The nanny industry has been hit incredibly hard due to COVID-19. Many nannies have been laid off because of the circumstances. Families are being cautious who is in and out of their homes or they are out of work themselves and can not keep a nanny on. This has been an uncertain and trying time for all of us. The stories are heartbreaking from many in our industry. However, an incredible group of generous people is stepping up to help. was born out of a need to help so many in this profound time of need during COVID-19.

In March, began seeing people on her social media begin to lose their jobs. She decided that as long as she was still employed, she would donate her paycheck to those in need. Not long after, she posted a video on social media, asking for people to contact her if they had an urgent need for a small, one-time gift. 

Rachael soon noticed that a large number of nannies had been using their paid time off and sick leave to adhere to social distancing rules who were then losing their jobs as this paid leave ran out. Realizing this crisis was going to especially affect nannies financially for the foreseeable future, she decided to target the giving towards the nanny community. 

After her March 30th posting, many other nannies were inspired by her call and joined her in donating a portion of their weekly income to other out-of-work nannies. In no time at all she had been contacted by Austin McFarlane, the brilliant mind behind . Within 48 hours they had assembled a powerhouse team of some of the most influential women in the nanny industry including Sue Downey of , Laura Chandra, current treasurer of the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies and CEO of , and Shenandoah Davis who is the visionary behind and a fierce advocate for domestic workers. Along with a generous and creative group of professional advisors, attorneys, and a branding specialist who all signed on to help with this effort pro bono, they were ready to get started!

The Nanny Relief Fund came about because someone wanted to help and people stepped up to show love, support and offer tangible relief for others in times of need. This non-profit intends to support the nanny community through this crisis and beyond and has already had a profound impact on caregivers who now know they have someone to turn to in times of need.

While the initial goal was to raise enough funds to begin the process of providing relief to nannies, they are also collecting items and/or experiences to sell at an online auction later this year to help even more nannies and domestic workers.

We are honored to have helped with this amazing relief fund and we hope you can too! To be a part of this special movement, visit , to learn about how you can be of service to others. Thank you for supporting nannies during this time!

If you are in need of assistance during this time PLEASE reach out to us! We are ready to help anyone in need as much as we can. We are all in this together. To sign up to receive an alert when funds are released or to apply for aid please visit .

If you are a nanny and currently looking for a position here in Arizona, please check out our Nannies Section and apply today.

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Ready to pack up the bags, get the kids ready, and head on a trip for the holidays? If so, think about bringing your nanny along. Whether it’s a holiday trip or a family vacation, bring your nanny with you to help! Traveling with your nanny can be a great experience for everyone involved: the nanny can help with the children and allow for a date night too!

However, to ensure that both you and the nanny are still cheerful by the end of the tip, don’t forget some key things to discuss with your nanny. It’s best to be clear on the expectations and all the arrangement before the trip begins!

Steps to travel successfully with your nanny:

Communicate Beforehand-

Before the trip begins, outline the nanny’s responsibilities and schedule during the trip. Make sure your nanny knows when you need them to watch the children full time or when they may be going along with you and just be a helper. Also, if you decide on the trip that you want your nanny to take on extra hours, be sure to compensate fairly and communicate that to them. Always let them know their schedule for the hours you need them to work while on the trip. Make sure your nanny understands and is on the same page yet feels appreciated and compensated fairly.

Discuss Compensation-

This may seem like an obvious thing to discuss but you need to make sure they are aware of what they are getting paid even while traveling. Talk about whether your nanny will be receiving their regular pay or if the time that they will be working exceeds their normal hours and they will be compensated for that. Also, decide when you will pay your nanny whether that is the entire amount at the end of the trip or in with the rest of their normal pay schedule.

Accommodations-

If you are traveling with your nanny, you have to decide if they will have their own room and bathroom (which I highly suggest) or share with the children. You have to make sure your nanny feels comfortable with the sleeping arrangements regardless of how close they are to your family or how long they have been your nanny.

Expenses-

Also, you would need to cover the cost of their airfare, hotel costs, and meals. Consider all of these travel expenses when deciding if you are bringing your nanny along. Of course, communicate what you are comfortable with spending even to your nanny when it comes to meals like eating out, etc. The biggest thing is to communicate all of this with your nanny so everything is clear right up front.

Taking your nanny on your upcoming holiday trip whether that’s to family gatherings or a fun trip can be super helpful and enjoyable as long as you make sure these key steps are taken care of. The best part is you already know your nanny and your children are comfortable with your nanny so bringing them along with you on vacation is a huge benefit. As long as you follow these key steps, everyone will come back happily ever after!

One last thing, if you are looking to hire a nanny to come and help your family and even go on trips like mentioned, check out our Families section here. At ¹ú²úÂ鶹, we are one of Arizona’s most trusted nanny agencies and can help you find the perfect addition to your family.

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