Agency Partners in the News

HomeWork Solutions has partnered with leading nanny placement and referral agencies nationwide since 1993.

Several of our partner agencies have been cited in news reports recently.

Nannies on the Go, Southlake TX, was consulted by TV33 on a feature about mothers returning to the workforce due to the current economic crisis. Owner Sharon Moloney reports that these mothers are extraordinarily concerned about just who will be caring for their children when they are working. Nannies on the Go, a member of the Alliance of Premier Nanny Agencies, performs thorough background screening on every nanny it refers.

A Friend of the Family Home Services, Inc., an Atlanta GA-area in-home childcare and adult care referral service, hosted a nanny professional development day November 8, 2008. They recognize that nannies with up to date credentialing (CPR, First Aid, etc.) and strong interpersonal skills are more competitive in the job market. The free workshop, entitled "Polished, Professional and In Demand," provided nannies with the knowledge to present themselves as more confident and capable.

Bob King, Esq. of Legally Nanny, Orange County California has been consulted by several reporters in the last few months. Mr. King's firm provides household employers assistance in a variety of legal matters including work agreements, confidentiality agreements, severance agreements and client defense. Mr. King reports an uptick in clients requiring assistance with unemployment claims. These clients largely had paid their nanny in cash with no tax reporting, and had a difficult and costly process in front of them to 'get whole' with the IRS and state taxing authorities. This is a growing problem for families faced with unexpected job loss or economic reversals. They can no longer afford the nanny, let her go, and she files for unemployment benefits. Many of these nannies really had no choice as they too face a challenging employment market.

Don't want to be one of those families caught after the fact with a huge tax liability? Consider one of HomeWork Solutions' family friendly nanny tax compliance services - we can help you get it right the first time. No worries - just go ahead and simplify with HomeWork Solutions!

NannyPalooza 2008 Re-cap

I just returned from 3 days in Philadelphia attending the annual NannyPalooza conference, sponsored by the National Association for Nanny Care, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the professionalism of nanny care. As always, the program was outstanding.

Melanie Nesbit, The Nanny on the Move and Clelie Bourne, the Temporary Nanny were among the many specialty nannies in attendance. There was a special visit from the Today Show, who interviewed traveling nannies, newborn care specialists, temporary nannies, and nannies who specialize in multiples, children with developmental disorders, and even teen-agers! What a diverse spectrum of talents.

I had dinner with several nanny agency owners from across the country, where we discussed the state of the industry, as well as the impact the current financial crisis was having on the nanny referral industry. Kimberly Tellus, from New York's Nanny Care Connections reports more inquiries about live in nannies in Manhattan, their agency's specialty. A live-in nanny typically earns 10% - 20% less than their "come-and-go" counterparts in New York City, primarily because they receive room and board in addition to their weekly wage. Kim's business partner, Amanda Marsh, serves as their primary recruiter from her base in Nebraska.

Anie Tandler of McLean VA based Special Care Nannies provides specialized placements for children with special needs, especially autism spectrum disorders. She is one of two agencies nationwide with that specialty (Anie's long career teaching special needs children and coaching/counseling their families in public and private school settings makes her uniquely qualified for this endeavor). She actually will meet with the family to determine their needs before placement, then will provide the selected nanny candidate with specialized training related to the child's disability.

Nettie Weber, Perfect Match Nannies, reported back on her highly successful annual Nanny Retreat, sponsored by her Wisconsin agency. Nannies this year worked on advanced safety/CPR techniques as well as nanny portfolios.

Agencies are increasingly stepping up and educating their clients about nanny tax, insurance, and overtime issues. Many refer their clients to 4nannytaxes.com's website for detailed information and our online nanny payroll tax calculator and family budget tool.

The nanny industry is definitely NOT about babysitting! Infant care specialists provide families with sleep training. Nannies specializing in multiples often bring their wealth of "been there, done that" experience to enrich the experiences of often overwhelmed and bewildered new parents. Nannies who specialize in the teen years help with college placement, and provide important supervision and guidance to their charges. (One such nanny, tongue in cheek, professed to be on "pregnancy prevention patrol"!)

Families, please consider sponsoring your nanny for this conference next year. The educational opportunity is invaluable, and sends the message to your nanny that you truly value the contribution she makes to your family as well as validating her career choice!

Heading to Florida: International Nanny Association Conference

The International Nanny Association (www.nanny.org) is holding its annual conference in Orlando May 1 - 4 2008 and this year I get to attend the whole thing! (I have had conflicting college graduations the last two years.). The INA is a professional association comprised of professional nannies, nanny placement and referral services, and businesses like HomeWork Solutions (Nanny Payroll and Nanny Tax Compliance Services) that provide support services to nannies and the families that employ them.

INA Conferences allow industry insiders to network, share information about trends, challenges, and industry issues, and in general share ideas with industry specialists from across the country. This is a small industry, widely geographically dispersed, and this is a rare opportunity to talk to other professionals who 'get' your business experiences.

Employers - admission to industry conferences such as the INA Conference, or the annual Nannypalooza (nannycredential.org) is a professional development benefit you should seriously consider offering to your nanny. Why? Nanny attendees almost universally report returning to work refreshed, enthused, and brimming with ideas on how they can be better nannies. Isn't that what you want for your children? I admit to having been a bit skeptical of a 'nanny conference' when I attended my first INA conference in Philadelphia in 1993. I left that conference a believer! Nannies and child care professionals in general are a 'helping profession.' This is amply demonstrated by attendees as they listen to the challenges others bring to the conference, offer creative and positive suggestions, share stories of how they too succeeded in potty training twins - you name it, they brainstorm it!

This is a hats-off and public thank you to the many volunteers who put in long hours to organize and bring these successful events to the nanny industry. You know who you are - give yourself a pat on the back. See you in Orlando!