▷ Nanny - 鶹 /tag/nanny/ Arizona's Most Trusted Nanny Agency Since 2002 | Specializing in services families, infant specialists, nannies, caregivers, nanny managers, live in nanny, household managers, and personal assistants | Serving the Phoenix Arizona Metro - Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Mesa, Tempe, and more. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 21:22:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 /wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-144-by-144-aan-transparent-1-32x32.png ▷ Nanny - 鶹 /tag/nanny/ 32 32 The future of nanny services in a changing world /2025/01/20/future-of-nanny-services/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=future-of-nanny-services Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:46:27 +0000 /2025/01/20/benefits-and-best-practices-for-nanny-shares-copy/ Explore the future of nanny services as we delve into emerging trends shaping childcare in 2025. Discover the growing demand for personalized care, the integration of technology, and the importance of health and safety. Learn how specialized skills and emotional intelligence are redefining the role of nannies in modern families.

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1. Growing Demand for Personalized Childcare as the Future of nanny services changes day to day

With the rise in dual-income households and varying work schedules, families are seeking more personalized childcare solutionsNannies offer flexibility that traditional daycare centers cannot provide. As parents juggle their careers and family commitments, the demand for nannies who can accommodate unique schedules is on the rise.

Key Takeaway:

Families will increasingly prioritize customized childcare solutions that fit their specific needs.


2. Integration of Technology

Technology is reshaping many industries, and the nanny service is no exception. From apps that help families find nannies to platforms that facilitate communication between parents and caregivers, technology is streamlining the hiring process. Additionally, many nannies are becoming adept at using educational apps and online resources to enhance children’s learning experiences. This integration of technology not only makes childcare more efficient but also enriches children’s educational journeys.

Key Takeaway:

Expect greater use of technology to improve the nanny hiring process and enhance childcare experiences.


3. Focus on Mental Health

Nannies who can provide support in mental health and emotional well-being are becoming invaluable, especially as families deal with the aftermath of the pandemic and the long-term effects of a sudden shift to home-based education and the transition back to traditional in-person education.  

Key Takeaway:

Health and safety will remain a top priority, influencing how families select and interact with nannies.


4. Specialized Skills and Training

As the needs of children become more varied, nannies with specialized skills—such as experience with special needs, bilingual capabilities, or educational backgrounds—will be in high demand. Families will seek nannies who can provide not just care, but also educational and developmental support tailored to their children’s needs.This trend points to an industry that values ongoing training and professional development for nannies, ensuring they are equipped to handle diverse family situations.

Key Takeaway:

The demand for nannies with specialized skills will rise, leading to more training opportunities in the industry.


5. Emphasis on Emotional Intelligence

In an age where emotional well-being is recognized as critical to child development, families are increasingly looking for nannies with high emotional intelligence. Nannies who can foster strong relationships, encourage open communication, and promote emotional growth will be highly sought after.This shift emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning in early childhood and the role nannies play in nurturing this aspect of development.

Key Takeaway:

Emotional intelligence will become a key criterion for families seeking nannies, highlighting the importance of nurturing care.


Conclusion

The future of nanny services is bright, with evolving trends that align with the needs and expectations of modern families. As demand for personalized, safe, and emotionally intelligent childcare grows, the role of nannies will become increasingly vital in supporting families.By embracing technology, prioritizing health and safety, and focusing on specialized skills, the nanny industry is poised for a transformation that benefits both caregivers and families alike. As we move forward, it’s clear that nannies will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of childcare.


Call to Action

Are you considering hiring a nanny or exploring childcare options? Connect with us today to learn more about our nanny services and how we can help meet your family’s unique needs.

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Benefits and Best Practices for Nanny Shares /2022/12/14/benefits-and-best-practices-for-nanny-shares/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=benefits-and-best-practices-for-nanny-shares Wed, 14 Dec 2022 07:15:00 +0000 /2020/09/30/4-tips-for-planning-to-travel-with-your-nanny-copy/ Instead of hiring a nanny of their own or taking their children to daycare, parents are turning to another option: nanny shares. By splitting the costs of childcare with another family, parents can receive personalized care, flexibility, and convenience.

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nanny and children crafting

Instead of hiring a nanny of their own or taking their children to daycare, parents are turning to another option: nanny shares. By splitting the costs of childcare with another family, parents can receive personalized care, flexibility, and convenience. 

When daycares have tightened their rules in response to COVID-19, a nanny share can also be a sustainable care option for families who have created their own .

Read on for more information and best practices for starting a nanny share below.

What is a nanny share?

A nanny share works the way it sounds: two or more families hire a nanny and share the costs. The nanny cares for all of the children together in one of the family’s homes. The costs are usually split evenly between the families, and the nanny is paid a premium over other nannies who work for just one family.

There’s no official rule for the number of kids that can participate in a nanny share, but three to four is usually best. The more kids and the more families involved in the nanny share, the trickier communication and coordinating schedules can get.

Benefits of sharing a nanny

Cost-savings

Whether it’s hiring your own nanny or finding a suitable daycare for your kids, child care can be pricey. A nanny share is a less expensive option with all of the benefits of hiring your own nanny. You can find an experienced, qualified nanny to provide personalized care for your kids.

Socialization + safety

With a nanny share, your children get to socialize with their peers in a smaller group with more dedicated attention. Daycare offers socialization for kids, but there’s also the risk of being exposed to germs and getting sick when you’re around so many other children. 

Convenience

Nanny shares are convenient, too. If you’ve used daycare centers before, you know that they typically have strict policies on dropoff and pickup times, sick days, holidays, and more. With a nanny share, you and the other families can set your own rules and leave a little room for flexibility, if necessary.

Tips for setting up a nanny share

If a nanny share sounds like the perfect child care option for you, follow these best practices for starting a nanny share below.

Talk about details and expectations first

Before you start searching for a nanny, sit down with the other family and make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to parenting styles, discipline, screen time, sleep training, meals and snacks, and appropriate activities. 

It’s unreasonable to expect one nanny to follow two completely different child care styles. And if both families have unique views on how to care for kids, it’ll create conflicts between you and the other parents down the road. It’s best to find a family whose beliefs on child care are similar to yours. 

Interview nanny candidates together

Once you’ve laid out your expectations for your nanny share with the other family, start looking for and interviewing potential nannies together. If one family already has a nanny who’s open to sharing, you should still allow the other family to interview them on their own. Starting the hiring process together ensures that the nanny you choose is a great fit for both families.

Put together a thorough work agreement

A good contract is important when you hire a nanny on your own, and even more so if you’re hiring a nanny jointly with another family. You’re both responsible for employment taxes, compensation, pay rate, and pay schedule. 

Make sure your work agreement clearly outlines all your policies, including:

  • The length of the share arrangement
  • Household duties and typical child care duties
  • Hours and pay schedule
  • Emergency procedures
  • Sick days for both kids and nanny
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Vacation and time off policies
  • Licensing and insurance, if applicable
  • Expenses and supplies (more on that below)
  • Offboarding policies

Keep everyone on the same page with a thorough work agreement.

Figure out how to handle expenses

In a nanny share, one family will usually host the kids and the nanny at their home. That means you’ll need to decide how both families will take care of meals, snacks, diapers, wipes, baby supplies, cribs, strollers, car seats, and so on. Maybe one family can contribute to their own stash of supplies to be kept at the other family’s home, or plan to drop off supplies each time.

The cost for supplies and equipment can add up fast, so set up a plan for sharing them fairly as soon as you can. 

Have meetings regularly

Employing a nanny on your own requires frequent, open communication. It’s even more important when you add another family to the mix!

Plan to meet regularly with your nanny and the other family so you can address any issues, large or small. We recommend meeting once a month, but you can meet more or less frequently if it works for your schedule better. 

Thinking about a nanny share in Arizona?

Looking for more advice on child care, or need a nanny in the Phoenix, Arizona area? can help. Give us a call or text us at 602-266-9116. Check out our services and family application online, too!

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4 Tips for Planning to Travel with Your Nanny /2022/11/10/4-tips-for-planning-to-travel-with-your-nanny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-tips-for-planning-to-travel-with-your-nanny Thu, 10 Nov 2022 19:30:00 +0000 /2020/09/25/how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny-copy-copy/ If you have vacation plans for the winter holidays and you’re hoping to bring your nanny along, make sure you prepare in advance, especially if you’ve never traveled together before.

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woman travels with kids

Now that Halloween is over and November is here, the holidays are creeping up on all of us! If you have vacation plans for the winter holidays and you’re hoping to bring your nanny along, make sure you prepare in advance, especially if you’ve never traveled together before.

It may be a vacation for you and your family, but remember that your nanny is still caring for your kids during the trip. Set aside some time well before the trip to talk about your expectations, compensation, hours, and other important details with your nanny.

Discuss lodging and travel details early

Since your nanny will be working, you should cover their accommodations, travel expenses, and meals while on the clock. If your nanny is watching the children during a long car ride, those are hours worked for them, and they should be paid. The same goes for a short plane trip, including the price of a round-trip ticket. You should not expect your nanny to pay for travel and lodging.

You should also give your nanny a private room to stay in during the trip. Unless your children have special needs that require someone to be in the same room at all times, it’s polite to give your nanny their own room. 

Making your nanny room with the kids blurs the lines between work hours and off-hours. It’s also important that your nanny have a private room where they can rest and recharge between shifts.

Talk about pay and hours

You should take care of travel expenses and accommodations, yes, but will your nanny’s regular pay schedule remain the same? What about their pay rate? Will you pay your nanny the total amount when the vacation ends? Remember that, if you go over 40 hours of work, you will have to pay your nanny overtime!

This is the time to hammer out all the details regarding pay, as well as the hours you expect your nanny to work. Talk with your nanny about overtime pay, expected work hours, a stipend to pay for meals, snacks or activities during the day, and so on. Vacations may not always go as planned, so you and your nanny will BOTH need to be flexible, but it helps to be as prepared as possible.

Review rules and routines

Vacation routines with children can be very different from the regular routine at home. That’s even more true if you’re traveling to visit family for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. With more family members around, figuring out who’s in charge can be confusing for your kids and nanny.

Discuss who the kids should listen to when everyone is together on vacation. If you have grandparents or other relatives who try to take over (with good intentions!), stand firm and back your nanny up as the authority figure. That’s what they’re there for, after all.

Finally, let your nanny know what to expect during the vacation. A weekend trip to Grandma’s home a few hours away will probably not be the same as escaping the winter snow to a beach house in Florida for two weeks. You and your nanny can discuss what to pack, what activities they can prepare for, and what weather to expect during the trip.

Plan ahead with your nanny

The bottom line? While it may be a family or holiday vacation for you, your nanny will be working. It should be considered a business trip for them. Plan ahead and compensate your nanny accordingly to make sure your trip goes smoothly for everyone.

For more advice on building a great relationship with your nanny, follow the 鶹 blog!

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The Top 4 Benefits of Using a Nanny Agency /2020/10/01/how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny-copy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny-copy Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000 /2020/09/17/how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny-copy/ Finding the perfect nanny can be exhausting, especially if you're not sure what to look for. Here's how working with a nanny agency can help!

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nanny playing with children

Finding the perfect nanny can be exhausting. Which job sources do you use? How do you screen a nanny candidate? What about interviews? And with COVID-19 going on, how can you find a nanny for your kids safely?

The answer? Use a nanny agency! Your other options like job forums or online postings may be easier, but it’s worth going through an agency to find a high-quality nanny.

Nanny agencies take care of the tough stuff like screening, fair wages, employment contracts, and more. They’ll do all the heavy lifting of finding the best nanny for your family’s needs. Let’s talk more about the benefits of using a nanny agency below!

Help from someone who knows the industry

You might have some idea of the perfect nanny for you — someone full-time who can handle multiple children, for example — but there are some qualities you may not think to look for in a nanny!

Maybe you want someone with a similar approach to discipline. Or someone who’s flexible enough to work late or stay overnight when necessary. Or a nanny who has experience working with children with special needs or newborns.

A good nanny agency will take the time to get to know your family’s preferences. They can also call on their years of experience in the nanny industry to help you figure out what you need in a nanny. That’s how they’ll match you up with the perfect candidate.

Professional screening and reference checks

You’re inviting someone you don’t know into your home to care for your children, so safety and security are top priorities for families. A nanny agency can offer both with a thorough screening process. 

With 鶹, for example, we provide a multi-step screening process with different placement packages that can include:

  • Reference verification
  • Criminal background check and national sex offender check
  • Driving record check
  • Drug screening
  • Financial history
  • Personality assessments

When you work with a nanny agency, you can feel confident knowing that you’re on the way to finding a trustworthy, reliable, experienced nanny for your family.

Guidance on being a good employer

If you’ve never been an employer before, you may not know what to include in an employment agreement for your nanny. What are the most up to date competitive wages in the industry? How many hours can your nanny work? What about other legal and tax stuff?

A nanny agency will help you understand your new role as an employer, educating you on what you need to know about labor laws, overtime, hourly pay, benefits, performance reviews, and much more.

Saves time and stress

Finally, working with a nanny agency will save you a lot of time and stress overall. Think about it: finding a nanny requires reading through numerous applications, choosing candidates and interviewing them, checking references, and conducting background checks. 

A nanny agency will typically handle all of those initial steps, picking potential nannies who might make a good match for your family. An agency will ask for your input on certain candidates and guide you through interviews with the ones you choose. Once you pick a nanny, the agency will help you make an offer and set up the employment for success.  

If you found a nanny on your own and they didn’t work out, you’ll have to start your search all over again. Many agencies offer guarantees and/or replacement services within a certain time period after your initial placement.

Work with 鶹

If all of these benefits sound good to you, working with an agency is your best option for finding a nanny for your children. Working with a nanny agency can bring you peace of mind, knowing that you’ll be matched with a qualified and trustworthy nanny in half the time.

Searching for a nanny in the Phoenix area? 鶹 is a locally owned nanny placement agency that has served Arizona since 2002. We offer a variety of nanny placement packages to suit every family’s needs. Our placement process includes family consultations, convenient candidate interviews, continuous support from our team, and much more.

Begin your nanny search with 鶹 today! Learn more about our placement packages, or contact us to get started!

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How to Show Appreciation for Your Nanny /2020/09/08/how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-show-appreciation-for-your-nanny Tue, 08 Sep 2020 22:31:19 +0000 /?p=1967 This year, September 20-26 is National Nanny Recognition Week! This international effort was created by nannies and industry leaders over 20 years ago. We love this week at 鶹, but we also think that you don’t need to wait for this special week to show appreciation for the nanny in your life! Let your nanny know how grateful you are for their work with some of these ideas.

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nanny and child playing

This year, September 20-26 is ! This international effort was created by nannies and industry leaders over 20 years ago. During National Nanny Recognition Week, people around the world celebrate the hardworking, dedicated, and loving nannies in their lives.

We love this week at 鶹, but we also think that you don’t need to wait for this special week to show appreciation for the nanny in your life! Let your nanny know how grateful you are for their work with some of these ideas below.

Check in on your work agreement

This may not be the flashiest way to show your nanny appreciation, but it’s something that they’ll appreciate themselves. As your nanny’s employer, it’s your job to stay up to date on their paperwork, taxes, pay, and so on. Check your work agreement and see if changes are needed.

Has your nanny’s role changed? Have you both agreed to expand their child care tasks? Have they begun taking on other tasks, like running errands or tidying the house? If so, nix those non-child care tasks from their routine. Or, sit down and talk to your nanny about updating the work agreement.

Reevaluate pay and benefits

On that note, if your nanny has taken on more duties, consider giving them a raise to match. You might also think about your nanny’s benefits, like health insurance, paid time off, annual bonuses, or reimbursements. 

Offering benefits can help you retain your nanny for longer, and show that you care about their health and wellbeing.

Treat them to something special

Want to give your nanny an actual token of appreciation? Treat them to something special that falls in line with their personal interests. Put thought into their gift and show them that you care.

If your nanny loves hiking and being outdoors, pick up a gift card to a store like REI or Patagonia. If your nanny is passionate about baking, find some beautiful cookbooks or treat them to an upgraded kitchen tool. Do a little research into their hobbies, and you’ll find the perfect gift for your nanny.

Not really sure what to choose or short on time? You usually can’t go wrong with a gift card to a spa for some pampering and relaxation, or a gift card to a good local restaurant.

Get the kids involved

If you’re considering a handcrafted gift for your nanny, why not get the children involved? Maybe they can create a hand-drawn thank you card to go along with a flower arrangement. Or, they can help you prepare a special meal or bake a treat for your nanny. 

If your kids are old enough, you can even ask them for ideas. They may want to put together their own gifts for their nanny.

Why showing appreciation is important

Presents are wonderful ways to show gratitude toward your nanny, but remember: how you treat your nanny all the time is even more important. Respect, clear communication, understanding, and kindness can go a long way in making your nanny feel appreciated.

When you show your nanny appreciation in these ways, you’ll strengthen your bond and set good expectations for your professional relationship. Your nanny will know that you care about them and that you’re appreciative of their hard work.

Find your perfect nanny with 鶹

Looking for the perfect nanny in Phoenix? 鶹 has helped families in Arizona match with nannies since 2002. We also offer placement services for newborn specialists, night nurses, private educators, and more. Browse through our placement packages and fill out our family application online to get started!

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Top 5 Ways to Find the Best Nanny for Your Family /2020/06/05/top-5-ways-to-find-the-best-nanny-for-your-family/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-5-ways-to-find-the-best-nanny-for-your-family Fri, 05 Jun 2020 17:46:00 +0000 /?p=1472 Has the time come that you need to turn partial care of your child over to another person? No matter whether your child is a baby, toddler, or of school age, the decision is huge. You are entrusting someone else for the care of the person you love most in your life. And you want […]

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Has the time come that you need to turn partial care of your child over to another person? No matter whether your child is a baby, toddler, or of school age, the decision is huge. You are entrusting someone else for the care of the person you love most in your life. And you want to make the right decision for your child. And that decision means finding the right person to care for your child.

But before you make your decision on who will be the best at caring for your child, you will need to attract the best person to care for your child. Before you begin your search for the perfect nanny, prepare yourself. Let us help by helping you with the top 5 ways to find the best nanny for your family.

finding a nanny

Prepare Your Expectations

You will need to be prepared to communicate your EXCACT expectations to your potential nanny.

What tasks do you expect your nanny to complete? What specific aspects of your child’s care do you want the nanny to perform? Will they need to cook and prepare meals? Bathe your child? Help with homework/schooling? Take your child on outings and play dates? Help with the tidying of the house? How do you want the nanny to discipline or correct the child? Do you prefer specific training and skill sets? Know what you want your nanny to do daily!

Once you know what you expect, prepare.

Setting Hours and Being Flexible

You will want to know ahead of time what and how many hours you will need your nanny to work per week. Will they need to be there 8-5? Part time? Full time? Will you need them to work weekends? How about holidays? Think of all the possibilities and be realistic with your needs and the exact schedule you might need!

The majority of career nanny candidates want full-time positions with 40-50 hours a week. But they also expect to be given some flexibility for sick/personal days and ample time off when needed. Consider offering your nanny two consecutive days off per week to let them rest and recharge for the following week! If you know you will need more help certain weeks, be prepared to give ample notice to them. Or if need be, be prepared to find a babysitter on those days when your nanny needs time off. We can always help find temp nannies to fill in any days off you may need to accommodate giving your nanny some days off here and there as needed.

Prepare to Offer Competitive Pay and Great Benefits

In order to attract the best, most experienced nanny, you will need to offer a competitive compensation package. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the max salary out there, but one that shows you respect the experience, education and hard work that any career nanny will devote to your family. Know what the typical rates for nanny care in your area are and offer that or better to your potential nanny.

You will also want to offer the a solid package of benefits. These often include legal pay, paid vacation, paid sick days and paid holidays with guaranteed hours. Some families will offer to cover some or all of their nanny’s insurance costs for health and dental/vision insurance. Some will offer gym memberships, the use of a vehicle and even the use of a vacation home during time off. Another great benefit is gifting their employee frequent flier miles to let them travel during time off! Offer the best, if you want the best. We can help you customize a great package for your family and situation.

Pay Them in A Legal Manner

Let your potential nanny know you are honest and want to do right by them. DO NOT pay or offer to pay your potential nanny “under the table”. Yes, it will save you work, but it can also get you into legal trouble. Do right by your employee by offering them the benefits and legal protections of keeping books and withholding the taxes you are required to. This also allows for a more experienced, professional nanny to step into the role and often times makes for a more proactive, engaged and reliable nanny who takes her position much more seriously. They will feel like you respect them, and will perform their job better in return!

paying a nanny legal

Offer Training

Great nannies will jump at the opportunity of bettering their skills. Offer to send them to workshops, and training sessions. Both of you will benefit from the extra skills learned.

how to find a nanny

Finding the perfect nanny does not have to be difficult. Just remember to prepare and communicate your expectations, set the hours, offer competitive pay and benefits, be honest, and help them grow.

And soon, you will have the nanny best suited for your family!

Oh, we can’t forget one more way you can find the best nanny! That is to use a nanny placement agency like us here at 鶹. You are able to get an agency that has experience with over 20 years in business, a trustworthy agency that performs extensive background and reference checks, and tons of value as we choose the best candidates based on a custom family profile. You can learn more about 鶹 here.

Go check us out on , , and .

Read more of our blogs here!

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What Not To Do When Hiring A Nanny /2020/04/20/what-not-to-do-when-hiring-a-nanny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-not-to-do-when-hiring-a-nanny Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:14:43 +0000 /?p=1338 The decision to hire a nanny is huge. You have decided to find a person to care for the most precious thing in your life. Your children. And you do not want to make the wrong choice when it comes to the care of your child. The wrong choice could leave you feeling unsettled and […]

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The decision to hire a nanny is huge. You have decided to find a person to care for the most precious thing in your life. Your children.

And you do not want to make the wrong choice when it comes to the care of your child. The wrong choice could leave you feeling unsettled and anxious every time you leave your child. And you DO NOT want that at all.

Today I want to share with you six things that you DO NOT want to do, when hiring a nanny.

  1. Do NOT hire an inexperienced nanny.

When you hire a nanny, you want her to have the experience caring for a similar aged child, and the same number of children. For instance, do you have twins? Its best in that type of situation that she has cared for twins and their special needs before.

  • Do NOT neglect calling references.

鶹 performs lengthy phone interviews with each candidate’s references and provides a detailed report on each conversation, but we suggest you do additional reference calls to ask your own questions as well!

Calling a nanny’s references will quickly get you the facts on that nanny’s previous work experience.

Ask questions to get the facts. Such as …

“How did you come into contact with this nanny?”

“Would you hire this nanny again?”

“How many days did she call in sick, or report to work late?”

“What issues (minor ones included) came about with this nanny?”

  • Do NOT be vague on your parenting methods and preferences in the interview process.

Your potential nanny needs to fully understand your preferences from the beginning.

During your interview discuss…

Housework- What do you expect your nanny to accomplish around the house. And when should she do them.

Media Usage- Are you comfortable with the nanny using the Television, computer, or phone during hours she is caring for your child? Or do you want her to only use those during specific hours during care.

Sleep training and routines- Do expect the nanny to rock or walk the baby to sleep? Or do you prefer your child to self soothe? Is there a specific way you want your children put to sleep? Do you want nanny to help with a new routine or work on sleep training or do things exactly as you already do?

Nanny’s meal arrangements- Do you provide meals for your nanny? Or will you expect her to bring her own food?

Play dates and activities- Is the nanny expected to arrange play dates? Do you want playdates in your home, or in a public setting? Do you want your child participating in story time at the library or visiting the zoo? Is the nanny okay with driving your children around? Are you okay with driving her around?

Discipline- What methods of discipline do you want implemented for your children?

  • Do NOT be vague about pay.

Talk about how many days you expect of her to work a week. Talk about exactly what the schedule will be each day. How many days off she will have in a year, including sick days, and whether or not she will be paid those days.  Professional nannies will expect a standard package of benefits including paid vacation, paid sick days paid legal holidays and guaranteed hours.

Also discuss how she will be paid. Hourly? A flat rate? And how often will pay be received?

  • Do NOT neglect to set up working interviews!

You should always ask the nanny to come do at least one working interview where candidates will come perform anywhere from 1-5 complete work days to watch how you take care of your children, what the normal schedule and routine will look like and how you want things done. Walk her through a typical day. Show her how you feed, change, and put the child down for naps. Then let her do those tasks the next day, with you following behind to make sure it is going well. This time will also help your baby adjust to the change and know that this person is someone they can trust.

  • Do NOT interview only one person.

While it may be the right person right out the gate, don’t settle for the first person you interview. Make sure you interview multiple candidates. You want to make sure that you have candidates to compare to make the best decision! Make sure to ask the right questions of each person. We will provide you a detailed list of interview questions and what to look for in interviews! Here are some great suggestions to ask candidates:

“How long have you been a nanny?”

“How many children have you cared for at once?”

“How and why did you end your previous jobs?” 

“What activities will you do with my child during the day?”

“Do you have any certifications? CPR, childcare, etc.?”

“Is your schedule flexible?”

“How do you handle sick days?”

In conclusion, finding and deciding on a great nanny can be hard work, and it should be! This is a big decision. You are hiring someone to fill your shoes in your child’s world while you are gone, those are BIG shoes to fill!

Hire experience. Call references. Be clear on parenting methods. Be clear on pay. Do working interviews. Interview multiple candidates.

And before you know it, you will have your dream candidate. Someone matched to meet your needs, the needs of your child and who will become the newest member of your family!

What not to do when hiring a nanny
Photo by Nico Marie Photography

If you need more tips on what not to do when hiring your perfect nanny, feel free to reach out to us here at 鶹 and we’d be happy to assist! We specialize in long term, career nanny placements and have an amazing relationship with of some of the best nannies in the industry who have trusted us for many years. We can help you in finding placements that are the right fit, for all of your families unique needs. Click here for more information. We would love to help!

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A Nanny’s Top 5 Baby Products /2019/10/16/a-nannys-top-5-baby-product-must-haves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-nannys-top-5-baby-product-must-haves Wed, 16 Oct 2019 01:05:03 +0000 /?p=874 Guess what? We decided to hear from one of our favorite nannies on what her top 5 baby products would be. We asked nanny Brittany to share with us her favorite products she uses every day in her life as a nanny and why they are the best, most useful products. “Here comes baby! Are […]

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Guess what? We decided to hear from one of our favorite nannies on what her top 5 baby products would be. We asked nanny to share with us her favorite products she uses every day in her life as a nanny and why they are the best, most useful products.

“Here comes baby! Are you ready? Did you get everything that you needed on your registry or are you overwhelmed with all the products your friends and family are sharing with you? Not to worry, as a nanny I have seen and used so many of these products and I want to share with you my top 5 products I can’t live without!

– let me tell you I have used tons of wipes and these have to be by far my favorite. They are thick enough so you can get everything in one wipe without getting it everywhere.

PC: Honest Company

– this is truly one of a kind sound machine and light. You use this as a white noise machine for those new babies all the way up to your toddlers who need the light at night time.

PC: The Hatch Baby

– this bath is a lifesaver! It is a soft mesh that can rinse easily and supports your baby in the safest position possible.

PC: Google

this simple, easy swaddle can be used by anyone! No more fighting to get your baby’s arms in the right position either. Just wrap your baby and go!

PC: The Ollie World

– We all do not like that feeling of putting diaper cream on our baby’ bums then having to get the diaper on before the mess gets everywhere! The BabyBum Brush saves you from the mess and the feeling of diaper cream everywhere!

PC: Bumco

I hope that you enjoy these products as much as I do. They really make a difference in my life as a working, professional nanny and I share them with all the families I work with. Give them a try and you will fall in love with them too!”

We also showcased my favorite baby products as a previous nanny, newborn care specialist, household manager, and now the owner of 鶹 on this blog found here.

Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the baby product decisions? We know it can be a lot so we offer a Custom Baby Registry Design. It includes a 1-hour in-home or virtual consultation, curated baby registry tailored to fit your lifestyle and needs, and an organized list for thank you cards. Contact us today to purchase this service and get started!

Recent testimonial: “As my husband and I prepared for the arrival of our first child, Kayla helped us navigate all things baby related including helping me with my registry. As a first time mom, I didn’t know what products were better than others and which were necessary. Her expertise was so valuable and her experience with different products helped me figure out what would work best for me and my family.” -Jackie

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How to Relax and Enjoy Your Pregnancy /2019/10/15/how-to-relax-and-enjoy-your-pregnancy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-relax-and-enjoy-your-pregnancy Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:23:57 +0000 /?p=845 “Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be.”-Carrie Fisher Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life. Filled with anticipation, wonder, and sweet mystery. But it does not come without […]

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“Everything grows rounder and wider and weirder and I sit here in the middle of it all and wonder who in the world you will turn out to be.”-Carrie Fisher


Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life. Filled with anticipation, wonder, and sweet mystery. But it does not come without its challenges.  Can you say heartburn, backaches, fatigue, endless bathroom visits, and nausea? Oh, did I say fatigue? It’s a time of growing. Not only for the baby. But for the mama as well. You really are stretched to max capacity, mentally and physically. All in preparation for the lifelong journey of motherhood. But how can one really stop and enjoy all that pregnancy brings? It’s not always easy to pause and appreciate the magic. But it is possible.

Start by getting excited about taking care of your sweet baby, by planning out your registry. Wander the baby aisles, with a decaf iced coffee in hand. Make it all become a reality, by thinking about which diapers you want your baby in. And let us help by allowing us to curate a customized baby registry filled with all the gear you need.


Another way that you can enjoy this unique part of motherhood, is to set your focus on some of the sweet moments to come. And what can get you more excited about holding and rocking your precious squish to sleep, than preparing a nursery? Preparing your baby’s nursery comes with many decisions such as picking out paint colors, hanging curtains, setting up the crib and changing table. All of this really just makes the reality of what is to come, so much more real and exciting. Lots of expecting moms love to go sit in their babies nursery after it’s all completed, and for a few moments, they forget all the discomforts they are experiencing and just dream of what is to come.


And did you know we offer services to help take away even more stress and help you set up your nursery? We help you by offering nursery design and setup, customized to your style. We can help you organize all of the products you need and can even help demonstrate how all of your gear will work for baby. Then you can really prop your feet up, and sit and wonder of the joy to come.


Another way to make your passage to motherhood easier is to plan and prep for the delivery of the baby. Delivery can be one of the most fun parts of being a mom. The anticipation of seeing your toes again, and not making 100 trips to the bathroom a day. Not to mention, reaping the fruit of your labor, and finally holding that precious little one. We can help you prepare for this rite of passage, by creating a custom to-do list for each trimester. As well as a comprehensive hospital packing guide for mommy and baby. Allowing you to accomplish what you need in a timely fashion. 

Granting sweet time, to be able to stand in gratefulness, for the special gift you have been given, to carry life within you. And to learn that pregnancy is just a stepping stone to the lifelong journey of motherhood.All the discomfort you are feeling now, will pass. More quickly than you realize. And you will miss this sacred time of your babe growing within. But oh the joys to come!Let us help you on your journey to motherhood. Reach out on your journey. We would love to help.

To look at all of these services offered plus options of hiring a nanny, newborn care specialist, or household manager can be found on our website here. 鶹 has placed thousands of successful nannies with families in Arizona since 2002! Let us help you and support you along your pregnancy and even afterwards.

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Baby Registry Must-Haves /2019/10/03/baby-registry-must-haves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baby-registry-must-haves /2019/10/03/baby-registry-must-haves/#comments Thu, 03 Oct 2019 02:51:28 +0000 /?p=755 Are you or someone you may know expecting a precious blessing soon? If so, or even if you love baby products, you have to check out all these amazing registry items! These are my tried and true favorite items I will choose over and over again for any registry!  With different households, budgets, and parent’s needs, […]

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Are you or someone you may know expecting a precious blessing soon? If so, or even if you love baby products, you have to check out all these amazing registry items!

These are my tried and true favorite items I will choose over and over again for any registry!  With different households, budgets, and parent’s needs, they are the items that stand out. All of these items are functional, high quality, and useful that I will always recommend to people!  I’ve seen first hand through years of experience as a nanny, newborn care specialist, and household manager, that these items are the best of the best!

Stroller

Nuna Mixx 2: Located at . This is my favorite stroller of life.  It’s a perfect size, great price and always stylish.  Mesh back for breathability, one-handed fold and incredibly good looking. Cost: $599.95

Mockingbird: Located at .  This is a GREAT new addition to the stroller world.  A direct to customer brand disrupting big box stores all over the place and providing a luxury stroller at an incredible value.  It looks suspiciously similar to our next classic registry item.  Cost: $350

Uppababy Vista: Located at .  The Mockingbird’s “cousin” …The Uppababy vista has been the standard of luxury strollers for years.  A major benefit to this one is that it comes complete with a bassinet and attachments you need.  All in one, right from the time you purchase it. Cost: $899.99-$959.99

Maxi Cosi Zelia: Located at . A great budget option for those wanting something a bit more affordable, yet still stylish and sleek. Cost: $399

Car Seat:

Nuna Pipa- Located at . This is my favorite car seat of life.  To go with my favorite stroller of life J It is also consistently rated the absolute safest of the safe with its innovative leg brace suspension giving it extra support in the event of an accident, all while being lightweight!  Bonus:  This one features a genius secret “dream drape” which serves as a blackout canopy for the coziest place for your baby to rest while out and about. Cost: $299.95

Britax B Safe– Located at – The standard for mid-range car seats, all the bells, and whistles needed, incredible safety and security and simple and stylish. Cost: $199.99

Bassinet:

Chicco Lullago– Located at – Simple, stylish, and portable!  What more can you ask for? Cost: $119.99

Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet– Located at . A great alternative to expensive automatic soothing bassinets to be near your bedside those first few weeks and months. Cost: $119.99

Lifestyle:

SwaddleUp– Located at . The best happy medium with a baby who needs to be swaddled but still likes their arms out or free! Cost: $29.95

Hatch Baby Rest Night Light– Located at . An absolute must on any registry.  Nightlight, projector, AND white noise machine all in one. Can control from your cell phone and tablets. Cost: $59.99

 

Activity:

The Play Gym by Lovevery– Located at . An incredibly interactive play mat for the first year or more of baby’s little life!  Endless activities all designed to engage their senses and help them explore, all while being modern, simple and colorful. 

Busy Baby Activity Chair– Located at . This chair is amazing. It has plenty of activities to keep you little one busy, including a mirror, rattle, squeaky toy and more. It’s all made from soft but sturdy foam too! Such an amazing product! Cost: $139

Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt– located at . A game-changer for those tricky months when teething is bad. Put one of these on one or both hands and let baby go to town chewing!  Cost: $9.99

Miscellaneous:

Skip Hop Explore and More 3 Stage Activity Center– located at . A great baby activity center that supports the baby’s whole body. It has a 360-degree rotating seat that turns and stretches for the baby to move around. This also converts to a table as baby grows. Cost: $130

Lobana Peri-Garde– Located at . Nanny secret right here!  This is THE BEST thing you can use for diaper rash!  Stop wasting money on anything else.  Cost: $12.95

Snuggle Me Organic– located at . A great place for baby to rest and be cozy like they are in the womb.  This thing will bring on some serious naps!  A great way to have baby with you wherever you are in the home in those first few months. Cost: $99

Feeding: 

Spectra S1– located at . Finally, a hospital-grade pump available without renting from the hospital!  The most effective pump on the market. Cost: $199.99

LaVie Lactation Massager– located at . A must-have for new breastfeeding moms! The warmth and vibration from this massager help with any clogged ducts, lactation aches, and pains and a great way to help prevent mastitis.  Cost: $39.95

I hope you love reviewing all these wonderful products as much as I do. They all work wonders with a new baby! Also, stay tuned as we reveal something pretty exciting on Friday, October 4th that will help any new mom out!

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