Some of the most frustrating things about looking for a nanny on your own

Trustworthiness: It's hard to verify the trustworthiness and reliability of candidates solely based on their social media profiles or online presence and your interactions.

Limited Reach: Your social network might not have enough reach to find a diverse pool of candidates with different backgrounds and experiences. And some platforms might have a wide variety of candidates. 

Time-consuming: Sorting through numerous profiles and messages can be incredibly time-consuming, especially when each candidate requires careful consideration.

Lack of Credentials: It can be challenging to ascertain the qualifications, certifications, and experience of potential nannies based solely on their social media profiles or initial interactions.

Communication Challenges: Miscommunication or misunderstandings can arise easily through online interactions, potentially leading to confusion about expectations, responsibilities, or scheduling.

Two terms are unique to the household employment industry: guaranteed hours and banking hours. While interrelated, the first is an industry standard, and the latter is illegal.

To understand banking hours, let’s first explain guaranteed hours.

What are guaranteed hours?

Guaranteed hours are the set number of hours your nanny will be paid each week at their hourly rate. It can be 35, 40, 45, or whatever hours you need for childcare during a week. If your nanny works the agreed-upon hours – or fewer – they get paid the same. Any hours worked over their guaranteed hours would be paid on top of their typical pay, considering an overtime rate for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Guaranteed hours for a nanny may be more convenient for you when paying them each week and preferred by your caregiver. Many nannies – especially more experienced ones – may ask for guaranteed hours upfront.

So what ducks are worth getting in a row, mama bird? Here’s our ultimate guide to feathering your nest.So what ducks are worth getting in a row, mama bird? Here’s our ultimate guide to feathering your nest.

Stockpile the kitchen.

The postpartum hunger is real, but the time (and energy) to cook is minimal. So fill your freezer with heat-and-eat meals or ready-to-blend smoothie fixings. Stock up on pantry staples and your favorite shelf-stable snacks. Aim to keep perishable essentials (milk, eggs, fresh produce) on hand, so you don’t come home with an empty stomach to find an empty fridge. (But if you do, there is always grocery delivery! And doting friends! And takeout! You will not go hungry.)

Pack your hospital bag.

When the time comes, you’ll want to be ready. (Or at least have a sense of what you want to bring.) Not sure what to take or leave? Consult our hospital bag checklist.

Why Workers’ Compensation is Important for Household Employers (from GTM Payroll)

Obtaining workers’ compensation insurance may not be as obvious a “to do” for a family hiring a nanny or other household employee. However, a lack of coverage is a critical and costly mistake. Here’s why having a workers’ compensation policy is important for household employers.

Preparing a nanny contract. Setting up payroll and tax withholdings. Making sure your nanny is ready to care for your children. These tasks are at the top of your family’s list when you hire an in-home caregiver to look after your children. Getting worker’s compensation insurance? That may not be as obvious a “to do” but a lack of coverage can be a critical and costly mistake for families.

Here’s why workers’ compensation insurance is important for household employers.

Something that is discussed but not always understood is the background check process.

We’ve recently selected a new service which has been recommended by the state of Connecticut.

Please note that any company you use must be FCRA COMPLIANT. The FCRA law requires employers to follow certain procedures when handling this information.

We’ve included the searches/verifications the company does with specifics on what is done.

SSN TRACE: Verify Social Security Number with names, aliases, date of birth, death index database, state where number was issued and address history.

NATIONWIDE CRIMINAL: National criminal multi-jurisdictional search across courts and correctional records for inmates, probation, parolees, arrests, and warrants.

You want to make the best choices for your family. You toil over their food, schools, and health. So when it comes to looking for the best childcare, there are a lot of options that can seem overwhelming. You have to consider what type of childcare professional will fit your needs, including your budget, your preferred age range or experience level, and how frequently you need childcare. All of the variations of childcare professionals can be broken down into three separate categories: Nannies, au pairs, and babysitters. So which one is right for you? The first step is understanding their distinct differences and then deciding which type of childcare professional best aligns with your family’s needs!

Betty Franco has been in childcare service for over 25 years. We sat down and asked her questions about her experience, the ups, the downs, and what makes The Impeccable Nanny Agency such an outstanding Nanny agency.

1. Why did you get involved with childcare?

I’ve been in childcare service for 25+ years. I’ve always loved kids. Growing up in Trinidad, I took care of children and continued to when I moved to the United States. I love meeting new people; there are so many wonderful families. I consider the kids I Nanny as my own and love them as my own. I also enjoy the freedom being a Nanny gives you, like being able to go to the park or take them places. I still keep in touch with families I no longer work with. The families also invite me to the children’s concerts, sport events, birthday parties, and graduations.

While there may be no formal training required to become a nanny, taking specialized child care training courses will make a nanny a more professional and knowledgeable caregiver. Every child is different and when selecting the best Nanny for your home, specialized classes according to the needs of your child(ren) are important and should be added as a qualifier for your interview process. For example, if your child loves music or is musically inclined, does your potential Nanny candidate have the education and skill to assist in your child’s passion?

Searching for the best Nanny for your child(ren) and family can be exhausting and overwhelming. We understand that. With over 13 years of experience placing qualified nannies that have a long-term commitment to their families, we go through an intensive vetting and qualifying process so you don’t have to.

It’s an exciting time when your little one begins to display the signs of being ready to transition from using diapers to using the toilet. But how can you tell when that time has arrived and how do you move forward when it has? Below are some tips to help caregivers make the leap from diaper to toilet.

Signs Your Child is Ready: Your child is between the ages of 18 to 24 months. Please note that this is a general estimate and the age may differ slightly. Their diaper remains dry for two or more hours. They are able to understand and follow basic instructions. Words like “potty,” “pee,” and “poop” make sense to them. They understand the urge to pee and poop and connect these two things to the potty. They are able to get on and off the toilet and successfully pull down and pull up their pants.

Find a Rewarding Childcare Position with The Impeccable Nanny Agency

The Impeccable Nanny Agency announced its search for qualified applicants for available nanny and newborn care specialist positions in New York and Connecticut. The agency matches families with trustworthy and nurturing nannies passionate about childcare.

The agency seeks qualified applicants to match open nanny jobs who have three or more years of experience in childcare, verifiable references, and meet requirements for legally working in the United States. Typical nanny positions require full-time hours for long-term family placements.

There is never a fee for nannies using The Impeccable Nanny Agency services.

The Impeccable Nanny Agency saves families time, money, and hassles associated with choosing qualified in-home childcare. This Connecticut nanny agency will screen and present a short list of candidates to families seeking help. It is an agency’s job to help select the right candidate for inquiring households, and a competent agency knows what to look for and the characteristics to avoid.

Finding the right nanny shouldn’t be a chore for any family needing such a service, and a good nanny agency such as The Impeccable Nanny will help find the perfect match for any family’s needs. Not only will an agency-matched nanny’s work be praised by the family, but a competent agency also answers questions and addresses any concerns during tenure.

The Impeccable Nanny Agency takes the guesswork out of finding a qualified nanny by conducting thorough background checks and interviews with all its candidates.

Before hiring a nanny, any family should consider the time and effort it takes to conduct a proper screening, ask the right questions, and verify all references and qualifications.

The agency’s process begins with an in-depth consultation with each family to understand their unique needs. After finding the perfect nanny match, the agency takes care of all the vetting and paperwork so families can relax and enjoy their new childcare solution.

The Impeccable Nanny also offers an in-depth screening process for nannies seeking local employment.

Child care is a crucial part of parenting, and choosing a nanny is a vital decision in child care.

Finding a nanny is an exhausting process that most parents dread. Getting a nanny includes posting the job search, screening applications, holding interviews, and deciding on the right fit to pick. And this may take weeks to complete.

You can save yourself a lot of trouble by going through reputable nanny agencies, like The Impeccable Nanny Agency.

When getting a nanny by yourself, there is no guarantee that you’d get the right candidate, even after following the process carefully.

Nanny agencies know the right qualifications and soft skills that a nanny should have.

In childcare services, household payroll has its own unique rules and filing requirements. Make sure you have the right nanny payroll service on your side.

Household payroll -as opposed to the traditional payroll service- has many unique and often nuanced laws, specific regulations, and exceptions and exemptions that differ from corporate or business oriented payroll. Most payroll companies simply do not understand or handle household payroll issues properly. A Household payroll service will keep you up to date and in the know on all the latest domestic employer laws and regulations.

Another important item to keep in mind is when you hire a nanny, you, the employer, may qualify for a childcare related personal income tax breaks.

The first few weeks after childbirth is known as the “fourth trimester” because, as a new mom, your stress is not over even though the baby is here.

You need time to recover from the pregnancy and labor stress and adjust to your new life, but unfortunately, you do not have enough time to rest because you have to attend to your newborn. This is where postpartum doula services step in to help.

The impeccable Nanny, a nanny and postpartum doula agency in Darien, Connecticut, explains who a postpartum doula is, what they do and why you should consider hiring one.

A postpartum doula is a person who supports a new mum and her family during the first few weeks or months after birth.

It’s no secret that having a newborn can be an incredibly daunting task. Between all the feedings, changings, and sleepless nights, it’s hard to remember to take care of yourself. That’s where a nanny comes in – someone who can help take care of your little one so you can get some much-needed rest. Finding the perfect nanny is easier said than done. It would be best if you had someone reliable, experienced, and trustworthy – not to mention affordable. Here are a few tips and a sample scenario for a recent nanny placement in Fairfield County, CT.

So, you’re about to become parents. Congratulations! Whether this is your first child or your fifth, there’s no denying that it’s a life-changing event.

Babysitters, nannies, and au pairs are all individuals who provide care for children, but there are some differences in terms of their role, responsibilities, and arrangement.

Babysitters: Babysitters are typically hired on an as-needed basis to watch children for a few hours or an evening while the parents are away. They may be teenagers or adults and may have varying levels of experience with children. Babysitters usually work part-time and are not usually responsible for household chores beyond cleaning up after the children.

Nannies: Nannies are professional childcare providers typically hired to work full-time or part-time on a regular schedule.

Breastfeeding, the natural act of nourishing a newborn, can be an exceptionally rewarding experience for new mothers. However, as maternity leave concludes and returning to work looms, the prospect can appear daunting. The task of balancing work commitments while maintaining a breastfeeding schedule can seem nearly impossible. Yet, with the right strategies, you can juggle both effectively. Drawing from the experience and knowledge of professionals at The Impeccable Nanny Agency, we provide a guide that simplifies this process and ensures that both mom and baby’s needs are met.

Understand Your Rights: Before delving into the best practices, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your rights as a breastfeeding mother.

You are expecting your first baby. Congratulations, how exciting. The joy, anticipation, and love are mingled with a bit of anxiety and uncertainty. So much to know about and so many things to do. As you and your partner prepare to welcome your bundle of joy, you may be considering hiring a nanny to assist you in your newfound parenthood. If you’re a bit lost on how to proceed, don’t worry, this guide is for you.

Understand your needs : The first step in hiring a nanny is understanding what you need from them. What hours are you looking for? What job expectations do you have? It’s hard to know what exact needs your family will have. Clear communication about your expectations will set the tone for a beneficial relationship for both parties.

Being a nanny is both a privilege and a responsibility, as you are entrusted with the safety and well-being of another family’s children. However, like any professional, it’s crucial to establish your terms of employment through a work agreement. This vital tool helps ensure that both you and the family are on the same page about the job’s expectations, terms, and conditions, avoiding misunderstandings and disagreements down the line. This article outlines why every nanny should have a work agreement and what it should contain.

A work agreement clearly spells out the nanny’s roles and responsibilities. It provides a framework and a point of reference for what is expected of you as a nanny.