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

A newsletter for Parents, Nannies and Agency Owners
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September 2006
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This newsletter is distributed by subscription only.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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> A Note from the Editor

> Does Nanny Training Really Matter? Part II
   By Anne Merchant

> Ask the Experts: Q & A’s

> Industry News

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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:

Happy Fall everyone!

This summer was a busy one for NannyClassifieds.com. Many of you know that the online nanny industry has been the latest target of internet scam artists over the past year.  We have spent literally all summer working on new safeguards to keep these “creeps” (for lack of a better word) off of our site and away from the nannies that use our service.  So far, things are working wonderfully.  One of our initiatives is a new Blog which has a dedicated section just for posting nanny scam emails. http://www.nannyclassifieds.com/blog/ . We’re finding that a lot of nannies are Googling the scam emails or email addresses of the suspected scammer and our blog is popping up.  So, it’s really helping to inform nannies out there.  Craigslist seems to be the worst generator of scam emails right now.  We get at least one forwarded to us daily by a nanny and 9 out of 10 times they mention Craig’s List as the source.  I recently wrote an article for INA’s newsletter about the scams and how to protect yourself and where to report them.  You can read more on that below.

Well, we finally have the second installment of Anne Merchant’s article on Nanny Training. The delay was on my part I’m afraid and do apologize.   It is quite a long piece, so we have continued it on the website.  Just follow the link to read the rest.

We also have some great questions from our site visitors and some very helpful advice from our panel of experts.  This month we cover everything from what food an employer should be expected to supply to what insurance to buy.

Also, Barbara Blouin, author of Like a Second Mother, is offering our readers a special deal on her wonderful book.  The details are listed under our Industry News section.

So, sit back and relax.  There is a lot to digest here.  As always, I welcome your feedback, questions and suggestions for future articles or information you would like to see included in upcoming issues.

See you next month.

Deborah Smith

Editor

Nanny Net News
Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com

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Internet Scam attempts on Nanny Job sites
What you should know to protect your money and your identity.

When I started my company in 1999, the Internet was a much kinder, less exasperating place to do business.  Today, thanks to the undying efforts of mostly foreign scam artists, we in the on-line nanny business are constantly combating the nameless, faceless imposters who try to lure naïve individuals out of their money and even their identity. 

You may have been the recipient of one or more of these bizarre job offer emails.  They usually involve a non-U.S. family who is moving to the states and needs your help.  They offer you a job without even speaking to you.  The job sounds too good to be true, because it is.  And, they want to send you money (usually too much) up front to lock in the deal.  What they don’t tell you is that the check they are sending is a fake.  They will back out of the deal before that check ever clears and ask you to send some of the money back via wire transfer.  By the time you find out the check is no good, they have your money and have disappeared into the hills of some country you’ve probably never heard of.

Not all of the scams are exactly alike, but if you look at enough of them, as I have, you’ll see many similarities.  We post scam attempts on our NannyClassifieds.com blog.  I usually get at least one notice every day forwarded to me by a nanny.  I encourage nannies to read them and get familiar with their common elements

Some of the typical characteristics of a bogus job offer and scam attempt are:

1. The job appears too good to be true.
2. The family is from overseas and is relocating to the U.S.
3. They offer you the job in basically their first email to you.
4. They request “help” from you. Ask you to receive funds, furniture, or some other odd request that a typical employer would not make.
5. They request personal information from you, copy of your driver’s license, passport, social security number.  All of these should be kept completely confidential until you have met your future employer and will be using this information to run a background check.

If you receive one of these scam emails:

1. Don’t reply. 
2. File a report with the Federal Government at: http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/
3. Send a copy of the email immediately to whatever nanny database service you are using.  If you use many and don’t know where it came from, send it to all. 

Please keep us informed at NannyClassifieds.com, so we can help spread the word to other nannies.

I would also encourage nannies who use on-line nanny job services to ask the owners of these services what measures they are taking to discourage the scam artists and to protect the privacy of the nannies and families who use their service. At NannyClassifieds.com we have spent months implementing new technical roadblocks that will hopefully stop the scammers from ever entering our site.  We can’t guarantee that a scammer won’t slip through, but if they do, we have created a way for nannies to keep all of their contact information private, even email addresses, by using our new on-line message board system.  You can now keep track of where the message is coming from, and we can quickly and easily identify the scammer through his messages on our system.   

To educate yourself on the different types of scams and how to protect yourself against them, visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center located at this address: http://www.ic3.gov/preventiontips.aspx.

Deborah Smith
President, Parents With Nannies, Inc.

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Does Nanny Training Really Matter? 
By Anne Merchant

PART TWO OF A SERIES ON NANNY EDUCATION
If you missed part one, you can read it here:
http://4nanny.com/nanny_training.shtml#Training_Really_Matter

(Note; the terms;  "caregiver" "child caregiver, " childcare provider", "nanny",  "teacher",  and "early childhood teacher" are used interchangeably in this text)

There is a growing national trend for child caregivers to become more educated. The research has made clear that the education of child caregivers will have a direct, positive impact on America's future economic strength in addition to improving the quality of life for children that spend their days with a childcare provider.  Advocating for more education for childcare providers does not imply that  those currently caring for children are in any way inept, or not doing the best possible job. Some are effective in spite of the fact that they do not have the advantage of a higher education because they possess certain key personality characteristics. Among them; above average sensitivity to others, empathy, and not just the ability, but a stronger than average desire to nurture.  These are essential caregiver characteristics that cannot be learned in a college classroom.  Once these traits are paired with a solid working knowledge of early child development we expect that children that spend their days being cared for by a nanny, or in a daycare setting will be prepared for kindergarten as well as for the challenges that come after that.

In just the past 25 years, the American family has been restructured as the number of women in the workforce has nearly doubled. The American family has become economically dependant on two incomes.  Consequently, it is estimated that currently 12 million American infants, toddlers and preschoolers are cared for by childcare providers that are not their parents and the majority of these children spend close to 40 hours per week in these settings, many starting when they are only weeks old."[1]. 

That factor, combined with the turn-over in daycare centers, the influx of au pairs from other countries that are hired before the parents have met them, and the nannies hired via newspaper ads without being fully screened have led experts to believe that the problem with childcare in America is that the majority of those providing care lack the education so vital to optimal child development. While no one would disagree that an educated child caregiver is an essential component if a child is to receive quality care, and with all due respect to what the research says, I believe that "the problem with childcare in America" primarily has to do with an underlying value system that has historically done very little to improve childcare -  which is a statement that children are not important in our society.  As a result of the value system that has placed children last, those that have chosen childcare as a career path receive inadequate pay and typically go unrecognized for the valuable work that they do. Under such circumstances it is not surprising that many childcare providers do not pursue higher education. This is beginning to change however as educators and public policy-makers have come to the realization that America can no afford sub-standard childcare and have begun to help streamline the educational process for those that care for children.  Sub-standard child care is not reserved for only the economically disadvantaged.  Many children born into economically privileged families do not succeed as well as children from underprivileged families. This is an important distinction since both economically advantaged and economically disadvantaged children routinely spend their days in sub-standard care settings.   Researchers believe that sub-standard care is directly related to lack of caregiver education. Early childhood education is cited in all of the recent research, as well as in studies conducted in past decades as being an essential factor in quality childcare.  The 1994 Carnegie Task Force report "Meeting the Needs of our Youngest Children, states, "Research shows that (childcare training)  is an effective strategy for improving quality, particularly if training initiatives are linked to career development, with trainees receiving credit toward associate and bachelor's degrees".  

Ask the Experts
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Q: I am a new mom and we have hired an inexperienced live out nanny. My nanny leaves our home quite often for long periods of time during the day - taking my 4 month old with.  Is there any general rule of thumb as to nanny's staying in the home during the day or traveling for their personal reasons during the day?

A: Staying home with an infant can sometimes be boring especially if your baby sleeps a lot.  But, your baby should be staying home and sleeping and learning to be on a schedule. One of the advantages of having a nanny in your home is that your baby can be home, and not in a child care center or out running around all day.

What other responsibilities does your nanny have besides caring for your child? Does she do the child's laundry, organize his toys, keep a log sheet of activities? She should.

Also: What is she doing during this time she spends out of your home? Do you know where she is and what she is doing and with whom? I would suggest that you get this situation under control before it is out of control.

If your nanny wants to leave she should let you know where she is going, and she should not be doing her personal visiting or her own errands unless this is something you agreed to let her do.  Whatever she is doing should be related to your child.  It is fine if she goes to a nearby park or takes a walk but she should plan around your baby's schedule.

Maybe you could introduce her to your other friends who also have nannies, or work with her to find some outings she and your baby could both enjoy.  It is really important that you set up guidelines and open the communication now. You said your nanny is inexperienced? Then you can learn together.
Get a good book on infant development and things to do with infants as far as interaction and developing motor skills etc.

As your baby grows you will want a person caring for him/her that is actively engaged in their development and their happiness, and realize that this is serious work.
Good Luck and I hope that is helpful.

Glenda
Nanny/Employer Expert

Q:  I am the proud nanny of three young children.  They are wonderful, but when the parents are home they turn into little demons.  The children no longer follow the rules and guidelines established for their day...naps are never taken, they hit spit and yell at eachother...I am simply at my wits end.  The boys are often overly coddled by their mother and fathers love...at 5 they are unable to dress themselves and will go into full out hysterics (kicking screaming and threatening)...the boys will even go as far as to have BM in their pants to irritate their parents.   NONE of this and I sincerely mean none of this happens when the parents are away at work...there is no screaming, no hitting, and most definitely no crying to get their ways.  I need help as how to approach this with the parents.  The mother's job is now moving to an occasionally based home working environment and I simply do not know if I can handle this behavior when the parents are home.  I have been with this family for quite some time and I do truly love the children, and I am quite sure that the family is honestly very happy with me.  How can I approach the parents about this situation without offending them?

ideas

A: My suggestion to you is to talk to the parents and set up some guidelines.  You will never have complete control over the children when the parents come home, but if the parent is working at home, you must set up some guidelines agreed upon by first you and the parents and then the parents must make the children understand that you are a united front, and when you are there, they must follow your rules even if they are working in the home.

This is a tough situation...I have been through it myself.

Some of my resolution was to be gone on outings and playdates when possible, but this is definitely a communication issue that you will have to resolve with the parents.

Communication is always a huge issue and once you conquer it, it will improve all of your relationships, work and beyond.

Here is my communication article.

Hope it helps.

Please let me know how it all works out.

Glenda

http://nannyassociation.com/communication.htm

Q: I recently received a phone call from my employer regarding her concerns about me eating their food. I am a live-out Nanny who has worked for this family for 7 months.  This issue NEVER came up and to be honest I was offended.  Not only have I more than 12 years experience as a Nanny but ALL of my families in the past have provided my meals.  On the average, I work 12 hours a day for my current family.  She told me that they expected me to provide my own meals when I work for them.  I told her that this is not the norm for the Nanny industry.  She on the other hand, said that all of her nannies provided for their meals and that her friends who have nannies share the same opinion.  What is the "norm?"  I understand that every family is different but I am interested in the general census.

A: I would say that the general consensus about nannies eating at work is that they should be allowed to eat the food in the house within reason.

I know that some employers have a problem with their nanny eating them out of house and home and it can become an issue but it is an issue that should be discussed in the interview process and added to your work agreement.
I realize that this is not the case in your situation.

One point that you can make to your employer is that as nannies we do not get coffee breaks or lunch time guaranteed and it is often difficult for us to even have time for lunch. In my job, my employer pays for my lunch even if I am out running her errands. When we had nanny playgroups, she even offered to take her turn buying lunch for the group. I never took her up on this one but her reasoning is that I am working for her, and I don't get a lunch break, so she should provide food for me to eat with the children.

Maybe you and your employer could come to a compromise, where she buys you a few things you like and you have food available to eat if you want it but maybe you have a certain area of the frig where you can have your own food or she can mark the food that she does not want you to eat.

Good Luck and let me know how you resolve this.
Glenda Propst
Nanny/Employer Expert

Q:

We're looking to hire a nanny who will be bringing their child along with them to our home to watch our children.  How can we assure that there are no liability problems if HER child were to get hurt in our home? 

A:    You can purchase an Umbrella policy from your insurance agent to provide extra protection over & above your home owners policy.  Your home owner’s policy won't cover your employees, but there have been situations where they have covered those related to employees. Be sure to let your insurance agent know even though home owners insurance doesn't cover your employees, that you are interested in covering  "the employers family or friends that may visit her at work".  Umbrella policies aren't that expensive considering the added piece of mind you gain from having one.  You will also want to be ABSOLUTELY sure to purchase Workers Compensation insurance for the nanny and you can always ask if there is any way to get additional insurance to cover "the employers family members that may visit her at work".  Be sure to handle payroll taxes properly.  Probably the best protection is to cultivate a close employer / employee relationship with your nanny.  Most people are less likely to sue those they have a personal bond with. 

Nevertheless, as the saying goes; "anyone can sue anyone for anything", so there are no absolute guarantees.  I recommend that you don't advertise the fact that you have purchased extra insurance and that you include a waiver in your Nanny-Family Work Agreement that clearly states that as a paid childcare provider;

~  the nanny is solely responsible for the health & safety of her child anytime her child is is in your home.  

~  the nanny is responsible for determining if your home is a safe & healthy environment for her child.

~ it is the nanny's responsibility to maintain the health & safety of the work environment at all times.

~ the nanny has the consent of the child's other parent for the child to accompany the nanny to work in your home (this offers some protection if the father is the litigious type who decides to sue without the child's mothers participation)

~ a separate statement signed by the nanny stating that she agrees to not hold you responsible for any harm that may come to her child while in your employ, that she is the person responsible at all times and further that she has had her legal representative review and approve this waiver of responsibility.  Her legal representative should be named in the waiver, although you don't need his or her signature.

This may seem a bit over the top to some people, but not for anyone that has been sued.  Another thought I had while answering this is; you are apparently concerned about liability, but nevertheless considering this option anyway. If you are thinking that you will be able to pay less because she is bringing her own child - none of the foregoing will carry any weight.  You can't derive benefit, or gain protection from liability if you are paying someone less than the high end of the going rate.  Actually you can never do well in any regard, paying someone less than the going rate.  It's always a prescription for failure.  On the upside, nannies that can bring their own child to their job tend to be more loyal and committed. One last thing; should you end up not hiring a nanny that brings her child to your home, these same rules still apply. Nannies do have family members that may, at one time or another drop off, or pick them up at work.  Nannies typically spend time with other nannies & their charges also, either by organizing a playgroup at a family's home, or just in the course of usual social contact. Good luck and don't let all this precautions & waivers scare you.  Its just a matter of being responsible! 

Anne Merchant Geissler
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Industry News and Information

Nannypalooza! ’06:  SAVE THE DATE!

When:  Saturday, October 7^th and Sunday, October 8^th

Where:  Philadelphia, PA
What:  A 2 day conference for the nanny community featuring…
Cost:  Registration includes all workshops sessions, Saturday lunch, and Sunday breakfast buffet.  Nannies attend for only $50, businesses for only $75.  Sponsors:  Philly Nannies and National Association for Nanny Accreditation (NANA)  Join us for a weekend of lively discussion, “learn today, use tomorrow” workshops, networking plus a Saturday night out on the town.  Send an email to conference@NANAccreditation.org to receive Nannypalooza! updates.  

Nanny Support Groups: Send us your press releases on upcoming events for future newsletters to Deborah@4EverythingNanny.com, subject: newsletter

NannyPay Home Payroll Software

Essentia Software is pleased to announce the immediate availability of NannyPay Staff Edition, our multiple employee enhancement of NannyPay classic software. Staff Edition includes many new features such as check printing and fully customizable reports.  Customers renewing their NannyPay subscription can upgrade now to Staff Edition for a special price.  Now available for immediate

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