Nanny Services
From LoveToKnow Baby
Many families seek out nanny services as a means of finding childcare for their children. These services typically try to match nannies with families based on both parties' wants and needs. Do you have a nanny experience you'd like to share with our readers? We'd love to know!
Nanny Services
Nanny services are often referred to as nanny agencies, and they can be found in your local phone book, through word of mouth, and on the Internet. A service typically offers some, if not all, of the following:
- Nanny contract. This contract is often used to state specific details about the duties, responsibilities, behavior, benefits, and salary of the nanny.
- Salary. Nanny services may help in the negotiation of salary terms and conditions.
- Employment database. Many services maintain a database of nannies seeking employment.
- Screenings and background checks. Many services attempt to screen potential employees before placing their information on the database.
- Fees. Services typically collect fees from the employing family, while the nanny may be allowed to register for free.
- Follow-ups. Many services continue with follow-up calls and visits to check-up on the working relationship between the employing family and the nanny.
Roles of a Nanny
The role of a nanny can differ widely depending upon the needs and wants of the family and the type of employment the nanny is seeking.
- Baby sitter. Some nannies are simply regular baby sitters. They may care for the children certain hours during the week, but they aren't employed full-time.
- After school caregiver. In some cases, nannies may pick up children from school and care for them a few hours each afternoon until the parents come home.
- Live-out nanny. This nanny may be employed full-time, but she doesn't live with the family and instead maintains her own residence outside the home.
- Live-in nanny. This nanny actually resides with the family. She usually has a room or suite of rooms in or near the home. She still may have set hours during the week, with specified off days, but she is near enough to be on-call in case she is needed. It is important to spell out the schedule of a live-in nanny as well as any overtime compensation for extra responsibilities and services.
Nanny Expenses
Many families overlook nanny services, thinking they may be too expensive. For those families who have several children to provide childcare for, however, the services of a nanny may be more economical than they originally thought.
Before you rule out hiring a nanny, you might want to create a budget for your childcare. Keep in mind that if you have more than one child, you'll need to pay an individual expense for each child at a daycare facility, although the facility may offer reduced rates for more than one child. Add to that expense the travel to and from the childcare center and any other expenses before comparing the expenses of a nanny.
You may find that a nanny isn't that much more expensive, and you may prefer the option of keeping your children at home and away from other children. This could also reduce the amount of germs and illnesses your children are exposed to, meaning fewer doctor visits.
Typical nanny expenses are as follows:
- Nannies who baby sit on a part time basis may receive anywhere from $8 to $15 per hour, depending upon the duties and the amount of children they are caring for.
- Live-in nannies may receive anywhere from $400 to $900 per week.
- Extra expenses could include overtime pay, food, utilities, phone, car, gas, etc.
Finding a Nanny
Finding a nanny is as easy as searching the Web. Check out the following nanny service Websites:
You can also check your local phone book. Of course, word of mouth is always a great source as well. Do you know of someone who has used a nanny agency? If so, don't be afraid to ask them for a referral.
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This page has been accessed 999 times. This page was last modified 13:50, 15 December 2006.
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