BEST NANNY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

When hiring a nanny, it’s vital to plan out your questions before the interview. This hire is different from any other in that she’ll be like part of the family, so the key things you’re looking for are attitudes, world-view, and personality. Experience and education are important, however your children will be emulating and adopting this person’s character and values, so her most important contribution is to be a role model to your growing children. The Nanny position is unlike any other child-care position, in that she is largely unsupervised. When we source nannies, we are looking for the person who will make the right decision when nobody’s looking. But trust that when Moms give birth, they get a PhD in their guts, so be confident that you’ll be able to find a nanny you click with and feel comfortable with. This process is more like dating than hiring someone, because it’s so personal--she’ll have full access to your children’s hearts and your home.

When we interview a nanny, we're watching for the person who's passionate about this career. My Grandpa, an Iowa Farmer, was known for his pithy pronouncements. If we got  upset about something, he’d say, “Don’t worry, 100 years from now, it won’t make a difference.” The nannies we’re looking for, know that what they’re doing will make a difference 100 years from now. I love the comment by Andy Stanley: “What you do in life may not be as important as someone you raise.” Our nannies get this. It impels them.

After 30 years of interviewing, we have lots of favorite interview questions, but here are some of our gold standard ones:

• What brought you to nannying?  What keeps you here? 
• What are some of your strengths as a nanny?
• What would you do to keep a ___ year old busy?
• How would you structure the day with an infant? or _____ year old? 
• What would you do with "down time," while children are napping or at school? 
• What does "light housekeeping" mean to you? 
• What does your relationship look like with the past parents you worked for?  
• Can you share a fond memory you have from past experiences as a nanny?
• How would you handle a ___ year old who refused to take a nap even though he was tired? 
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to get feedback?
• Do you feel that you’re able to speak up when needed?
• Tell me about your last job? What did you like/not like about it?
• Tell me about the most stressful thing that has happened to you on the job and how you handled it.
• What would be a typical lunch you’d prepare for a ____year old?
• Would you feel comfortable taking the children swimming? How well do you swim?
• Have you ever cooked for a family? If so, what might a typical dinner be?

Caring Nannies has a select pool of exceptional and trusted nannies available for you to interview. We pride ourselves in finding out your exact needs and only sending you a handful of close matches because we value your time. We’re ready to guide you through the process of selecting just the right one for your family. To get started, fill out our Family Application or call our office for more information.

Beth Weise

CARING NANNIES REGIONAL EDWARD JONES CONVENTIONS

For a family-friendly company like Edward Jones, the Childcare for their Regional Conventions is a priority. This June, Caring Nannies has been busy making sure that the children at two Edward Jones Regional Conventions with 45 and 48 kids  is memorable! We have gotten rave reviews from our Maritz Travel team members and parents, who told us that in the last 12 years, they have not seen such a well-run program. The events took place at at the relaxing Sedona Hilton and the luxurious Montelucia in Phoenix. Jenny Riojas and her team have been  planning art activities and games, shopping for supplies, evaluating ratios, and staffing the events. We love the Edward Jones conventions, because the kids are amazing--respectful, smart, focused, and a joy to be with.

Here are some pictures from the last two weekends. Thank You, Maritz Travel and Edward Jones and all you terrific kids and parents and the amazing staff at The Sedona Hilton and the Montelucia!

When you’re planning a party, wedding or convention, an experienced, entertaining Caring Nannies team will make it even more fun with our on-site childcare services. Whether you are putting on a corporate event, company meeting, wedding or a party, we have you covered. We can come with toys, blocks, memorable crafts and active games to transform a room into a welcoming environment for children ages 0-14, fully staffed with our energetic team. Contact us for a customized proposal and pricing and to schedule your event.

Beth

WHAT AGE SHOULD CHILDREN START SWIM LESSONS?

Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects. For children ages 1-14, drowning is the main cause of accidental death after car accidents.

There are three main causes of drowning.

1.Lack of swimming ability. Formal swimming lessons can start with babies, and for years, pediatricians recommended age 4. New studies suggests the earlier the better. Studies also point out other benefits, such as close bonding with parents or caregivers and getting ahead in cognitive, physical, social and emotional development 

2.A Lack of barriers. Pool fences which are four-sided, separated from the house and yard reduces the risk of drowning by 83% compared to three-sided fences, so the pool is accessible from the house.We recommend our trusted partners at AZChildproofers, a local family owned and operated pool-fencing and Childproofing company. Locked and spring-loaded gates prevent children from getting into the pool area without an adults knowledge. We recommend 

3.Lack of close supervision: Drowning is quiet and happens quickly, even in the presence of pool-watchers, adults and lifeguards. Any pool party needs a designated Pool-watcher with a special shirt or hat. This job needs to be rotated every 15 minutes. This May, even 13 and 17 year old teenagers drowned in pools, one during a party.

What does research tell us?

1. Swim Lessons help. Formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning in children ages 1 to 4. Sandra Jackson has been teaching Survival Swim Lessons for over three years, and we interviewed her to find out what works. She does 12 to 15 minute swim lessons in parent’s back yard pools for four to six weeks, four days a week. She teaches babies, toddlers and preschoolers to swim, roll to a float, and float on their backs. They practice getting to the side of the pool from the center. Call Sandra at 480-221-0271 to schedule private or group lessons.

2. Every second counts--learn CPR. Nannies have to get certified every two years, and parents and grandparents should too. If you mention Caring Nannies, AERT gives classes for only $24. Too busy? Review a video and practice on a doll or stuffed animal.

3. Remove toys from the pool area when swimming is over. Toys attract children. Pick up floats, balls and toys and store them away from the pool.

4. Practice “touch supervision” be within arms length of your child

5. Don’t use air-filled toys, noodles or water wings for life jackets. They are not designed  to be life jackets.

6. Don’t drink while supervising children.

Beth and her five kids

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FATHER'S DAY WHEN YOU HAD A BAD DAD

What do you do for Father's Day when memories are painful or empty? 

My Dad knew the secret of happiness. He gave the illustration frequently, of a candle burning itself out in the service of others, and that was how he spent his life. And as a result, he was immensely blessed. He held nothing back. Since he was thrifty and consistent, and not afraid to take an opportunity or do extra work, he made sure we were all well cared for. He gave freely of himself to others with his time and money. He consistently chose the best action that would produce the greatest good. My Dad was shy, because he came from a verbally abusive home, so he was never able to give us verbal affirmation. But he taught us to work all we can, save all we can, and give all we can. When he arrived home for dinner, he gave me a big hug and since we sat next to each other at the dinner table, he played “toes” with me. I knew he loved me. He gave us six kids an amazing example and was a leader in our community and well-loved by hundreds of people. As he got older, he became sweeter and sweeter, and in his old age, his passion for following God shone out of him.

My kids didn’t get to experience what I did. Their Dad wasn’t able to be there for them. He was blocked and broken and died way too young, at age 48. 

Dr Dobson tells the story of Hallmark cards going into the jails on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to give free cards to inmates. For Mother’s Day, everyone was on deck, but on Father’s Day, only a few were takers. 

This week, my Mom suggested my two oldest boys should call their Uncle Grant, who had invested in them during their adolescence, flying them up to Missoula and giving them jobs at his rambling Axemen Store. My four brothers also invested in my boys, shooting off rockets, even taking them along on dates. Family friends reached out to my kids, including them in their family parties, taking them out to do fun things or just to talk.

So what do you do when you don’t have a Dad to honor for Fathers‘s Day? If your Dad was absent, remote, distant, even abusive? I know that bitterness can quietly poison a person, and even if no one knows about it, the poison leaks out and affects the ones you most want to protect. 

 If you have a story like this, who could you call today and thank? Who invested in you? Thankfulness is life-giving and healing. Tell them a memory of time you spent together that meant a lot to you. Tell them how you are like them today. I’d love to hear back from you if you make that call.

WHEN YOUR NANNY DRIVES YOUR CHILDREN

It can be nerve-wracking for families to hand over the driving to their nanny and it takes time to develop that trust. But 97% of nannies drive as a part of their job. If you do your homework up front, you’ll be able to relax knowing that you’ve done your due diligence and your child(ren) are in safe hands. 

Some families have a Nanny Car for the sole use of the nanny. This is the best solution, because it will be a safe, updated, well-maintained vehicle and safety features to keep your little ones safe. If she’s using your car, have you added her to your policy? If there’s an accident, they won’t cover it is she isn’t on the policy. If she’s under 25, your premium may go up, depending on her driving record.

If there’s a fender bender in your car and it’s below your deductible rate, it will come out of your pocket, so decide in advance how this will be paid for and what, if any percent she should pay for, if it’s her fault.

If a Nanny Car is impractical for your situation, here are some key things to consider before letting your nanny drive. 

Do you require evidence of regular preventative maintenance? Have a trusted mechanic inspect her car.

Monitor the tires monthly and be sure they’re inflated properly.

Does she have additional insurance required for using her car for business? Typically, there will be a small increase in the premium.

If so, who covers the cost of this additional insurance?

If it’s not a recent model, how difficult are the car seats to install?

Do you have car seats you can give her so that they can just stay in her car?

If they’re coming in and out, make sure she knows how to click them into place and remove them.

Watch her get the children locked in. Did she do it correctly? One common error is failure to pull the clip high enough on the child’s chest.

How does she keep track of her mileage?

Are you paying her the IRS standard mileage reimbursement rate of 56 cents per mile for business miles driven? This covers wear and tear and gas when she drives for business.

Talk about rules for driving and review them frequently. Talk about speed limits and talking or texting on the phone while she’s in the car.

Consider trying Canary, a $9.99 app for iPhone and Android phones that can monitor texting and calling habits, speeding and car location. There’s a seven day free trial.

With a new nanny, have her do a test run to pick up the children while you’re in the car with her.

When nannies come to interview with us, we get a copy of their Driver’s License, a three year MVD Report, and current Auto Insurance. When your hire a permanent nanny through ACN, we send you a copy of her Driver’s License and three year driving record and current insurance. You may want to check her Insurance during your semi-annual Performance Reviews. 

When we check references, we ask specifically about how comfortable past families felt with her driving. 

It is hard letting your children drive with someone else, but if you do your homework up front, you’ll have a better partnership with your nanny, and your children will reap the rewards of your diligence.

Beth

TAKING YOUR NANNY ON VACATION

Bringing your nanny on vacation can add a lot to your trip if you plan well  and communicate expectations. It’s not a vacation for her. It’s a business trip. If she were on vacation, she’d be with her friends and family. Pay her the regular hourly rate she receives at home, and if she’s working more hours than normal, include a bonus. Expect to pay all her travel expenses, including airfare, lodging and a meal stipend, just as you receive that from your employer when you to travel for them. 

Give her some free time and give her extra money to go exploring on her own, just as your employer adds perks to your business trips.  Give the nanny a day off after a long day of travel to scope out the vacation spot and relax before she starts sitting... a day apart will be refreshing for everyone. Taking care of children is a lot of work. Plan ahead what hours she’ll be on deck, and when she’s free. Make a calendar and the hours she’s needed.

A private room for her is essential. This will enable you to be alone with your family as well. Don’t expect her to bunk up with the kids. She needs all her energy and mental availability for the daytime schedule. Having a nanny allows you to have some adult time and do some spur of the moment activities and to spend special one on one time with each child separately, maybe go water-skiing with an older child and leave her with the younger ones.

Don’t ask her for more hours than usual, unless you arrange for that and pay accordingly. Don’t pay $50 extra and expect 24/7 availability. Pay her from the moment she arrives at your home until you reach your destination and the kids are settled. 

 If she enjoys herself on vacation, that’s a benefit to the whole family. It strengthens the relationships and makes her feel good about her job. You may not want to take a brand new nanny traveling, because the adjustments can be too much. You don’t want to damage the relationship you have with your nanny.

It is expensive to bring your nanny with you on vacation but it can be well worth it. It gives you the best of both worlds--family time during the day, and some adult time in the evening! It can be nerve-racking to hire a stranger in a new city, and with all the changes your kids are going through, new surroundings, new activities, it’s comforting to have that familiar face at nap and bedtime. The more you plan ahead and communicate expectations, the more enjoyable the experience will be. 

Beth

BEING PAID UNDER THE TABLE CAN DELAY RETIREMENT

. QUICK TAX FACTS $1,900: Social Security & Medicare ("FICA") reporting threshold    $1,000: Unemployment reporting threshold (some state thresholds are lower)    $2,500: Total childcare tax breaks available for families who pay legally    1.5: Overtime rate of paywhen live-out employees work more than 40 hours in a 7-day work week     $0.56: 2014 Mileage reimbursement rate    $7.25: Federal minimum wage (some state rates are higher)    55: IRS estimate of annual hours needed to manage household payroll & tax compliance process    $2: Approximate daily cost to have Breedlove & Associates handle all payroll and tax compliance duties with no work, no worry and no risk.    HELPFUL LINKS Employee Paycheck Calculator  Employer Budget Calculator       Nanny Tax Requirements by State Expert Advice Nanny Tax Video  The Household Employer's Financial, Legal & HR Guide    When a nanny, housekeeper or senior caregiver is paid legally, they are entitled to certain benefits that are earned through the payroll and tax process. But because many household employees are younger in age, sometimes they don't realize how important these benefits are. In this edition of The Legal Review, the Hanson family finds themselves in a big mess after their long-time nanny decides she's ready to stop working.    The Situation    The Hanson family lives in upstate New York and has employed a nanny named Bonnie for the past four years. Unlike most nannies, Bonnie was 60 years old when the Hansons hired her, but had a wealth of experience with childcare as she was a stay-at-home mom for most of her life. Before working for the Hansons, the only job Bonnie ever had was working in a local retail shop for 8 years. With her upbeat personality and her love for children, she was a great fit for the Hansons after their first child was born and they were ecstatic to hear she would take on the challenge of a second child two years later. The Mistake    When the Hansons first hired Bonnie, they asked their neighbors how they handled hiring a nanny for their kids. The Hanson's neighbors explained they paid their nanny like they would a babysitter and gave her cash at the end of each week. Bonnie agreed with this arrangement and she was paid in cash every Friday for four years.     The Law    When a family hires a household employee to work in their home, they are required to withhold Social Security & Medicare (FICA) taxes from their employee's pay each pay period. Federal and state income taxes - while not explicitly required to be withheld - should be deducted as well to ensure the employee does not get stuck with a large tax bill during tax season. The family is also required to pay a matching portion of FICA taxes, as well as federal and state unemployment insurance taxes. Some states, like New York, also require additional taxes to either be withheld from an employee or paid by an employer. Please visit our state-specific pages for details on the taxes in your state. At the end of the year, the family is required to prepare a W-2 for their employee so they can file their personal income tax return. The family is also required to file Form W-2 Copy A and Form W-3 with the Social Security Administration and prepare a Schedule H to attach to their personal income tax return. The Mess    After four years of working for the Hansons, Bonnie was 64 and nearing the age for retirement. In trying to prepare for this exciting time, she enlisted the help of a local CPA to gauge what her benefits would be so she could budget for the next chapter of her life. Unfortunately, when the CPA learned Bonnie had no employment records for the previous four years, he had to be the bearer of bad news and told her she was ineligible for Social Security benefits. This is because the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires a minimum of 40 credits (or 10 years of work) to be accrued before a person can earn retirement benefits - and Bonnie could only prove she had eight years in retail. Bonnie was confused and asked the CPA how she could get credit for the last four years of her working career so she could retire at the end of the year. The CPA explained that the Hanson family would need to catch up on four years' worth of payroll reporting and tax returns in order for the SSA to approve Social Security benefits for her. With this information in hand, Bonnie approached the Hansons, who were understandably embarrassed and guilt-ridden at the thought of their long-time nanny not being able to retire on her schedule. The Outcome The Hansons wanted to help Bonnie in any way they could. After four years working in their home, she was a valued member of their household and a grandmotherly figure to their children. The CPA Bonnie consulted with happened to have a couple of clients with household employees and told the Hansons to contact Breedlove & Associates about the late tax returns. While he knew the steps they needed to take to make everything right for them and Bonnie, he wasn't interested in taking on four years' worth of payroll and taxes. The Hansons called Breedlove & Associates the next day and we were able to get them caught up on their employer taxes. We set them up as household employers with the IRS and the state of New York, gathered the four years' worth of payroll information for Bonnie, filed the late tax returns, and best of all, sent tax information for the family and Bonnie to the Social Security Administration so Bonnie could get the working credits she needed for retirement. The family unfortunately incurred thousands of dollars in back tax payments and interest, but we were able to get the state of New York to waive the majority of the penalties they assessed. Bonnie will turn 65 in November and she's now set up to retire just in time for the holiday season. How the Whole Thing Could Have Been Avoided    If the Hansons had verified what their neighbor said via an accountant or even a simple Google search, they would have realized paying Bonnie in cash was not the right course of action. When families become household employers for the first time, they often have a laundry list of questions. It's important that they are steered toward a resource that can set them up for success. We're always available for your clients when they need this initial consultation and it's free for them to call. Sometimes a ten minute conversation can save a family like the Hansons thousands of dollars. Thanks to our Partners at Breedlove for this guest column. Here at Caring Nannies, we have a stories of our own about nannies ready to retire after a 40 year career, with no Social Security benefits and with poor health. Obama has made it a wash for families who deduct taxes. Check it out with Breedlove and you'll be surprised how inexpensive it is to do it right. You'll sleep better at night and if your nanny needs to purchase a new car or a home, she can do it because she has a valid job.

Beth Weise

Built by household employers exclusively for household employers, Breedlove & Associates provides a no-work, no-worry solution to paydays, tax time and all points in between.  If you have any questions about household employment or want to take advantage of our complimentary New Employer Orientation, just give us a call.   We're here to help.    888-BREEDLOVE (888-273-3356) www.breedlove.com Connect with us online!