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What does a good Nanny Agency look like? Are Nanny Agencies regulated?

January 28, 2022 | Leave a Comment

Type into any search engine ‘Nanny agency near me’ and you will undoubtedly be presented with pages upon pages of local nanny agencies, offering to help you find your perfect nanny in return for a fee.

Which one do you go with? The one with the highest reviews? The one that is closest? The one you have heard of before, or maybe the ones at the top of the page advertising their services? It is incredibly difficult to choose!

Nanny Agencies that introduce you to Nannies, where the family employs the nanny are classed under UK law as ‘Employment Agencies’.

Nanny Agencies who employ the Nannies directly and supply the nanny to you are called ‘Employment Businesses’ (sometimes known as a supply or temping agency).

Contrary to popular belief, both types of Nanny Agencies must abide by the rules and regulations set out on the Government website, which are enforced by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS). The full list of rules and regulations can be found here.

The EAS has powers to investigate complaints about nanny agencies and can prohibit them from operating where they have broken the law.

It is important to note that Nanny Agencies do not have industry-specific regulations, only Employment Agency or Employment Business regulations.

So, what should a good Nanny Agency look like if there is no industry-specific regulating body? How do I know that the agency I choose to work with does everything properly?

Here is our definitive checklist of what to look out for when choosing a Nanny Agency to work with:

  1. Are they registered with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)? The REC has a Childcare sector, and all corporate members must comply with the REC code, adhere to the REC standards, and pass a compliance test.
  2. Are they registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)? Details of registration will be found on privacy policies, website footers, and email footers.
  3. Can they provide details of their insurance certificate when asked?
  4. Are they corporate members of industry-specific Associations?
  5. Are they registered with a Small Business Association such as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)?
  6. Can you always contact them by phone and email during normal working hours?
  7. Have they listened carefully to your requirements and offered you lots of useful advice and tips before advertising your role?
  8. Have they advertised your job after you have signed terms and provided full details, and either given express consent to start recruiting immediately or waited the 14 days cooling-off period to pass?
  9. Do they act in accordance with the discrimination and equality acts? You can check this by scanning the Nanny Agencies work-seeker sign up forms for discriminatory questions like ‘are you male or female’.
  10. Do they call and email you regularly to update you on progress?
  11. Can they provide a comprehensive overview of the nannies they are presenting to you for consideration which details everything you need to know, both by law and from your job specification?
  12. Do they provide you with two most recent references, and if unable, do they tell you what steps they have taken to obtain them?
  13. Can they provide you with the verification of qualifications if required for the role, and if unable to can they tell you what steps they have taken to obtain them?
  14. Have they checked the original enhanced DBS certificate, and then checked it on the update service, telling you the status?
  15. Have they performed a right to work check on the nannies interested in your role, and provided you with the status before setting up interviews?
  16. Do they organise the interviews for the nannies you have chosen to interview and provided all parties with appropriate feedback?
  17. Have they recommended a payroll provider and provided you with an up-to-date template employment contract and other documents you will require when you become an employer….?
  18. Does their website contain all the information you would expect to see, such as a trading address, privacy policy, terms of business, named contact, and is it a secure website?

Our checklist is not exhaustive. It gives you an idea of what should be going on behind the scenes, if in any doubt, use a reputable, established, multi-award-winning, and trusted nanny agency such as Harmony at Home.

Written by Frankie Gray, Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2022

Frankie Gray is Chair of the Regulation Matters Nanny Agencies Sub-Group. The group is developing a Code of Practice for all Nanny Agencies to follow alongside formal compulsory registration to a Nanny Agency regulatory body. Frankie is passionate about developing a regulation process for all Nanny Agencies, to set a high standard of safer recruitment, safeguarding, and peace of mind for parents.

 

COVID-19 Three-Tiered System – In home Childcare and Nannies

October 15, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Three-Tiered System and Childcare – Nannies

A new three-tiered system for local Covid-19 levels across England will be in force from Wednesday 14 October 2020. The intentions are for educational settings and childcare including Nannies to remain open at all levels. The three levels set out are:

Medium
This level will cover most of country and will consist of current national measures. This includes the current rule of six and closure of hospitality at 10pm.

Childcare at medium:

    • There are exceptions from legal gatherings limits for registered childcare, education or training, and supervised activities provided for children – including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups. This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs, and nannies. See guidance on working safely in other people’s homes.
    • Family and friends can continue to provide informal childcare if groups from different households do not exceed 6 people. You should, wherever possible, keep your distance from people you do not live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them).
    • The tiers of restriction for education and childcare, summarised in annex 3 of the contain framework and in guidance on higher education, are separate to the local COVID alert level framework. Decisions on any restrictions necessary in education or childcare settings are taken separately on a case-by-case basis considering local circumstances, including information about the incidence and transmission of COVID-19.

High
This level will reflect interventions in many local areas now. This level aims to reduce household to household transmission to prevent all mixing between houses. Rule of six only applies outdoors and in private gardens. Many areas already on local restrictions will be at this level.

Childcare at high:

    • There are exceptions from legal gatherings limits for registered childcare, education or training, and supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups. This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies. See guidance on working safely in other people’s homes.
    • The following people can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens:
      • registered childcare providers, including nannies
      • people in your support bubble
      • people in your childcare bubble
    • A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. For any given childcare bubble, this must always be between the same 2 households.
    • Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purposes of different households mixing where they are otherwise not allowed to do so.
    • The tiers of restriction for education and childcare, summarised in annex 3 of the contain framework and in guidance on higher education, are separate to the local COVID alert level framework. Decisions on any restrictions necessary in education or childcare settings are taken separately on a case-by-case basis in the light of local circumstances, including information about the incidence and transmission of COVID-19.

Very high
This level will apply where transmission rates are rising most rapidly. Government will stop social mixing indoors and outside plus closing bars and pubs. Additions to this closure list may change in local areas, for example in Merseyside closures also include gyms.

Childcare at very high:

    • There are exceptions from legal gatherings limits for registered childcare, education or training, and supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups. This means you can continue to use early years and childcare settings, including childminders, after-school clubs and nannies. See guidance on working safely in other people’s homes.
    • The following people can provide childcare support in private homes and gardens:
      • registered childcare providers, including nannies
      • people in your support bubble
      • people in your childcare bubble
    • A childcare bubble is where someone in one household provides informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare to a child aged 13 or under in another household. This must always be between the same 2 households.
    • Friends or family who do not live with you and are not part of a support or childcare bubble must not visit your home to help with childcare. Childcare bubbles are to be used to provide childcare only, and not for the purposes of different households mixing where they are otherwise not allowed to do so.
    • The tiers of restriction for education and childcare, summarised in annex 3 of the contain framework and in guidance on higher education, are separate to the local COVID alert level framework. Decisions on any restrictions necessary in education or childcare settings are taken separately on a case-by-case basis in the light of local circumstances, including information about the incidence and transmission of COVID-19.

Written by Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2020

Nanny Interviews and Trials during COVID-19

June 5, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Can I interview a nanny in person at my home?

We suggest that all preliminary interviews take place over video call. Once established that you would like to move forwards, we can arrange a face to face interview which is compliant with the new ‘Stay Alert’ guidelines.

Under the current ‘stay alert’ guidelines, it is possible to conduct an interview in a private garden providing the social distancing requirements are complied with. The details are set out in the Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and cannot do;

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Do keep in mind though that the emphasis is still to stay at home where possible, so video or other virtual interviewing should be considered in the first instance, and an in person interview should only be arranged with both parties agreement to abide to the social distancing rules.

If conducting the interview in a garden, do consider how the parties will travel to interview, e.g. whether it is possible to avoid public transport (if impossible a face mask/covering should be used) and whether the candidate or interviewer fall into the shielding categories. If either party has coronavirus symptoms, they should follow the then current self-isolation guidelines and not attend the interview.

Precautions must be taken regarding sharing a professional portfolio of evidence. If this can be done digitally it is advisable.

Upon entering the family home (some gardens are accessed through the home), shoes must be removed outside, and hands washed immediately.

Candidates ought to wear fresh, clean clothes, and ensure that they have washed their hands, and been to the toilet prior to making their way to an interview. They ought to go straight to the interview from their home, ideally in their own car, and should carry hand sanitiser suitable to eliminate the virus from their hands. Planning ahead is important.

Trials should ideally take place outside. When held inside social distancing rules ought to be abided to and should only take place after both households have self-isolated for 7 days, and 7 days should be left between different in-home trial days with different candidates / families.

These are our suggestions, based on the guidance set out by the government week commencing 1st June 2020.

We can help you with all aspects of the recruitment process during this pandemic, contact your local nanny agency branch today.

Need a nanny urgently? Sign up here:

Using a Reputable Nanny Agency

November 11, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Searching for a Nanny is time consuming, stressful and can be tiring as the search is never ending.

Typing into Google a simple search such as ‘Nannies in the UK’ and BOOM! Thousands upon thousands of sites appear advertising nannies from all over the world and you’re left thinking where do I begin?!

Hours of searching later and you think you have found the perfect nanny, can’t find any problems, everything looks amazing, you contact this nanny, plan to meet and everything is ready, all that’s left is they need to sign the dotted line… But at the last minute they pull out and you’re left back where you started. Deflated, Nanny-less and stressed.

So why go through all the hassle searching alone? When there are nanny agencies available to do all the hunting for you.

Using a nanny agency means that you can give them all your expectations, what you are exactly looking for, and how much you are willing to pay etc. and they then do all the leg work for you. Plus the internet is so big and you don’t know what’s true and what’s false, using a nanny agency means that you’re being presented with a safe Nanny that the agency has made sure references and experience are real and accurate, after conducting a wide variety of background checks. This therefore means you are letting a Nanny into your children’s lives that is safe and trustworthy, meaning you can leave the house happily and not worry about your children’s safety.

Working with a Nanny agency also means you aren’t going through this process alone. You’re able to build a relationship with the agency as you will work with someone who gets to know you and your family and what is important to you with regards to a Nanny. The Nanny agency is representing you on your behalf and therefore contact between yourself and the agency is key.

Once you have gone through the process of finding a nanny and they start working for you, there may be problems or issues that you don’t know how to deal with or you would prefer a different nanny. If you search alone your process of looking for a nanny is back to square one. Whereas searching through an agency means they will be able to find a new one for you in quick time and help with possible child care in the meantime.

Working with a Nanny Agency is like having a safety net around you and your family as they are able to deal with your wants and needs and making your life hassle-free. You have your own guardian angel for child care.

Harmony at Home is a member of several childcare and recruitment associations including REC, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, PACEY the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years, the International Nanny Association and won the Best UK Nanny Agency Award 2019. We also audit all of our branches and have our own code of practice and complaints policy.

Register today and our highly trained consultants will find your perfect nanny; http://www.harmonyathome.co.uk/childcare-services/

Voted as the UK’s Best Nanny Agency 2019

Nanny Salaries rise by 8% in 2018 in the UK

August 13, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Great news for our professional in home childcare industry as daily ‘live out’ nanny wages across 2018 rose by 8% both in London and in the Home Counties and 9% for residential ‘live in’ nannies in London (8% for ‘live in’ nannies in the Home Counties), the Nannytax annual wage survey reported today. In comparison with the mean median UK full time earnings increase of 3.5% (source office of national statistics) the 8% increase is huge!

On reading the recent Nannytax wage review, Norland Nanny Frankie Gray, the founder of Harmony at Home said, “It’s great to see the financial recognition professional nannies receive by way of this increase, along with the recent increase in awards and national recognition days. I hope to see more positive changes for UK nannies in the future”

The Key findings from Nannytax

  • Live-out nannies in London earn an average gross wage of £13.35 per hour, an 8.1% increase from 2017. This is the highest paying region for live-out nannies across the country.
  • Live-out nannies working in the rest of the UK earn an average gross of £10.96 per hour, an increase of 8.4% from our 2017 report.
  • Live-in nannies, working outside of London, earn average gross figure £8.32, a 7.7% increase from 2017.
  • Outside of London, the South East of England is the highest paid area for Live-in nannies, who earn an average gross wage of £9.76 per hour.
  • Nannytax found that 90% of nannies are required to be enrolled into a pension scheme. As part of this, employers are required to contribute 3% and the nanny must contribute 5% to their pension pot.

#inhomechildcare #wages #nannysalary #nannieslondon #uknannies #payrise #professional #recognition #hardwork #howmuchdoyouearn #howmuchdoyoupayyournanny

Source: www.nannytax.co.uk

 

Magic of Storytelling and Books for Children

July 26, 2019 | Leave a Comment

The magic of books and storytelling

JK Rowling, who knows a thing or two about the magic of children’s books, left no doubt about her feelings towards a good story, when she said:

“I will defend the importance of bedtime stories to my last gasp.”

Books, and the wonderful stories within them, can play a vital role in expanding a child’s imagination, and a huge amount of research suggests that reading to a child at home from when they are a baby onwards is the best way that a parent or carer can influence a child’s long-term educational outcomes.

If academic research doesn’t convince you though, then how about this excerpt from Roald Dahl’s book ‘Matilda’, to illustrate the broadening of horizons that reading can inspire.

He wrote of Matilda that

“the books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went on olden-day sailing ships with Joseph Conrad. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”

The English village in question, by the way, is in Buckinghamshire – not so very far away from Bedfordshire!

Children interact with books and stories in different ways, depending on their age and development. What’s certain is that they are constantly learning as they do so. They will observe how to handle a book and how to turn the pages. They will watch as you point out pictures on the pages and talk about them and, in time, will copy these actions and make links between the written and spoken word. They will hear a variety of new sentences and words that they may not hear in everyday conversation. They will concentrate and start to develop an understanding of language.

children are made readers on the laps of their parents

Younger babies: as their eyesight is still developing in the early months, start them off with books with strong black and white patterns and pictures, which help them to focus and aid their concentration. Textured, interactive and lift-the-flap books are particularly good when babies start to handle books themselves, as they allow babies to explore using all of their senses, and to discover all that the book has to offer.

Older babies – 3 year olds: spending time reading with them can promote brain development and spark their imagination and curiosity, while starting to help them to distinguish between what is real and what is make believe. Regularly reading books together can help to expand your child’s vocabulary more rapidly and help them to understand the meaning of words and how to use them. Once they start to speak and use short sentences books can also help your child to foster a desire to learn, naturally leading to them ask questions and seek answers.

Preschool children and those in Reception class at school: repetitive stories that rhyme and/or have alliteration are great fun, and titles such as ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury , ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson, and ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see?’ by Eric Carle are good examples. There is usually a natural rhythm with which to read these stories, and if you pause during the repetitive/rhyming parts your child will enjoy filling in the missing words.

Books can be a useful tool to help any child to make sense of new experiences and changes that are happening in their own lives, such as starting school, a visit to the dentist, a new addition to the family or the loss of a loved one. Reading books about things your child is experiencing will help them to speak about how they are feeling and to make sense of their feelings.

Story time does not have to be limited to sharing books. Children can be fabulous storytellers themselves and there is so much fun to be had in creating stories together. Make use of props such as puppets and figures, or if you are feeling particularly creative make some of your own with your child. You can introduce your child to the concepts of story writing, encouraging them to think about their story having a beginning (introducing the story and characters), a middle (where something happens) and an end (where the story comes to a conclusion).

So why not switch off the TV, put away any mobile phones and other devices, and spend some magical time with your child, reading and telling stories. Make it part of your daily routine and create a time when your child will know they will have your undivided attention every day.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go” – Dr Seuss.

Bedfordshire Libraries

The library is obviously an ideal place to get access to a huge variety of books for your child. Bedfordshire also offer a home library service for library users who are unable to get to their local library. Full details of this service can be found here.

There are several libraries across the county where your child can have access to a vast selection of books. Some of the libraries also offer activities sessions for children where they can share stories and take part in art and craft activities. Please see the list below to find your local library;

Ampthill Library
1 Dunstable Street
Ampthill
MK45 2NL
Tel: 0300 300 8053

 

Barton Library
Bedford Road
Barton
MK45 4PP
Tel: 0300 300 8054

 

Bedford Central Library
Harpur Street
Bedford
MK40 1PG
Tel: 01234 718178

 

Biggleswade Library
Chestnut Avenue
Biggleswade
Bedfordshire
SG18 0LL
Tel: 0300 300 8055

 

Dunstable Library
The Dunstable Centre
Court Drive
Dunstable
LU5 4JD
Tel: 0300 300 8056

 

Flitwick Library
Coniston Road
Flitwick
MK45 1QJ
Tel: 0300 300 8057

 

Houghton Regis Library
Bedford Square
Houghton Regis
Bedfordshire
LU5 5ES
Tel: 0300 3008058

 

Leighton Buzzard Library
Lake Street
Leighton Buzzard
LU7 1RX
Tel: 0300 300 8059

 

Potton Library
Clock House
Potton
SG19 2NP
Tel: 0300 300 8063

 

Sandy Library
Market Square
Sandy
SG19 1EH
Tel: 0300 300 8065

 

Shefford Library
High Street
Shefford
SG17 5DD
Tel: 0300 300 8067

 

Stotfold Library
Hitchin Road
Stotfold
SG5 4HP
Tel: 0300 300 8068

 

Toddington Library
9 Market Square
Toddington
LU5 6BP
Tel: 0300 300 8069

Written by Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2019

Childcare and Baby Activity, Treasure Baskets

June 28, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Treasure Baskets

A treasure trove of sensory experiences for your babies

The pioneer of the treasure basket, Elinor Goldschmied, once said that we can never truly know what it is like to bite into a juicy ripe peach, or what concepts such as cool, smooth, prickly and rough actually mean, until we have experienced them for ourselves.

“Every baby should have a Treasure Basket”  Frankie Gray, Norland Nanny and Founder of Harmony at Home

Giving a seated baby a range of natural, household and recycled objects in a basket and allowing them to explore the items using all of their senses, is a great way to stimulate a baby’s brain, keeping them interested and engaged in the world around them.

Left to play in this way, children will begin to develop preferences, make choices and build their attention, concentration and decision-making skills.

Creating a treasure basket

Make sure the basket you choose is strong and sturdy and made of natural material such as wicker or willow. It should have a flat bottom and be strong enough not to tip over if the baby leans on it. Bear in mind that handles might get in the baby’s way when they are reaching for objects, so a basket without handles may be best.

A round basket that is approximately 30cm in diameter and 12cm high would be ideal.

In terms of the contents, evidence suggests that children respond more intensely to natural materials and more muted colours, so make sure the items in the basket reflect this. It should contain no plastic items and the contents should not be toys, but a variety of common everyday objects, mixed with natural objects you may find when exploring outside.

It is obviously essential that you assess each of the items in terms of safety. If there is any concern about the hygiene or safety of an object, it is better to omit it from the basket.

Items to include in a treasure basket:

  • Natural objects – fir cones, large pebbles, shells, dried gourds, large chestnuts, big feathers, pumice stone, large corks, avocado pear stones, large walnuts, loofah, natural sponge, citrus fruits
  • Objects made of natural materials – wooden spoons, little baskets, wooden nail brush, wooden curtain rings, shaving brush, wooden balls, wooden clothes pegs
  • Wooden objects – small boxes, castanets, bobbins, cotton reels, napkin rings, egg cup, small bowl, beads on a string
  • Metal objects – spoons of various sizes, small egg whisk, bunch of keys, small tins, lemon squeezer, small funnel, brass curtain rings, bunch of bells, metal egg cup, tea strainer, lids from jars, metal beaker, lengths of chain, bicycle bell, tea infuser, costume jewellery
  • Leather, textile and rubber objects – rubber puppy toys, leather purse, small leather bag, coloured marble eggs, velvet powder puff, length of rubber tubing, tennis ball, golf ball, leather spectacle case, rubber bath plug with a chain, bean bag, small cloth bags containing lavender, thyme, rosemary, cloves
  • Paper and cardboard objects – small cardboard boxes, little notebook, greaseproof paper, tin foil, insides of kitchen paper towel

Don’t forget that this is your baby’s time to freely explore. Keep yourself available and attentive, yet relatively unobtrusive, so the baby is motivated to investigate the objects for themselves.

Where to find objects for the treasure basket

Some items for your treasure basket can be found when out and about with your baby. Visit local parks and woodland where you can find a variety of natural items all free of charge. Some good places to visit are;

Priory Country Park

Barkers Lane

Bedford

MK41 9DJ

 

Rushmere Country Park

Linslade Road

Heath and Reach

Leighton Buzzard

LU7 0EB

 

Harrold-Odell Country Park

Carlton Road

Harrold

Bedford

MK43 7DS

 

Homeware stores such as The Range, and Dunelm are usually good places to find household items that can be included in your treasure basket. They have the following stores in Bedfordshire:

 

The Range

Units 4 and 5

Interchange Retail Park

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 7AZ

 

The Range

Madford Retail Park

Dunstable Road

Luton

Bedfordshire

LU4 8DN

 

Dunelm

Unit 2

Alban Retail Park

4 London Road

MK42 0NW

 

Dunelm

Luton Road

Dunstable

Bedfordshire

LU5 4JN

 

Charity shops can be a good place to find some other, more unusual items for your treasure basket. A number of charity shops can be found across the county including the ones listed here:

Bedford

Sue Ryder

35-37 Ampthill Road

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK42 9JP

 

Cancer Research

Bedford 70a

High Street

Bedfordshire

MK40 1NN

 

Keech Hospice Care

24 Allhallows

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK40 1LJ

 

Sandy

Magpas Air Ambulance

Shannon Court

9 High St

Sandy

SG19 1AG

 

Wood Green

The Animals Charity

Shannon Court

1 High Street

Sandy

SG19 1AG

 

Barnardo’s

30 Market Square

Sandy

SG19 1JA

 

Luton

British Heart Foundation

70 George Street

Luton

LU1 2DL

 

Age Concern

32 George Street

Luton

LU1 2AZ

 

Keech Hospice Care

58 Birdsfoot Lane

Luton

LU3 2DQ

 

Dunstable

Age UK

1-3 Queensway

Dunstable

LU5 4ET

 

Keech Hospice Care

9 Ashton Square

Dunstable

LU6 3SN

 

YMCA Shop

9-11 Nicholas Way

Dunstable

LU6 1TD

 

Harmony at Home Nanny Agency Bedfordshire for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2019

The difference between a Nanny and a Nanny Housekeeper

June 20, 2018 | Leave a Comment

A Nanny and a Nanny Housekeeper are 2 separate job titles!

It is important to understand the difference between a Nanny and a Nanny Housekeeper.

If you are looking to employ either a Nanny or a Nanny Housekeeper, discover what their duties would include:

Let’s break it down…

Nanny:

Every family’s needs and requirements will be different.

Whether you are looking for a live in or live out nanny, their duties will include:

The typical duties of a Nanny include:

  • Looking after and caring for the children.
  • Supporting the children and family in any way they can.
  • Preparing and cooking healthy nutritious meals for the children.
  • Taking the children to and from school/ nursery.
  • Traveling with the family if needed.
  • Taking the children to social events and activities.
  • Communicating with parents to update them on the children – The day’s activities, what they have eaten etc. Having a Nanny diary can be hugely beneficial to record daily events and key information about the charge/ charges in your care.
  • Handling the children’s washing, ironing and laundry.
  • Bathing and dressing the children.
  • Maintaining the children’s bedroom – making sure it is kept tidy.
  • Making sure play areas and kept clean and tidy.

Nanny Housekeeper:

As well as carrying out all the duties of a nanny. A housekeeper will also take on additional domestic duties.

The typical duties of a Nanny Housekeeper include:

  • A Nanny housekeeper will have a balance of looking after and caring for children and carrying out domestic duties.
  • Going food shopping
  • Handling washing, laundry and ironing
  • Cooking and preparing healthy meals
  • Maintaining the general cleanliness and tidiness of the house
  • Taking care of pets (if appropriate)
  • Running day to day errands – for example, going to the post office.

If you are looking some help around the house or with childcare, register today and we can help to find the perfect fit for your family. Click HERE now to begin the process

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2018

Get set for Snow

February 26, 2018 | Leave a Comment

Snow is forecast and more wintry weather is expected! Employers and Nannies, discover what needs to be considered…

Employers and Parents of Household Staff

If your nanny or housekeeper is unable to travel to work, you should advise and make them aware that unless specified differently in the employment contract:

  • In these circumstances, all time off will be unpaid unless agreed otherwise
  • The time taken off can be used as annual leave or, if preferred, the time can be made up by working additional hours.
  • Pay will paid on a discretionary basis and only in exceptional cases

It is important to be aware that if your nanny asks to leave work earlier than usual due to the weather conditions, the same conditions would apply.

If one of your nanny’s duties is to collect your children from school or drop them off in the mornings, they need to be aware of the places they can check to keep updated with last minute school closures.

For information from the school and nursery, always check:

  • The school and nursery’s website – all information is usually posted on the website to keep parents updated
  • Social Media – some schools use Twitter and Facebook to share announcements
  • The local radio stations – they usually announce school closures.
  • Your mobile phone – many schools send out text messages to inform you of the latest information

All schools and nurseries will have a procedure in place for such events. It is worth making sure your nanny is aware of what this is.

Have a snow and adverse weather plan in place!

Communication is key! Have a snow plan in place in case of any last-minute closures due to the weather. Some nannies are only employed to work before and after school. If this is the case for you, talk to your nanny to see if they can look after your children during the time they should be at school. Factors including additional pay need to be consider and agreed.

It is important to have a plan put in place for such events, as alternative options might need to be considered.

Employees and Nannies, Drive Safe

One of the most important things to remember is to only drive in the snow if the journey is crucial! Do not drive unless you have to – check the Met Office website and weather websites for snow warnings and advice. Be sure to call your employer and let them know that it’s unsafe for you to travel, don’t risk having an accident.

It is also a good idea to consider the possibility of staying over at your employer’s house. Think ahead, check the weather forecast and plan for adverse weather conditions.

Stay Safe in the Snow

Remember to ensure you keep safe and warm in the snow. The impacts of the cold weather are worse for young children, babies and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Make sure you:

  • Stay tuned in to weather forecasts
  • Check and maintain daytime room temperatures of 21C
  • Check bedroom night time temperatures and maintain it at 18C or warmer
  • Keep warm and active and if you must go out, dress warmly and wear non-slip shoes.

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2018

Top tips to stay safe in the Winter

January 2, 2018 | Leave a Comment

Get set in time for Winter this year with these top tips.

Nannies and parents, with the weather as unpredictable as it it, it is important to be prepared for bad weather conditions that could strike at anytime! Winter often brings with it cold and severe weather conditions so it is always recommended to take precautions.

To Prepare for Winter:

  • Put together an emergency kit. This should be filled with food, clothing & equipment. Keep this kit safe in a safe place. It is advisable to have a kit for the house and a separate one for the car.
  • Keep updated with the weather forecast and flood reports. Know what weather is predicted so you can prepare and get supplies in if necessary.
  • Have an emergency contact ready. Keep a hard copy of an emergency phone number for someone that you know you can call on if needed. It is important to have a hard copy of this in case you are unable to access a device or the internet.
  • Check workplace and school polices to see if you have a plan in place in case of severe weather. Know who to contact in case you are unable to get in to work or your children are not able to get to school.

What to do if Severe Weather Strikes:

Nannies and parents, if bad weather is predicted it is vital you know what to do to ensure the safety of yourself and your children and charges.

  • If you have to travel, make sure you check the weather conditions prior to setting off. Know what you might have to face.
  • It is advisable to check travel updates and the latest news as well. Their may be road closures or issues with transport that may effect your journey.
  • Avoid going out all together and stay at home enjoying a range of indoor activities like crafting and baking
  • Keep a emergency kit and supplies with you in your car or while you travel. Keep enough essentials in the car for you and your children and charges.
  • Inform someone where you are going and how long you expect to be.
  • Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged
  • Make sure you have enough petrol in your car
  • Consider alternative methods of transport. What is going to be the safest
  • Look out and check in with neighbors, friends and family, the elderly and the community
  • Help out in the community – do what you can for others.

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2017

The Importance and Benefits of Bedtime Reading

October 26, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Bedtime reading. An activity that many families share as part of their child’s daily bedtime routine.

But why? Why is it important to read to our children before turning the light out?

Whether it’s a short story, an educational or a chapter book, lots of fun can be had with reading.

Bedtime reading is an excellent habit to have, and here’s why:

  1. Children can learn so much

It’s true, children can learn so many different aspects from reading. A number of different life skills can be taught through books. Not only this, but it allows children’s imaginations to be opened up to a number of different things. Most children will become passionate about reading a book and will grow to love a certain character wanting to act them out or recreate a certain scene in the book.

Reading can also help children to build up and establish life values and morals. Books that are age appropriate are usually aimed to teach children different life skills. For example; how to treat others, what is important in life, and daily life events. Stories and books bring easily explain life expectations, in a way that children can grasp and understand.

  1. Children enjoy it

For many children, reading before bed, sparks a passion for books. With so many distractions in society today, from devices and tablets to television and gaming, it is important to encourage children to spend time away from the screen and get involved with reading.

  1. Establishes a bedtime routine

Bedtime reading can also help to sustain a suitable nighttime routine for your child. For some children, ‘story time’ before bed is their favourite part of the day. If you are finding that your child or charge is reluctant to go to bed, you can use this as a bribe.

  1. Special time together between a parent and their child

For many parents, bedtime reading with their child is a special time that is treasured. This is especially true for working parents, they are given the opportunity to spend time one to one with their child.

Reading with your child before bed is a precious moment that should not be taken for granted. Many children enjoy snuggling up in bed with their parent taking time out to read a story. Over time, an invaluable bond is built up.

  1. Relaxing

Spending time reading before bed, relaxes the mind and gives children the ability to switch off their brain from the day.

  1. Development

Not only is reading good for relaxing and teaching life skills, it can also help to stimulate your child’s emotion and development. Reading can help to prepare your child for their time at school, having the ability to read will give them a head start when the time comes. It is also great to continue reading throughout the duration of your child’s time at school. Children should spend around 15 – 20 minutes reading per day.

When you child is able to, encourage them to read to you. Not only does this build up their confidence with reading, but it also improves their speech development skills.

Don’t take reading with your children for granted. Enjoy these precious moments with them, watching them develop and grow. Spending time reading together before switching off the light, relaxes the mind and helps children to drift off to sleep.

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2017

Caring for our Planet

October 13, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Caring for the Planet

Climate change is happening and lots of environmental issues surround us each day; rubbish on the streets, shortages of water, and a rise in pollution. Unfortunately it is more or less impossible to solve the issue of global warming and climate change. However, by implementing small changes into your day to day routine and trying to live as Eco-friendly as you can, can help to result in a global change.

Eco – Friendly Parenting

Our world is full of harmful chemicals and toxins, so it can be helpful to know the changes that you can make to try and implement a greener lifestyle. We are able to offer advice and guidance on this through a number of different areas enabling natural parenting.

  • Natural baby care
  • Eco friendly nappies & nappy services
  • Eco friendly baby products, toys and clothing
  • Organic weaning
  • Natural Nurseries

To find out more about our natural parenting service, click here. You will also be able to book a consultation with a qualified Norland Nanny.

Encouraging children to care for our Planet

Children are the next generation, so it is important that they are aware how they can care for the planet. Encourage you children to have a go at:

  • Recycling – Encourage your children to recycle old materials and resources. You may have an area in your house when all recycling goes. Make your children are aware of this so they know that they don’t have to just put everything in the bin. It may also be a good idea to have a list of items that you can and cannot recycle with pictures. Children may find it easier knowing what they can and cannot recycle with the use of visual aids.
  • Re-using – See if your children are able to re-use materials instead of wasting them. This ties in with recycling items. Instead of throwing old materials away see if they can be re used for something else instead. Paper is a good example of this; instead of throwing away and old piece of paper, simply turn it over and use the other side.
  • Turing off the tap when cleaning teeth – making small efforts like this will slowly but surely reduce the amount of water wasted.
  • Picking up litter & using bins – Encourage children to always ensure they are using bins provided instead of dropping or leaving litter on the floor. If you spot any litter on the floor, try to make a conscious effort to pick it up and put it in the bin. No one likes to see litter lying on the floor, not only is it unattractive but it is also harmful to the environment.
  • Environmental projects – Encourage children to get involved with their very own environmental projects. For example: growing their own vegetable garden or creating a natural garden. These are fun ways for children to engage and get close with nature.

Many schools are now trying to be Eco-Friendly and are encouraging children to get involved. Children like to share what they are doing at school, at home. This is hugely important as it allows the message to spread around. Passionate children are able to make a difference.

Ecological Footprint Calculator tool

A great tool you can use with your children is an Ecological Footprint Calculator. This tool is hugely beneficial and can help them to gain a greater understanding about the impact of global emissions. Once you have filled out all the questions you are able to see your results. Talk them through your results and see if they are able to understand.

By making small changes we are able to help contribute to a more Eco – Friendly planet and a greener lifestyle. Encourage children to get involved and inspire the next generation.

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2017

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