NANNY FAQ

01. What is Nanny sharing and how does it work?
02. What is the difference between a nanny and an au pair?
03. Can a foreign nanny legally work in the United States?
04. When I hire a nanny, do I need to get insurance of any kind?
05. Is there a guideline for what percentage increase in wages is appropriate for a nanny that will be caring for two (one child and newborn soon to arrive)
06: Are the Nannies that Nanny's USA, Inc. provides experienced?
07: What type of candidates do you provide?
08: Are candidates flexible with regard to schedule?
09: What living accommodations must I provide?
10: How do you find your candidates?
11: How long does the process takes?
12: How are the candidates screened?
13: Must I provide a vehicle for my employee?
14: If an employee uses her own car for transporting the family's children, would the family be required to pay for her/his gas or mileage.
15: Is it customary for a family to provide health insurance for their employee?
16: What is a Nanny's primary responsibility?
17: Can we include housekeeping as a part of our Nanny's tasks?
18: What are some of your Nannies' specific work history backgrounds, concerning childcare?

Q. What is Nanny sharing and how does it work?

A. Nanny sharing is a situation where two families engage the services of a single Nanny to care for their children. The families literally share the Nanny. A “Share Nanny” is feasible in the following circumstances:

• You and a neighbor have children approximately the same age.
• Both parties agree that having a Nanny is the best option for childcare.
• Work hours are compatible, and child-rearing philosophies are similar. (Pay attention to discipline methods and dietary habits).

Nanny sharing can provide the family with the finest in-home childcare at minimum cost. For slightly more dollars than a Daycare, a "Share Nanny" will free up precious family time and offer you the flexibility and affordability you deserve.

Benefits include:

• Children are with friends/neighbors, NOT strangers
• Much more affordable
• Minimum sickness
• No late fees when running a few minutes behind
• Bottles made/dinner table set
• Light housekeeping/laundry
• Professional, prompt, courteous service
• Professionally screened (Criminal, Credit, Driving)

The downsides include:

• Vacation scheduling for the Nanny becomes complicated by the differing schedules of two families.
• Disagreements that one family has with the Nanny could overflow to the other family.
• Over time, families may develop differing philosophies about things such as appropriate TV viewing, homework, housekeeping, playmates, and playgroups.

Q. What is the difference between a Nanny and an au pair?

A. The International Nanny Association defines a Nanny as an individual employed by a family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. Nanny's workweek ranges from 40 to 60 hours per week. The Nanny usually works unsupervised. Nannies vary in age and experience. There has been a marked increase in the last decade in the numbers of professional Nannies who are in the field as a career, not as a temporary stopgap while they decide on college, other work, etc.

An au pair is a young foreign student on a cultural exchange program entering this country on a J-4 visa. An au pair works no more than 45 hours a week and the stay in this country is strictly limited to one year. The stated purpose of the au pair program is one of cultural exchange. The childcare experience of the au pair is generally limited and families are often not able to check the au pair's references themselves. Other program restrictions apply.

Q. Can a foreign Nanny legally work in the United States?

A. In the United States, a family may legally hire a U.S. Citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien with a valid work permit. US employers are required to verify a candidate's employment eligibility using Form I-9. Agencies may refer individuals to you for consideration who do not have valid work authorization but are interested in sponsorship. If you need more insight in the legalization process visit (*) US Citizenship and immifration Services, or  please feel free to bring the matter up with us and will be happy to give detail information on how to sponsor a foreigner nanny.

Q. When I hire a Nanny, do I need to get insurance of any kind?

A. Contact Breed Love & Associates for Payroll Tax assistance, Nanny Insurance issues and Health Insurance rates and information at 1-888-BREEDLOVE.

PROTECT YOUR NANNY: 1-800-775-5765 – Official Insurance Representatives of the INA (International Nanny Association). Medical and Life Insurance Products.

Workers Compensation Insurance: Please discuss your insurance needs with an agent licensed in your state. Be very sure the agent understands that you are employing a domestic worker in your private residence.

Automobile Insurance: If your Nanny drives your personal vehicle, you need to advise your insurance company. Additional coverage may be required, and your Nanny's age may affect your rates. Please discuss your insurance needs with an agent licensed in your state.

Q. Is there a guideline for what percentage increase in wages is appropriate for a Nanny that will be caring for two (one child and newborn son-to-arrive, say)?

A. Nannies with newborns are generally more well paid than Nannies with older children, even if the child head count remains the same. Most increases are in the 5-10% range OR no less than $50 per week. Smaller increases send your Nanny the message that you don't truly value her services, definitely not the message you want to send. And the failure to recognize the additional responsibilities with a wage increase may result in the Nanny leaving the job - perhaps without providing you the notice you will need to replace her.

Nanny surveys consistently report that the number-one cause of job dissatisfaction and Nanny turnover is the addition of job responsibilities and/or hours without appropriate compensation!

Q: Are the Nannies that A.B.L.E Inc. provides experienced?

A: The Nannies that are registered with us must have a minimum of two years' experience in childcare.

Q: What type of candidates do you provide?

A: The candidates we provide are educated professionals that come to us from throughout the wider New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas. We actually don't have to advertise for applicants. We have a large pool of applicants available, and we interview everyday. Most candidates we know even before they register with us. Being that we literally speak the languages of most applicants i.e., Portuguese, Spanish, Italian etc... Other candidates that used our service refer our nannies to us, thus our network of applicants increases daily primarily through word of mouth.

Q: Are candidates flexible with regard to schedule?

A: We have an extensive pool of candidates, and their preferences are as varied as our candidates themselves are. Some candidates seek part-time positions (a minimum of 20 hours is mandatory). Some candidates seek full time, live-in, live-out or weekends, exclusively. We also have a group of candidates that seek summer placement. With this array of personnel, we are sure to have a candidate to meet your needs!

Q: What living accommodations must I provide?

A: Live out does not need special accommodations. Live-in, however, must have five (5) or seven (7) days of live-in accommodations, including her own bedroom, and preferably, her own bathroom.

Q: How do you find your candidates?

A: We use full-time, professional recruiters who specialize in finding the most qualified, highly trained candidates.

Q: How long does the process takes?

A:It is best to give us at least one to two weeks advance notice. However, in most cases candidates are located immediately.

Q: How are the candidates screened?

A: A.B.L.E Inc., provides the most extensive screening process in the industry. We provide a three-step process, which includes, among other vetting systems: personal interviews, clearing all work histories with previous employers, criminal and driving background checks in their country of origin. Most employer don't realize how important is to be able to check for any criminal records in the nanny original country. Such service is exclusive of A.B.L.E. Inc., and the verification is possible trough reliable contacts in the Federal police of Central/South America & Europe.

Q: Must I provide a vehicle for my employee?

A: Yes, families are required to provide a vehicle for their employee, although, in rare instances, the employee may bring her own car. You should speak to your A.B.L.E Inc., Placement specialist to clarify the details.

Q: If an employee uses her own car for transporting the family's children, would the family be required to pay for her/his gas or mileage.

A: Yes, it is customary for a full reimbursement of gas or mileage to be provided by employer.

Q:Is it customary for a family to provide health insurance for their employee?

A: Although it is not a strict requirement, many families contribute towards the employee’s health insurance, and some employers pay for it in full.

Q: What is a Nanny's primary responsibility?

A: A Nanny's primary responsibility is child care, including, but not limited to, helping with homework, taking children on outings and field trips, orchestrating and participating in creative activities, doing laundry for the children, handling bottle preparations, preparing simple meals, and supervising all indoor and outdoor play. This is what you, as a client family, have the right to expect from our Nannies.

Q: Can we include housekeeping as a part of our Nanny's tasks?

A: Although it s not customary, some Nannies are willing to do housekeeping. However, we advise that you consider increasing their salary. (It is best to discuss this aspect with your Nanny in advance.) In addition, please keep in mind the fact that including housekeeping in your Nanny's chores will most likely affect the amount of time your Nanny can devote to childcare.

Q: What are some of your Nannies' specific work history backgrounds, concerning childcare?

A: Our Nannies offer the invaluable skills acquired through positions such as Nanny, Day Care Worker, Governess, Camp Counselor, Recreation Program Coordinator, Teacher/Assistant, Teacher, Teacher's aid, Church Nursery Worker, and Baby-sitting and Group Homes staffer.

If you have additional question send us a message at: seraphinniangel@hotmail.com or Maid_in_Brazil@msn.com and we will happy to assist you.