Should Nannies Give their "Work Family" a Holiday Gift?

The Holiday Season is here! A lot of nannies have asked us to share some gift giving ideas for the families you work for.

Some of you may have checked this off your holiday gift list, but if you haven't, here are some gift ideas for the children and parents alike. Please remember not to get caught up in how much you spend or how big the present is. The thought and your sincere wishes that come with your present mean far more to the family, and that is what it truly appreciated. Some ideas follow below:

-A Personalized Christmas Ornament for their Tree.

-A Basket with different cookie mixes and bread mixes that the family can bake together. Perhaps include some fun cookie cutters (Home Goods has a great selection!).

-Just for the Parents... A gift card made by you giving them a "Date Night" for any Friday or Saturday night they choose.

-For the parents... if they are coffee lovers, Dunkin Donuts has a great gift package all set to go!

-For the family... if they love plants, a Christmas Cactus or Amaryllis. 

-For the family... photos from throughout the year of the children turned into a calendar (if you're unable to do this on your computer, most drugstores like CVS or Walgreens have a calendar template).

Of course, every situation is different, and any suggested gift should never stretch your budget. As always, feel free to share your ideas or what you may have done in the past.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Guidance on the Holiday Bonus for the Nanny or Regular Babysitter

Understandably, we get the question below a lot during this time of year and wanted to offer some guidance.

As we're getting close to Christmas - I'm hoping you might be able to provide me some guidance with respect to end of year Christmas gifts and/or bonuses. I have *no* idea what the going rate is and I want to make sure we're in line with whatever it is. Can you give me any guidance at all? 

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 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 part-time regular 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

Happy Thanksgiving!

On Sunday, November 24th 2013, the 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place in Downtown Stamford, CT along Summer Street. The parade features spectacular helium balloon cartoon characters and wonderful marching bands. It is great fun for the whole family.

 Wee Care Nanny is very thankful for the opportunity to work with such wonderful nannies, housekeepers and families. We appreciate your dedication and professionalism. We wish you and your family a happy & healthy Thanksgiving Day! Stay Safe and have a great holiday.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Serendipity Girls Night Out in Stamford!

Fun and fashion last night to benefit a wonderful cause-the Canary Kids. A great time had by all.

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Girls Night Out Exclusive Fashion Show to Benefit Canary Kids

Wee Care is proud to be a sponsor of the Serendipity Magazine GIRLS NIGHT OUT event on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 7:00 p.m. at the Loading Dock in Stamford, CT.  Some of the area’s most philanthropic women and men will walk the runway in the hottest trends from local designers and stores.  For more information, click here.

100% of net proceeds will benefit Canary Kids. We hope to see you there!

 Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Docs Urge Limits on Kids' Texts, Tweets

Interesting article about new policy guidelines set forth by American Academy of Pediatrics explaining why parents should limit the amount of  time children spend online, texting and on computers.

 

Doctors 2 parents: Limit kids' tweeting, texting & keep smartphones, laptops out of bedrooms. #goodluckwiththat.

The recommendations are bound to prompt eye-rolling and LOLs from many teens but an influential pediatricians group says parents need to know that unrestricted media use can have serious consequences. Read here

Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Attorney General of NYS Investigates Fraudulent NYC Employment Agencies

The NYT ran an interesting story about NYC employment agencies misleading and fraudulently taking money from nannies, housekeepers, home health aides and others for jobs that did not exist.


A State Inquiry Is Said to Target Job Agencies 
 
The newspaper advertisement looked like the answer to her problems. “Housekeeping needed. No exp needed, up to $18.75 hr.” Zade rushed to the Manhattan employment agency that had posted the notice. Her husband had been suffering from kidney problems for five years and had not been working. Zade, 51 and an immigrant from Kosovo, needed a job. Now.
The agency requested $299. After Zade handed over the money, an employee gave her an address. It was then that her troubles began....read story here


The policy at Wee Care Nanny is simple-we never charge candidates (experienced and qualified domestics should never have to pay) to seek work, if we place them at a job or for any of our services.

Domestics-if you meet Wee Care's minimum requirements, please give us a call.

 Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

Affordable Health Insurance for Nannies, Housekeepers and other Domestic Workers

 Over the last few weeks, we received a number of questions from families and nannies alike about the new Affordable Care Act  (Obamacare) that went into effect today (October 1, 2013), and  who is eligible. Is this an opportunity for you and your loved ones to get affordable health insurance? The health exchanges are new but we hope it will be less expensive than other insurance programs, which would be good news for our Nannies, Baby Nurses, Housekeepers and other domestics.    Click on the links below to become better informed and view the different individual and family health insurance options. Good luck!

 Background Information and FAQ's about the Health Exchanges

 Health Insurance For CT Residents: 

 Health Insurance for NYS Residents:

                                   


Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

The Affordable Care Act (ACA)/Obamacare Explained for Nannies and Household Employers

Good article by our friend and Nanny tax expert, Kathleen Webb, from  HomeWork Solutions, explaining what the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare will mean for Household employers and domestic workers such as nannies, housekeepers, companions etc.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and Household Employment

By Kathleen Webb 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) or Obamacare implementation takes a big step October 1st with the nationwide opening of Healthcare Exchanges or Health Insurance Marketplaces. Household employers and their domestic workers such as nannies and senior caregivers have more questions than answers right now regarding the ACA and what this means for them....Read here


Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

National Nanny Recognition Week-September 22nd-28th 2013

 National Nanny Recognition Week (NNRW) was started in 1998 to show appreciation and recognition to professional nannies for the significant and positive contributions nannies make in the lives of the children they care for.

Wee Care Nanny wants to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU for everything you do for your charges, their families and the entire nanny industry. The commitment and service you provide is invaluable in so many ways. 

 Posted by Wee Care Nanny Agency

 

 

Healing Hearts of Stamford, CT Event to Benefit Children with Special Needs on Oct, 4, 2013

We are proud to recognize and support Healing Hearts Pediatric Therapy Center in Stamford, Connecticut. Two of the key administrators and founders of Healing Hearts are good friends, and wonderful and caring individuals. Tom Bacha and Kimberly Colletto dedicate their time, energy and resources to make a profound difference in the lives of children with special needs. 

Healing Hearts is dedicated to enriching the lives of children with varying degrees of developmental disabilities and neuro-motor challenges.   Healing Hearts is having a fundraiser on Friday, October 4, 2013. Proceeds go toward building a sensory gym for activities, peer interactions and therapy.  For more information, please contact Kimberly Colletto (203-708-0076) or click here. It’s a wonderful cause!