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.

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.

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.

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.