An after-school nanny can be the perfect solution for working parents if children are in sports, have appointments, music lessons or just need extra help with homework. She can help the entire family, having the homework, shopping, dinner, laundry and errands completed by the time the parents walk in the door. A nanny can provide a customized solution and quality family time at day’s end.

Follow these key steps to make sure you get a perfect fit for your family and a long-term solution. Give some thought to what your needs are and bring a detailed list of expectations and needs to the interview and ask each candidate the same questions.

What qualities and skill sets are most important ?

Does she need to be able to do algebra or go on the internet and monitor school assignments?

Is she a good role model? Find out what her values are, and during the interview, ask to see her Facebook page. School-aged children are very alert to the values of their nanny and tend to admire them because they are closer to their own age. Nannying is different from all other childcare positions in that the nanny is largely unsupervised. Look for someone who will make the right choice when no one’s looking.

What household chores is she willing and able to do well?

What were her responsibilities in her last position?

Involve your children in the interviewing process Do they like her personality? They’re old enough to voice their opinions now.

Does the nanny agree with your parenting style

How would she settle sibling squabbles? A dynamic and energetic leader with a good sense of humor helps

Does she show a preference for one age or sex over another?

Can this be a long-term match?

Frequently a college student makes a good choice, since they’ll have similar school holidays and can help in the summer with longer hours. Is she able to keep her job her top priority and work her classes around the family schedule for a year of two? Usually a freshman or sophomore can give a longer commitment than an upperclassman.

How’s her Driving? Is she a responsible driver?

Ask for her three-year Motor Vehicle Record

Is she mature enough to handle an emergency?

Has she driven children before? Ask her last employer about her driving. During a trial week, have her drive to the children’s school and back and see how carefully she drives.

What’s the cost of an after-school nanny? $15 per hours seems to be the going rate for an after school nanny working 20 hours per week in the Phoenix area. Caring Nannies follows the recommendation of the IRS to reimburse nanny mileage at the current rate of 56.5 cents per mile. If you’re paying a household employee over $1800 per year, the IRS requires that a 1040-ES is filed along with a 1040 tax form and a W-2 form. Best to pay via check or direct deposit and not cash so that you have accurate documentation. If both parents are working, your cost should be a wash.

Read More

1. A refreshing change of pace-letting kids be kids

Children today have hectic schedules, and the summer heat is a natural cue to slow down, give them time to swim, dream, think, read, draw, paint, devise science experiments and fun learning games. They are in large groups of 20-30 children all year. This is an opportunity for a time to develop creative skills, have some alone time to think, be with siblings, and just enjoy being home. They’ll be more productive next fall after a real break.

2. A time to be creative-
Our nannies do more than supervise your children. They can plan and implement daily curriculum, monitor your child’s development and plan fun games and activities throughout the day.

3. A wider perspective- A nanny can take children to museums, the zoo, as well as field trips to the candy factory, fire station, crime labs, get them involved in the local library reading program, help them write and illustrate their own books, create and record their own music, make movies, write a neighborhood newspaper, grocery shop and cook dinner, or take diving lessons. It’s a gift to allow them to be bored for a while and have to come up with ideas, or to set up an intriguing ‘play station’ that draws them in, like playing hospital. Your goal is for them to play for long periods without too much involvement from adults.

4.Nannies are there for the whole family

A nanny can take an older child to a sports camp, but allow them to be home the rest of the day. During down time, she can keep up with the laundry, shopping and dinner preparation, or organize the pantry, so when parents come home at the end of the day, they can relax knowing that the day’s most pressing needs have been met.

5.Why Caring Nannies rather than an on-line site?

Our screening process is thorough and meticulous and we only take 7% of candidates who apply to us. We are very selective and have higher requirements than online sites.

Caring Nannies is offering a one time Summer Nanny Discount of $100 off the Summer Placement Fee if you start interviewing before May 31.

What Caring Nannies offers–
Some see us as only a nanny agency, but we send out Baby Nurses, Newborn Specialists, Sleep Trainers, Mother’s Helpers, Nanny/Managers, Post-surgery Assistance, Housekeepers, Executive Housekeepers, Chefs, Personal Assistants, Estate Managers, Couples, Butlers, Event Care, Party Childcare, Wedding Childcare, Corporate Backup Care and more! Candidates can be Live-in or out, Full or Part Time or Temporary.

Read More