NBC12 covered fake nanny ads and called in College Nannies + Tutors for expert advice.

Locally owned and operated College Nannies + Tutors keeps nannies and families safe by doing all the placement legwork. Whether your family needs  quality childcare or the one-on-one attention from a tutor College Nannies + Tutors can help.

Watch the full piece on NBC12.

College Nannies + Tutors is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Plan Ahead
On its face, finding a nanny does not seem like it would be a monumental endeavor.  And it isn’t, unless you wait until the last minute to secure a worthy care-giver for your kids.  Like so many of life’s big decisions, you don’t always have as much time as you’d like to land the best nanny.  Job changes, moves, and other life events crunch timetables beyond your control, but it is best to start your nanny search well ahead of time.
Start by crafting an ad aimed at exactly the nanny you require.  Your standards are high, so there is no need to mince words for applicants.  Include information about your family and your expectations regarding references and employment experience.  As applicants begin to respond; filter them according to the cream of the crop.  Isolate your strongest candidates for interviews, choosing a manageable number for further scrutiny – based on your availability and comfort level.

Define the Position
Before meeting with candidates to conduct personal interviews, share a detailed explanation of the job requirements with applicants.  Your family values, for example, may not align with every nanny applicant’s beliefs, so it is important to be honest about your needs up-front.
Expectations, in terms of what you need done, should be articulated very clearly, so there are no misunderstandings moving the work relationship forward.  Don’t be surprised if you lose a couple interested applicants by spelling out your requirements – better now than after you are counting on them.

Conduct Interviews
Primary interviews don’t generally include your children, unless circumstances make it unavoidable.  Instead, conduct personal interviews with you short-list of worthy candidates, focusing on getting to know their styles and philosophies.
Include open-ended questions in your interview; allowing candidates to open-up about important issues related to their nanny experience.  You are not trying to trick them, but one of your ulterior motives is determining whether applicants share your values.  Specific inquiries should also be levied; yielding genuine responses to questions about disciplinary actions, play philosophies and other child-rearing concerns.

Proper Vetting
In the end, you are looking for the truth about nanny applicants, so it is up to you to do due diligence vetting your pool of recruits.  Honesty is essential to the trusting relationships shared between nannies, children and parents; so inconsistencies in applications or interviews should be seen as deal breakers. Selecting an applicant with incomplete references or other shortcomings only opens the door to potential problems down the road.
Consider contracting for a more extensive background check than you can provide yourself.  Professionals furnish deeper resources for vetting nanny candidates; ultimately leaving you at-ease about your nanny selection.

Extend a Contract
Once you have settled on a nanny applicant, the relationship should be formalized with a contract.  Include the same language you used to outline your needs up-front, reinforcing what you and your nanny-to-be have covered during the interviewing process.  Specific duties, work hours, and even compensation levels should be clearly drawn-up, so everyone is on the same page.  Remedies and consequences should also be included in the contract; such as accommodations for sick time or extending care hours during certain periods of employment.
Clear communication and proper vetting are key approaches for landing a great nanny.  Whenever possible, allow plenty of time for the process to occur; enabling due diligence to unfold at your own pace and comfort level.

This guest post is contributed by Rebecca Gray, who writes for Backgroundchecks.org. She welcomes your comments at her email id: GrayRebecca14@gmail.com.

Richmond Nannies & Tutors are ready to take on your childcare needs.

Aaarrrggghhhh!

It’s Thursday and Father’s Day is just 3 days away, but you don’t have a gift yet! What do you get for dad that shows him how much he is loved and appreciated? Or what do you do when you’re looking for something really unique and special for your husband and the father of your children?

College Nannies and Tutors has the perfect idea!

Give dad a gift that continues giving all year long. Sure, dads love spending time with their kids. But just like Richmond moms, dads need a break too. And they get very limited quality time with their wives, so why not give a gift that has special meaning to the entire family?

Consider giving dad “12 Nights Out” without worrying about the kids!

Here’s how it works

1. Create a simple “gift certificate” or card that says dad is receiving special “date nights” out with mom over the next year (number of nights out can vary – see below).  He can use his nights to go with mom out to dinner, a movie, a live theatre performance, a cooking class, a golf game, a swim at the pool, or social time with friends! You can even let the kids in on the fun by having them draw pictures and write special messages to dad.
2. Call College Nannies & Tutors to arrange for childcare that ensures high quality, safe, and nurturing care for the kids while mom and dad get some much-needed time away together – each month for an entire year! Mention Richmondmom.com and get 50% off the one-time registration fee – that’s a savings of $100! As long as you call by June 30, 2011, this deal will be honored but you don’t have to use it right away so you have time to plan your night(s) out. You don’t have to book your nights right away, but your nannies will still be waiting.
3. Enjoy your time together while the kids enjoy fun with their College Nanny.

You can adapt this idea and offer 1 night, 2 nights, 12 nights (one each month) or any number of nights as your gift. And it’s fun to make each “date night” special by doing something different. Head out to Lewis Ginter for a concert, visit Sur La Table for cooking classes, go to a new movie release, or just sit and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee together over a good book — whatever makes you both enjoy the time together is what you should do.

Professional, Safe, and Secure Nanny Services

The best part of it all is that College Nannies provide an on-call service that is the perfect alternative to trying to find a babysitter — and they are much more than just babysitters. Nannies On-Call are an easy to use solution for hourly childcare needs and they provide safe, reliable and fun role model care. They are there only when you need them and as often as you need them — they are professionals and many of them are education majors or graduate students at VCU. All nannies are pre-screened and they are employees of College Nannies & Tutors so you’re getting someone who really loves caring for children and has committed to work as an employee for College Nannies instead of a contracted person. Many of their nannies even continue on past graduate school to become full-time nannies as a career.

Managing Director and Owner, Vicki Daniel, explains, “College Nannies aren’t just babysitters – they provide interactive, hands-on activities for children of all ages. They focus on learning, education, and fun all at the same time. Most children love hearing that their “nanny” will be coming for a visit – they look forward to the night as much as their parents do!”

You can enjoy your time out together without worrying about the kids.

Contact Information

If you’re looking for the perfect, unique gift for dad, then you’ve found it. You and dad deserve this time together and College Nannies will make it worry-free and easy for you.

Visit College Nannies & Tutors website for more information and to find out about their great “on-call” services.  You can also reach them at glenallenva@collegenannies.com or by calling 804.346.2242. And while you’re there, check out their full-time, part-time, after school, and summer childcare services too.

Tell them Richmondmom.com sent you and get 50% off the one-time registration fee before June 30, 2011. And if you already have your Father’s Day gift, don’t worry. You can get this same deal for birthday, anniversary or “just because” gifts too. Call today and find out all that College Nannies & Tutors has to offer.

They’re located at 10825 W. Broad Street, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Ahhhhh……now that’s a Father’s Day to remember all year long!

Richmond Nannies & Tutors are ready to take on your childcare needs.

Today’s spring-like weather beckons us all to enjoy the great outdoors. And it also reminds us that summer is not far away either. That means schools will be closed and children will be clamoring for fun and activities.

Unfortunately, summer also signals a time of challenges and distress for many moms who need childcare help. Whether you’re a stay-at-home-mom or a mom who also works outside the home, finding childcare when and where you need it can be difficult.

Maybe you need a full-time nanny, a part-time nanny, or just an on-call nanny. Perhaps you just need some time for yourself. No matter what you need, you want to rest assured that your child or children are in safe, competent hands.

Richmond Nannies

That’s why Richmond College Nannies and Tutors are the perfect solution for any lifestyle!

They offer a complete set of placement and on-call childcare services tailored to the needs of busy families and working women. College Nannies handle the details of employing your nanny so you don’t have to worry with legal paperwork, taxes, and background checks. They do it all for you.

Whether you’re thinking about after-school care, parent’s night out, or a summer nanny, you definitely want to check out Richmond College Nannies and Tutors. The North Richmond – Glen Allen Placement and Learning Center has been in Glen Allen and the surrounding communities since early 2008. They are locally owned and operated and they’re a part of the community in every way, so you can trust your children with them.

They are committed to helping you build a stronger family so if you’re in need of help with your children, visit their website or call today (804.346.2242). You can also email them at glenallenva@collegenannies.com.

Don’t spend another minute worrying about the safety and security of your children when you need temporary or full-time child-care. Visit Richmond College Nannies and Tutors and get on with your life!