Tinies Temp of the Month: Feburary
Tinies Brighton & Sussex would like to congratulate Claire Leach who is our Temp of the Month for February.
Claire has been indispensable this month, covering emergency and temporary nanny/nursery/creche/babysitting bookings. No distance and no job was too much for Claire, she really has been a pleasure to find work for.
Tinies is very proud to have Claire as part of their Team! Well done Claire!
“We have found Claire to be friendly and adaptable – she has supported other work within the organization other that what she was originally asked to do, including admin tasks and re working our registration folders. During her child support sessions Claire has always set out the room according to a Childs age and used imaginative and varying toys and arts, she has interacted really well with all ages of children and young people and been very thoughtful about the client group.”
“Claire has kept well written notes of the sessions and has shown interest in finding out more about our client group and the impact this has on children and young people.” Jane from RISE, Brighton
Speedy Meals: Sausage and Bean Pot
Here is a lovely, healthy and fun meal for children to help you prepare. The smoked paprika in this dish adds a sweet and smoky flavour that kids love. Use really good-quality sausages and adults will appreciate it even more!
Ingredients:
olive oil 8 sausages
6 rindless bacon rashers, chopped
2 garlic cloves , crushed
700ml passata (or use 2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes)
400g tin of cannellini beans , drained and rinsed
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp dark brown sugar
1onion , roughly chopped
Method:
Heat a little oil in a large pan, add the sausages and gently cook for 10 minutes until evenly browned, then remove from the pan. Add the bacon and onion and cook for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Pour in the passata, add the beans, paprika and sugar, then season and mix well. Return the sausages to the pan, bring to a simmer and cook everything together for a further 15 minutes.
Surviving the Social Networking Minefield
We all know the stories; employee write something terrible about work on Facebook, boss sees Facebook status, next day employee is sent to a disciplinary or worse, fired. It has become more common for employers to ‘Facebook’ their employees. There are whole websites dedicated to social media etiquette, the do’s and dont’s and how to best portray yourself on social networks and blogs. Parents employing a nanny are no exception and this should always be kept in mind when you are uploading those pictures of you looking a little worse for wear for the world to see!
Obviously, parents know that their nannies have lives and don’t expect them to do nothing but sit around and wait for their next shift with the family to start. That said, it is always a good idea to think about how you can be perceived through social networking as you wouldn’t want it to jeopardise your job. There was a very famous case of this back in 2005 when Helaine Olan, a journalist for the New York Times wrote this article about her experience reading her nannies blog.
Finding things out about her nanny, for example that she was bisexual and enjoyed possibly more than the odd drink, started to put a strain on her relationship with the nanny. Knowing too much about someone you work with on a professional level can skew your view about them an it is really essential to remember that parents see you as a profession child carer.
It may very well be that Helaine over exaggerated what she saw on the blog to add more weight to her story, but the end result is the the same: the nanny was fired. Since 2005, the world of social networking has become an even more prevalent part of society and it has become completely natural for us to share every element of our lives on the internet. An obvious mistake that this nanny made was inviting her boss to look at her blog, which may have gone unnoticed by the parents for years, but how many people make the same mistake adding their boss as a friend of Facebook?
Throughout the Tinies network we have had a few instances of nannies loosing their jobs because the have revealed details about the families they work for through social networking. Often it is stated in a nannies contract that they are forbidden from sharing personal information on the families, which is worth remembering when you are about to have a facebook rant about badly behaved children or stressed parents.
The key thing to remember is not to mix your work life and your personal life, a line which social networking is blurring. Set your privacy settings, remember how you are presenting yourself and if you can, just avoid mentioning work altogether on social networking. That way nothing can be misinterpreted or misunderstood
Have you had a traumatic social networking experience? Share it with us!
Nurturing Nannies – Baby Massage
Lucy Johns, from Lucy’s Angels Baby Massage, has written for us this week about the benefits of taking your little ones to a baby massage class:
If you’re a nanny with a very young baby as your charge, finding a local baby massage class to go to could be a wonderful activity for you to do, benefiting you, the baby and indeed the whole family.
Imagine being able to calm a fretful baby, relieve a snuffly nose, ease tension from teething or pain caused by constipation or colic – lets face it, all common complaints you’re going to have to deal with on a daily basis. How fantastic to have these skills at your fingertips.
Many nanny agencies are realising the positive impact of having this skill as part of your package. The infamous and formidable Norland Nannies who produce the creme de la creme of British Nannies teach their students baby massage as part of their academic childcare qualification and career preparation. Peekaboo Nannies in London advise on their website ‘Improve your CV, parents love nannies and maternity nurses who have this skill’.
As well as being able to relieve common childhood complaints, baby massage is a powerful bonding tool and a fantastic way to get to know baby’s little body; where he tends to hold tension, what he likes and doesn’t like. You’ll discover lots of things very quickly about your new charge and he in turn can confidently form an attachment to you through that gentleness, love and trust that you’re offering him.
Suggesting taking your charge to a baby massage class to some parents could stir up a few conflicting feelings, but if they were hesitant one could emphasize the benefits of returning home to a relaxed baby after its bath and little massage and offer to show them what you had learnt so they too could also be as involved.
There are hundreds of playgroups and activities for the older baby and child, but not so many for the young baby, so this could be a really lovely option for one of your mornings activities. Classes tend to be taught as a four or six week course and cost on average between £40 and £60 depending on the area. You’ll find that they are generally for babies aged between six weeks and six months. They’re a great place to meet other parents and carers in the area and good for networking and finding out local information and tips.
So, go for it nurturing nannies! A wealth of reasons to check out your nearest class or course and become even more of a supernanny than you already are.
What do you think about baby massage as a nanny? If you would like any more information please check out Lucy’s website at www.lucysangels.co.uk.
Tinies Temp of the Month
Here at Tinies we like to say a big thank you to our staff who do exceptional work within nurseries through out the month. Each month we will select a Temp of The Month, who’s picture will be on our branch page on the Tinies website along with some lovely comments from the Tinies Team and some nursery staff and managers they have worked with. We will also announce it monthly here on the Tinies Blog.
I am very pleased to announce that January’s Temp of The Month is Chris Hill.
We have never received so much positive feedback for one particular candidate and we have had so many shifts booked as a result of nurseries specifically asking for Chris! Feedback we have received has been that Chris is totally child led and completely child focussed. Chris gets on well with all the nursery teams he works with and gets involved with activities without hesitation. He has a lovely and helpful disposition and so many managers have commented that their teams have thoroughly enjoyed having him around. Tinies are very proud to have Chris as part of their Team! Well done Chris!
“Chris Hill shows a clear understanding of the importance of understanding the ‘whole’ child, and demonstrates through his practice how he can meet the needs of the individual child in a way that is sensitive, caring and allowing the children to explore and develop at their own pace, yet recognises the valuable input from his own side as a practitioner.” Nursery Manager in Hove
Thank you very much for all your hard work, Chris!
Meals for Kids: Speedy Pasta
Here is a lovely, quick pasta dish that can be customised to meet the tastes of the children you are feeding. If they don’t like mushrooms, why not try putting something they do enjoy in instead?
This is also a great opportunity to get children involved in cooking, weighing out the ingredients and playing with the always exciting cornflour!
Marvellous Macaroni Cheese
Ingredients:
175g macaroni pasta
60 grams frozen peas
25 grams butter
60 grams button mushrooms
25 grams cornflour
300ml semi-skimmed milk
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
85 grams Cheese
Black pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Cook the macaroni in boiling water. Add the frozen peas
for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain.
3. Thinly slice the mushrooms and grate the cheese.
4. Heat the butter in a pan over a medium heat, add mushrooms and sauté for 2 minutes.
5. Blend the cornflour with a little of the milk in a jug. Gradually add the remainder of the milk.
6. Gradually add the milk to the mushrooms in the pan, stirring continuously until the sauce just
reaches the boil and has thickened.
7. Remove from the heat, stir in mustard, half the cheese and pepper to taste.
8. Stir in the macaroni and peas.
9. Spoon into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.
Do you have a fabulous dish your little ones enjoy cooking with you? Share it with us!
Ofsted Registration: The Ins and Outs
Many parents now require their nannies to become Ofsted registered so they can use childcare vouchers towards paying their salary. Ofsted registration for nannies is fairly new and the process of becoming registered can seem daunting. The registration process can take up to 12 weeks, so if registration is required it is best to bite the bullet and get it sorted as soon as possible.
In order to become registered, you must have an up to date paediatric first aid certificate, nanny insurance and will need to complete a new CRB application. Nannies who have been out of the childcare sector for a time or nannies with limited experience may need to attend a training course.
Costs: The cost of Oftsed registration is around £105. This fee includes the CRB and verification process provided by the post office.
Public Liability Insurance – ranges between £70 – £90
Potentially 12 hour Paediatric First Aid – approx £120 (unless you already hold a valid certificate in the last 3 years)
Potentially ICP (Introduction to Child Care Practice) Course – approx £220 (if you require childcare training)
Usually, a parent would be responsible for paying for the registration fee, however the nanny is responsible for paying for insurance and any training necessary, as this is beneficial for you and excellent for your CV. Costs should always be discussed and you should never assume that a parent is going to cover the cost of registration (as they may be assuming you are going to cover it!)
How to Apply: Application can be completed online, however the government website is quite difficult to navigate and this can complicate and already stressful process! We recommend calling Ofsted on 08456 404040 and requesting an application pack. The form is long and can be complicated, so make sure you are following the guidance notes provided.
Once you have sent off the required information, Ofsted will assess your application, send you information on how to gain a CRB through Ofsted and how to pay the fee. Once the fee has been paid and the CRB applied for, Ofsted will make a decision on registration. A nanny can be refused registration on the grounds that they have already been disqualified, are unsuitable, fail to pay the fee or do not agree to the requirements of the register or lives with someone who is disqualified.
Gaining First Aid, Nanny Training and Insurance:
Don’t be daunted by the prospect of having to deal with these requirements! First aid courses are readily available and we recommend To Baby and Beyond, who runs the Ofsted approved course. You can call Julie on 01273 702 496 for more information.
For Nanny Insurance, we recommend Nannyinsure on 0845 226 7329 or visit www.nannyinsure.co.uk.
The Introduction to Child Care Practice course which is a 12 hour course over 2 days and covers the main areas of child care practice for home based carers
For further information about Tinies training, please email us at training@tinies.com or telephone on 0115 946 1312.
Getting Paid: A guide for Nannies
If you work 2 part time jobs, working out tax, national insurance and what you end up with at the end of the month can be a confusing. As an agency, it is one of the things we are most often asked about and one of the things that causes the most issues when we place nannies in jobs. People are confused by the difference between Net and Gross pay, who pays tax and where pay slips come from. We have addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about pay below to help alleviate the stress that comes with dealing with salaries, tax and national insurance.
What is the difference between Gross and Net Pay?
Gross pay is your hourly rate before tax and NI have been taken out, Net pay is what will end up in your pocket after these deductions. The nanny industry is one of the only industries that we talk in Net terms, as many nannies have 2 or even 3 jobs. This allows nannies to know exactly what their pay will be at the end of a week or month.
Who is responsible for paying Tax and National Insurance?
As an employer, it is a parents responsibility to arrange Tax and National Insurance payments. This can be arranged simply through a payroll company such as NannyMatters or some parents choose to do this through their own company. However it is done, you must make sure Tax and NI are being paid otherwise you could face a letter from the Tax man! You will face the consequesces if your employer is not paying your Tax, not them, so make sure you are keeping a check that this is being done.
Should I ask for payslips?
Yes! This was you can tell how much tax you are paying (and be sure that you are paying it!) You also need proof of earning for many things, which means you need to keep hold of your payslips.
The parents want me to become self employed, can I do this?
Nannies cannot usually become self employed as they do not meet the criteria set out by HM Rev and Customs, however they do grant this in some cases. As a self employed nanny you have to do your own accounts (or even pay someone to do them for you if your not that handy with a calculator) and you would also have to invoice for your services . You would need to registar with tax office- pay your own national insurance stamp and take out public liability insurance. Being self employed you wouldnt earn when on holiday or sick pay.
What happens if I take on a second job?
If you have two employers, and agree a net pay with both, the main employer will normally hold your tax code. The second employer has to pay Basic Rate tax, which means every pound they give you is subject to 20% tax. Not surprisingly, many second employers balk at the cost and expect the tax to be shared more fairly between the two employments. You can get around this by asking HMRC to share your 647L tax code between your employers.
How often will I be paid?
This is something that you will need to agree with the parents, there is no set rule about how often a nanny is paid. Some nannies are paid weekly, some monthly. You will need to come up with a pay scheme that suits both you and the parents.
Don’t sign forms you don’t understand and always seek advice if you need help. If you have been placed through an agency you can normally seek advice from them (or they will be able to direct you to someone who can help). If you have found a job on your own, make sure you understand everything before you sign contracts!
Activities on a budget
In the current economic climate, parents are increasingly needing nannies to come up with fun filled days for their children on a budget. As a nanny, this can add a whole new element of challenge to an already challenging role but we are here to help! Here are some fun ideas for frugal days:
Set up a treasure hunt – The fun is in the hunting and the prize can be anything from a small reward to just the fuss of having completed the task so well!
Make T-shirts – Plain White T-shirts can be bought very cheaply from shops like Asda, as can glitter glue and felt pens. These are all you need to create works of art and the novelty value of drawing on T-shirts will keep children interested for much longer than just drawing a picture.
Go on a nature walk. No matter what the weather, children love the simple pleasure of being outside. Write a list of things you need to find or see on you walk.
If the children are old enough, make up a play or a show to perform for parents. Focus on each child’s strengths and allow them to participate as little or as much as they like.
Make a fort in the living room. A classic boredom buster, all children enjoy A) making a mess where they shouldn’t and B) sitting in forts that didn’t exist a few minutes ago. All you need it couch cushions and some blankets and a whole imaginary world can keep children entertained for hours.
Take advantage of local museums or points of interest. For example in Brighton there is the Booth Museum of Natural History with lots of interesting and fun things for children to see and admission is free! Or go to the Playbus for some free creative play with other children.
Utilize your local library. Children love reading and many hours can be passed looking at books in the library. Libraries often have special events or book readings (which are normally free) so keep an eye out for these and head down on a day you know something special is happening.
Make scrap books. Print some pictures from the computer of the children or things they like, stick in pictures they are drawn or postcards from grandparents etc. Have a show and tell once the scrap books have been finished to allow the children time to talk about things they enjoy.
Make your own playdough. The fun is in the making as well as having some lovely playdough to use afterwards! Have the children help you measure out the ingredients and stir before coking. Here is a recipe:
You will need:
1 cup plain flour
half a cup of salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup of water with fod coulouring added
Directions:
Place all ingrediants in a large saucepan over a steady heat.
Stir until it forms into a ball.
Allow to cool.
Knead until smooth.
So there are a few cheap and easy ideas to keep children entertained and happy on those days when you don’t have a huge budget. Do you have any fail safe ideas for keeping children amused without costing the earth? Let us know so we can share your great ideas!
Encouraging Fussy Eaters
One of the things I found most difficult as a nanny myself was dealing with fussy eaters and food fads. One moment sausages would be the favourite food, the next there would be floods of tears if it was anywhere near their dinner plate. Obviously, every child is different and some tactics will work wonders for some children and have no effect on others. Don’t give up on your fussy eaters, it is possible to encourage them to eat a healthy balanced diet with a little patience and care from their parents and their nanny.
One of the key elements of getting around fussy eating is consistency. There is no point in dinners being a battle for you if the parents are simply letting them eat fish fingers and only fish fingers. Speak to the parents about any concerns and work as a team to help encourage the children to eat healthily. Below are some of our tips on encouraging fussy or faddy eaters. Below are some of our top tips to encourage fussy eaters:
Keep mealtimes fun and positive. Don’t let fussiness cause unpleasantness and praise any small steps taken to overcoming a dislike of food.
Be a role model. Eat with the children and show them how much you enjoy fruit/vegetables. Acting as a positive role model will encourage the children to eat food they may not have wanted to try before.
Do not get stuck on one particular food. If they do not like green beans, why not try and other green vegetable first then come back to beans at a later date? Forcing the issue can often push children further away from being open to trying new foods.
Make food fun. Getting the children involved in making dinner or arranging the food in a fun way on the plate can help children to get over a ‘fear’ of the food they don’t want to try.
Don’t restrict assess to a particular food and try and avoid food as a reward. This increases a child’s desire for the reward food, whilst often not actually over coming the dislike of the healthy food.
It is important to understand why a child does not like a certain food. More often than not, it is a natural aversion to food that all children go through however if it is not this then other methods need to be considered. Perhaps they have been put off of a food that made them sick or they associate with sickness? This is something we have all suffered from and eventually our desire for the food comes back, so in this case it could be a case of waiting until the negative connotations are forgotten.
Keeping a food diary is a great way to keep up with how well a child is coming along with their eating, and if they are old enough you can also use it as a reward scheme putting stickers in the diary each time they try something new or that they didn’t like previously.
Have you had any experience with fussy eaters? How did you win them around? Share your stories and help other nannies struggling to encourage healthy eating!
