▷ peoria arizona - 鶹 /tag/peoria-arizona/ 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. Tue, 04 Aug 2020 04:05:28 +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 ▷ peoria arizona - 鶹 /tag/peoria-arizona/ 32 32 Importance of Communication Between Nanny and Family /2020/08/03/importance-of-communication-between-nanny-and-family/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=importance-of-communication-between-nanny-and-family Mon, 03 Aug 2020 23:33:25 +0000 /?p=1634 Every parent when they begin the task of looking for the perfect caregiver for their child, they have dreams of finding the “perfect” fit. They want to be free of worry and know that their child is being cared for exactly as they wish. And that is a good thing to want. But in reality, […]

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Every parent when they begin the task of looking for the perfect caregiver for their child, they have dreams of finding the “perfect” fit. They want to be free of worry and know that their child is being cared for exactly as they wish. And that is a good thing to want. But in reality, you may not find the “perfect” fit right off. You as the parent/guardian will need to put in some work to help pave the way for a smooth parent-nanny relationship.

But how do you start off right, and make things go as smoothly as desired? 

You need to communicate, communicate, communicate.

One of the most common problems experienced between nannies and parents is the lack of clear expectations. From the very beginning of the relationship, when you first begin to interview potential nannies, you will need to be clear and concise in your expectations. From daily tasks to discipline, it’s important to be open, honest, and thorough in what you expect of your nanny.

We even asked some of our professional nannies their advice on communication with their families and here is what they said:

  • They wish their bosses were super clear and honest about hours, working from home, and scheduled time off.
  • They wish families understood why guaranteed hours are important to any professional nanny.
  • They wish families would discuss with them exactly how they want conflicts/difficult discussions handled or how to best approach them about things that need to be addressed because every family is different in this regard.
  • Above all else they want families to be clear, honest, and super detailed upfront so they can perform their jobs exactly as the family needs/desires, but they need to know those details first. (Which is sometimes hard for families to address upfront)

We are here to help you in preventing communication problems and offering you some common areas you should be aware of, even at the very first meeting with a potential nanny.

Daily Tasks- Will you expect your nanny to perform housework, cooking, playdates, and errand running?

Let your nanny know exactly what you expect done daily. And if your needs change down the road, meet with your nanny, talk with them about those needs and talk about compensation for your new needs.

They need to know exactly what to expect so they can meet those expectations but they also need clear and concise communication if things arise.

Hours Worked- Here’s some questions you should consider:

How many hours do you expect your nanny to work a week?

Will those hours be firmly set?

Or will they alter?

Will you need the nanny to be flexible?

How will you handle for scheduled time off?

Be very clear about how many hours you need your nanny to work. And remember the importance of guaranteeing your nanny a certain number of hours. This is their job and their livelihood. Respecting their time will create a healthy work environment.

Discipline/ Difficult Behaviors- How do you want your nanny to handle discipline issues that arise in children?

Consider weekly sit-down meetings without the children near. Allow the nanny opportunity to relay over any issues that have arisen that week. Let them share any new or reoccurring difficult behaviors. Relay exactly how you want those behaviors handled. Make it a time where you can connect with the nanny, so you can both be on the same page.

Above all else, you need to be clear, honest, and super detailed upfront so your nanny can perform their jobs exactly as you the family needs/desires. But your nanny will not know what those needs and desires are unless you tell them. It may be difficult, to begin with, but as with any working relationship, you need to be thorough and concise in what you need and want.

Honesty is the key. Tell the nanny if you will be super involved or if you prefer to be hands-off and let the nanny do what needs to be done.

Don’t tell your nanny what you think they want to hear. Tell them EXACTLY what the job will look like and do that from the very beginning. Remember to continuously communicate if changes need to happen.

And soon, you will be on the path to a smooth relationship with the right caregiver for your child.

Here at 鶹 we are here to help you all along the way of interviewing and hiring the perfect nanny. We also set up a specific and curated family profile on your exact needs and only send nanny applications that match those standards which is only the best! You’ll also be able to interview the nanny candidate and get a taste of their communication skills before hiring. We are here to help you find your nanny, household manager, newborn care specialist, or private educator today. Click here for more information and get started today!

We are also on several platforms so go follow us on , , and . 

Read more of our blogs here!

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Options for Back to School This Year: All About Private Educators /2020/07/16/options-for-back-to-school-this-year-all-about-private-educators/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=options-for-back-to-school-this-year-all-about-private-educators Thu, 16 Jul 2020 03:26:07 +0000 /?p=1528 Are you still reeling from the shock and busy pace of having to suddenly school your kids at home this past school year due to COVID19? With school closures happening so suddenly, it was a real struggle for many working parents to adjust to not only working from home but also having to school your […]

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Options for Back to School This Year: All About Private Educators

Are you still reeling from the shock and busy pace of having to suddenly school your kids at home this past school year due to COVID19? With school closures happening so suddenly, it was a real struggle for many working parents to adjust to not only working from home but also having to school your child at the same exact time. To be honest, as much as we would rather it not happen, the possibility of that same scenario playing out in the coming school year is a very real possibility.

We are in a time of uncertainty in our upcoming school year. Right now, while we are a month or so out from the start of the school year, is the time to begin preparing for the possibility of school closures. You need to right now be thinking about what options your family has for education, and to begin putting them into place. We are here to share with you the options for back to school this year which includes information all about private educators.

covid19 back to school

There are many education options available to families. From letting your child attend the public or private schools, and going with whatever flow happens during the year, to hybrid homeschooling and straight-up homeschooling. The choice is yours as the parent.

But if you are a working parent, the option of homeschooling, although appealing in current times, may not seem a possible option for you. But it can be, if you really desire it.

More and more parents are realizing that you can hire a licensed teacher, to come into their home and teach their children. Sometimes this teacher is also a nanny and will care for the other non-academic needs of your children as well.

Perhaps you are a work from home parent and you really want the confidence of knowing that your child is safe at home and that their education will not be abruptly interrupted. But since you are working, you know it would be a real challenge for you yourself to give them the time needed for their education, and to maintain your current job. For this type of situation, you might want to consider hiring a teacher to come into your home for a few hours a day and have them teach the subjects they would otherwise be learning at school.

Or maybe you are a parent that works outside the home and you still want to know that your child’s education will not suddenly be interrupted by closures. But you know there is no way you are able to stay home to teach them. Then you may want to consider hiring a nanny, who is also able to teach and administer daily school work, with the bonus of taking care or the other needs of your children in the safety of your home.

But what are some of the other benefits of hiring a teacher to homeschool your child, besides not having your child’s schedule is suddenly interrupted and knowing your children are safe at home? Here are the many benefits of homeschooling:

Options for Back to School This Year: All About Private Educators

Your Child Will Be Able to Learn at Their Own Pace

Mainstream classrooms place emphasis on the group as a whole. Teaching your child at home, essentially puts your child in charge of the learning pace. If they understand a concept, they can quickly move on. But if they are struggling, you can focus more on that skill.

Freedom Over Your Schedule

You and the teacher you hire can set the school hours. You can choose when and where they complete their lessons. Whether that be in the morning, afternoon, or even evening. What works best for you, is what you do.

Learning Outside the Box Through Play 

You will have the ability to be allow your teacher to be spontaneous in their teaching. Perhaps your child takes a sudden interest in a topic. You can let the teacher use the time with your child to help that child learn more about that interest in unconventional ways. Whether that is researching, taking a trip, or planning an activity around that subject. The world can be their classroom.

Just know that you the parent have options during these times. And now is the time to start thinking and preparing for what might come.

Options for Back to School This Year: All About Private Educators

We know that you are doing your best, no matter what choice you make regarding your child’s education. We hope this helps open your eyes to the possibility of private educators to help in your home with schooling this year and helps provide options for back to school this year. If we can help you in finding the perfect private educator or nanny for your home, you can find out more about our placement services here. We are here to help you along this unknown time of school and find the best fit.

Options for Back to School This Year: All About Private Educators

We are also on several platforms so go follow us on ,, and .

Read more of our blogs here!

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Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves /2020/06/16/top-10-baby-registry-must-haves/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-10-baby-registry-must-haves Tue, 16 Jun 2020 20:43:31 +0000 /?p=1482 Expecting a new bundle of joy soon? If so congratulations! This is such an exciting time. One full of so much anticipation and preparation. But, it also a time to be a little bit confused. You know that a baby is coming, but what on earth does one really need for a baby? What is […]

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new mom
Photo by Nico Marie Photo

Expecting a new bundle of joy soon? If so congratulations! This is such an exciting time. One full of so much anticipation and preparation.

But, it also a time to be a little bit confused. You know that a baby is coming, but what on earth does one really need for a baby? What is helpful and what is not?

Many of you can remember going up and down all the baby aisles, at all the stores, and leaping at every product you saw. But after baby arrived, you quickly learned, a new baby does not need a ton of items. After clothing, food, and diapers, you need just a few great, high quality items, that get the job done.

The job most often being, keeping baby safe, quiet, and hopefully to sleep.

So, to help keep you being confused from all the hype, of all the products, we are going to share the “Top 10 Must Have Baby Registry Items”.

(click on the link to go straight to the product)

  • – Convertible cribs are a great option as they will grow with your child. Look for one with functionality and a great price.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon
  • – Strollers are necessary for when you start wanting to take baby out and about to the store or for a stroll in the park. Look for one with an adaptable car seat base, easy to maneuver and store, and one baby can easily nap in for long outings.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo from Amazon
  • – You will want to keep baby safe and sound while traveling. And you will want to easily get baby in and out the car, without breaking your arms from too much weight.  You want a car seat with a snug fit, and comfortable grip.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo from Amazon
  • – The bobby pillow has been a longtime favorite for new parents. Not only is great for bottle feeding and nursing, it grows with your baby as a longer, or prop for tummy time.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon
  • – Baby carriers are essential for when you want baby close, or when baby needs to be close to you. They allow you to work and continue with daily life, and have your hands free. There is a great variety in carriers. From wraps, to slings, to soft structured carriers. Research and ask other moms what their favorite baby carrier is to determine what you think will work best for you.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon
  • – You will want to keep an eye and ear on your little one while they are napping. Monitors have amazing technology options now. From video to smartphone compatibility. Your choices are endless.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon
  • – Baby’s nails will grow long, they will need to have their hair brushed, their temps checked, and so on. A good grooming kit will help with all of that.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon
  • – Baby will need a bath. Look for something easy to store and clean.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo from Amazon
  • – Baby may struggle to sleep without a soothing noise after being the womb. A white noise machine is great in helping them adjust and get the sleep they need. And to help you sleep too.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo from Amazon
  • – A pack and play doubles as a portable crib for traveling, or even a changing station.
Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today.
Photo by Amazon

Share with us! Are you a first-time parent, or a seasoned pro? Are there any items you would add to this list?

Top 10 Baby Registry Must Haves That You Need Today
Photo by Nico Marie Photo

We are also here for you if you are expecting a new bundle of joy and need help with a newborn care specialist or nanny for your family. Check out all our services here.

We are also on several platforms so go follow us on on , , and .

Read more of our blogs here!

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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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The Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas /2020/05/05/the-best-mothers-day-gift-ideas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-best-mothers-day-gift-ideas Tue, 05 May 2020 00:42:36 +0000 /?p=1427 “A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one can take.” No one can replace the love a mother gives and she deserves to know how much she means to her children no matter how old. Mothers day is right around the corner and we have some […]

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Photo by Nico Marie Photo

“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one can take.”

No one can replace the love a mother gives and she deserves to know how much she means to her children no matter how old. Mothers day is right around the corner and we have some craft ideas for nannies to do with little ones to give moms. Hand made with love gifts mean so much to moms and are a perfect way to make her feel special. We have got the BEST mother’s day gift ideas waiting for you!

Here are 4 Craft Ideas for Young Children to Make for Mom This Year:

1) Easy Handprint Card

Photo from Simply Sweet Teaching

Make a homemade card and put the child(rens) hand-painted prints on it for mom to have a keepsake with the size of their hands in 2020. Making the hands look like a bouquet of flowers is an even better touch.

Find all the details .

2) Painted Mother’s Day Flower Pot

Photo from All Things Mamma

How cute would it be to have a child paint a flower pot for mom and plant a simple flower in it that they can help mom cultivate and grow with love? All you need is a small flower pot, paint, a flower, and a little potting soil. Children love to paint, so let them use their own imagination and personalize it with their own artistic flair. 

Find all the details .

3) DIY Mother’s Day Coffee Mug

Photo by Meaningful Mama

We all know how much mom needs her coffee! If coffee is something that your family’s mom enjoys and needs, having her child(ren) make her a specialized DIY mug would be the perfect gift for her. It also would be her go-to mug for that perfect cup of coffee to help her start the day.  All you need is a white mug and glass or ceramic paint markers. 

Find all the details .

4) Framed Pressed Flowers

Framed Pressed Flowers
Photo by Lily Ardor

Most moms know the feeling of being outdoors with their kids and being handed little flowers (weeds in most cases). Children love handpicking those little flowers and giving them in love to their moms. Make mom’s gift special for the kids by letting them go on an outing to pick flowers for mom then press them in a picture frame to give her on Mother’s Day!

Find all the details .

Photo by Nico Marie Photo

I hope these easy and affordable crafts give you some inspiration for this year’s Mother’s Day! Don’t let the Quarantine stop you from honoring the special mom in your children’s lives. She deserves these small gestures and gifts to remember just how much she’s loved and appreciated.

Tag @allaboutnannies in your crafts if you decide to make one of these and let us see!

Photo by Nico Marie Photo

鶹 is committed to finding quality nannies, house managers, personal assistants, and newborn specialists for our Arizona families. You can always learn more here.

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Nanny Interview Etiquette and Tips to Land the Perfect Position /2020/01/21/nanny-interview-etiquette-and-tips-to-land-the-perfect-position/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nanny-interview-etiquette-and-tips-to-land-the-perfect-position Tue, 21 Jan 2020 04:07:24 +0000 /?p=1065 Are you getting ready for your first interview as a potential nanny or even looking for a new position? Whether you decide to go the route of finding a position on your own, or with an agency; We can help you prepare for the big day! In this blog we will be sharing some interview […]

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Photo By: Nico Marie Photography

Are you getting ready for your first interview as a potential nanny or even looking for a new position? Whether you decide to go the route of finding a position on your own, or with an agency; We can help you prepare for the big day! In this blog we will be sharing some interview etiquette and tips that are sure to help you nail the nanny position of your dreams.

Nanny Interview Etiquette and Tips To Land The Perfect Position

Interview Day Etiquette

An interview for a nanny position is no different from any other job interview. You need to be mindful of your appearance and your body language. You need to do the following:

– Do your research on the position you are interested in. Know the hours, know the area and things to do around that, have an estimate of what your commute time may be in heavy traffic, or no traffic. Take some time to think about the kids ages and what you might do with them each day, or what a typical day might look like if they hire you.

– Don’t forget your paperwork, i.e. job description, resume, specifications, and references, letters of recommendations, degrees or certifications or documents from extra training you have done.

– Dress for success. Make sure you are comfortable, professional, and feeling confident. I’d highly recommend business professional wear, or at very least business casual.

– Be punctual. You can bet that an agency is taking notes on when you arrive and if you were punctual or not. If you know you are going to be running late, send a message or a take a few minutes to call and give a heads up to the agency or the family. Something as small as being 10-15 mins late unannounced can easily lead to someone choosing another candidate over you.

– Make eye contact with each interviewer. This shows that you are engaged with the interview, confident and present with what they are asking you and in what you can bring to the table!

– Don’t give one-word answers. Let them know what you have achieved, be confident and clear. You want to be detailed in your answers without rambling on or giving just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

– Ask questions of the interviewer. You need to make sure the job is the right fit for you too. You are interviewing the family or agency as much as they are interviewing you. If its a family interview make sure to ask exactly what they are looking for, what they would like a typical day to look like, any extra tasks they are looking to be done and exactly what their compensation package is. If it is with an agency find out what the process is like, what to expect next, what they do to represent you and how hands on they are with the interviewing/hiring process and beyond. Agencies vary in this aspect, so make sure to ask! You want to make sure you are with an agency that will provide you as much or little support as you are looking for!

– Don’t stress and be CONFIDENT.

Interview Tips: Be Prepared for Questions

A job interview as a nanny will be filled with questions specific to that job. Some questions you can expect to hear are:

-Tell me about yourself. Focus on experience, skills, interests, and strengths related to the job.

– Why did you choose to become a nanny?

– What childcare qualifications do you have?

– What do you think is the most important aspect of a nanny job?

– What do you consider to be the qualities that children like in you?

– What did you like/ dislike in previous nanny jobs?

– What sort of activities, daily routines, foods did you prepare, etc. , with the children in your care?

– Why do you think you are well suited for this nanny position?

– What are your child rearing philosophies?

Interview Tips: Be Prepared to Ask Questions

You need to make sure this position fits well for you! So make sure you ask questions as it helps you get the answer you need and also comes across as you interested in the position as well! Some questions to ask are:

– Is there housework involved or will you only be looking after the children?

– Who is responsible for disciplining the children? What method will be used?

– What specific things should you do with the children. i.e. art projects, helping with homework, transportation, etc.

– How many hours would be required weekly?

– What would the salary be weekly? Bi-weekly?

– Will there be date night sitting on top of the weekly work hours on occasion?

– What are your holiday and vacation expectations?

-Will you be offering guaranteed hours?

-Will you be providing a car or reimbursing for gas and mileage?

If you are working with an agency, such as 鶹, make sure you give feedback after your family interview. We are here to help and give advice. We hope this has been an encouragement to you with the proper nanny etiquette and tips to land the nanny position of your dreams!

鶹 Photo by Nico Marie Photography

Ready to become a nanny or find the perfect position to end your search? Check out our new openings and apply here!

Also, something exciting for you! We are doing nanny profile headshots with Nicole of on February 1st in Scottsdale, Arizona for only $20! This is a must-have for your nanny profile and portfolio! If you need more info on this or want to sign up, please email Kayla at info@allaboutnanniesaz.com.

Brittney, Current Nanny
Nanny Headshots by Nico Marie Photography
Nanny Headshots by Nico Marie Photography

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Holiday Baking with Kids /2019/12/12/holiday-baking-with-kids/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=holiday-baking-with-kids Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:46:20 +0000 /?p=1005 It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s time to blare the Christmas music, deck the halls, drink all the hot chocolate, and bake all the sweets. Wondering how you can get the kids in the kitchen during the holidays to bake all the sweets with you? Here are a few pointers to help […]

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holiday baking with kids

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s time to blare the Christmas music, deck the halls, drink all the hot chocolate, and bake all the sweets. Wondering how you can get the kids in the kitchen during the holidays to bake all the sweets with you? Here are a few pointers to help make some memories with the kids this holiday season with some easy and kid-friendly recipes.

Are you still not convinced on inviting the kids in the kitchen with you on this adventure? We all know what kids in the kitchen can bring…..yes, it’s messy and maybe a bit chaotic. It can take you about three times as long to bake one batch of cookies; but knowing that the children will have a blast and the memory of spending time making a treat in the kitchen with their favorite person makes every “sweet Jesus what have I done?!” moment worth it.

So, before I share with you my top three kid-friendly holiday treats, I want to offer this one piece of advice for any nannies or families out there. I was given this advice when dealing with kiddos in the kitchen. You the adult, do all the baking and the child will do all the decorating. Believe me, it brings a lot more peace on earth.

Rudolph peanut butter cookies recipe
Photo and Recipe Credits: Thrifty Jinxy

Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Peanut Butter 
  • 1/2 cup Butter 
  • 1/2 cup Sugar 
  • 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 
  • 1 tsp Vanilla 
  • 1 Egg 
  • 1 1/3 cup Flour 
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda 
  • 1/2 tsp Salt 
  •  
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Instructions:

  1. Break pretzels into pieces to use as antlers.
  2. Preheat oven to 350.
  3. Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
  4. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
  5. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
  6. Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated.
  7. Roll into 1/2-3/4″ balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart.
  8. Sprinkle with sugar and gently make an indentation slightly off the center of each cookie.
  9. Bake 12-14 minutes.
  10. Place an M&M in the indentation of each cookie.
  11. Insert 2 mini chocolate chips (pointy side down) above the M&M to be the eyes.
  12. Insert 2 pretzel pieces to be the antlers.
  13. If the antlers won’t stick, place some chocolate chips in a sandwich bag and microwave 30 seconds and knead until soft. Clip the very tip of the corner and pipe onto cookie to act as glue.

Yummy pretzel rod recipe
Photo and Recipe Credits: Premeditated Leftovers

Ingredients:

  • Pretzel rods
  • Brown candy coating, milk chocolate morsels, or chocolate almond bark
  • White candy coating, white chocolate morsels, or vanilla almond bark
  • Green candy coating
  • Red candy coating
  • Assorted sprinkles:
  • Confetti Holly Mix
  • Wilton Holiday Nonpareils
  • Wilton Christmas Snowflake Sprinkles
  • Crushed peppermint

Directions:

  1. Melt the candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.
  2. Pour candy coating over two-thirds of the pretzel rod and shake gently to remove excess. If applying sprinkles, do so immediately rotating the pretzel rods to coat all sides. Larger sprinkles work best if placed individually.
  3. Place pretzel rod on waxed paper or cooling rack. (Cook’s notes: Waxed paper makes for easier release.)
  4. If drizzling with additional colored candy melts, allow initial candy coating to set completely. Then, use a spoon or fork to drizzle candy coating over the pretzel rods. Before the pretzel sets, gently pick it up and move to clean wax paper.
  5. Let pretzel rods dry completely before packaging or serving.
  6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing in the refrigerator may cause the pretzel to soften.

Melting snowman cookies by be a fun mum
Photo and Recipe Credits: Be a Fun Mum

Ingredients:

  • 125g butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup caster sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • 2 ½ cups plain flour
  • 1 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 cup Icing sugar (for decorating)
  • Marshmallows, mini m&m’s & icing pens (for decorating)

Directions:

  • In a large bowl, add melted butter, sugar, eggs & vanilla & whisk until combined
    1. Stir in flour & baking powder until a soft dough forms. Tip out onto a bench and use your hands to bring it all together. If you are impatient, you can use the dough immediately or alternatively, you can wrap dough in plastic wrap & freeze for 30 mins. This will make the dough firm and a little easier to work with.
    2. Preheat oven to 200oC Line 2 oven trays with baking paper.
    3. Roll out dough onto a floured surface approx ½ cm thick. You want the biscuits to be fairly large since you want to give the illusion of a melted snowman on top. Cut circles using the rim of a glass (approx 9cm diameter). Don’t worry if your biscuits are not exactly perfect as you are going to cover the top of them anyway.
    4. Place on baking trays & bake in preheated oven for 6 – 8 mins or until golden. Remove from oven & allow to cool completely.
    5. Using the icing pen, draw little faces on the marshmallows. I used black pen for the eyes and mouth and pink pen for the noses. You can use one pen for both if you like. For the nose, I slowly squeezed the icing out as I pulled the pen away from the marshmallow to give a 3D effect.
    6. Mix 1 cup icing sugar with 3 tsp water. Stir until smooth. The consistency should be runny but thick enough to spread on the biscuit.   Spread on the biscuit to give a melted effect.
    7. Place the marshmallow face into the icing. Add 3 buttons to each snowman. I used mini m&m’s but you can use whatever you have in the pantry. Set aside for the icing to set.
    8. Once hard, I then used the black icing pen to draw on the arms. I skipped the snowman scarf as it was an extra step that I didn’t think was necessary and they look great just the way they were. Feel free to add a scarf to your snowmen if you like.
Happy Holidays from 鶹
Photo take by Nico Marie Photography

Happy Holiday baking everyone! I hope you enjoy these 3 fun and easy recipes for your nanny kids or your own children this holiday season. Keep in mind that we are here for you if you need help finding the perfect nanny too. To check out more, please click here.

All about nannies
Photo taken by Nico Marie Photography

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A Day in the Life of a Nanny /2019/11/25/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-nanny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-nanny Mon, 25 Nov 2019 03:31:31 +0000 /?p=956 Ever wondered what it’s like to be a nanny for the day? We can’t wait to share the day in the life of a professional nanny. Their routine is impressive and they still make time for the most special moments and teaching times with the children. Most nannies work daytime hours but there are also […]

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Day in the life of a professional nanny
A day in the life of a professional nanny—include fun times at the park too!

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a nanny for the day? We can’t wait to share the day in the life of a professional nanny. Their routine is impressive and they still make time for the most special moments and teaching times with the children. Most nannies work daytime hours but there are also those that are live-in nannies, night nannies, or newborn care specialists that will work through the night or even in 24 hour shifts! We will be discussing day nannies that come to the family’s home during agreed-upon daytime hours.

A day in the life of a nanny involves many tasks and can be so much fun! I got a chance to interview a nanny and she gave me the scoop of her daily routine with the children she cares for: ages 3 and 7. Her schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:30 am-4:30 pm. The mother of the family works from home in her home office but also travels a lot. The father works locally but is gone throughout the day while the nanny is there to assist.

Morning Routine

When I arrive at the family’s home at 7:30 am I immediately start the morning by getting the young boy (7 years old) ready for school. I get him up, have his clothes laid out (I do that a week in advance and have them all laid out on his chest of drawers), and get him downstairs ready to eat breakfast. I let the girl (3 years old) wake up on her own but if she’s not up by the time to leave for school, I’ll grab her out of bed and move along. I also pack the boy’s lunch and have his bookbag ready to go. We leave the house altogether in the family’s SUV (the family provides me with a vehicle to use) and drop him off at school. I then return back to the family’s home to fix the toddler’s (3-year-old girl) breakfast and start a few morning chores.

The morning chores consist of making up beds, cleaning up kids’ rooms, tidying up the playroom, unloading and loading the dishwasher, and putting in a load of the kids’ clothes in the wash.

Then we play! How fun, right? We love doing arts and crafts and will usually make something with play-doh, moon sand, or do some type of coloring or painting. Often times we will bake too! The little girl loves to make homemade brownies and cookies, which is so much fun to do. After a couple of hours of playtime, arts and crafts or baking, I finish up the laundry and start prepping for lunch.

Mid-Day Routine

After cleaning up lunch, the little girl will watch TV in the playroom for a few minutes while enjoying some milk. I then put her in her bed for a nap. During nap time, I finish up laundry and any other housework that needs to be done whether that’s laying out things for the next day or some cleaning. This is a time where I also have some free-time and can sit back and relax for a few short minutes.

Afternoon Routine

Naptime is over! The little girl is refreshed and ready to go! Now it’s time for me to grab a snack, hop in the car, and go pick up the little boy from school. After pickup around 3 pm, I usually take them to the local playground/park for them to play for about 30 minutes or we’ll go home and play ball outside. I like for them to be able to burn off a little energy and it’s a fun time I have with them! We will then return back to the house where I help the young boy with his homework and play with them some more. The mother is finished with work by 4:30 pm and relieves me so I can go home. I’ve now finished my workday and will return to my home. This is a typically day my life as a professional nanny.

The Nanny’s Perspective

I honestly love what I do. My daily routine as a nanny is apart of my everyday life now. I get to be apart of a family and help them with their two blessings. The children are very receptive of me and love when I’m there. I’ve even heard the parents say they miss me on the weekends. I love working for this family too as they allow me to take the kids to fun places and they will provide the funds to do so. We have a lot of fun going to fairs, playgrounds, indoor play arenas, movies, mall, and library. This job is rewarding and pays well too! I also love the hours as I still get the weekends off to see family and friends and have some time to relax and get ready for the next busy week!

Let Us Help You!

As you can see the daily schedule of a professional nanny looks busier than most imagine! Yet they are nurturing, caring, and lots of fun. If you are wanting to have more intentional time with your kids, need help with their care and household items, then give us a call at 鶹 so we can help you find the perfect nanny for your family. To see more information check out our Family Section.

Also, if you are a nanny looking for that perfect family with perks like discussed, take a look at our Nannies Section and fill out an application today.

We take pride in providing the very best nannies to our families and vice versa. We are firm believers in a positive community and support system for each nanny and family we work with at 鶹.

Hi! I’m Kayla, the owner/director of 鶹! We provide experience, trust, and service to AZ families and nannies.

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How to Successfully Travel with a Nanny /2019/11/14/how-to-travel-successfully-with-your-nanny/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-travel-successfully-with-your-nanny Thu, 14 Nov 2019 10:52:27 +0000 /?p=943 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 […]

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Successfully traveling with your nanny

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 鶹, we are one of Arizona’s most trusted nanny agencies and can help you find the perfect addition to your family.

Hi! I’m Kayla, the owner of 鶹. I’m here to help you find the perfect nanny for your family!

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All About a Nanny Share /2019/11/07/all-about-a-nanny-share/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=all-about-a-nanny-share Thu, 07 Nov 2019 18:53:43 +0000 /?p=934 Are you really wanting a Nanny but maybe aren’t ready to invest the full amount on a professional nanny? Then a nanny share could be the right fit for you! Let’s take a look at what steps you need to take to have a smooth and seamless nanny share as well as the many benefits. […]

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Are you really wanting a Nanny but maybe aren’t ready to invest the full amount on a professional nanny? Then a nanny share could be the right fit for you! Let’s take a look at what steps you need to take to have a smooth and seamless nanny share as well as the many benefits. A nanny share is when one nanny cares for children from different households at the same time. This allows each family to save money on childcare expenses and the nanny earns a higher pay than the typical full-time position. ()  This allows you to have a high-quality candidate for less money out of pocket. “Okay, I’m interested….what are the next steps???” Steps to Set Up a Nanny Share:
  1. Find another family wanting to share a nanny with you. Listen out & ask around if you hear of any other family that is interested in a nanny. Find another family that you feel would be a good match with and share a nanny with. Children who are the same age or similar ages will make this easier. Location is also important, you need to be within a reasonable distance of one another so the commute for the nanny doesn’t change too drastically.
  2. Figure out a budget. Decide on an hourly rate that you can afford to pay the nanny together. Make sure you are both on the same page. For nanny share pay, you would want to take the average amount a nanny is being paid in your area and then each family pays 2/3 of that pay. Ex. the average nanny salary is $20/hr- each family pays $13.33 which then equals $26 per hour for the nanny.
  3. Figure out the schedule. Consider if the nanny will be at one family’s house 100% of the time or more like 50% of the time. Come up with a schedule that best suits both families and also makes sense for the nanny
  4. Interview and hire candidates. This is a great time to turn over all of this to 鶹 as we can help you with finding the perfect candidates and take care of the screening and background check. A nanny agency can definitely help prepare you to interview the candidates as well as all of the other important things such as background checks and all of the extra paperwork to set you up for a successful placement!
  5. Offer the nanny contracts and get a start date scheduled! Here at all about nannies, each family involved in the nanny share will receive a contract and be charged a placement fee. The nanny will be in contract with each individual family too. It is a placement with each family. Each family will have a contract with the nanny with additional documentation for the nanny share.
Benefits of a Nanny Share:
  1. Kids get to have play buddies every day. They are able to socialize with other kids and work on socialization skills all while being in their own home with a nanny share.
  2. Save money! You are not paying for the nanny alone. You split it with another family!
  3. You get a higher caliber nanny for your family at a lower rate!
  4. The children are still being closely supervised and receiving one-on-one attention even if there are more than 1 child.
  5. Meet some incredible friends. If you are in a nanny share with another family, you will get to know one another much better and create special bonds between yourself and the children.
Is this something you are interested in for your family? If you have any questions on the next steps of a nanny share or any of the amazing benefits, feel free to reach out and I’d be happy to assist. You can also check out our family section on our website for more information by clicking here. We discuss what are the next steps and what we will do to help guide you for finding a nanny share.

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