nanny boutique: a personalized nanny placement agency

What is the Role of a Nanny?

2008-09-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

A nanny is responsible for the complete care of their employer's children. Duties include tending to each child's basic physical needs, meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, providing behavioral guidelines and disciplining when appropriate, intellectual stimulation, language activities and provide transportation when required. Housekeeping responsibilities are primarily child related. A nanny must be able to communicate well with both children and parents. Depending on the individual family, the nanny may be treated as an employee, a cherished friend or as a member of the family.

Sample Questions For Interviewing a Nanny

2008-09-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

Sample Behavioral Questions for Parents

1. How did you get into this work? What interests you most about this work?

2. Can you talk about your past experiences with children? Why did you leave?

3. What types of activities do you enjoy? Do you like going for walks, park, play dates, etc.?

4. How do you deal with difficult children? Tantrums? Crying?

5. What do you feel is most important for our son/daughter at this age?

6. What would you do in an emergency situation? Have you ever been in an emergency situation?

7. How much flexibility do you have with your schedule? (including how much “last minute” flexibility)

8. What do you expect from us?

Sample Items/Issues to Discuss with Nanny

1. Salary, vacation days, personal/sick days, holidays, etc. This includes scheduling, notice and pay.

2. Method and timing of payment (i.e. how she will be paid and how frequently)

3. Taxes

4. Role and Responsibilities (i.e. Be as detailed as necessary with type (s) of household and child responsibilities: cooking, cleaning, feeding, nap times, keeping a schedule of activities, etc. Also, if you specifically want the nanny to teach the child and assist in his/her development it is good to be specific.)

5. Any specific requirements related to feeding, bathing, changing, etc. (i.e. if the child is allergic to certain food groups, if you use certain diapers and cream, specific milk, etc.)

6. Emergency Numbers: Always leave emergency contact phone numbers for your nanny. (This may include (but is not limited to): Parents, grandparents, friends, physician and 911.)

Nanny Boutique Summer Newsletter

2008-09-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

Interviewing Tips for Parents and Nannies

http://www.nannyboutique.com/docs/NannyBoutiqueSummer2008Newsletter.pdf

2008-06-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Nanny Boutique is Excited to Bring Back Our
“PLAY DAY IN THE PARKS” PROGRAM
for Parents, Nannies, and Kids!!

Nanny Boutique Staff will be hosting warm weather play days in
4 different Chicago Neighborhood Parks.
Mark your calendars for the play day in your area!

Wednesday, June 11th
Oz Park
2021 North Burling Street 60614
10:30pm-11:30pm

Thursday, July 17th
Wells Park
2333 West Sunnyside 60625
10:30pm – 11:30pm

Tuesday, August 12th
Fellger Park
2000 West Belmont 60618
10:30pm – 11:30pm

Friday, September 12th
Skinner Park
1330 West Adams Street 60607
10:30pm-11:30pm

Outdoor Play Day Schedule is weather permitting and may be cancelled due to rain and other inclement weather conditions.
We’d love to have your children, with their nannies, participate in this house of OUTDOOR FUN!!

Please RSVP for the Play Days you would like to attend: keri@nannyboutique.com
Please feel free to invite your friends and we hope to see you there!

January 2008

2008-01-28T04:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Clients, Families, & Friends!

In celebration of the New Year, the Nanny Boutique Research Team has decided to kick start the year by providing 2 excellent resources for parents. We understand that life can be hectic as a parent and here are a few ways to kick back and enjoy yourself while learning about the joys of parenthood.

#1
Smart Love Family Services
www.smartlovefamily.org

Smart Love is a non-profit organization on the northside. They provide parenting/caregiver workshops and classes based on the latest child development research and facilitated by child development professionals. In every workshop and class they address how to help you understand and manage your child\'s behavior, development, and include a Q & A component. Lastly, they also provide parent coaching and therapeutic services for children, parents and adult!

Upcoming Programs in January and February:
§ Child Development
§ Smart Routines: Eat, Play, Potty
§ Sweet Dreams: Building Healthy Sleep Habits

#2
Mediafly
www.mediafly.com

Mediafly’s goal is to make it easy for parents to stay on top of your favorite interests. At Mediafly, they know that having kids means you sometimes lose touch with your interests or current events; they are here to help. Whether you're interested in business news, sports, celebrity gossip, or even learning a language, Mediafly allows you to effortlessly choose audio content for your own personalized channels; it's like "radio your way," so you now have the freedom to efficiently catch up on your interests...at home or on the go.

Here is one example of a podcast from Mediafly below:

Manic Mommies on Mediafly
(http://www.mediafly.com/Podcasts/Feeds/Manic_Mommies)

From a fellow Manic Mom...
I subscribe to a lot of the parenting podcasts because they are a great way to get information on parenting while doing other stuff (working out, cleaning, etc.). This is by far my favorite podcast. Erin and Christine are hysterical so I am laughing the entire podcast while getting a ton of great tips. The tips are non-judgmental and not preachy BUT great information you can actually use. I love their down to earth style and sense of humor. I highly recommend checking this podcast out

We hope that these creative outlets will keep you you laughing and enjoying your families every day. Stay turned for next month featuring fun indoor acvities to get you and your families through these chilly months.

Fall Fun at Home and In The Parks!

2007-09-19T06:21:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families & Friends!

As the weather cools down, turn up your energy by enjoying some of these indoor and outdoor activities with your children! With these creative indoor play ideas and exciting fall events you’ll be sure to stay busy and entertained. After a long summer of the beach, pool, and water parks, your little ones will be rejuvenated by new excursions better suited for the cooling temperatures. Take a peek at what we’ve come up with, and start enjoying fall entertainment this weekend!

Indoor Activities for Cooler Weather:

Magical Leaves!
What You Need:
Fall leaves from outdoors
2 pieces of paper
Crayons

What You Do:
Go on a leaf hunt outside and gather two or three of your favorite.
Place the leaves on a piece of paper on a flat, hard surface.
Place another piece of paper on top.
Draw with Crayon over the leaves and watch the magical leaf appear!

Paper Bag Pumpkin!
What You Need:
Brown Paper Bag (Grocery bag)
Newspaper
Orange crayon or paint
Black crayon, marker, or paint
Green string, ribbon, or pipe cleaner

What You Do:
Stuff brown paper bag with newspaper half full (until it is round in shape)
Twist the rest of the bag into a stem.
Tie string, ribbon or pipe cleaner around base of stem
Paint or color bag orange
Once paint dries (or if using crayon, once you’re finished), draw a jack-o-lantern face on the bag!

The “I’m Thankful” Tree
What You Need:
Brown Construction Paper, or Brown Paper Bag
Multi-Colored Construction Paper
Scissors
Crayons
Tape or Glue

What You Do:
Draw a tree’s trunk and branches on brown paper
Cut out the tree and tape or glue it to a piece of paper (any color)
Use your child’s hands and trace a bunch his or her hands onto colored paper
Cut out each hand (they will act as leaves)
Ask your child(ren) what they are thankful for, and write an “I’m thankful” on each leaf.
Paste or tape the leaves to the tree and share in giving thanks!

Fall Collage!
What You Need:
Natural Fall Objects: Feathers, Pinecones, Pine Needles, Pumpkin Seeds, Leaves, Flowers
Glue
Paint
Paper

What You Do:
Mix a little bit of glue in with your paint
Use the natural objects you found to brush paint on the piece of paper
Notice how each object will leave different markings on the paper
Takes some of the smaller objects (needles/seeds/flowers) and leave them on the paper for a 3-D effect
Hang on your fridge or in your child’s room to enjoy all season!

Family-Friendly Fall Events in the Parks:

7th Annual County Fair
September 15, 2007
11am – 4pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
Admission: Free, activities are extra
Celebrate Fall Harvest in the city! World Music Festival musicians and local bands, pony rides, carnival, artists, and shopping in the Garfield Park Market Place. For more info call: 312.746.5100

Theatre-Hikes: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
September 22, 2007
1pm – 3pm
North Park Village Nature Center
Schedule Notes: Please call the Nature Center at (312) 744-5472 to register.
Cost: $6 for children; $10 for adults
This new dramatization of C.S. Lewis' classic, set in the land of Narnia, faithfully recreates the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia. This story of love, faith, courage and giving, with its triumph of good over evil, is a true celebration of life.

Midnight Circus
September 29, 2007
Starts at 3:30pm
Welles Park
Schedule Notes: Limited seating--ticket info: http://www.friendsofwellesparkplaylot.com/.
Cost: $10 (age 2 & under = free)
Open-air performance of clowns, contortionists, acrobats, actors, and a dog! Proceeds will benefit the Welles Park Playlot Fund.

Halloween Activities
For dates and event times at a park in your area please visit: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/events.results/object_id/79fca7d9-1b30-4f9f-ad61-cd55c5855d1e.cfm for a full October Schedule.
Halloween festivities include fun for the entire family with great pumpkin patches, haunted houses (and not so haunted houses), parties and much more. At the Chicago Park District's pumpkin patches, you can pick your personal favorite from a field filled with pumpkins of all sizes, and many of our pumpkin patches offer some of the following activities: pony rides, pumpkin decorating, petting zoos and hay rides. Food and refreshments will also be available at most sites. Activities are designed to appeal to all ages. Have a fun Halloween in the parks!

Garden Buddies Family Event
November 10, 2007
10am – 12pm
Kilbourn Park & Organic Greenhouse
Schedule Notes: Kilbourn Park is located at 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., just west of Milwaukee Ave., and Addison St. in Chicago.
Cost: free
A winter garden celebration event at Kilbourn Park! This indoor event will include winter-themed nature crafts; take home plantings, stories, games and demonstrations. Questions call Kirsten Akre at 773-685-3359 or kirsten.akre@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

We hope these creative outlets will keep you and your little ones laughing and enjoying in each other. Happy Fall!

Sincerely,
The Research Team

Hip, Fun & Family-Friendly Online Resources!

2007-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families & Friends!

As we all know, the internet has become an excellent resource for families looking for local events, vendors, classes, daycare, schools, hands-on activities…and everything else in between! With all the websites and newsletters dedicated to local family resource guides, it can be difficult to find one that gives valuable, consistent, and up to date information, without all the advertisements.

This month, we thought we’d tell you about our two favorite hip, fun and family-friendly websites. We think that you’ll find them both useful and relevant for all your urban lifestyle needs!

Favorite Site #1
www.savvysource.com

This online treasure focuses largely on educational outlets for your children, such as preschools, camps, classes, activities, books, toys and more. Chicago is one of the most recent additions to their nationally-based site, so you can expect even more local coverage in the near future. Savvy Source provides reviews and recommendations posted by seasoned parents, and daily featured activities, books, and toys to browse that are fun, unique and user-friendly!

Savvy Source stands out above all others for both the quantity and quality of its content:

- Preschools: Browse by zip code and find all the schools in your area. Several have parent reviews and a star-rating to help you in your search.

- Educational Toys: Organized by category, this section has everything you and your little ones could dream of!

- Books: Daily “featured” books for different ages, descriptive write-ups, and well-organized into seven categories for easy searching.

- Camps: Choose from over 2,500 camps in 8 metro areas. Chicago will be on the board in this section soon!

- Classes: This section is a new addition to Savvy Source, and work is in progress. Four cities are sited so far, with more to come.

- Activities: Activity Encyclopedia, find the perfect one by type or by age! Great hands-on activity ideas to try at home, or outside with your young ones. This will be a great tool to use as the winter months approach. If you have a great idea for an activity, Savvy Source welcomes you to submit it to share with other parents.

- Mom’s Blog: Any new, great ideas? Need a suggestion? Have a solution for someone who needs help? Post it on their blog and converse with mom’s across the country.

Favorite Site #2
www.urbanbaby.com

Online membership and browsing is free to all active UrbanBabyites. Founded in 1999, Urban Baby has an innovative style that puts a spin the traditional online local resource guide. We’ve signed up to it, browsed it, and searched it…and we love it! Traveling or vacationing with your kids? Check out urban baby in the city of your choice to find great, family-friendly places to visit while you’re there!

Below are some of the basics that you’ll find to be very useful within the pages of UrbanBaby.com:

- Message Boards: Parents chime in about all kinds of topics, both local and national. Search option allows you to zone in on any specific topic you may be interested in.

- UrbanBaby Daily: A daily email to fill you in on all the best places to eat, shop, play, and travel with your kids!

- Moms About Town: Stories, snippets, and interviews on inspirational city moms.

- Expert Q & A: Answers to so many common questions that parents have!

- Urban Life: Articles, ideas, and solutions for the urban parent dedicated to raising their child in an urban landscape

- Kids Eat Out: A local list of family friendly restaurants in the city of Chicago

- Parents Talk Back: A question and response message area where parents are free respond to a specified topic.

- Expecting, Care & Health: Your local guide to hospitals, doctors and wellness centers through every phase from pregnancy to parenting.

- Play: Mommy & Me’s, Daddy & Me’s, playgrounds, indoor activity centers, birthday parties, haircuts, annual events…and on and on! All the local hotspots where Chicago parents can have fun and stay active with their young ones!

We hope our favorites sites will help make your family’s online searches more enjoyable!

Ten Fun Activities Before Summer Ends!

2007-07-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Summer is speeding by, and we think this is the perfect time to share some of our favorite Chicago summer activities with you and your family! We’ve consulted our best local resources and have found ten unique hot spots that we think you'll find both entertaining and educational!

We know that summer is a busy time for all, but if you are looking for some new, great ideas to keep your kids entertained, check out the activities below to help spark your daily routine:

O’Leary’s Chicago Fire Truck Tours
Tour Chicago on an antique fire truck!
Tours board at the InterContinental Hotel on Michigan Avenue and run one hour. They include two firehouses and the Chicago Water Tower.

By Appointment Only - $10 for kids/seniors, $20 for adults
For more information call: 312.287.6565

InterContinental Hotel Chicago
505 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Portage Park Tot Pool
This is a free Chicago Park District Fun Spot!
It's zero gravity and has a variety of splashing and spraying gadgets. It’s a great and safe place for small, not yet swimming, children to the pool!

Website: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

4100 N. Long Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
773.685.7235

Sleuthing Thursdays
Pick up a free “hunt sheet” and search for the secret plants at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
When you’re finished the front desk will award you with a prize!

300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
773.638.1766 ext. 28

Chicago Loop Train Tours
The CTA & the Chicago Architecture Foundation offers building tours from the el train!
The tour is free and runs 40 minutes at 10am or 10:40am. Tickets are based on first come first serve the day of the tour at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Tours run: 5/5/2007 – 9/29/2007
All Ages welcome

77 East Randolph St.
Chicago, IL
312.744.2400

Pirate Dinner Cruise on Tall Ship Windy
This pirate cruise sails most Wednesdays and Saturdays this summer!
It runs an hour and a half and included a full three-course menu. There’s even a canon fire!
Be sure to check the website below for exact dates & additional information.

Price: $35 children under 12/ $45 adults

Website: www.tallshipwindy.com

600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL
Navy Pier: 312.595.5555

Family Explorations in the Children’s Garden
Look for dinosaur bones, dig in the soil, or search for rare, secret plants!
In the Children’s Garden at Garfield Park Conservatory, activities change weekly. Entry is Free for all ages!

300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
773.638.1766 ext. 28

Green Scene Adventure Days
Live music, arts & crafts, animal activities and much more all for free at the Lincoln Park Zoo!
These jam-packed adventure days are happening on August 24th & 25th from 11am-3pm, be sure to stop by for some great, free entertainment!

Lincoln Park Zoo
Lake Shore Drive & Fullerton Parkway
Chicago, IL
312.742.2053

Wiggleworms’ Concerts in Millennium Park
Meet at the Family Fun Performance Stage to be entertained by one of the famous Old Town School of Folk Music’s Wiggleworms!
All summer long at 10am daily, Wiggleworms are wowing the crowds! Shows run from 6/5/2007 – 9/3/2007, and are free for all ages!

Millenium Park
201 East Randolph
Chicago, IL
312.742.1168

Chicago River and Kayak
Rent a kayak or canoe, and tour the Chicago River as a family!
Boats are available by the hour and day, or you can join a special guided tour. Lessons are also available. Visit the website below for more information.

Website: www.chicagoriverpaddle.com

Rentals and Launch Spot:
3400 North Rockwell
Chicago, IL 60618
773.704.2663

Bees at Work
There are seven working bee hives set up in the Demonstration Garden!
Activities and Workshops include: beekeeping, honey tasting, honey harvests, candle making, lip balm making, and more!
All products made are also available for purchase. Learn about the Bees on Saturdays from 9:30am-10am (weather permitting).
This is fun and free for the whole family!

Garfield Park Conservatory
300 North Central Park Avenue
Chicago, IL 60624
773.638.1766 ext. 28

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies, and will continue to share all of our valuable resources with you in the future!
Enjoy the rest of the summer!

An In-Depth Look at the Mother/Nanny Relationship

2007-06-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families and Friends!

This month, our nanny boutique research team has decided to share some recent publications on the intricacies of the mother/nanny relationship. We know how fragile this relationship can be, and how important it is for everyone involved to feel comfortable, confident, and secure. We thought you might be interested in reading about other families who have gone through the nanny process, and what they’ve learned through their experiences:

The Truth about Mothers and Nannies (The Today Show Parenting, NBC News Video Excerpt): http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18946980/

On May 31st, 2007, MSNBC’s Amy Robach interviewed mothers and career nannies, along with Lucy Kaylin, author of “The Perfect Stranger”, an in-depth look into one mother’s struggle with finding the right nanny to care for her children, and the emotional hardships that come along with being a working mother. This video clip shows us the delicate nature of the mother/nanny relationship and offers tips on how to deal with sharing the role of primary caregiver.

Mother’s Helpers: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18942392/site/newsweek/

A supplemental article and interview with Lucy Kaylin, by Newsweek’s Julie Scelfo, that discusses the mixed feelings many women have about leaving their children in the care of a nanny.

Review: “Nanny Makes Three” A Valuable Guide for Moms: http://www.usatoday.com/money/books/2007-05-13-nanny-book-usat_N.htm?csp=34

A look into the novel “And Nanny Makes Three”, by Jessika Auerbach, author and mother of four who has employed 19 different nannies through her children’s developmental years. This book offers one woman’s stories and advice on dealing with the “pressure cooker of love, ambition, need, and misunderstanding” that is the mother/nanny relationship.

What Makes a Great Babysitter? An iVillage Top Ten: http://parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpbabysitting/0,,toptenlist_9rlhvl7q,00.html?par=today,pp

The Pregnancy and Parenting corner of iVillage.com asked: "What do you think makes a person a truly great babysitter?"
Here is the Top Ten list of what their parenting community responded. Be sure to check out the related articles section for other resources on common nanny/babysitter topics!

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies, and will continue to share all of our valuable resources with you in the future!

Jump Start Your Child's Summer Reading!

2007-05-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families and Friends!

Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to revisit those activities that will keep our young ones occupied indoors and outdoors!

Summer Reading Lists are great fun to begin at any age. New books can keep your children entertained during picnics at the park, trips to the beach, and long car rides. We all know that reading is both educational and exciting for children, but how do you go about finding the right books for you and your family?

This month, our nanny boutique research team has decided to share some of our favorite titles with you by creating a Summer Reading List for Children of All Ages. We’ve done our research and have hand-selected 10 Books to help your family get started. Whether it’s a visit to the library or to your local bookstore, we hope you and your family will consider checking out a few of the books listed below. Happy Reading!

10 Great Books for a Summer Afternoon:
A Variety of Books for the Beginning Listener (Infant – Preschool)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett

Hand Rhymes, by Marc Brown

Hippo! No, Rhino!, by Jeff Newman

Mammoths on the Move, by Lisa Wheeler

"More More More," Said the Baby, by Vera B. Williams

Move Over, Rover!, by Karen Beaumont

Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis

Ten, Nine, Eight, by Molly Bang

The Going to Bed Book, by Sandra Boynton

Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie, by Judy Sierra

For more information about great books for children please visit:
http://www.ala.org/ - American Library Association
http://www.chipublib.org/008subject/003cya/bestofbest06/besty.html - Chicago Public Library
http://www.nannyboutique.com/reading.php - Nanny Boutique’s Online Reading Room

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies, and will continue to share our favorite resources with you in the future.

*If you have any childcare related topics that you’d like to learn more about, please email jessie@nannyboutique.com--we’re always looking for new research material!*
**If you would no longer like to receive research publications from Nanny Boutique, Inc. please send an email to: jessie@nannyboutique.com**

10 Things Your Nanny Should Know

2007-04-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families and Friends!

This month, we are dedicating our time to 10 Things Your Nanny Should Know about your family, your expectations, and your home. Sometimes with hectic schedules and busy mornings, it can be difficult to remember everything you may have wanted to discuss with your nanny.

Here at Nanny Boutique, we continue to value the importance of family/nanny communication, and hope that this list sparks you to revisit the guidelines that help make your family’s home safe, happy and comfortable for everyone!

10 Things Your Nanny Should Know:

Emergency Plan of Action. Now that the weather is getting warm and parks are filling up, does your nanny know what to do in the event of an outdoor emergency?
- Who would you like her to call first, second, then third?
- Discuss a general plan that your family is comfortable with and share it with your nanny.
- Give her a list of phone numbers to carry with her when she heads outdoors, and encourage her to always carry a cell phone.

Managing your Home Security System. Do you have a home security system?
- It may be time for a refresher course for your nanny on the proper usage of your home security system.
- Revisit your activation and deactivation codes, and what to do in case of an accidental alarm discharge.

Fire Extinguisher, Smoke Detectors, and Fire Evacuation Plan. Whether you live in an apartment, a condo building, or a single family home, it’s important that your nanny knows where your fire extinguisher and smoke detectors are located, in case of emergency.
- Allow your nanny to familiarize herself with the Fire Extinguisher and Smoke Detectors in your home and building.
- Discuss a Fire Evacuation Plan. Include exit routes, alternative staircases for evacuation, and non-electrical evacuation options if you live in an elevator building.

Personal Use of Your Home Communication Systems. Does your nanny have access to your home phone, computer and cable television?
- Is it okay to use the computer, phone or television, but for limited periods of time during the day? Would you like her to restrict her usage to naptime only?
- You may want to discuss your daily usage expectations of these communication systems, to ensure you are both on the same page.

Play Dates. Does your nanny know how you feel about attending play dates with other nannies?
- How do you feel about your nanny having other nannies/children in your home?
- How do you feel about your nanny attending play dates at other homes in your neighborhood?

Heading Outdoors. Now that the weather is warming up, it might be helpful to discuss outdoor time with your nanny.
- Are there time restrictions for outdoor time?
- How do you feel about your child possibly having his/her scheduled naptime in the stroller?
- Are there places you’d like your nanny to avoid going with your child?

Who is Allowed in Your House? Do you have family in town, neighbors who may stop by, or home services that are routinely scheduled?
- It might be helpful to leave a list of names with your nanny of people who are allowed in your home when you are not there.
- You also may want to discuss who she is allowed to have in your home, and what guidelines you’d like her to follow regarding occasional guests (if you choose to allow any).

Bedtime Routine. What is your family’s bedtime routine?
- Discuss your typical process: Milk? Rocking? Singing? Music?
- If everyone is on the same page, there will be an added comfort and consistency surrounding naptime and bedtime.

Dietary Developments. It’s important to make sure your nanny knows about any new dietary developments in your child’s life.
- Are new foods being introduced?
- Would you like to make sure your child has certain foods each day?
- Or, would you like to avoid giving your child certain foods?

Doctor’s Notes. Doctor visits for infants and young children can provide a lot of exciting information on new advances in your young one’s development.
- Share any new health information about your child with your nanny.
- If your doctor gives you a handout or other reading materials, think about passing them on to your nanny.
- Also let your nanny know of any behavioral/physical/emotional changes to expect as your child enters a new phase.

Summer Play Day in the Parks Program!

2007-04-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Nanny Boutique is Excited to Introduce:

Our Summer “Play Day in the Parks” Program for Parents, Nannies & Kids!

Nanny Boutique staff will be hosting
warm weather play days in six different Chicago neighborhood parks.
Mark your calendars for the play day in your area!**

Wednesday, April 25th
Oz Park
2021 North Burling Street 60614
2:30pm – 3:30pm

Wednesday, May 16th
Welles Park
2333 West Sunnyside 60625
2:30pm – 3:30pm

Wednesday, June 27th
Wrightwood Park
2534 North Greenview Avenue 60614
2:30pm – 3:30pm

Wednesday, July 25th
Skinner Park
(Adjacent to Mark T. Skinner Elementary School)
1330 West Adams Street 60607
2:30pm – 3:30pm

Wednesday, August 22nd
Fellger Park
2000 West Belmont 60618
2:30pm – 3:30pm

Wednesday, September 19th
Eckhart Park
1330 West Chicago Avenue 60622
2:30pm – 3:30pm

**Outdoor Play Day Schedule is weather permitting and may be cancelled due to rain and other inclement weather conditions. Rain dates will be scheduled as needed.

Activities will include varying levels of participation for ALL AGES!
We’d love to have your children, with their nannies, participate in this hour of
OUTDOOR FUN!

Please RSVP for the Play Days you would like to attend: jessie@nannyboutique.com

Please feel free to invite your friends. We hope to see you there!

Email jessie@nannyboutique.com or call 773.706.9100 if you would like more information about this event!

Benefits of Free Play for Children!

2007-03-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Clients, Families and Friends!

This month, our nanny boutique research team has decided to share some recent articles about the developmental benefits of adding unstructured free-time to your child(ren)’s day.

We all know that educational activities, structured games, and organized play groups are an imperative part of social and cognitive development. But today, we want to recognize the benefits of “down-time”, which allows children to entertain themselves, learn independently and imagine freely--without rules, guidelines, or a series of pre-determined steps to follow.

Studies are showing that free-time for both babies and young children helps them to learn self-soothing practices, gain independence, and enhance self-discovery. Time spent without direction or stimulation also allows babies and young children time to process all they’ve experienced throughout the day.

With the rapid pace in which growing children acquire new information, they often need time and space to try out new movements, sounds, and words they’ve learned, without any external influence. This allows them time to overcome the many challenges they experience during the day, on their own, which will help aid future cognitive decision-making and strengthen their thought processes.

We’ve found a few great articles that support the developmental benefits of unstructured playtime, and hope that you find them as interesting as we did:

“I’m So Bored” - 6 ways to help your child learn to enjoy unscheduled time: http://www.parents.com/parents/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/parents/story/data/6120.xml

“6 Surprising Things Your Baby Needs”: http://www.parenting.com/parenting/baby/article/0,19840,1538412_2,00.html?stage=12

“When You Can’t Do it All: How to Avoid Over-Scheduling Your Kids”: http://www.babyzone.com/toddler_preschooler_fun/a2229/1#bm3

“Imagination”: http://www.babyzone.com/toddler_preschooler_fun/Play/a321

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies, and will continue to share our resources about childcare with you in the future!

From Work to Home, and Home to Work: Transitions for New Moms

2007-02-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

We hope this post finds you and your children happy and healthy as we continue through this chilly, winter season!

Our nanny boutique research team is committed to finding news-worthy publications that may be of interest to those we’ve connected with through our placement and consultative services.

Parenthood is full of many life-changing events that permanently affect the way we work, live, and succeed within the nucleus of our families. New mothers are often challenged with decisions regarding their careers, and often times it can be very difficult to transition from work to home, and from home to work. We’ve done some research and have come across three great articles from one of our favorite information-packed resources: www.babyzone.com.

Each of these articles addresses real issues that affect many women after they become mothers. Whichever path your family has chosen, it can be helpful to read about others who have had similar experiences. We believe it’s important to recognize what a great choice you’ve made for yourself, and for your family!

We hope these articles are of interest to you as you continue to embrace the journey of parenthood:

For the Working Mother - http://lists.babyzone.com/t/304557/12227047/743518/4/

For the Work At Home Mother - http://www.babyzone.com/mom_dad/work/work_at_home_parents/a464

For the Stay At Home Mother - http://www.babyzone.com/loadpage/article.asp?contentid=691

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies, and will continue to share our resources about childcare with you in the future!

Our Three Favorite Finds for 2007!

2007-01-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

In celebration of the New Year, we’ve put together a short list of excellent resources for you and your family to preview:

Favorite Find #1

New for 2007, Nanny Boutique, Inc. has created a one-of-a-kind, custom-tailored handbook for parents & nannies living in the city!

“A Chicago Guide for Parents and Nannies”, is now available for purchase!
We’ve listened to your needs and interests,
And have compiled all of Chicago’s best resources for kids into one “easy to pack” booklet:

- 14 Easy Indoor Activity Ideas for Kids of All Ages
- Great Places to Visit in Every Chicago Neighborhood
- Amusement and Activity Centers
- Top-rated local classes
- Library locations & Information,
- Park District Facilities,
- Theaters
- Water playgrounds,
- Museums
…and so much more!
- Healthy Eating Tips and Snack Ideas for Children
- Chicago’s Emergency Contact Information
- A Pull-out Information Sheet for Your Personal Contact Information
- Medical & Liability Waivers for Your Family

Special Introductory Pricing Available for Our Clients: $30.00 (limited time only)
Non-Clients: $40.00

Interested in Buying a Copy?
Email us at: info@nannyboutique.com.
Please include your Name, Phone, & the Number of Copies you wish to Purchase!

Favorite Find #2

Bright Start College Savings Program
http://www.brightstartsavings.com/ (for more information)

- This highly-rated savings program is open to anyone interested in saving for a loved one’s higher education
- Currently ranked as the lowest cost college savings program in the nation
- Federal Tax-Free Treatment (qualified withdrawals only)
- Low Minimums and Contribution Requirements
- High Maximum Contribution Requirements
- Special Tax Benefits for Illinois Residents

Favorite Find #3

Great Kids MUSEUM Passport
Museum Pass Program
Chicago Public Library
http://www.chicagopubliclibrary.org/ (for more information)

How It Works:

- Adult Residents of the City of Chicago Can Check Out Museum Passports at all Chicago Public Library Locations with a Valid Chicago Public Library Card
- Only One Passport Can be Checked Out Per Person – Loan Period is One Week
- Passport Allows up to Four (4) Family Members Free Entry into Any of the Thirteen (13) Participating Museums
- Museum Passport Can be Used an Unlimited Amount of Time During the One Week Loan Period
- Each Library has a Limited Number of Passports for each of the 13 Museums
- Overdue Fine is: $1.00 per day and Lost Passports are: $30.00

- Passports cannot be Renewed or Reserved
- Passports are Available at the Main Desk of Your Local Library

We hope our favorites will help make your family’s 2007 more enjoyable!

Top 100 Family-Friendly Companies 2006

2007-01-15T12:16:00.001-08:00

Our nanny boutique research team is continually searching for news-worthy publications that may be of interest to our families and nannies. We recognize the importance of finding helpful resources pertaining to education, learning, care-giving tactics, and family life. We know how important your family’s are, and hope that this information will be useful to you, now, or in the future.

The following link will take you to the 21st Annual compilation of the Top 100 Family-Friendly Companies, which have been measured and scored in seven areas: workforce profile, compensation, child care, flexibility, time off and leaves, family-friendly programs and company culture:

http://www.workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewTopListingPage/dlinkEntireList&sp=77

We are dedicated to helping our families and nannies find great information and will continue to share our findings with you in the future!

Beat the Indoor Blues!

2007-01-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

The weather is turning in Chicago and the long days of winter are almost here.
After an active summer of neighborhood walks, parks, and exploring the outdoors with your children, the thought of being stuck indoors all winter may be making your family restless!

Fear not.

We’ve found some great indoor games and child-friendly activities to help your family beat winter boredom and fatigue.
Don’t worry about going to the store for new toys; most of these creative activities are made up from common household items.
You’ll be amazed at how much fun you and your family can have when you’re stuck inside.
We encourage you to share the games you like with your nannies!

Popcorn Game (Great for Ages 6 months – 8 years)
What You Need:
Blanket or a bed sheet
Lightweight balls or beach ball
What You Do:
Put some lightweight balls in the middle of the blanket or bed sheet
Hold the corners of the blanket (need two people, one on each side)
Shake the blanket and watch the balls pop up in the air like popcorn.
Catch them back on the blanket and shake it again!

Toddler Parade Game (Great for Ages 1 – 3 years)
What You Need:
Several of your child’s favorite toys, all of similar sizes.
Short pieces of string, or shoelaces
What You Do:
Tie the toys together with short lengths of string so your child can pull the “parade” of toys behind him/her.
Play lively marching music while “marching” around the house with the toys trailing behind.
Watch your child enjoy seeing his/her favorite toys in all in a line!

Texture Book (Great for Ages 1 – 3 years)
What You Need:
Collect a variety of Materials: cloth, burlap, foil, wax paper, bubble wrap, fleece, sand paper, etc
What You Do:
Glue a large square of each material onto cardboard or construction paper.
Tie the sheets of paper with string so it opens and closes like a book.
When you explore the book with your toddler, describe the different sensations you both are feeling.

Making Music in the Kitchen (Great for Ages 1 – 5 years)
What You Need:
Wooden and Metal Bowls, wooden spoons, lightweight pans (like cake pans and frying pans), metal lids of different sizes, and plastic measuring cups
What You Do:
Place all the kitchen items on the floor.
Show your child how to use the wooden spoons to bang on different pots, pans and lids to make different musical noises and beats.
With older toddlers, have them stop and start their music by your instructions.
Encourage playing their kitchen instruments all different ways: gently, slowly, fast.
Show your child the difference in sounds.
Play along to a favorite CD and encourage your baby to add in his/her own percussion beats and sounds!

Paper Clip Art (Great for Ages 2 – 8 years)
What You Need:
Crayons of various colors, one must be black
White paper
Paper clip or used up pen
What You Do:
Color a design on the white paper with various colors of crayons. Color darkly.
After the page is covered with color, color over the whole thing with black crayon. Press down hard so all of the other colors are covered by the black.
Use the paper clip or pen to scratch out your own fireworks display!

We hope you and your kids take some time to enjoy some of these around-the-house activities.
If you liked this sampling of creative indoor play, be on the look out for “A Chicago Guide for Parents & Nannies”, our newest resource guide coming in January 2007!

We encourage you to use our website: www.nannyboutique.com to find more indoor play ideas for kids in Chicago. Take a look at our “Activities for Kids” section as well as our “Reading Room”. We know this winter will be filled with lots of indoor fun for you and your family!

Helpful Tips on Building a Relationship with Your New Nanny

2006-12-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

Many clients often ask us for advice on how to communicate effectively with their nannies.

In this a November 2006 issue of Crain’s Chicago Business, Nanny Boutique President, Maria Christopoulos Katris, responded on why the lines of communication between parents and nannies can sometimes become strained.
"Because it is such an emotionally charged environment, nannies sometimes have a hard time being upfront with families that they've just started working with. And on the flip side, for parents who have never had nannies before, it's not knowing what to say or how to say it."

The key to a successful and long-lasting relationship with your nanny is being comfortable in a two-way conversation about your children and household. In addition to the Nanny/Family Agreement we highly recommend, we’ve researched more ways to help you maintain a strong relationship with your nanny. Here is a list of quick tips on how to best communicate with your nanny in order to keep everyone happy, healthy, and committed to your family’s best interests:

Giving your nanny feedback!

· Most nannies tend to view all feed back as criticism, so if she acts defensively to your
feedback, go carefully.
· It’s sometimes best not to approach her with a whole list of problems at once.
· Make sure that once you’ve addressed the problem you include some constructive praise
to let her know that she is doing some things right.
· Focus on your nanny’s behavior instead of personality traits.
· Focus on the facts in addressing situational issues, and try to avoid assumptions.
· Keep your feedback action-based and focused on future improvements. Get involved with
the solution so you can share in the action and monitor what happens next.
· After you’ve addressed your issues and expressed your desired for improvements, always
give your nanny a chance to state her case.

Establishing a great relationship with your nanny!

· Try to create a comfortable environment in your home. A full fridge, appropriate laundry
and cleaning materials well labeled, a basic selection of age-appropriate toys and household
instructions will make your nanny comfortable in their new environment.
· Make sure your Contract of Employment is clear on issues like: hours of work,
responsibilities and daily duties, place of work, pay and benefits, sickness and holiday
entitlement, notice periods and disciplinary issues.
· Take the time to give her a good introduction into your home. Discuss house rules, social
activities, any special dietary requirements, the extended family, views on discipline for
your children, weekly routine, use of the telephone, computer, television, etc.
· Try to set up time in the first week to be at home with your nanny and your children so
you can observe each other and develop a consistent routine that you’re both comfortable
with.
· Use a diary and/or scheduling system to record the events of the day and to note special
appointments, social events, meals, medication, nap schedules and daily activities. It
usually works best when both parents and nannies are using the diary to record the day-
to-day activities of the children.
· Ask your nanny what she did during the day with the children. Compliment her when you
know she’s done a good job with them, and if you’re unhappy with something tell her as
soon as possible.
· Introduce an informal monthly review. Make this an open, two-way conversation that
gives you both a chance to give and receive feedback about how things are progressing.
· Don’t be hesitant to ask your nanny’s opinion about childcare. Many nannies have years of
experience and expertise when it comes to development. Asking her opinion about an
issue you are having with your child will strengthen her relationship to you and your
family.
· Do your best to respect your nanny’s working hours. A big complaint from nannies is that
parents regularly come home late in the evenings without warning and without offering
extra money or time off.
· Think about benefits other than pay that you can offer your nanny. Small perks to make
the job as attractive and enjoyable as possible. This only increases feelings on appreciation,
trust and value.

One of the biggest reasons relationships between parents and nannies fail is because the “communication broke down”. We hope these tips help guide you into maintaining a harmonious relationship with your nanny to ensure that your family receives the best possible care.

Nanny Boutique's Standard Placement Services

2006-12-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

Phone and in-person interviewing of all nanny candidates
In home consultation visit for clients
Education materials for clients including: questions to ask during an interview, family/nanny agreement, tax information and more!
Coordinating interviews between nanny candidates and clients
Background Check 1: Reference checks on a minimum of 2 former employers (Typically Between 2-5)
Background Check 2: Criminal, Civil, Sex Offender Registry, DMV and Social Security Trace
Background Check 3: Department of Children and Family Services abuse and neglect history
Health screening for candidates as mandated by the State of Illinois
90-day replacement guarantee
Unlimited consultation phone calls/emails
Organized educational outings for your nanny and children coordinated by Nanny Boutique
Inclusion in Nanny Boutique’s monthly newsletter that covers relevant hot topics in childcare