Summer is finally here! The playgrounds are packed, ice cream trucks are singing and the water sprinklers are on. This is wonderful news not just for the kids but also for mom, dad and … the nanny! But along with the fun of summer in this amazing city, there are many dangers and concerns that can arise with the extra time spent out of the home.
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In any relationship, regular and intentional communication is important but in a nanny-family employment relationship, it is even more so. Beyond the fact that this “job” carries the weight of being responsible for your most precious little people, this position does not come with an HR department and every family’s parenting style and expectations for their child is very different. So before issues come up this summer take a few minutes to chat with your nanny about your summertime policies and safety concerns for enjoying the great outdoors.
Here are some topics that you may want to address with your nanny:

​Perimeters for Outdoor Time
Where is your child allowed to go while outside? Specific parks/playgrounds? Hoboken only? Jersey City with permission? Walking only, or is it ok to take public transportation to Jersey City or NYC? Is your nanny allowed to ever take your child by car (personal or Uber/Lyft/taxi)? Is the nanny allowed to run her own errands while out? How much time are you comfortable with your child being out of the home? Is there a minimum amount of time you would prefer your child to spend outdoors on nice days?

​Playground Caution
Are you comfortable with your nanny observing your child in play from afar or do you want her to be actively involved in play? How should she handle bringing toys from home to the playground (sharing, collecting toys to bring home, etc.)? Be sure to remind your nanny to check the temperature of the playground equipment so as to protect little legs and hands from burns.

Water Park Rules
What is the appropriate attire for your nanny while at the waterpark? What about your child? Should your child wear a swimming suit (swim diaper?) or are street clothes acceptable? Should your child wear a specific pair of shoes or can they be barefoot? Are you ok with your child’s clothes being taken off/changed in public? Also, be sure to point out water balloon choking hazards for young children and broken balloon clean-up for older children!

Bathroom Use
Are you comfortable with your nanny changing your child’s diaper in the grass or on a park bench? What are the approved locations for your potty trained/training child to use the bathroom? Can your nanny leave your child with a trusted nanny or mom friend while she goes to use the restroom for herself or should she bring your child with her?

Strollers
Is nap time allowable in the stroller? Do you have concerns with blankets tied above the stroller for shaded naps? Do you have a clip-on fan for the stroller? Discuss the length of time which is developmentally appropriate to have a child awake in the stroller vs. mobile and free to move around.

Food on the go
Is it allowable for your baby to have a bottle and solids on the go? A picnic lunch for older children? Are they allowed to have ice cream and other cool treats? If so, how often and do they need permission from you? Will you leave cash for the nanny to use or should she submit receipts for reimbursement? And please discuss with your nanny the importance of food caution with allergens (peanut products in particular) and the unintentional dangers that feeding your child outdoors can cause to others!

Weather Advisories
What temperature or conditions are you not comfortable with your child being outside: air quality alerts and/or extreme heat advisories? Will you inform your nanny of any unsuitable conditions daily or should she check a weather tracker?

Outdoor Preparation and Safety
·     What should your nanny bring outside? Some items to consider: a cooler for snack and cold water; cash for emergencies; sunhat, sunscreen, spray bottle, fan, etc.
·     Discuss animal safety such as: Animals (wild and domestic) and insects in the parks. What should she do if she finds a tick on your child? Are you comfortable with your child petting a strangers’ dog with your nanny?
·     Do you have emergency contact and medical information in the stroller or diaper bag so someone can reach you in case your nanny loses her phone or in the event that your child or nanny has a medical emergency?
·     Phone use: now is a good time to remind your nanny that being distracted on their phone is a safety concern for your child, and to reiterate the importance of engagement with your little one.

Parents often assume that the nanny knows what the family wants as “common sense” (you know the same way I assume my husband know what I want without telling him-haha!). But having a sit down to lay out all your expectations up front will be so much healthier for the relationship than waiting until a concern arises.
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Have a question about your nanny or how to find a quality nanny? Reach out anytime hflanders@choice-parenting.com or learn more at www.choice-parenting.com

Let's face it... mornings are tough for many of us! They were difficult for me before a child but now with the sleepless nights and a little monkey that somehow always ends up in our bed by morning, its really impossible to get out the door early with ease. Even if you are a morning person and your child sleep well in their own bed, getting your family moving fast enough to get out the door at a set time each day can be stressful.  So lets consider the pros and cons for daycare and nanny for the morning routine. 

• It can be a challenge to get you and your child awake and out the door on time to head to daycare.
• It may take a lot of time and emotional energy to remember to pack everything that both you and baby will need for the day ahead.
• Early morning or late evening meetings may be an issue with the daycare’s fixed hours of operation. 
• Inclement weather may create a difficult commute for both parent and child if you walk far or drive to daycare 
• Morning drop off can be an overwhelming time of day for both you and your child, as parents all tend to drop off around the same time. Parents often linger to talk to the morning teachers about any special needs their child may have or ask a question.  It can feel loud and chaotic as many kids cry when they separate from their parents while others are happily yelling and running in the midst of free play. 
• Parents may struggle to communicate with the teachers who are trying to talk to multiple parents at the same time while also comforting and watch the children whose parents have already left.

*** Some daycare have a drop your child off in the lobby or front door which does help cut back on some of the morning classroom chaos but also can leave you with very little time to communicate with teachers or see the room in action. 

At the end of the day... there is no real winner or looser... just a simple comparison to help you determine what is going to be the best situation for your overall family.  I know many parents who love the routine and schedule of daycare. Some kids do really well in the morning or wake up so early that getting out the door by 8am is not an issue :) 

Keep in mind that nanny care is only as good as the nanny herself! If your nanny is late constantly or does not assist you in the morning to make your life easier as a parent than it is the individual that is an issue not the option of nanny care.  

Morning routine is definitely an important factor to consider but it's not the only one that should be used to determine what childcare option is best for you. Stay tuned to this comparison series to learn more and check out how daycares and nannies match up for Outdoor Play Time!

Choice Parenting Childcare Consulting would love to help you decide which type of childcare matches your unique family and teach your the best process to find, hire and keep a healthy relationship with a quality daycare, nanny, nanny-share or au pair. To learn more about our Childcare Coaching Services or to Schedule a Free Phone Consultation visit: www.choice-parenting.com

Childcare is not one size fits all. Some families love the structure and social aspects of daycare, while others find the flexibility and attention their child receives with a nanny something they cannot live without. Making the choice between daycare and nanny care is not always simple as both options come with benefits and challenges. During my childcare coaching sessions, I emphasize to families the importance of understanding the industry standards, assessing the details of their family’s needs and parenting style and educating themselves beyond the commonly discussed pros and cons of daycare vs nanny to find the best match. This series was created not to suggest that one type of care is better than the other but rather to point out some of the differences that you may have not thought through to assist you in making the best decision for your family.

Giving a child time to explore nature and the world around them has so many wonderful benefits! I could write all day long about the value of outdoor play in the heath, development and education of young children but so many experts can communicate the scientific findings and reasons why it is essential for children to have regular expose to nature better than I can. Here are a few of my favorites articles that I encourage you to read: 

• Why Playtime Is An Essential Part Of Childhood Development
• The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children 
• ​The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children
• Quality Outdoor Play Spaces for Young Children 

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While most daycares do their best to take the children outside regularly, the group aspect of daycare can make outdoor play time much more challenging. The safety, schedule and the needs of the group often keep the children from enjoying all that the outdoors have to offer.

I often find that because of the child to adult ratios, daycares feel forced into stroller walks as it's only means of outdoor time. It is extremely difficult with even the best teachers to give a group of infants and toddlers both the safety AND the freedom to explore a playground, water splash park, pool, a large grassy or wooded area or walk on their own. Developmentally, young children are unable to be trusted not to do something that can be harmful to themselves or a classmate (put rocks in their mouth, walk into traffic, hit their friends with a stick; jump off the high playground equipment, pick up glass).

Some daycares offer a private and secure outdoor space that gives children some ability to safely explore but the options are often limited unless the daycare/ teachers are inventive with the materials and the space. 

​Of course, a parent can offer more creative outdoor activities to their kids after daycare hours and on weekends but the truth is that so many parents are busy keeping up with the necessities of adult life that outdoor play time may not happen as much as they may like.         

Outdoor play time can be much more creative and frequent when the adult to child ratio is 1:1. The benefit of having a nanny is her ability to focus primarily on your specific child’s basic care needs, schedule, safety, parenting phylosophies, developmental growth and interests.
 
Sledding in the snow, climbing steep stairs at the playground with careful supervision, digging in the dirt with sticks and rocks, chasing pigeons, collecting nuts for squirrels; exploring shadows; playing at the water park; building a sandcastle; watching ducks at the river; splashing in the puddles in the rain; riding a balance bike or scooter; exploring grass and flowers; finding construction sites to watch the big trucks in action; gathering leaves of different sizes, shapes and colors; and so much more! 
 
But before hiring a nanny, you want to evaluate if this candidate understands the benefits of outdoor play time and is willing to participate in this type of creative free play with your child. During the interview process, talk to the applicant about outdoor time and what this may look like with your child who is 6 months old and think ahead to how this will change at 1 year; 18 months; 2 year+. If your child is confined to a stroller for the majority of time spent outdoors with the nanny they are missing out on a huge benefit of nanny care.

Outdoor play time is not the only aspect to consider when choosing between daycare and nanny ... it is an important factor! While there may be some daycares that offer an innovative solution, the majority of infant-toddler group environments struggle to give their students the same level of outdoor exposure as a quality nanny is able to provide with individualized care.

Choice Parenting Childcare Consulting would love to help you decide which type of childcare matches your unique family and teach your the best process to find, hire and keep a healthy relationship with a quality daycare, nanny, nanny-share or au pair. To learn more about our Childcare Coaching Services or to Schedule a Free Phone Consultation visit: www.choice-parenting.com

One of the biggest mistakes that I see parents make when searching for a nanny is that they jump directly into their nanny search by asking other moms for “good nanny” recommendations and start interviewing candidates without first taking the time to communicate the basics of the job, family preferences and budget. While I empathize with a parent’s anxiety to find a “good nanny” quickly, the interviewing process will be a whole lot less stressful and time consuming if you slow down and follow these simple steps before you begin the nanny interview process.
 
Step 1:  Create a Nanny Wish List and Job Description
Before you start your search, you need to first identify and clearly communicate what type of nanny you are looking for. Of course, you need a nanny who is safe, reliable, loving and attentive to your child but let’s think beyond those important characteristics (as they should be a prerequisite for any caregiver) into the basics of the actual employment. Take the time to write out:
 
“The Non-Negotiables”: Requirements that a nanny candidate must be able to fulfill to apply for the position

• What is the location of the job, schedule and level of flexibility needed?  E.g. UES (86th street N,Q train); M-F; 8-6pm with flexibility to stay later 1x a week
• When is the start date for job? E.g. Start date 2/15/17 with 2-5 days of training before official start
• What is the desired experience and/or educational level that you prefer? E.g. 5+ years working as nanny in NYC; recent experience with twins and/or young babies
• Do you need someone with the ability to be paid according to the legal standard? E.g. Must be eligible to work in the US and be paid “on the books”
• What household responsibilities are needed beyond the basics of childcare? E.g. Child-related and light housekeeping
• What skills are necessary: E.g. driver’s license and clean record; CPR certified; ability to swim, speak “X” language, provide homework help?
• What provisions are required for the job? E.g. A car to use on the job; able to work with a dog or cat in the home; willing to abide by special dietary rules of your family (Kosher home, allergies, healthy/organic food

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“The Wants”: Things that would be preferred but the inability to provide these things will not immediately disqualify an otherwise qualified nanny E.g. Can babysit one Saturday night per month for a date night; ability and willingness to prep or cook simple meals for your family; physically fit or athletic to play sports with kids; willing to do family laundry

“The Extras”: These are non-essentials but they make a strong nanny candidate look amazing! E.g. Willing to travel with your family on occasion; able to teach your child piano; able to develop a curriculum plan for your child’s education; ability to work as a weekday live-in nanny during the summer in the Hamptons

Step 2: Research the Nanny Market

• What outlets do parents use to find nannies in your area? E.g. Care.com; Facebook parenting groups; nanny agencies; local job websites; communication boards, etc.
• What is the local average hourly rate for a nanny with a similar number of hours weekly, same number of children, household needs, special skill requirements, experience/ educational background; payment situation (on or off books)?
• Educate yourself on your legal obligations and the costs for employing a nanny: taxes; insurances; hourly minimums and overtime guidelines; payment frequency and record keeping. (I highly recommend contacting www.homeworksolutions.com, when you mention “Choice Parenting” they offer a free nanny tax consultation plus $100 off your payroll costs. During the consultation, Homework Solutions will talk you through the cost of paying on the book, the deductions available, flex spending accounts, your responsibilities for record keeping, checking immigration status, and insurances; plus the overall benefits for paying legally and the risks if you do not)
• What benefits are typically offered to nannies in your area? E.g. vacation, holidays paid; guaranteed hours; paid public transportation; sick and personal days; meals; annual bonus; etc.

 
Step 3: Write a detailed “Help Wanted Ad” with an overview of your position’s needs

• Build your job post so that it includes the non-negotiable requirements of the position and any strong “wants”.
• Post a compensation range that includes both the hourly and weekly “take-home” (net) pay. Why? Don’t waste your time with candidates that are out of your budget!
• If you are planning to pay on the books, include this in your ad
• Post your ad on care.com, Facebook groups, mommy boards, craigslist or any other outlet you chose to use for advertising.
• Create an ad that you can send via text message to nannies that were recommended to you and did not directly apply for the position or see your advertisement

 
By clearly identifying and communicating the basic needs for your job, you will not only weed out individuals who will not be a good fit but also create an interview environment that is focused on getting to know the nanny’s experience level, child-rearing style, personality and discuss the most important part of the job… your child!
 
To learn about Choice Parenting childcare coaching sessions and receive guidance as you begin the nanny interview process to hire a quality nanny for your family contact Holly Flanders for a free phone consultation.

Have a question? Or want to host a similar workshop? Please reach out to Holly Flanders: hflanders@choice-parenting.com

​You also have the ability to set a speed alert so you can receive notifications if the device goes over the mph limit that you have set. The speed alert is a great safe guard if you have clearly stated to your nanny that the only mode of transportation should be walking or if you have a nanny that needs to drive to ensure she is not doing so at excessive speeds with your children in the vehicle.

 Another great feature is the augmented reality that allows you to use your phone’s camera to search around the area. When pointed in the direction of device, the distance tracker will pop up on the screen and tell you how far away you are from your child. This feature can come in handy in a crowded area such as Disney World or if you simply want to pop in occasionally to surprise your nanny while they are out at the playground to ensure you are comfortable with her level of attentiveness. 

When I first began testing the Trax Play, I was concerned about the accuracy of the GPS in the NYC metro area with large buildings and subways. However I have tracked my own steps/path for almost 2 months in Manhattan, Hoboken, NJ, driving throughout the Tri-state as well as in rural areas of Pennsylvania and it has proven to be very reliable.

I was also afraid that I would be annoyed with another device to charge each day but found the battery life to last more than a day as long as I was not constantly on the go. The website suggests 7-8hours of battery life while constantly moving but I find that most days I am home for a few hours at a time for naps, meals, and in home play similar to what a nanny would or should be doing with a child most days. The app will tell you by percentage how much battery life you have left and send you a notification when the battery gets critically low. 

All in all, I highly recommend purchasing the Trax Play when hiring a new nanny! It is such a smart and easy to use gadget!  My 9 month old baby boy is currently outside with his babysitter whom I have a trusted relationship with but yet I still love tracking them to see what park they are at and imagining what they are up to in between the pictures she sends! Call me neurotic but I also like knowing his exact location just in case!  He is currently .77 miles away from me and I know I can run there is just a few minutes if the babysitter or he ever had a problem! Trax Play gives me peace of mind! 

1. Know what type of nanny your are looking for and can afford: level of experience, educational background, what type of personality, child raising philosophies, physical activity level, and more.
2. What type of employment relationship do you hope to have with your nanny- strictly professional, trusted family member, or somewhere in between. Be clear about the style of communication and level of comfort you prefer to have with your nanny.  There is not a right or wrong but it can’t be hard to take a step back in the openness of your relationship once you have set a routine.
3. Write out the details of the job and employment expectations in a "Nanny Contract". What are the job responsibilities? What is the compensation? What parenting style do you want your nanny to uphold? What are the employment policies? Household rules? Privacy and confidentiality? Safety and emergency situations? 
4. Background check! A private Investigator is not as extreme or expensive as it sounds ( $200-$250). Unlike a cheap online background check, a licensed PI will be able to pull information beyond the public records and criminal conviction. Also don't forget to phone interview references AND previous employers- do not accept letters of recommendation. Do your due diligence and fact check. Be aware of family or friends giving fake employment references and question gaps in employment history.
5. Nanny Cameras are something I highly recommend having and telling your nanny about. Nanny cameras can and should be used for more than just preventing abusive behavior but also as a quality control check. You will be able to tell a lot about your nanny’s character, how satisfied or happy she appears, her attentiveness and relationship with your children and overall how she performs her job .  It will also allow you to communicate things that may not be wrong but not necessarily how you would prefer them be handled with the kids or household.
6. A written dress code: what type of attire should your nanny wear to work daily? Will you be comfortable with your 20-something year old nanny in a sexy two piece at the pool with your children and husband?  If she is a live in nanny what is or is not appropriate for her to wear after hours? Or is it simple things like you don’t want her to wear perfume with your infant or she needs to be prepared with clothes and shoes that she can play basketball and be active with your children.
7. Take inventory of valuables, medications, alcohol, and sensitive informations such as passports, financial records, social security numbers ( for your kids too!), credit cards and junk mail.

If you or someone you know is planning to hire a nanny I would LOVE to help!  I offer free phone consultation to discuss your situation and the benefits of my affordable childcare coaching sessions which can be done in person or over the phone.  I will give you the tools and teach you the best practices to find, hire and keep a nanny that matches your unique family! Call or email today!