Blog

Sleep Training for Nannies: A Step-by-Step Approach

This blog post provides nannies with a step-by-step approach to sleep training. A nanny who has sleep training can be a solution for many families seeking relief. From assessing sleep needs to implementing a personalized sleep training

Childcare Dilemma: Understanding the Differences Between Nanny Agencies and Online Marketplaces

  In this post, we explore the differences between nanny agencies and the online marketplace for childcare solutions. There are unique advantages and limitations to each option, which can be very confusing to the new or expecting parent

Teaching Children Tolerance in the Digital Age

We were all children once. Do you ever stop to think about where our beliefs about ourselves and others came from? How do the belief systems we have all grown up with impact the world we live in

10 Questions Every Nanny Should Ask

Interested in finding a nanny job? The team at National Nanny has put together the following list of questions to ask a family you are considering working with. Prepare for your interview with our nanny job interview masterclass

10 Essential Tasks a Household Assistant Can Help You With

Show me a parent who isn’t overwhelmed with the never-ending list of household chores and responsibilities in today’s world. Anyone? Most of us are living in the modern age but according to research, even in the most equitable

Survival Guide: Long Flights with Kids

Navigate long flights with kids like a pro with this survival guide When you have in-laws who live on the other side of the world, long flights with little ones are just a part of life. My first

The Surprising Ways Nature Benefits Children’s Brain Development

The average American child spends just 4-7 minutes outdoors each day in unstructured play—a dramatic change from children just a generation ago, according to the good people over at the non-profit Children and Nature. Read on to find

How to Handle Challenges in a Nanny Share: Practical Tips and Solutions

A nanny share can be a rewarding experience for parents who want to provide quality care for their children while also saving on childcare costs. However like with any arrangement that is shared, successfully managing it becomes more

The Power of Connection: Social Support for Caregivers’ Mental Health

Being a caregiver is a demanding and often overwhelming role. Whether you are taking care of an aging parent, a child with special needs, or a loved one with a chronic illness, the responsibilities can take a toll

Messy Play: Exploring with Edible Sensory Materials

Let baby explore through messy play with edible sensory materials Are you looking for a fun and safe way to engage your baby in sensory play? Messy play with edible sensory materials is a fantastic option! From edible

Nanny Contracts: Game-Changing Announcement

We have exciting news to share! There has been a recent game-changing development that has the potential to revolutionize nanny work. In this post, we will discuss the recent announcement from the US Dept of Labor, the importance

Avoid These 7 Nanny Hiring Mistakes: Experts Share Their Tips For Success

Avoid Nanny Hiring Mistakes with Tips from the Experts In our experience placing nannies in the homes of private families for nearly 30 years, we have had to guide our clients in avoiding many nanny hiring mistakes. For

How to Teach Kids Mindfulness and Focus in a Hectic World – 5 Effective Strategies

Are you looking for How to Teach Kids Mindfulness? Everyone could use tools to tame anxiety in a fast-moving world. Kids who learn mindfulness and focus at a young age tend to be more capable of regulating their

The Ultimate Guide: Top 10 Apps for Nannies and Parents

How Parents and Caregivers are Easing Life with Tech Tools Parents can only be in so many places at once. Parents, nannies, and babysitters are tapping into some amazing new tech tools to help them feel more connected

5 Aspects you Always see in the Most Successful Nanny Placements

What you Need to Know before your Next Hire Unsuccessful hires are costly to all involved. Learn from the mistakes of others by discovering what the experts always see in the most successful nanny placements. The Cost of

8 Essential Qualities to Look for when Hiring a Nanny

Why it’s Important to Hire a Nanny with the Right Qualities Parenting is hard. Fortunately, there are alternatives to traditional childcare. If you are looking for the most essential qualities in a nanny, read on. If you are

Blurred Lines: Where do Boundaries Begin and End with a Nanny Job

Ten Boundary Busters between Nannies and Families Thanks to Fräulein Maria, reruns of The Nanny, and Ben Affleck’s philandering, most people conjure ideas of a romance between an employer and their kid’s nanny when they think of boundaries

How to Keep Kids Safe in a World of Unpredictability 

How to Keep Children Safe in a World of Unpredictability For children as well as the adults who care for them, the world may feel more unpredictable than ever. As caregivers, keeping children safe is our top priority.

Supercharge Your Nanny Career: Tools to Unleash Professional Growth

Find out how to supercharge your nanny career and unleash professional growth with free classes, online resources, paid education, and industry-specific in-person events. How does a nanny supercharge their career and unleash professional growth? One thing that sets

How Do Nanny Shares Work: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

How does a Nanny Share Work? Have you ever wondered: how does a nanny share work? This guide will help you decide if a nanny share is right for you. Find out more about finding a nanny share

How to Write a Nanny Resume that Will Wow Family Employers

Why should you write a nanny resume that will wow family employers? Because many nanny job applicants do not write a nanny resume before applying for a job. Yet, having a solid nanny resume increases the chances of

Building a Nanny Resume: How Working with Kids and Parents Boosts Your Job Prospects

The Versatile Skill Set Gained from Working with Kids Building a Nanny Resume: How Working with Kids and Parents Boosts Your Job Prospects. Navigating the world of working with children isn’t just about managing tiny humans—it’s about mastering

Reasons Why a Nanny Placement Agency Is the Right Choice for You

Finding the right caregiver for your children can be daunting whether you’re a first-time parent or have been through the process before. With so many options available, choosing the best childcare provider for your family’s needs can be

Helpful Tips to Introduce Your Child to Your Nanny

When you bring someone new, like a nanny, into your home, your child’s first reaction may be apprehension or resistance. This reaction is normal, especially if your child isn’t used to an outsider in their life. To make

The Benefits of a Nanny and Why you should Consider Hiring One

Raising a child can be one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of a person’s life. As a parent, you want to give your child the best possible care and support. Even so, balancing the demands of

Legal Tips for Hiring a Nanny

Hiring a nanny can be a great way for your children to be cared for in their own home, while you are at work or otherwise occupied. However, it is essential to consider the legal implications of this

Tips on Vacationing With Your Nanny

When children are in unfamiliar territory without a routine or schedule, a nanny can be a great help. When you have a nanny around, you have an extra set of hands to help you with your children’s needs.

Looking for a Nanny? Here Are Qualities To Prioritize

Do you need help with your newborn or a childcare provider to care for the family while you’re away? One option you can consider is hiring a nanny. Most caretakers today are trained to manage family needs, so

Tips to Finding Good In-Home Childcare

Children are a blessing for everyone. However, childcare can be difficult, especially if you are not a stay-at-home mom or dad. One of the reasons to consider in-home childcare is for your child’s comfort and safety. Comfort and

Seattle Childcare Company Expands Nationally

Seattle, Wa. – Seattle Nanny Network, Inc. just launched nationalnanny.com, allowing for placements of best-in-class in-home childcare providers nationwide. The company was recently named a finalist in the prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in business

Tips to Keeping a Good Nanny

More often than not, you have spent time and energy interviewing potential nannies and testing a limited handful. If fortunate, you’ve probably found a proper fit for your home. You then might get comfortable and relax assuming the

Want to Offer Your Nanny Health and Other Insurance Plans? Here’s How

The pandemic has shined a light on a critical fact: affordable healthcare is essential. This applies to everyone you know, including your nanny. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) says that only employers who have 50 or more full-time

Traveling with Your Nanny? Do’s and Dont’s

Is your family planning an upcoming holiday? If so, will you bring your nanny? Whether you have traveled with your nanny in the past or this is uncharted territory, it’s important to set clear boundaries and guidelines before

How much of a Raise should I Give my Nanny?

Cost of Living and Performance Raises, How Much Is fair? When you find a nanny who fits perfectly with your family and who adores and cares for your children like a parent would, you want to hang on

How to Talk to Your Nanny about Covid

During the pandemic, many families turned to nannies to care for their children from the safety of their own homes as daycares and schools were forced to close to stop the spread of the virus. As the pandemic

Can a Family Require Their Nanny to get the Covid Vaccine?

As we navigate the pandemic and vaccines become widely available for most, we hear this question time and again: can a family require their nanny to get the Covid vaccine? This is a complex question, but an important

Should You Hire a Male Nanny?

If you are on the fence about bringing a male caregiver into your family, you are not alone. Male nannies, often known as “mannies,” are just as caring and nurturing as any other caregiver, and writing them off

What Goes Into Hiring a Nanny?

A nanny provides your children with the specialized care they need during your absence. By hiring a trustworthy professional nanny, you will have peace of mind and the capacity to devote your full attention to work and other

Nanny Interviews: Look for these 4 things

When hiring a nanny for your children, it’s critical to find the right fit for your family. A resume or profile is not a person, and can’t always tell you everything you need to know. Fit often has

Guest Blog: Packing For Birth Day Success – A Guide For Partners

Guest blog introduction by Kiersten Moen: Last April, I started out my day with a routine doctor’s visit and ended it by being admitted to the hospital in week 32 of my pregnancy with twins.  This was the

Yes, “Starbucks Inspired Benefits” is a Thing

The pandemic has pulled back the curtain on many inequities in the employment industry, such as a lack of access to physical and mental health care, the burden of student debt, and affordable childcare.  Seattle based Starbucks, with

Guest Blog: The Effects of COVID-19 on Nannies and the Family Dynamic

It’s been more than a year since COVID-19 forced the world into isolation, and everyone is feeling the effects—both mentally and physically. Many families are struggling to maintain some semblance of “normal” life while juggling work, childcare, schoolwork,

What HomePay by Care.com has to say about the American Rescue Plan and what it means for childcare

Guest Blog Post from Chelsea at HomePay As you may know, the Covid relief bill, The American Rescue Plan, is set to be signed into law this week and is loaded with provisions that will increase the professionalization

Ethical Domestic Employment (Why Work with Seattle Nanny)

There are many ways to find a nanny: multiple agencies and big platforms, not to mention neighbors, coworkers, and social media groups. It can be hard to find the best way forward for your family, and we understand

Why Work with an Agency During Covid

A question that we often get asked is “why would I pay to work with an agency when I can find a nanny on my own?” This question has many answers, and each one is important to families

Seattle Nanny Featured in Redfin Article: Prep Your Children for a Move with These 17 Tips

Originally Published: December 10, 2020 by Julia Weaver of Redfin Moving is an exciting life event, but it can still be stressful – for you and your kids. Your children can feel especially scared and nervous about the

Learning Pod Rules and Guidelines – Provided by the National Domestic Worker’s Alliance (NDWA)

With the uncertain future of in-person school systems, the social and emotional toll on our children is becoming more evident by the day. Kids need to be around their peers and the positive impact of this on academic

Employing a Nanny during COVID-19

“Do I have to wear a mask inside the house” and “Do I have to pay the nanny if I ask them to stay home because a family member is not feeling well” – are just a few

“Virtual Nanny:” the break Parents need

Strong Olivia and Lion are characters that Ms. Redmond, a Seattle Public School teacher, created to virtually interact with her students, or “scholars” as she calls them. She is a traditional classroom teacher but watching her on video

Seattle’s New Domestic Workers Law: Rest and Meal Breaks

The city of Seattle recently followed eight states by passing a law designed to standardize the domestic work force (nannies, home health aides, house cleaners, and gardeners) thus bringing them out of the shadow economy of employees who

Child Care Crisis Update from the Front Lines – Solutions are in the Air

Sometimes timing is everything. When Representative Kristine Reeves brought members of the business and advocacy community together to creatively address solving the child care crisis in Washington state, my guess is she could not have dreamed that her

My Home is Someone’s Workplace

I took a deep dive recently into the local and national movements that are taking place around the employer and domestic worker relationship and I can say, there are some exciting changes afoot. Forays include attending a forum

The New Sick Leave Law and your Nanny

Is being a nanny even a real job? Does a nanny or sitter have the same rights as an employee of a company? Many employers have questions about how the new law impacts the employment of their nanny.

Twice the Work and Half the Fun – What you Need to Know About Vacationing with your Nanny

If you have vacationed with your nanny before, or are considering it, you are likely aware of the unique challenges and tensions this dynamic can present. If you are the nanny, you’re doubly aware (for most of us,

10 Reasons to Share a Nanny

Your Pocketbook Childcare is the second greatest expense behind a mortgage, with costs that often rival college tuition, so it’s no wonder new parents are anxious to economize. When you share a nanny, you not only split the

Full Disclosure: The New Standard for Nanny Cams

Parents are increasingly turning to nanny cams to ensure the safety of their children with in-home care providers. This trend has been driven by media coverage of nanny abuse cases, but it is also largely influenced by the

Nanny vs. Babysitter: What’s Really in a Name?

As a nanny, one of my greatest pet peeves, which I’ll go out on a limb to say is a communal industry gripe, is when my job is reduced to “glorified babysitter.” It happens all the time. At