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June 29, 2014 Blog By admin No Comments

EVENT CHILDCARE AT 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!

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.

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June 21, 2014 Blog, Uncategorized By admin No Comments

WHAT AGE SHOULD CHILDREN START SWIM LESSONS?

When should your child 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. Locked and spring-loaded gates prevent children from getting into the pool area without an adults knowledge. The only Certified Professional Childproofer in the state of Arizona is at Arizona Childproofers, our trusted partners, a family owned and operated business in Scottsdale and experts in pool fencing.

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 Weise

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June 14, 2014 Uncategorized By admin No Comments

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. But 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 invested in them during their adolescence, flying them 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? 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.

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 because of the time they shared with you. I’d love to hear back from you if you make that call.

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June 7, 2014 Blog, Uncategorized By admin No Comments

WHEN YOUR NANNY DRIVES YOUR CHILDREN

Does your nanny drive 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 Weise

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About Us

Caring Nannies has been matching nannies with families since 1983. Whether you are a seasoned nanny or just starting, we will help match your passion with a dream job you’ll love!

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(480) 946-3423

jenny@acaringnanny.com

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