidance on the Holiday Bonus for the Nanny or On-Call Babysitter

  

Dear Wee Care, 
"Thank you, thank you for sending Lily our way.  She is FABULOUS! Since she is our first nanny, can you provide us with some guidance on a Christmas/holiday bonus?" Understandably, we get this question a lot during this time of year.

To answer your question, a full-time nanny can usually expect a holiday bonus of one week's pay - two week's salary depending upon her length of service.  Additionally, if the nanny has been with the family under a year, half of her weekly salary is standard. If the nanny is  just starting, a $100 gift card sets a nice tone.  A hand-written note of thanks expressing your sincere appreciation and referencing a yearly highlight of the caregiver/child relationship is an additional way to show your genuine gratitude. 

Some families will include an extra little something coming from the children like a homemade card, cookies or her favorite confection which surrounds the monetary gift with genuine warmth and appreciation from the child.

For the regular on call  babysitter that provides care several times each month, a gift equal to one night's pay are the norm. Many families choose to provide a $50-$100 gift card to her favorite shop, cafe, nail salon etc.

Housekeeper/Cleaner,  one or two week's pay, depending upon her length of service and a small gift like  a bottle of wine.

Obviously, this is a general guideline of industry norms in the NY Metro Region. Some families give more or less depending on the particular circumstances and family budget.  


Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Helping Nannies & Caregivers Learn to Swim

Do you think you've ever missed a good job opportunity because the family has a pool or lives near a beach and requires a swimmer? Unfortunately, we have exceptional nannies that experience this on a regular basis. So many nannies grew up surrounded by beautiful beaches but later developed an intense fear of the ocean, and never learned to swim. It is an unfortunate situation to be in but there is something you can do about it. 

Jeff Krieger, M.S., has a wonderful program called Strategies for Overcoming Aquatic Phobias (SOAP). Jeff is a combination of swim teacher and encouraging coach/therapist. He has worked successfully with many nannies and caregivers.  His mix of patience, understanding and empathy helps to put even the most fearful of beginners at ease. Of course, it helps that Jeff really loves what he does.  You can find him teaching his course throughout Westchester, Manhattan and the Bronx.

 I (Mellisa from Wee Care) always wanted to be a swimmer. However,  I was fearful of being in water over my head and could barely make my way across the pool. I recently completed Jeff's course and am now swimming laps!  I took the course with several other students from all walks of life. None were swimmers. Some were terrified of even going into the pool and others only knew how to doggie paddle. After a couple of months of weekly classes, everyone was swimming, really swimming. Not like Micheal Phelps, but capable swimmers able to do multiple laps in an Olympic size pool. We are happy to recommend Jeff's course, it really works. 

For more information about learning to swim and the course click here.

    
Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)-FAQs for Nannies and Domestics

Over the last few weeks, we have been getting questions from nannies and families alike about the Affordable Care Act  (Obamacare) that went into effect last year. For those without health insurance or people shopping for new insurance, we wanted to put forth some helpful and reliable information. Open enrollment starts on November 15, 2014–February 15, 2015. Many who sign up are eligible for income based subsidies to help pay for the insurance. After the marketplace closes in February 2015, you cannot get coverage until next year unless you have a qualifying life event like losing your job, getting divorced or having a child.

Below are FAQs and answers from a recent NYT article. We hope this helps.

FAQs Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

 Health Care Plans for Nannies and Domestics Residing in CT

•  Access Health CT- Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). (1-855-805-4325)
• HUSKY- Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth. 

Health Care Plans for Nannies and Domestics Residing in NY

• NY State of Health - Official health plan marketplace of NYS under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). (1-855-355-5777)
• Child Health Plus - New York State health insurance plan for children.

Healing Hearts Fundraiser in Stamford on Nov. 22, 2014 to Help Improve the Lives of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Neuro-Motor Challenges

We are proud to recognize and support our friends at Healing Hearts of Stamford, CT. They are holding their Gala Fundraiser on Nov. 22, 2014 at the Italian Center in Stamford, CT. Two of the key administrators and founders of Healing Hearts are good friends, and wonderful and caring souls. Tom Bacha and Kimberly Colletto dedicate their time, energy and resources to making a profound difference in the lives of children with special needs. 

Healing Hearts Recreational and Social Division is dedicated to improving the lives of children with a wide range of developmental disabilities and neuro-motor challenges. Classes are open for children of all abilities. Healing Hearts staff has vast experience in education and acquisition of skills in play, language and motor/sensory. Each class emphasizes the importance of peer interaction, increasing language skills and age appropriate activities.

Part of the proceeds will go toward the operating expenses and additions to Healing Hearts' new 1000 square foot indoor Sensory Gym and sponsorship of a room for the new Healing Hearts Club House.  For more information, please contact Kimberly Colletto (203-708-0076) or click here. It’s a wonderful cause!

Nanny Background Screening is more than a Nanny Background Check

From  International Nanny Association (INA), October 15, 2014

The nanny industry – nannies, nanny referral professionals, nanny background screeners and educators – share an overwhelming concern for the wellbeing of the children being cared for by a nanny in their home. We are all child care professionals. Sadly, there is yet another story making the news rounds about a nanny hired from an online venue mistreating the children in her care. The nanny was ‘caught’ on a nanny cam. The International Nanny Association (INA) and the Alliance of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA) want to inform parents that a computerized background check is quite simply insufficient ‘screening’ to evaluate a nanny applicant. The digital, criminal “background check” creates a false sense of security for families. Read article here

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

10 Tips from the Best Nanny Industry Insiders About Nanny Job Satisfaction

When families hire a nanny, they enter the relationship with the best of intentions to establish a mutually rewarding long term relationship between the nanny and the family. You have gone to a lot of effort to locate this nanny, what actions can you take as the nanny employer to insure your mutual satisfaction? What are the keys to nanny job satisfaction?

HomeWork Solutions consulted with the most successful nanny recruiters and this is what they told us: Wee Care weighed in on not micromanaging your nanny. Read the article here.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency