How to Find the Nanny of Your Dreams
By Dawn Fry
A childcare epidemic is
sweeping the country. Recent studies indicate that
children in standard childcare programs do not receive quality
care. The
studies also show
that the majority of care given is potentially harmful to a
young
child's development. Even more alarming, children who are being
cared for
in
their own home's, by a nanny, experience many of the same problems
as
children
in "programs."
This raises an important
question: "Is nanny care worse
than daycare?" The
answer is that it can be. However, when done correctly, nanny
care can be
a good
alternative to daycare.
The Nanny Myth
When parents choose nanny care over a childcare center, they
forfeit all
the
knowledge, experience, and built in safety nets a quality, licensed
childcare
program can provide. The problem begins with the term "nanny." A
nanny is
a
profession that originated in England, and is defined in the
dictionary
as a"
child's nurse." The title "nanny" implies that
the person has attained a
certain
level of education and experience.
Calling a childcare giver
a "nanny" in the United
States is a misnomer
because the nanny need not have any childcare education. In fact,
most
nannies have
had no formal childcare education, including CPR. So calling
a childcare
giver
a "nanny" can give parents a false sense of security.
Thanks to laws and operating
regulations, children in centers have added
protection because childcare facilities have to comply with licensing
standards.
For example, the caregiver in a center must have a criminal records
check, be
finger printed, have a negative TB test, achieve a CPR certificate,
and
must
have several units of early childhood education. The facility
must also
comply
with licensing health and safety standards. Conversely, nannies
are not
licensed, and most of the homes they work in do not meet licensing
standards for
health and safety.
Additionally, caregivers
who work in centers have schedules and routines
they
must follow. Parents are kept informed as to where their children
are at
all
times and what they are doing. This system provides many safeguards
for
children. Nannies, on the other hand, rarely set a routine for
the
children to
follow. While their employers know what their children are doing
much of
the time,
they don't know what's happening every moment. As such, the parents
often entrust their children to well-meaning but under-trained and
unsupervised caregivers.
Parents who employ a nanny
need to take an active role in qualifying, establishing, and
monitoring the care they want for their children.
By
not relying on
the false sense of security the title "nanny" implies,
parents can have
quality in-home care for their children.
Getting Quality Nanny
Care
Having in-home childcare is convenient for parents, so
it is
easy to
understand why they choose to hire a nanny. With a nanny, parents
don't
have to wake
sleeping children, struggle to dress them, prepare breakfast
and feed
them,
drive them to childcare on time, bring supplies to childcare,
stay home
with them
when they are ill, or make arrangements with daycare when they
need to
work
late. But convenience is not reason enough to hire a nanny. Quality
childcare
needs to be the main goal. By following guidelines similar to
that of a
childcare center and keeping the communication lines open, you
can find a
nanny who
delivers the quality of care your children deserve.
1. Follow standard licensing requirements.
When you follow childcare licensing requirements with in-home
caregivers, you
can increase the quality of childcare for your children. Just
as the
centers
do, require your potential nanny to undergo a criminal records
check,
finger
printing, a TB test, CPR training, and several units of childcare
education.
Also, if the caregiver
will be driving your vehicle, ask that she present
a copy
of her driving record. Take a test drive with her to observe
her driving
ability. Be sure she knows the proper way to install a car
seat. If she
uses her
own vehicle, ask to see her proof of insurance. (Note: If she
uses her
vehicle
you need to reimburse her for maintenance and gas expenses.)
For
information
about licensing, contact Bananas, a nonprofit organization
providing childcare
information and support, at 510-658-0381.
2. Establish boundaries
At the time of the interview, establish what kind of relationship
you want to
have with your nanny (your employee). Are you looking for a person
who
can
become a member of your extended family, or a person who wants
to keep a
more
professional relationship with you? Be sure that the person you
hire has
the
same desires as you. Many caregivers have private lives and families
of
their
own. Often, it isn't practical for them to take time from their
families
to join
your family vacations or celebrations.
3. Create a job description
Before hiring someone, have a complete job description written
for the
potential nanny to review. Be sure she agrees with all the
responsibilities. List
those responsibilities in a written contract, which needs to
include a
work
schedule and pay rate. Also include in the contract provisions
for
overtime pay,
sick leave, vacation pay, paid holidays, additional pay for added
responsibilities (like walking the dog), medical coverage,
pay
raises,
and bonuses. Have
everyone sign the contract and give a copy to your employee.
To ensure a
happy
relationship, honor all the details outlined in the contract.
4. Plan activities
Children need a set routine so they can feel more connected to
their
daily
lives. Rather than leaving it up to the nanny to establish daily
routines,
create one together. Set up routines that allow you to know at
any given
moment
where your children are and what they are doing. Give the nanny
a list of
parks
and educational centers, approved of by you, where she can take
the
children.
Also provide your nanny a cell phone so you can reach her at
any time.
Realize
that many nannies experience burnout because they are isolated
from other adults. To avoid this
problem, arrange in the routine play dates with
other
nannies and their children. Meet the parents of the other children
and
their nanny.
If the play dates are in their homes, visit the home and be sure
it is an environment you want your children to play in. Play
dates not only help
the
nannies but also give your children opportunities to build friendships
with other
children.
5. Safety-proof your home
Given the fact that the home is the number one location for injuries,
and that your children are home
for a good deal of the day, safety proofing
is a
must. It also puts your nanny's mind at ease that she is working
in a
safe
environment with minimal risks for the children. Be sure the
homes where
your
children have play dates are also safety-proofed. There are many
companies who will
come into your home and safety-proof it for children. Visit this web
site for
listings.
6. Set up discipline and health guidelines
Be sure you and your nanny have a clear understanding on how
to discipline
children. The more consistent everyone is while interacting with
children, the
more cooperative the children will be. Outline what is acceptable
behavior from
the children and from the nanny. Also, set clear limits about
how much
time
the nanny can leave the children strapped in strollers, swings,
or other
chairs. And since each person has different ideas about what
a healthy
diet is, plan
your children's menu for the week and be sure that the nanny
follows it.
Nanny Care That Is Quality Care
Finding a quality nanny is indeed possible. By establishing, with a
caregiver, the level of quality you want and providing responsible
guidelines for
your children's care you will find the nanny of your dreams.
Dawn Fry is
the founder and CEO of Helping Our Children Productions,
a publishing
company that provides educational CDs giving practical
help to
parents
and childcare providers resulting in happier, friendlier
children. Ms.
Fry has
been a licensed childcare provider and educator for twenty-two
years.
She has more than 60,000 hours of professional experience
working with
children. www.dawntalk.com
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