A NANNY VS DAYCARE

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The decision of who should watch your child can be a stressful and emotional decision, especially if it’s your first time parting with him/her for an extended period of time. Other than leaving your kid with a relative or having a stay at home parent, the two most popular childcare options are hiring a nanny or enrolling your child in a daycare center. These two choices both have their pro’s and con’s, so it is important to be informed of the good and bad before ultimately making a decision.

Daycare is a childcare option in which parents can drop off their child each day to learn, grow, play, and be supervised. Usually, daycare centers watch children who are infants to pre-schoolers. Some daycare centers provide services for before-school and after-school supervision as well. Most daycares are national or regional chains, along with being privately owned.

Daycare can be a positive option for many families, especially when the parents have flexible schedules. Daycare can be great for developing kids’ social skills since they are constantly around other children who all play, learn, and grow with one another. Daycare can be a great introduction into socialization for young kids. Daycare can also be very cost efficient and safe, since they use vetted and experienced teachers.

While there are positives with daycare, there are also many negatives. In daycare centers, there are many other kids around yours for the entirety of the day, meaning that germs and illness can spread like wildfire. When a child is young, they are more susceptible to illness and disease, which is one of the biggest cons of the daycare system. Daycare is also very inflexible when it comes to timing. Typical daycare hours are 6-7am to 6-7 pm on weekdays.

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Holiday Bonus Suggestions

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‘Tis the season to give your nanny a holiday bonus! A holiday tip is customary in the nanny industry to help your nanny out during the holiday season and show him/her how much you appreciate them.
So you might be thinking, if giving a holiday bonus is standard in the nanny industry, how much should I give? The answer is simple: one to two week’s pay is the normal amount you should tip in the nanny profession. However, often parents give more or less depending on how long their nanny has been with their family, what was discussed at time of hire, and whether the parents are financially stable to do so.
If you are unable to give a bonus to your nanny this holiday season, don’t worry. There are many other ways you can show your nanny how much you care. For example, give him/her a surprise day off, have your children make him/her a heartfelt gift or a card, bake him/her favorite snack, or just simply tell them “thank you.”
The holiday season is a time of giving. Whether to your family or your friends, you show the people that you love how much you care for them during this next month. While not a part of your immediate family, your caregiver should not be forgotten during this time of year. After all, the small acts of kindness and care they do for you and your family each day is priceless.

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Nanny Recognition Week

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Every year during the final week of September we celebrate National Nanny Recognition Week. Beginning in 1998, this week has been designated to thank a huge part of all of our lives: our nannies. Having a great nanny helps the world go round. During the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is hard to remember to give these people the recognition they deserve. But during this upcoming week, carve out some time to say thank you to your nanny in one (or more) of these 10 ways:

1. Give her a surprise day off
A paid day off is a great way to show your nanny you care by letting her get some free time during the week. She can get certain errands that she rarely has time for, or can just have a day of much needed relaxation.
2. Have the children make her a special gift
There’s no one that spends more time with your nanny than your children. A heartfelt gift from them can mean more to her than anything. Something as simple as a painting or a card will definitely show your nanny how much you and your children care for her.
3. Share a meal
Your nanny may often be helping you prepare meals during the week. Repay the offer by making her a meal to share with your family one night- or even take her out to dinner.
4. Give an unexpected bonus
Everyone can use a little extra cash in their pocket. An easy way to show your nanny how much you appreciate her this week is by paying her a little extra.
5. Get her a mani-pedi or a full spa day
Being a nanny is stressful and often a 24/7 job.

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Back To School

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It’s that time of year again, when the summer fades and the “first-day jitters” arrive. Starting school is always a big transition for children, but there are many small things you, as a parent, can do to prepare your child for the year ahead starting now. Here are 12 back to school tips to kick off the new year on the right foot.

  1. Get your child back into their sleeping routine.

After a summer of fun, it is important to get your child back into the swing of things a few of weeks before school begins. During the summer, staying up late and sleeping in are expected. In order to prevent stressful, rushed mornings, ease your child back into a routine by having them go to sleep and wake up earlier and earlier as the weeks before school dwindle down. This will have your child on a better sleeping schedule by the start of the school year.

  1. Shop for school supplies together.

It’s hard to get your child excited to go back to school, but one way to do this is to shop for school supplies together. Bring your child along to pick out their own notebooks, pencils, pens, backpack, lunchbox, etc. Including your child in the shopping process makes the thought of a new school year a little more exciting for them rather than dispiriting.

  1. Review the basics ahead of time.

Jumping right back into learning after a long few months of barely using their brain can be hard for any child. It’s always helpful to keep your child’s mind active throughout the summer- especially a few weeks before school begins. Have them practice their multiplication and division,

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