Category: For Parents

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For Parents

The Secret to Keeping Your Nanny Happy!

Ever wondered why some nannies stay with families for years while others seem to leave in a blink? The secret lies in how the families treat their nannies.

The Magic of Respect ✨

Respect is the foundation of any successful relationship, and the one with your nanny is no different. As Michelle Kelsey, the founder of The Nanny Solution by Nannies on Call, puts it, “All employees like to be respected and nannies especially are shown a lack of respect on a regular basis.”

The Power of Communication 💬

Open and honest communication is the key to understanding your nanny’s needs and expectations. Regular check-ins, a communication book, and feedback sessions are some of the ways you can foster effective communication with your nanny.

Techniques for Building a Strong Nanny-Family Relationship 👪

1. Show Appreciation: A simple thank you or a small gift can go a long way in making your nanny feel valued.
2. Uphold Boundaries: Respect your nanny’s personal space and time. This shows that you regard them as a professional.
3. Be Flexible: Allow your nanny to manage their time and tasks. This gives them a sense of autonomy and trust.

Examples of Successful Nanny-Family Relationships 🌟

1. The Smiths: By respecting their nanny’s personal time and regularly expressing their gratitude, the Smiths have maintained a 5-year relationship with their nanny.
2. The Johnsons: Through open communication and regular feedback sessions, the Johnsons and their nanny have built a strong bond over the past three years.

What This Change Could Mean For You 🌱

By implementing these tips, you can build a strong, respectful, and long-lasting relationship with your nanny. This not only ensures stability for your children but also creates a happy home environment.

Remember, a happy nanny equals a happy home!

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For Parents

Why do good nannies quit?

Unveiling the hidden reasons behind nanny turnovers.

Ever wondered why good nannies quit out of the blue? This isn’t about the occasional disagreements or the typical work-related stress. We’re talking about reasons that are often brushed under the carpet.

In this blog post:
– Discover the top 5 reasons why good nannies quit
– Understand how to improve your relationship with your nanny
– Learn how to ensure your nanny stays long term

**The Silent Quitter**

Ever had a nanny who left without giving a proper reason? You’re not alone. Many nannies quit without revealing the real reasons. As Michelle Kelsey, founder of The Nanny Solution by Nannies on Call, says, “Nannies often quit because they’re not getting paid on time.”

**The Unheard Voices**

“Employees deserve to be paid on time.” This is a universal truth, yet many nannies face delayed payments. And what’s worse? They often have to ask to be paid. Imagine the discomfort of having to ask for what is rightfully yours.

**Techniques for Improving Nanny Retention**

1. **Pay On Time:** Use payroll services to ensure your nanny gets paid on time, every time.
2. **Regular Meetings:** Make it a priority to have regular sit-downs with your nanny.
3. **Open Communication:** Provide constructive feedback and encourage open communication.

**Examples of Nanny Retention in Action 🌟**

1. **Proactive Communication:** A parent noticed that their nanny seemed upset. Instead of ignoring it, they initiated a conversation, which led to a simple misunderstanding being cleared up. The nanny continued to work happily with the family.

2. **Respecting Private Time:** A family made sure to limit their communication with the nanny to working hours unless it was an emergency. The nanny appreciated this respect for her personal time and stayed with the family for several years.

**What Improving Nanny Retention Can Change For You 🌱**

By understanding and addressing these issues, you can build a strong, respectful relationship with your nanny. This not only ensures stability for your children but also creates a happier, healthier home environment.

Remember, your nanny plays a vital role in your family. Treat them with the respect and consideration they deserve.

Happy Parenting!

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For Parents

15 Ways Quality Childcare Sets the Stage for Your Child’s Lifelong Success

The Nanny Solution Canada professional childcare

 

Parenting is a remarkable journey filled with decisions that shape the path of our little ones. As parents, we strive to provide the best possible start for our children, one that sets the stage for a future brimming with opportunities and achievements.

Among the myriad choices we make, none holds quite the same potential as the decision to invest in quality childcare, whether it’s hiring a full-time nanny or booking an occasional nanny.

If you find yourself at the crossroads, pondering whether to welcome a professional Nanny into your child’s early years, you’re not alone.

The journey to finding the right balance between nurturing your child’s development and maintaining a harmonious work-life equilibrium can be challenging.

In this blog post, we unravel the tapestry of advantages that quality childcare, guided by expert Nannies, weaves into the lives of children.

From cognitive milestones to social triumphs, the nurturing embrace of professional, quality childcare illuminates a path toward a future that is as bright as it is promising.

 

 

15 Ways Quality Childcare Sets the Stage for Your Child’s Lifelong Success

 

Cognitive Development: Quality childcare provides engaging and age-appropriate activities that stimulate a child’s brain. This early stimulation fosters cognitive development, setting the stage for future academic success.

Language Skills: Professional nannies engage children in conversations, storytime, and vocabulary-building activities. This exposure to rich language environments enhances language skills, helping children communicate effectively as they grow.

Social Interaction: Interacting with peers and caregivers in a structured setting helps children develop vital social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy, which are crucial for healthy relationships in the future.

Emotional Regulation: Professional nannies create a safe and nurturing environment, helping children learn how to manage their emotions and cope with challenges in healthy ways, promoting emotional resilience.

Independence: Through guided exploration and age-appropriate tasks, children in quality childcare learn to become more independent and confident, skills that benefit them in school and life.

Problem-Solving: Engaging in creative activities and games encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for overcoming challenges throughout life.

Motor Skills: Fine and gross motor skills are developed through hands-on activities like drawing, building, and outdoor play, setting the foundation for physical coordination and dexterity.

Cultural Awareness: Exposure to diverse backgrounds and perspectives in a quality childcare setting fosters cultural awareness and acceptance, preparing children to thrive in an interconnected world.

Routine and Structure: Consistent routines and structured activities in quality childcare help children learn time management and self-discipline, skills that contribute to success in school and later life.

Confidence and Self-Esteem: Positive reinforcement and encouragement from caregivers help children develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, which empowers them to explore new challenges.

Love for Learning: When children experience engaging and enjoyable learning activities in their early years, they are more likely to develop a lifelong love for learning and exploration.

Respect for Authority: Interacting with respectful and caring authority figures in quality childcare teaches children how to follow directions, respect rules, and cooperate with others.

Healthy Habits: Learning about nutrition, hygiene, and healthy habits from caregivers promotes a foundation for a healthy lifestyle that can carry into adulthood.

Communication Skills: Interacting with caregivers and peers nurtures communication skills, including listening, expressing oneself clearly, and understanding nonverbal cues.

Creativity: Quality childcare encourages creative expression through arts, crafts, music, and imaginative play, fostering a child’s innate creativity and innovation.

 

As we wrap up this exploration into the profound impact of quality childcare on a child’s formative years, we extend an invitation to you, dear parents, to embark on a journey of nurturing growth and building a foundation for lifelong success. 

 

At The Nanny Solution, we understand that each child’s journey is unique, and deserving of personalized care that fosters their individual potential.

Whether you’re seeking the steady presence of a full-time or part-time nanny through The Nanny Solution, or the flexibility of booking an occasional nanny through our sister company, Nannies on Call, our dedicated teams are here to ensure that your child’s early years are filled with care, exploration, and joyful learning.

Your child’s bright future awaits, and we’re honoured to be a part of their remarkable journey.

Visit us at The Nanny Solution to learn more about hiring a regular Nanny in Canada; and for those occasional times when you need an extra pair of hands to help care for your little ones, explore Nannies on Call.

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For Parents

Expert Advice: 5 Reasons Why You Should Work With a Nanny Agency to Hire a Nanny

Canadian nanny wiping a toddlers mouth with a small cloth

 

At the Nanny Solution, we’ve been in the business of placing top-rated nannies with families looking for extraordinary childcare since 2001. We can confidently say that working with a professional nanny agency is THE best way to find the perfect nanny for your family.

While there are certainly other options available to parents, such as using online classifieds, social media groups, or asking for referrals from friends and family, a nanny agency offers distinct advantages that simply can’t be matched by other search methods.

 

1. Pre-Screened Nannies

One of the primary advantages of using a nanny agency is that all of the nannies they recommend to you have been professionally vetted and pre-screened. You can rest assured that any nanny candidate you meet has passed a thorough background check and meets the agency’s standards for qualifications and experience.

See The Nanny Solution’s nanny screening process.

 

2. Guidance with Employer Responsibilities & Employment Standards

Nanny agencies provide guidance on your responsibilities as an employer, as well as on employment standards and regulations.

For example, they can help you navigate issues like suggestions like wage ranges based on your location and the skill set of the candidates you are seeking, overtime rates and rules, vacation pay, and employment contracts.

This can be especially helpful for parents who are new to hiring a nanny and may be unsure of their legal responsibilities.

 

3. Help Negotiating the Work Contract

A professional nanny agency will provide valuable assistance during work contract negotiations with your nanny.

This can include guidance on topics like salary, benefits, vacation & paid time off, sick leave, and termination clause, as well as help drafting a contract that covers all of the necessary details, and nanny industry standards.

Having a well-crafted contract protects the interests of both you and the nanny, can help prevent misunderstandings or conflicts down the road and can ensure that both you and your nanny are on the same page from the start.

 

4. Resources Like Nanny Payroll Service

Another benefit of using a nanny agency is that they often offer additional resources to help you manage your nanny’s employment.

For example, many agencies offer a nanny payroll service, which can take care of all of the paperwork and tax requirements associated with hiring a nanny. This can be a huge relief for busy parents who don’t have the time or expertise to manage these tasks themselves!

 

5. Ongoing Support After the Nanny Starts

Finally, professional nanny agencies often provide ongoing support even after you’ve hired a nanny. 

This can include check-ins to ensure that everything is going smoothly, as well as assistance with any issues or conflicts that may arise. Having this kind of support can be invaluable for parents who want to ensure that their nanny relationship is a success in the long term.

Whether you’re a busy parent who doesn’t have time to conduct your own search, or you simply want the peace of mind that comes with working with a trusted expert, a nanny agency can help you find the perfect caregiver for your little ones. 

Wondering about working with a professional nanny agency like The Nanny Solution to find you a nanny in Canada? Visit our Help Centre where you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions by parents like you!

Start your nanny search with The Nanny Solution now!

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For Parents

T4’s for Employed Nannies

 

Tax season is upon us once again, and it is important to remember that if you employed a nanny in 2022, their T4 slip is due on February 28, 2023. Filing taxes can be a daunting task, but don’t worry, we have some tips to help you get started.

First, you need to file a T4 Return for each nanny that you employed in 2022. This return should include the nanny’s Social Insurance Number, current address, gross income, and the total amounts of Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Income Tax deducted, and any benefits you have paid on behalf of your nanny.

Next, you need to file a T4 Summary Return for yourself as the employer. This return should include the number of T4 slips you completed, summarized totals of the amounts on each T4 slip, and summarized totals of the amounts on your remittances.

If you remitted a source deduction in 2021, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will have sent you a Web Access Code. This code is essential for filing your T4 Return and T4 Summary Return online. If you did not receive this code, you can contact the CRA for assistance.

You can file your T4 and T4 Summary Returns either through a traditional paper method, Electronic Media (CD, DVD), or on the internet. Filing online is often the quickest and most convenient option, but choose the method that works best for you.

Finally, it is important to remember that the penalty for failing to distribute T4 slips to your employee or failing to file your T4 and T4 Summary Return by February 28, 2023 can be significant. The penalty starts at $100 even if you are one day late! Additional penalties and interest could also be charged, so be sure to file your returns on time.

The Nanny Solution partners with Livelihood Payroll to assist with our client’s payroll needs. If you are interested in their assistance with payroll, please visit: https://www.livelihoodpay.com/

Looking to hire a nanny? Book a consultation with one of our placement managers.

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For Nannies For Parents

Gas Reimbursement for 2023

Happy New Year! We hope the holiday season brought you joy and some time to rest. 

With each new year, change is inevitable. 

If you have a nanny that drives their own vehicle for work purposes or are a nanny that drives as part of your job, please note that the CRA has raised the government reimbursement rate. 

As of January 1st, 2023, the limit on the deduction of tax-exempt allowances paid by employers to employees who use their personal vehicle for business purposes in the provinces will increase by seven cents to 68 cents per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres driven, and to 62 cents for each additional kilometre.

It is important to track kilometres driven for work purposes and submit them to your employer at least once per month. There are some great apps available such as MileIQ, Everlance, Triplog or you can use a good old-fashioned notebook you store in your glovebox to track your kilometres.

Remember, that unless you have an agreement set up, it is the responsibility of the employee to get themselves to and from work and mileage shouldn’t be tracked unless you are driving for work purposes.

All the best for a safe and healthy 2023!

The Nanny Solution Team

 

Need help finding a nanny? We only represent the best of the best and all the nannies have to go through a rigorous background check before we determine their eligibility of becoming a nanny with The Nanny Solution.  Have a look and see if we may be able to assist: The Nanny Solution. 

Ready to start the process? Set up a consultation call with one of our Placement Managers: Book a consultation

 

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For Parents

What should I give my nanny for Christmas?

We are flooded with calls around this time of the year, as parents wonder what the best gift is to give their Nanny. We understand that with inflation and the continued uncertainty of what the world has in store, many families are not in the same financial situation they were pre-pandemic. With this in mind, we have put together some suggestions for how to show your Nanny your appreciation this holiday season.

Remember, Nannies often see their holiday bonus as an evaluation of their worth and level of performance. Even if you can’t afford a lavish gift or substantial bonus this year, it’s important to show your Nanny how much you value them, especially during these challenging times. After all, they play an integral role in helping shape our children’s hearts and minds. 

If you can afford to give your Nanny a standard bonus, we typically suggest:

  • 1-2 weeks’ pay on top of a regular pay cheque, plus paid time off
  • Bonus pay and a personalised gift

If you are unable to give your Nanny a monetary bonus this year, here are some other suggestions:

  • Additional paid time off or an extra week of paid vacation
  • A gift card to retail, coffee, a restaurant, an event etc.  
  • Spa treatment package
  • A thoughtfully wrapped gift, or fill a stocking with several smaller gifts
  • Treat them to a nice dinner out 
  • Offer medical and dental benefits starting in January
  • Have your entire family film a ‘thank you’ video
  • Write a thoughtful holiday card
  • DIY gifts like arts and crafts made by the children
  • Wine and flowers

No matter what you decide, the important thing is to acknowledge and communicate how much you appreciate them, and to thank them for a job well done. 

Looking to hire a nanny? Contact us today!

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For Parents

Nanny Driving Your Kids? Steps to Help Ensure Safety

Nannies who have their own cars are high in demand!  When a Nanny uses his/her own car for work purposes, here are a few items to keep in mind:

  • The Nanny should keep a detailed log of the kilometres used for work and submit that log regularly (once a week, or once a month) to the employer.  This would include trips such as school runs, driving kids to activities, running errands for the family etc.
  • This log should include the date, the destination and how many kilometres were driven.  (Google Maps is a handy tool!) A simple notebook in the car is all that is needed, or there are also quite a few apps that can help track it.

The Parents should reimburse the Nanny for these kilometres at the rate set by Revenue Canada.  The current rate for reimbursement is $0.61 per km.

  • This reimbursement should not go on to the Nanny’s pay cheque as he/she should not have to pay tax on this amount.
  • The cost of getting to and from work is the Nanny’s own expense.

It is wise for the parents to provide an extra set of car seats that will remain permanently in the Nanny’s car so that the car seats are not being reinstalled each day.  This can be time consuming, but it is also a safety issue if they are not installed properly.

  • Be sure to alert the Nanny’s insurance provider that her car will be used for work as a nanny. They might advise for the Liability Insurance to be increased.

Alternatively, when the Nanny uses the family’s car to drive the children, the employers will pay for all gas and appropriate insurance.  Drive safely!

Interested in hiring a Driving Nanny? Contact us today.

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For Parents

How guaranteed hours work and why they are important to nannies

 

In the Nanny industry, it’s standard practice for families to guarantee nannies a fixed number of weekly or monthly work hours.

Guaranteed hours are the fixed weekly (or monthly) work hours the nanny is paid for by a family at their regular hourly rate. The nanny also guarantees to be available to work with the family during those hours.

For example: A nanny usually works 45 hours per week, but on a particular week, the family only needs them to work 30 hours. The nanny receives her guarantee of 45 paid work hours that week regardless.

What about overtime hours? Depending on what province you live in, there are different provincial overtime rules set in place. In British Columbia, for example, working more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week (whichever comes first) is considered overtime and the employee is entitled to time and a half pay.

Banking Hours: Some families will request that their nanny ‘bank’ time to make up unworked hours that they were paid under their guarantee. This should be agreed upon in advance so that there are no misunderstandings around vacation or sick time. As the ‘middleman’ between nannies and parents, we do not recommend this type of setup in a contract as things can get messy. Not only be confusing for both parties but it can cause strain on a relationship.

Here’s a sample scenario of “banking hours”:

The Williams family employs their nanny to work Monday to Friday, from 8am – 4pm, with a guarantee of 40 paid hours a week.

They decide that they will take a long weekend trip and will not need their nanny for Monday & Tuesday of next week. They will still pay their nanny as per their guarantee but the nanny will ‘owe’ them 16 hrs for future babysitting hours. They request their nanny to work her regular shifts from Wednesday to Friday, but also work the following 2 Saturdays (8-4) without any further compensation, to make up the hours.

Deciding in advance whether your nanny will be asked to “bank hours” is extremely important when negotiating your contract. The exact details of how the hours will be banked must be mutually agreed upon between the nanny and the family, and carefully outlined.

  • How much advance notice will the nanny receive when they are not needed?
  • What is the maximum amount of time that they can have in their ‘bank’ at one time?
  • Who is tracking these hours?

Not setting this up correctly, can have a very negative impact on the nanny-family relationship.

What is the Nanny’s Perspective? The nanny is ready, willing and able to work their normal schedule from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

The family chooses not to use the nanny’s full 40 work hours, and they have a guarantee clause in their contract which states that the nanny will be paid for 40 hours regardless.

Since it is the family’s choice not to use the nanny’s full regular working hours, nannies generally feel that they shouldn’t be penalized for that decision.

Using the banking example above, the nanny feels that they shouldn’t be made to work on weekends because the family decided they weren’t needed on Monday and Tuesday.

The tension of using the “banking hours” method can make the nanny feel like they always have to make concessions regardless of the agreed-upon regarding guarantees.

Banking time may be money-saving for the parents but asking the nanny to completely overhaul their availability shows that you don’t care that they have a life outside their nanny role, and may mean that they’ll look for a more appreciative employer elsewhere!

 

Our advice: If you value your nanny employee and care for their work-life balance, you will soon realize that “banking time” is not the key to a successful working relationship.

Keeping a record or logging who ‘owes’ what will only hurt the relationship and make the nanny feel undervalued.

We recommend that you follow and respect the guarantees in the contract as closely as possible from the get-go. Openly communicate any schedule changes with as much notice as possible, and don’t expect the nanny to make up time.

If you do wish to use the “banking hours” method, we strongly suggest having a cap of hours (these should never exceed a full week’s guarantee of hours), as well as a common schedule that’s used to track what is worked and what is owed. Give the nanny at least 2 weeks advance notice and the ‘option’ of when they can make up the time.

Remember, a nanny that feels valued and appreciated will be happy to accommodate changes and stay working with you for as long as possible!

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For Parents

Should you bring your nanny on vacation?

Your vacation is supposed to be a stress-free experience. Bringing a nanny along can be the key to not only a stress-free vacation, but also one where the children are tended to while you and your spouse are able to enjoy some alone time, too. However, to ensure that your vacation is as wonderful as it should be, you will need to sit down with your spouse and your nanny prior to leaving and work out all of the minor details so that everyone is on the same page.

THE DILEMMA – TRAVEL EXPENSES

Payment Terms

You will be responsible for paying for the nanny’s room and travel expenses. In addition, meals should be considered, too. If you are staying in a hotel without a kitchen, meals will cost more than regular cook-at-home meals that the nanny is used to purchasing and making. These are certainly all topics of conversation that should be discussed prior to leaving for the vacation. You can elect to bring the nanny along while you eat out or you could provide her with a daily stipend for meals, but make sure that the stipend is fair and will feed her enough food for the area that you are staying in.

THE DILEMMA – THE NANNY’S SCHEDULE

Quite often, parents will feel that a nanny should be thankful for the opportunity to take a trip to a beautiful, luxurious place and will work as many hours as the parents demand. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding causes unhappy nannies, children and parents and may ruin vacations. Discussing the schedule and making plans ahead of time with the nanny will dispel any miscommunications and ensure a much happier and enjoyable vacation.

Schedule/Routine

You need to make sure that the nanny completely understands that although she is coming along with you on vacation, she is still on the clock, working. You also need to understand that she cannot be expected to be on the clock for the entire vacation. A routine or schedule must be made prior to the vacation and then you should come up with a way to ensure that this routine or schedule is adhered to.

For example, if your vacation is a week long and your nanny’s regular scheduled hours are from 7am to 4 pm, but you and your spouse would like to go out to dinner two nights during your vacation, you will need to come up with a compromise. Maybe you could give her a few hours off during the afternoon of those particular days so that she gets a break and then you and your spouse could enjoy two nice evenings alone without children.

If you expect her to work a few extra hours while you are enjoying your vacation, you could offer her a spa treatment, a surfing lesson, a min-gym membership or a special luncheon as a “bonus” for the extra hours worked. However, if you expect her to work more than just a few extra hours, you will want to discuss the schedule and overtime pay prior to going on vacation.

THE DILEMMA – ACCOMMODATION

To share a room or to get separate rooms? Some nannies will have no problem sharing a room with the children; however there are others who want to have the evenings “off” unless they are being reimbursed for overtime.

Sleeping Arrangements

Prior to the vacation, you will need to discuss the sleeping arrangements that you are planning to provide for the nanny. You will also need to discuss whether or not you plan to pay overtime if the nanny is expected to stay in the same room as the children. You will also want to take into consideration whether the children are sleeping through the night or not. If you have younger children who frequently wake during the night, they may want mom or dad, but if you have older children who sleep through the night and you participate in the bedtime routine, the nanny may not have a problem at all sharing a room with the children.

Discussing the schedule and the arrangements that you plan for your vacation will ensure that your family and your nanny are able to enjoy your vacation completely. Be sure to ask your nanny if she has any questions or concerns in order to clear up any miscommunications prior to travel.

Enjoy your trip!

The Nanny Solution can help find a travel nanny for your next vacation. Contact us now!