Tag: nanny job

How Nannies Can Help Teach Children About Nutrition

It’s never too early to begin teaching children about nutrition and healthy eating. Parents are typically the ones to begin establishing healthy eating habits for the whole family but whilst parents are at work, it’s nanny who can help to build upon this foundation and encourage children to continue eating healthily.

It’s normal for everyone, children included, to develop the occasional craving for something sweet, junk food and fast food. Think about it, how many times have you taken your child for a happy meal because it’s cheap and easy?

There’s nothing wrong with it, in moderation. But it’s also important to teach children how to moderate their cravings and why they should.

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Tips to Help Toddlers Sleep Through the Night

Are you struggling with a toddler who won’t sleep through the night? Sleeping can be hard for parents, and live-in nannies too, if you have a toddler who keeps waking up in the middle of the night.

If it occurs regularly, this pattern can leave everyone feeling drained and unhappy. That’s why we’ve put together some advice to help you, help your toddler sleep through the night, every night.

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What Should You Watch Out for in Nanny Job Listings?

 

When looking for your next nanny job, it’s important to thoroughly read through the nanny job listing and to be on the lookout for any warning signs that could spell trouble in the future.

The first step is to remember that not everyone knows exactly what a nanny is or what duties fall under the job title. First-time parents, especially can be slightly confused about what they can and can’t ask a nanny to do and so it’s important that you take the time to read through each listing and note down any questions that need clarifying by the employer during the interview or before-hand over the phone.

Top Tip: If possible, try to contact the employer over the phone as this will give you a better feel for who they are and what they want than communicating via email. It’s also a great way to make yourself stand out from the competition as they’ll be able to start getting to know you before you even set foot in the interview.

To help you identify the good listings from the bad, we’ve made a list of the most important red-flags that you should lookout for in a nanny job listing and interview.

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How to Be a Good Role Model for Your Nanny Children – Part Two

Last week, we began discussing the importance of being a positive role model for the children in your life and gave you 5 tips to help you on your way to being a better role model for your nanny children. If you missed last week’s posts How to Be a Good Role Model for Your Nanny Children – Part One, be sure to check it out.

Since this is such an important topic and we couldn’t fit everything into just one post, we decided to carry it over to this week to give you another 5 tips:

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Nannies – Knowing When to Take a Sick Day

Nannies, much like parents, are only human when it comes to things like the common cold or flu and whilst you may be worried about leaving your employer without childcare, it’s important that you let them know if you’re too sick to work. Better that, than have the whole family come down with the same illness.

However, if you only have a slight headache or something minor that allows you to function normally, it’s always best to head into work as usual. This way, you’ll show your employer that you have a great work ethic and they’ll come to know that you’re responsible and reliable.

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Why Nannies Should Include Volunteer Work on Their Resume

When applying for your first job as a nanny, whether you’re a student, a graduate or if you’re moving from another field of work, it’s guaranteed that you won’t be the only one submitting an application.

What makes you stand out from the hundreds of other nanny applicants trying to get the same position?

We’ve put together this quick article to show you how volunteering can help you stand out from the crowd.

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Why Nannies Should Ask Parents for References

It’s only natural for a parent to ask a nanny for their past references and recommendations. They are, after all, entrusting the happiness, health and safety of their children to a complete stranger.

Why then, shouldn’t this also apply to nannies? Nannies, particularly live-in nannies, put their own livelihood and safety into the hands of the family they are becoming a part of and so common sense would suggest that a nanny should also obtain references from the parent(s) so that they are fully aware of the professional and personal nature of their new employer(s).

That’s why we’ve put together our top tips to help ensure that you only work with trustworthy, reliable employers:

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What does it take to be a good nanny?

What does it take to be a good nanny?

There might be moments in your career when self-doubt starts to creep in and you find yourself wondering if you’re doing your job well enough. What you need to remember is that nobody is perfect and that every nanny, au-pair, childminder or babysitter will do things differently.

There is no one-method-suits-all when it comes to childcare, because no two children are the same and so we’ve put together a list of the most important skills and qualities that you need to be a good nanny.

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Questions Nannies Should Ask Parents

Interviews can always be daunting! When nannies are preparing for an interview, the first thing they do is practise their answers. By now, they will be used to the crucial questions they will be asked. E.g.  “Why did you choose nannying as a career?” Or “What are your views on childcare.”

What nannies also need to consider is what they’re going to ask when the parent asks that on-the-spot question “Do you have any questions?” Of course a polite answer is to say that they have been very thorough and given all the details you need. Remember that this is a two way process… this is much about the nanny as it is about the family.

A good nanny interview tip would be to show interest in the position & ask well thought-out questions, it will give the opportunity to find out more about the family & their expectations….

Nannies Inc., a premium London nanny agency, recently placed an Ofsted registered, qualified nanny and the mother commented on not only was she polite and gave a good impression, but she was prepared. I asked the nanny to share some tips on how she prepared and she said she took a list of questions with her.
Some of these included:

  • Ask about the family’ routine – what they like doing, their interests, what activities the children enjoy, how they want the day to be structured.

 

  • Ask about expected duties e.g. babysitting, housework etc. This will give the nanny the opportunity to know what is expected of them and whether this is in line with their expectations.

 

  • What method of disciplining do the parents use?

 

  • Are there any house rules the nanny needs to know of – e.g. special diets, religious beliefs, no shoes etc.

 

  • Don’t be afraid to ask about working hours, holiday and the dreaded question about salary. There is no point in being shy about these things, it is best to be upfront.

 

  • Ask to see the home, look at the playroom or especially if the nanny is live-in, ask to see the accommodation & what is provided.

 

The nanny said that she also closed the interview by showing she was interested and asked when the decision would be made and expressed her interest. She also recommended following up with a text or emailing a few hours later to thank the parents for their time.

Now, with these interview tips in mind, it’s time for you to go get that dream job! Good luck!

 

This guest post was written for http://www.nannyjob.co.uk by a Recruitment Consultant at Nannies Incorporated. To find out more about or to view their nanny positions, visit their website here.

 

Dressing to impress

Sometimes office workers have it easy. Dressing for an interview is a matter of which suit to wear. Dressing for a nanny interview is a whole different ball game. What you wear says a lot about your personality, and personality is one of the thing you’re being assessed on when you to meet the parents of your (hopefully) future charges.

There are some simple rules:

– keep it modest: limit the amount of leg and cleavage on show and don’t wear a skin tight catsuit
– keep it practical: no heels you can’t run in
– keep it natural: go for fresh-faced and leave the false eyelashes at home

Colour psychology

When we first heard of this it seemed a bit ‘woo’. Does what colour you wear really affect how people see you? Psychology says yes. You can encourage certain feelings by wearing an associated colour. Blue encourages people to trust you, as does white, but orange, brown and red are not seen as trustworthy colours. Blue is also associate with high quality, as is black, and green encourages people to spend money.

To jeans or not to jeans?

Some people don’t like jeans at interview, even if you’re going to be wearing them every day to work. Others say that smart jeans (so no holes!) are fine. If you’re going for a high profile job, or an interview with a formal family, it might be best to avoid them and opt for black trousers instead.

I have an interview straight from work. Help!

Sometimes future employers just have to take you as you come. It’s worth telling them that you’ll be coming directly from your day job so they won’t be too shocked if you’re a little dishevelled or have a stain on your knee. Pack a spare top in case your current charges decide to sabotage you by flinging tomato sauce down your front and remember that at least your interviewers will be seeing how you’ll be turning up to work with them.

Above all be yourself, and good luck!