----------Nanny Net News-----------------------

A newsletter for Parents, Nannies and Agency Owners

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Vol. 4, No. 4 August 2003

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Deborah Smith, Editor
Parents With Nannies, Inc.
Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com
This newsletter is distributed by subscription only.
If you wish to unsubscribe, you can find instructions
at the end of this newsletter.

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IN THIS ISSUE

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> A Note from the Editor

> July Sweepstakes Winner

> Enhancing Knowledge

Reading and playing builds a child's character

> Ask the Experts Q & A’s

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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Well Folks,

It’s finally here. The new and improved Nanny Classifieds is up and running. Hallelujah!!! After devoting many months and much blood, sweat and tears, it has evolved into what I hope will be a top Nanny recruiting tool for both agencies and families. And, the best place on the web to find a nanny job.

We’ve expanded our reach to both Canada and the UK.

In addition, we now offer most domestic categories including chef, housekeeper, estate managers, etc.

I hope you will take a minute to visit the new site, take a look around and, if the mood strikes you, send me your feedback Over the next few months we’ll be tweaking the system so any suggestions you send may make it into the new and improved model. http//www.NannyClassifieds.com

Ok, this issue we have a fabulous article submitted by

By Stephanie Felzenberg, editor of the Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide. It's just the ticket to get your charges charged up for the new school year. We finish this issue with some great feedback from our panel of experts.

Have a great end to the summer and I'll see you in September.

Deborah Smith, Editor

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July Sweeps

The winner of the Mary Kay Gift Bag containing

2 lip glosses, 2 nail colors and Velocity perfume

1.7 fl. ounces. A $50.00 value is

Donna Robinson of Tallahassee FL

Congratulations Donna!!!!

This month’s Sweeps was sponsored by Maryann Robins, professional Nanny and Mary Kay consultant

Visit her website at www.marykay.com/mrobbins321

If you would like to sponsor an upcoming sweepstakes and advertise your company for free to over 2000 subscribers and thousands of website visitors, contact Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com

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We have 152 responses so far to our poll. If you still have not logged in your response, please follow the link below.

Parent Poll Question Is your nanny paid on the book? Click here to respond.

http//debors1.freepolls.com/cgi-bin/polls/002/poll_center.htm

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Enhancing Knowledge

Reading and playing builds a child's character.

By Stephanie Felzenberg, Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide

The August 2003 issue of Be the Best Nanny Monthly Guide discussed enhancing knowledge in children and described more than 20 projects to use specifically with children. We quote Denise Chapman-Weston and Mark Weston the authors of the book Playwise and interview and include information from 15 other experts in the fields of literacy and enhancing knowledge in children.

Some of what is discussed in the monthly newsletter is that nannies ought to help parents create a non-critical learning atmosphere in their home. Nannies should strive to create a setting where children feel good about learning. Mr. and Ms. Weston write, "Don't treat children as a computer by simply entering data. A child must test out new information. That's why it's never enough to simply tell a toddler, 'Don't climb onto the kitchen counter.' S/he has to know what will happen if s/he does."

Mr. and Ms. Weston explain that learning, "should not be viewed as an unpleasant journey filled with endless lectures and lifeless instruction. Learning should take place in the day-to-day experience of living, shared moments of discovery, planned and unplanned events and exercises, and stimulating hands-on adventures. Play is the most effective way to teach a child. You build a child’s skills and show them how to solve problems when you play with them."

"With knowledge children can make better decisions. They can interpret what goes on around them and understand their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With knowledge children can develop courage to work through fears and anxieties. Knowledge allows children to ask questions and challenge information that doesn’t make sense or feels wrong. With knowledge children gain confidence and self-esteem driving them to learn more."

"Without knowledge children are likely to act impulsively, making hasty decisions without considering the consequences. They rely solely upon their intuition or direction provided by others. Without knowledge they may distort information, which leads to misunderstandings, confusion, and fear."

"To enhance knowledge to build a child’s character be conscious of what you teach and how you teach it. Become an expert in your charge’s unique learning style, strengths, and weaknesses. Be an unobtrusive observer."

Reading bridges entertainment and education. According to Robert Needlman, M.D., "Books carry powerful messages, both in what they say, and how they say it. Books portray people of all colors, cultures, and ethnicities with respect. Books avoid sexual stereotypes and help children take an accepting and positive view of themselves and the rest of humanity."

Leonard S. Marcus explains in an interview for Reading is Fundamental that "Picture reading is very important for children. Pictures are their first introduction to books. Long before children can read, children can respond to pictures. A child's strong reaction to an image may pique his or her curiosity and lead to reading a book carefully."

Nannies shouldn't be discouraged to read to children if English is their second language. It doesn't matter whether a child is read aloud to in Spanish, French, Polish, English, or any other language. What is important is that the benefits of reading to children aloud, which are described in detail in the August issue of Be the Best Nanny.

Consider the following when choosing books for children

1. The overall theme of the book.

Does it have a positive message? Are cultural beliefs and practices portrayed accurately? Is there a theme that is age appropriate and interesting to your charges?

2. Look at the illustrations.

Are the drawings engaging and interesting to the child you care for? Are the characters drawn specifically and/or do the people of color have Caucasian features except for tinted skin, which would be a bad choice?

3. Look at the characters.

How are individual characters presented? Who has the power? Who are the heroes? Who are the villains? Are negative judgments implied in the different lifestyles depicted?

4. Use the Librarian.

Librarians are dedicated professionals who can help find the best books for children. Start by browsing through the books with the Caldecott Medallions on the front cover.

5. The Horn Book magazine.

There are reviews of new books in each issue of which is published six times a year.

To Motivate Children to Read from Reading is Fundamental

1. Let them choose their own books.

2. Set goals and reward reading.

3. Let children see you read.

4. Make reading together fun and memorable.

5. Make a story come alive.

6. Create loving associations with books and reading.

The complete issue of this Be the Best Nanny newsletter also includes a checklist for age appropriate reading abilities in children, activities for struggling readers, and fun activities to motivate children to read and enhance knowledge in children.

Ask for a free sample of the newsletter. Choose from a wide variety of archives and topics including Nanny Taxes, Male Nannies, Effective Communication, Nanny Health Insurance, Sibling Rivalry, Teaching Manners, Using Music with Children, Traveling With Employers, Using Discipline, Bathing Children, Helping Kids Succeed at School, and more. Just ask for your free sample by contacting

Be the Best Nanny

PO Box 43477

Upper Montclair NJ 07043

973-259-1101

bethebestnanny@aol.com

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Ask the Experts

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Q I am trying to become a nanny and I am going with an agency. I am feeling a bit uneasy about making a big move (Wisconsin to New York). How can I protect myself and feel more comfortable about my decision.

A Dear Big Apple Bound

Well first of all, have you been a nanny before? and before you make a big move like that do you think that you might want to try something a little closer to home to be sure you will like it?

What about working in Chicago? That would be a big city but a little closer to home. It is one thing to take a job out of town but if you are not even sure you are going to like it once you begin, you might want to rethink it.

If you have your heart set on moving to New York, then you really need to do your homework. Are you confident with the agency you have chosen? Why did you choose them? Do you feel they are being fair and helpful to you? Are they trying to find you the kind of family that you want?

IF you don't feel comfortable with your agency, find one that you do. Here is an article on what to look for in a nanny agency.

http//nannyassociation.com/what_a_good_agency_does_for_you.html

There are more nanny articles here

http//nannyassociation.com/newsletter.html

Once you have a comfort level with your agency, you should make sure you understand the ins and outs of being a nanny.

There are lots of nanny lists on yahoogroups.com that you can join that give you connections with other nannies around the country.

Doing your homework and being sure that you know exactly what you are going to deal with in your job should give you a better comfort level about what you really want to do.

Let me know how it works out or if you have more questions.

Good Luck

Glenda Propst

Make plans now to attend!

National Association of Nannies

We Care for the Future Conference

Q Hello! I am currently hiring an individual to care for my 2 children. I want someone who will come to my home, and provide childcare while I am at work. I would refer to that individual as a caregiver or babysitter, but nowadays the terms Nanny and Au Pair are being used. The individual would work 40-45 hours/week. As for benefits, there are none. She and I have spoken, and she refers to herself as a babysitter or caregiver also. Salary is an issue that we are negotiating.

Is it necessary for me to purchase software to do bookkeeping for this job? Will I be responsible for cutting her checks and withholding the required taxes and amounts, or is this a scenario in which I can pay her on a weekly basis, with a personal check, and both of us can claim the income paid (her) and the money paid out (me) on our taxes? I understand that an individual must have a Federal ID number for taxes, so I am guessing that she would have to request one?

I currently send my children to a home daycare, in which I write out a personal check each week for the amount I owe her. She has my children 40 hours/week, but I am not her employer. I do not cut her any payroll checks or withhold any taxes, etc. Why would having an on-site babysitter be any different?

A When you hire an in-home caregiver to care for your children, you are classified by law as a household employer and she is your household employee. This is different from taking your children to an in-home licensed day care, because the owner of the in-home day care is considered a business owner and is responsible for all income, expenses and taxes for her business. When you hire a caregiver into your home to care for your children, your caregiver is under your direction and you become responsible for administering her payroll as your employee. It is illegal to classify your caregiver as an independent contractor in which she would be responsible for all payroll taxes - as if she also had her own business.

You are responsible for administering the payroll process for your employee. This means that you need federal and state tax ids as a household employer. You are responsible for withholding federal and state payroll taxes from your employee's pay each pay period. You are also responsible for matching social security/medicare and paying federal and state unemployment taxes. Your employer taxes will be 10% over and above her salary. However, by handling the payroll process "legally", you are entitled to a tax break called the Dependent Care Account. This program is administered through your cafeteria plan through your work and will save you approximately $2300 per year. All taxes are reported and paid quarterly to the IRS and your state, and you will provide your caregiver with a W-2 at year-end.

I hope this brief explanation gives you an idea of your legal requirements.

Unfortunately, the process is time-consuming. Breedlove & Associates offers a very cost-effective service to handle the entire process for you, and we do this for thousands of families nationwide. Please feel free to give us a call with any additional questions.

Stephanie Breedlove

Breedlove & Associates, L.P.

888-BREEDLOVE

www.breedlove-online.com

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