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5) The family underpays the nanny. Nannies are typically not very good negotiators. The best nannies are in the childcare profession because they truly love children, not because they’re hoping to make a lot of money. However, they need a secure income so they can practice the profession they love. Nannies are frequently not highly […]

Understanding Nanny Taxes Tax Obligations When you hire a nanny, you are considered by the IRS to be a Household Employer. As a Household employer, you have both Federal and State tax liability. Your nanny also has the typical tax liability that comes with being a wage earning employee. As an employer, you are required […]

Nanny Applicant Overload If you’re using a database to conduct your own nanny search, you’ll probably be inundated with candidates. That’s the easy part. The time-consuming part is figuring out which ones are reliable, experienced, patient, have good judgment, and truly love children. The last thing you want is a revolving door, or a nanny […]

Families Frustrated with Nanny Databases Families frequently come to us seeking an excellent nanny after they’ve already tried to find a nanny themselves on a database or Craigslist. Most of the time they tell me some version of the following: “The nanny we found on our own changed her mind the day she was supposed […]

Nanny Databases Nanny databases have allowed families to find nanny candidates on their own. They’re the electronic equivalent of placing an ad in a newspaper. They provide a low cost alternative to using an agency, but as with any low-cost alternative, they come with pitfalls such as requiring extensive time and effort to find the […]

Professional Hiring Tips for Keeping A Great Nanny: Once you’ve found a good nanny, and she and your child have formed a healthy relationship, you probably want to keep her as long as possible. But sometimes a nanny decides to leave unexpectedly. This is can be very unsettling for a family, especially for the children. […]

A nanny has a broader level of responsibility than a babysitter, and requires different personality strengths. This is an open letter to any family hiring a nanny. Taking the time to find and hire the right nanny the first time is an investment in your child’s future. Unlike a babysitter, who entertains a child for […]

Full Service Nanny Agencies There are two main alternatives when it comes to finding a nanny: full service agencies and nanny databases. Full service nanny agencies are by far the easiest alternative but the most expensive. The good ones are likely to survive even during a recession, because they provide a lot of value. Good […]

During the current economic recession, most families are especially cost-conscious. It’s understandable that they want to be conservative with their nanny’s salary. But scrimping too much on your nanny’s salary could result in high nanny turnover or less-than-wonderful childcare. The quality of care during your child’s early years is crucial to his or her healthy […]

Professional Tips for Keeping A Great Nanny: Some Reasons Why Nannies Leave Once you’ve found a good nanny and she’s formed a healthy bond with your child, you want to keep her as long as possible. Unfortunately, a nanny will sometimes decide to leave the job when the family thought she was happy there. She […]