Monday, June 28, 2010

So you want to become a Nanny...?


Well before printing out your resume and bringing it down to the nearest nanny agency, here are some things to consider…

A nanny is employed by one family, often in a live-in basis (though live-out is not completely rare) hired for the care of children and the domestic tasks related to the child. Neither experience nor formal training are technically necessities, though like all jobs, they are much preferred. And a work week will usually be over the typical 40 hours.

A commonly held misconception is that a nanny is just a fancy word for baby-sitter. This could not be more incorrect. A nanny is not just someone payed slightly over minimum to watch a child. A nanny is responsible for encouraging in the emotional well-being of the child (or children), as well as their intellectual and social development and maturation. This can involve homework, potty training, or even learning to walk!

Many families that approach a nanny agency do so looking for an employee to make a time-commitment, often over a year. That’s why it’s important to consider all the different factors when selecting “nanny” as your next job title.

How patient are you? Working with a small child can be tedious, and small children can be even more so. With a work day that can often go long past 10 hours, you need to make sure you’ll be able to handle the stresses of a typical days work.

Are you trustworthy? There is nothing more near and dear to the heart of a parent than the health and happiness of their child. Great lengths will have to be taken to guarantee trust. And some parents won’t ever give it to you, no matter what you do.

Are you flexible? Things rarely go exactly as planned when it comes to kids. If you lack the improvisational skills required to flourish with young children, this may not be the job for you.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Senior Care Options


It has been proven that offering a senior a caregiver will increase the quality and enjoyment of their life, as well as the lives of the people around them. Penelopes People is one of the leaders in providing phenomenal NY senior care. They serve the entire Greater New York Metropolitan Area, providing trained and attentive caregivers to offer companionship, care, and assistance to those in need, providing exemplary care to any person who is no longer able to fully care for his or her own daily needs.

Penelopes People offers the following from their Senior Care Placement New York Agency:

Senior Care Companions who will talk, laugh, play games, take walks, watch movies, read books, and take part in any and all daily activities with seniors. This includes going to events such as concerts, spectator sports, and lectures.

Home Attendants and Household Helpers will shop, run errands, manage mail and even make runs to the pharmacy for the senior. Additionally, they will provide basic housekeeping services with the intention of maintaining and improving a pleasant living environment.

All of our NY Senior Care Companions, Home Attendants, and Senior Helpers and highly qualified and trained to serve as live-in caregivers, guaranteeing a wonderful experience for your loved one.

Monday, June 14, 2010

How to Choose Your Nanny


Always hire from a nanny agency. ALWAYS. Websites, personal ads, even recommendations from acquaintances pale in comparison to the peace of mind hiring from a nanny agency brings. A good nanny agency will conduct a full background check, including police records, history of alcohol or drug abuse, and even petty thefts… serious concerns for anyone looking to bring a complete stranger to work in their home.

Make sure to keep it local, however. If you need a nanny in New York, call a NY nanny agency. If you need a nanny in California, call a CA nanny agency, etc. The more local your nanny agency is, the more expertise they are likely to have.

The next step is to interview the nanny. Just because a nanny agency approved of them doesn’t mean they’re right for you. Additionally, it is not considered unorthodox to conduct the interview in front of your children, because it’s important EVERYBODY feel comfortable with the person that you hire. Surprisingly, the children often have a better instinct than their parents over who is a more friendly person.

And finally, monitor the status and performance of your nanny. Interviewing well and doing the job well are two different things. Take a few weeks, or even a month or two, to keep a careful watch over your new nanny to guarantee they are everything that you were expecting.

Also, as silly as it may sound, don't forget to listen to your kids. If there are any complaints, minor or serious, that your nanny is unable to explain, consider immediately letting them go.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Maintaining A Lasting Relationship With Your Nanny

In the previous post, we looked at how to adjust to a new nanny from your NY nanny agency. Here are some tips for fostering and maintaining a lasting relationship with your nanny after those first few months of settling in.

It’s important that nannies and parents keep the lines of communication open at all times. Be honest with your nanny, and if something is troubling you, raise it. It's often preferable to work through any disagreements or misunderstandings rather than being tempted to just change nannies.

Don’t be afraid to give your nanny feedback on his or her performance; in fact, this is a must. By giving feedback, you can show your nanny what they are doing well and where you’d like to see changes or improvements.

If your nanny goes above and beyond what you expect, then thank them to show you’ve noticed and appreciate their hard work. You and your child could collaborate on a gift for your nanny and present it together.

If you want to know how your nanny from your nanny agency divides his or her time each day, consider a daily log book. A log book can help you assess your nanny’s strengths and weaknesses in all areas and is useful for providing feedback.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Adjusting To A New Nanny


After you and your nanny agency have found the perfect person to take over your household duties while you’re away, you may have some trouble integrating this new person into your child’s life, especially if your little one is shy or have a hard time with change and transitions.
Here are a few tips to help ease your child into the new transition as seamlessly as possible:

1) Brief your nanny on all of the customs and procedures in your household. If possible, have your nanny visit your home on several occasions to show her what a typical day with your child consists of. Show her where first aid materials, toys and games, cooking supplies, and other essential items she would need during the day are located.

2) Try some fun outings to introduce your nanny and the child in a natural, fun setting. Try a park outing or a lunch meeting where you can all sit down and enjoy each other’s company.

3) In the first few months, try and visit during your lunch hour or at least make it a habit to phone and check in with your child. This will let them know that you’re just a phone call or car ride away, and to let loose and feel comfortable around this new person.

For a Nanny agency NY with the best nannies available, visit PenelopesPeople.com!

Monday, May 17, 2010

4 Stimulating Activities for Your Senior Parent

If you’re looking into NY senior care for your aging parent, you should also consider engaging them in stimulating activities to keep their minds sharp and bodies active. Senior care placement New York is a great way to engage your elderly parent and here are some activities that you can suggest to your caregiver or can do yourself.

1)    Puzzles- Whether they’re crosswords, word searches, or jigsaw puzzles, engage your senior parent in this enriching activities that are helpful in stimulating brain function.
 
2)    A Diary- Encourage your senior relative to start a diary or journal. Invest in a nice book and pen to start. Also, remind them of all the great things they’ve done and suggest to them that they write about projects or things they want to do. Thinking about tomorrow, even if its something small like a to-do list, can really help alleviate depression.
 
3)    Laugh a lot- Laughter truly is a great medicine! Think about maybe opening up a Netflix or Blockbuster account for your senior relative so they can rent some of their favorite films that make them smile, and watch them together.
 
4)    Volunteering-Aging is a scary thing for many adults because they feel as if they’ve lost their sense of purpose since they can no longer work. Think about getting them involved in a volunteer program where they are needed and can regain that sense of accomplishment.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Are Nanny Cams Right for You?


Over the past few years, nanny cams have gained a huge momentum in the world of childcare and NY senior care. International spy retail chain, Counter Spy Shops, reported a 25 percent increase in nanny cam sales over the last five years. If you’re hiring your nanny from a NY nanny agency, you can have more peace for mind that your nanny is reliable, trustworthy, and an asset to your household. But if you are thinking about hiring a nanny on your own, you may want to consider getting a nanny cam.

If you are hiring a nanny on your own, a nanny cam can give you the peace of mind you need to know that everything is going as it should in your home. Nanny cams are discreet and most models are wireless. Nanny cam prices can fit in anyone’s budget. For about $100 you can get a basic camera offering remote computer access. This can be helpful because you can view the happenings from work or any other computer. The more high-end models are digital. They can run around $500 and have the ability to send video images live via computer or cell phone.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Don't Miss Out on Kid’s Sports

With all that is on many parents plates these days, getting their kids involved in activities like sports often takes the back-burner. It takes a lot to get them from school to practice, games, and other team-related events. But if you’re not involving your child in activities outside of school, like sports, you should consider consulting a nanny agency. If your child doesn’t have an after-school activity, they are missing out on something very important. Hired help from a NY nanny agency can get your child involved in sports or in other after-school activities, while still allowing you to handle your busy work schedule.

Here are 5 benefits of kid’s sports according to YouthSportsPsychology.com:

-Kids who participate in sports attend school more, are more civic minded and tend to get in less trouble
-Sports instill leadership skills in kids
-Sports teach kids the value of teamwork
-Social skills develop when kids play team sports
-Kids really get a sense of discipline from the coach-team dynamic on teams

If you fee like your child is missing out valuable experiences with sports, or any other after-school activity because you simply don’t have enough time, you should really talk to a nanny agency about hiring help.

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Nanny

When I was a young sprat, I’d often watch the telly with me mum. She loved “The Nanny,” with Fran Drescher, who played a door to door cosmetics girl who landed a gig with one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors.



After seasons and seasons, Fran became almost part of the family, befriending the children, and eventually marrying Mr. Sheffield, her quondam employer. But not all of us are so lucky.

If you don’t have a Fran Fine on your horizon, it’s best to call a NY nanny agency. They have nannies that are as good, if not better than Mrs. Drescher. Penelope’s People is a nanny agency you can trust because they really know their nannies. So call your NY nanny agency today!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Camille and I

Being employed by a nanny agency is great. The nanny agency I work for took my records and matched me with a family who wanted everything that I have. Now I work with a little girl named Camille, who is four. Camille just lost her first tooth, and was very excited about the tooth fairy. She has silky long brown hair and pretty brown eyes, and she takes so much pride in choosing what she wants to wear in the morning, usually opting for a dress.

She goes to pre-K in the mornings, which is when I clean up the house. By the time I pick her up at noon, we usually go for a walk in Central Park. We sit in the field and have lunch, and the whole time I can barely get her to stop talking. She’s so cute – I braid her hair and we hold hands when we walk, stopping at the duck pond to feed them, her eyes wide with wonder. She’s not afraid of anything and although she is not a tom-boy, she loves wildlife.

It’s so satisfying to enjoy my job and have a friend at work. After more than six months together, Camille and I are great friends, and it’s all thanks to my nanny agency NY.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The 21st Century Nanny

Nannies don’t look like Mary Poppins anymore. I don’t wear a tweed cap or carry an umbrella wherever I go, nor do I sing songs (except by request). Not that there’s anything wrong with Mary Poppins; it’s just that that version of a nanny is a little bit dated. I do everything that Mary did and more. I’m part of a nanny agency NY that specializes in helping children grow up and reach their full potential.

When you’re away from home, you want to make sure that your child is not only being well taken care of, but is learning and developing as if you were there to guide her along. If you desire a nanny agency that can also help you keep house, people like myself are perfect because we’re not just babysitters, we are domestic goddesses.

Penelope’s People is also a great place to turn for senior care placement New York. They have senior companions who help older folks with everything, from running daily errands to having a good laugh. For us, being part of a nanny agency isn’t work; it’s a way of helping those who need it, and that attitude is reflected through the premium help that we give.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Children or Elderly: Penelope's Here to Help



It can be difficult to find a nanny agency that really stands out. Penelope’s People is a company that has not just one specialty, but two. While our nanny agency has qualified professionals who are superb with children, we also have companions for the elderly. Growing old is often referred to as a second childhood because one becomes increasingly reliant on others for basic needs.

Gentleness and loving care are key characteristics for any nanny agency or NY senior care company. Our separate agencies provide company and care for anyone who needs it, not just the elderly or children. If you’re a mother taking a break from work and need someone to manage the household while you tend to your children, or maybe you just want a friend or household helper, contact Penelope’s People.

Our helpers offer all kinds of services, from the more basic errand running to reading books and playing games, sometimes having a friend can be the best way to convalesce or maintain mental clarity. Many of our personal helpers are skilled in more than just being amicable and organized; our companions play musical instruments or specialize in child psychology, skills that most other nannies or NY senior care agencies lack.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Senior Care Placement New York is a Great Option for Elderly Relatives

A lot of people have a hard time when their relatives enter into their golden years. For many it can be difficult to see the strong adults you once relied on for everything, now rely on you. But that is part of the cycle of life and they deserve the best treatment and care from you and your family. Often times it may be difficult to juggle family life and work life, while trying to give your senior relative the attention and care they need all the time. If you feel this is the case for you and your family, you should most definitely look into senior care placement New York from a household staffing company.

In addition to making sure your relative is safe and cared for, a senior care companion provides beneficial social interaction. Social interaction is vital for the health and vitality of senior citizens. Whether it’s going to visit friends, reading, playing games, or going to the library or movies, senior care companions work hard to ensure your relative stays active and healthy, both mentally and physically.

Penelope’s People works hard at staffing experienced, friendly, patient, and kind companions who truly enjoy service. If you’re interested in in-home senior care, be sure to visit Penelopespeople.com.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Why Penelope’s People is a Nanny Agency NY You Can Count On


When you are putting the care of your home and family in the hands of others, it’s imperative that you consult a company with a long-running track record of hiring the best candidates.

A quality placement agency does more than find you an available nanny. They guide you through the hiring process, and accurately match your needs with the perfect person. In addition to finding a perfect match, the placement agency walks you through the employment contract, and makes sure that you and your new nanny are on the same page about every detail. This is to ensure there are no speed bumps in the future.

Penelope’s People is more than a household staffing company, we are a placement agency that is experienced in matching you with the best possible candidates for your home We are truly dedicated to giving you peace of mind in this generally stressful process. Penelope’s People takes the screening process very seriously.

We employ a 7-Step Recruiting Process that we feel sets us apart from the typical nanny agency ny.

Our 7 Step Process Includes:
1. Detailed review of experience
2. Comprehensive phone interview
3. Thorough face-to-face interview
4. Full personality assessment
5. Complete Reference checks
6. Professional background check
7. Trained personal matching

Monday, March 8, 2010

Thinking of Hiring a New Nanny? Here Are A Few Tips To Help Your Child Adjust

Change is inevitable, and unfortunately, the world of childcare is not exempt from changes.
If your child is in daycare or has a nanny, they will most likely experience a change in their care provider at least once in their young lives.
For some kids, this can be extremely difficult. If you're thinking of calling a Nanny agency NY to look for a new nanny, here are a few tips to help you adjust your little one to the changes:

  • If your child is attached to their current nanny, give them ample notice that a new nanny will be taking over, so it's less shocking when the new one shows up.
  • In order to ease your kids into the new nanny, spend a few hours together, so the kids don't feel thrown into a new relationship. This can be extremely beneficial if your kids are on the shy side.
  • Plan exciting activities for your children and the new nanny to do together so they can bond. A fun outing could be the perfect bonding remedy.
  • If your child has a special stuffed animal or blanket, make sure it's with them so they have something that gives them a sense of security in this new transition.
If you're still looking for the perfect nanny, don't forget to contact Penelope's People, the premier household staffing agency in New York.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Signs of a Good Nanny from a Nanny Agency NY

When I was considering this nanny agency ny, I review tons of profiles and resumes, but had the hardest time being able to gauge what the person was actually like and if they would be a good fit for my household. Since I can’t be there, I wanted someone who is the next best thing for my child. If you’re hiring a nanny from a nanny agency ny, and want to know some key attributes your nanny should possess, here’s a brief list.

You she’s a keeper if:

  • Your child lights up when they see her and look forward to the time they spend together.
  • You child can’t stop talking about all the wonderful things she says and does.
  • She finds creative solutions to problems and collaborates with you for insight on providing the best care for your child.
  • She makes an effort to stay connected with you and shows initiative in her job.
  • She is always on time and always attentive to your needs by abiding the terms of your contract.
  • Your child and his or her room are always clean.
  • She makes safety a priority whether they’re at home or out and about.
If you’re looking for a nanny with these traits, contact the best household staffing agency in the city, Penelope’s People.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Nanny Agency NY Gives More Than Just a Nanny

I’m a full time working mom. Sure, it’s hard to raise a family and have a career, but life is all about sacrifice. When I was pregnant and nursing, I took some time off from work, and then after two years, I decided that it was time to go back. It’s hard being away from the kids during the day so before I made my decision, I really had to be sure that they’re safe when I’m not at home.

When I wanted to find a nanny agency NY, I wanted more than a reliable nanny to fix meals and watch my babies – I wanted someone who will be a valuable asset to my family, someone who can teach my kids and help them grow since I’m not there to do it. Penelope’s People is a nanny agency NY that provided me with a nanny who has quickly become a friend and caretaker of my children. Now when I come home, I can’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy when my little girl Michelle tells me about the singing and drawing she did with Felicity, our nanny. Yet I know that it’s better to be jealous of my nanny than worried about my nanny.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Senior Care Placement New York For In House Jobs


If you are looking for assisted living for your senior, or perhaps you have a new bundle of joy who needs looking after while you get back into the swing of work, there are several agencies available in the New York area which will help you get you back on your feet and take care of those you love most.

If you are seeking a nanny agency NY, then you should begin your search online. There are plenty of agencies which are qualified to take care of children of any age and who will offer you the best prices for their care.

Check with friends who have kids to see if they have any recommendations as well. If you have a senior who does not want to live in a nursing home but would prefer assisted living, there are senior care placement New York centers which can put you into contact with an individual who would be willing to sit with your senior for a set number of hours per day.

The cost for this type of care depends on how long you hire the caretaker, but many household staffing company charge reasonable rates for their care of your loved ones and can even do extra chores as well such as taking them to the grocery store or to pick up medications as well as light cleaning and cooking.

If you need more information about senior care placement New York you can visit our household staffing company at www.PenelopesPeople.com today!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Can't Do It All On Your Own? A Household Staffing Company Can Help


If you're a parent, chances are you have a lot on your plate. You're probably working a full-time job or continuing your education, all the while trying to raise your children and take care of your parents. But before you start scaling back your commitments to work and school, consider getting help from a household staffing company.

Hiring a nanny, assistant, or aid to help you take care of your loved ones (and your housework) might seem like an obvious answer, but what's not obvious is where to find these people — if you're looking to hire help from home, it's important to only look at candidates from reputable agencies. After all, these are the people you're going to be trusting to look after your family! You have to set your standards high.

If you're looking for care for the young and old, you can make things easier for yourself by finding a nanny agency that also offers senior placement New York. That way, you'll be doing all of your dealings with a single business, instead of trying to coordinate with two separate companies.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The Benefits of a Quality Nanny Agency NY

Choosing a nanny agency NY for your children could be one of your most important decisions. Ideally, you want to select an agency with good reputation staffing professionals that will not only keep your children safe but also enrich and educate them.

Such an important choice should not be left to chance—or to the personal listings on Craigslist and other classified services. These websites do not specialize in childcare or know anything about their posters' experiences in the field. Even if you are able to secure a background check on an individual, that only proves that they're not a criminal—not that they would be good at educating your child.

Because of these risks, many parents prefer to find sitters and other childcare professionals through nanny agencies. When you do it this way, the agency does all the work for you, including screening applicants and pairing clients with the employees that will best fit their needs.

Besides, a nanny agency NY can help you find a person to fit any position—whether you're looking for a sitter to read to the kids or some help preparing meals and cleaning the house. The agency www.PenelopesPeople.com even doubles as a senior care placement New York facility, so you really know that they have everything!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Finding A Nanny Agency NY You Can Trust!

It doesn't matter if you need to find senior care placement New York or if you need to find a Nanny Agency NY for your child, the professionalism and quality of an agency is everything. First, you want to make sure that an agency has a few rules, steps and plans put into place to not only help you find the help you need, but the help you want. Hey, anyone can take care of an elderly person or a child. But, I wouldn't want just anyone looking after my grandma or my son - would you?!? I think not!

When searching for an agency that finds matching nannies for you, it's important that they do a review for each applicant. This means that the applicant can't just send in a resume and be done with it. Instead, they are readily quizzed on the things they should know, they are reviewed and checked up on places they have worked, they get criminal background checks, etc. They also must go through a phone interview and a face-to-face interview. You can tell a lot about a person through paper, phone and personal meetings!

In order to learn more about what our agency can do for you, what precautions we take in matching you up against caregivers or nannies with our household staffing company, please visit our website now.

Monday, January 18, 2010

How To Introduce A Nanny Into Your Child's Life

Most of us have been there, where you are invited to the years utmost Holiday Party or maybe even to a last minute Dinner Party and you cannot find a babysitter. You can't just run out and grab someone off the street, but you can contact a Nanny Agency NY. Imagine being able to have someone reliable, thoroughly screened with ideal references that have already been verified. You just need to make the call a few hours ahead and they will be there by the time you have showered, put on your party dress and ready to run out to catch your taxi.

We know that sometimes it can be tough on a child to have someone they have never met come into their lives. But if they are old enough you can explain by comparing it to a spur of the moment play date. You can even request that the nanny agency NY send out someone that relates well to your child's age. And you have the peace of mind knowing they are in safe hands while you go out to enjoy your evening. There are so many ways to get great help for those needs today.

If you have elderly parents and need senior care placement NY you know they will do all the pre-screening and making life easier for you. If you have any emergencies where you need help for the children, your parents or even a household staffing company you know we are there to back you up with safe and reliable care.

For more info, visit our website at www.PenelopesPeople.com the best Nanny Agency NY has to offer!

Monday, January 11, 2010

Nanny agency NY - Household Help For Your Family In Need

I hear it so often these days from almost every mom and dad, "There are just not enough hours in the day or days in the week". It would be nice if we could just squeeze in a few more hours of sleep, more time to spend with the kids and yes, even more time to get the house cleaned and all those other household duties. Well, we cannot make magic, but what we can do is contact Household staffing company NY to get the help we need. There is so much we can do today to get our jobs done plus all of our extra errands if we just go out and hire the help.

Even in this economy there is a way to get our tasks taken care of at affordable prices. If it is children you need to be taken care of while you are working or having time with your husband you can always contact Nanny agency NY. If you cannot take care of your aging parents you can check out senior care placement NY where they will be very well cared for. And if you find the task of planning meals, cooking them, getting the house cleaned or any other household job, you can always find the help at household staffing company, NY.

You do not need to have that basket of dirty clothes overflowing onto your floor or throw another frozen dinner into the microwave. With household staffing company, NY, all your needs pertaining to any of your home responsibilities can be met and done with expertise.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Senior Care Placement New York: A Better Way To Care For Your Parents


There are more adults taking care of their parents today than ever in history. Not that I am complaining, as I know that most of them took wonderful care of us when we were young children. Now it is our turn to pay back the love and kindness they gave to us. It's just sad that some senior citizens do not have the ability to care for themselves any longer. But it's quite a relief that there are Senior Care placement NY facilities that can step in and take over. It is no different from contacting Nanny Agency NY to get someone to care for our children while we work.

These places are in big demand now, but as time goes on they will be even more important. The baby boomers are aging and because of that there will always be a need to have these kinds of places for the senior citizens. And don't forget, someday we too may be looking for Senior care placement NY for ourselves.

It's nice to know that we can find the help for our children and parents through a household staffing company and get those household duties taken care of. With our jobs outside the house, our young children that still depend on us, all our home management responsibilities, it's hard to manage the responsibility of making sure that our aging parents are being taken care of. That's a lot of work so it is so nice to be able to have the assistance and to take the load off our shoulders.