Finding someone to care for your child may be difficult for you since there are many things to consider. On top of that, there are so many different nanny services in Orange County to choose from, which can make it even more overwhelming. If you don’t know what to look for, get started on learning about the four of the most common myths.

Myth #1: Nannies Are Glorified Babysitters

A common misconception about nannies is that they do the same thing as a babysitter but just have a different title. A babysitter generally watches the children for just a few hours a day or throughout the week and often doesn’t have a set schedule. A nanny often lives with the family to better provide service to the entire family. That means that the nanny will supervise and care for the children and provide additional learning experiences as well. Nannies are a consistent part of the child’s life, so they have a close relationship with both the children and the parents. They help pass along information from school and other activities and play an important role in the child developing life skills. Many live-in nannies provide some housework for the family as well and may help with other tasks as directed by the parent. 

Myth #2: Only Wealthy People Can Afford Nannies

Nannies may be portrayed in Hollywood as something only the wealthy can afford, but that simply isn’t true. The cost of daycare and the cost of a nanny actually isn’t as different as many people assume. Nanny services may cost just as much as paying for daycare. In addition, the money spent on a nanny can actually be considered an investment because you’re providing stable, individualized care and learning experiences in the home. If money is tight, nannies are usually flexible and can work within your budget by adjusting hours or responsibilities so that it’s something you can afford.

Myth #3: Nannying Isn’t a Real Job

There’s also a common assumption that nannies don’t have to work hard and that they mostly just play or relax while children sleep. While nannies do often get to enjoy fun activities with the children, these activities take a lot of planning, preparation, and vigilance during the activity to keep the child safe. They’re responsible for making sure every need is met: diaper changes, changing clothes, meals, snacks, laundry, naptime, bedtime routine, and more. Being a nanny is a difficult job and the majority of nannies have spent years gaining education and/or experience that makes them better suited to the job. Most nannies make this profession a career choice because it’s very rewarding, and there’s always a need. It takes a lot of patience and a strong work ethic to be successful at nannying.

Myth #4: Nannies Harm a Child’s Social Skills

Finally, some people assume that having a nanny will affect a child’s relationship with the parents or make it difficult for children to socialize with other children. The nanny’s job is to help parents raise children with the parents, not replace the parents. In addition, a good nanny will provide opportunities for socializing with other children so the child will grow up knowing how to make friends and socialize. 

To learn more about nannies or to find an Orange County nanny, contact OC Home & Family today.

Your child deserves the best care money can buy; unfortunately, many parents are unsure of what the best care actually is. You can choose from day cares, babysitters, nannies, and more, but there are benefits of nannies that make them the best choice for your child. Here are some reasons you should consider either a full or part-time nanny in Orange County for childcare.

Better Attention Ratio

A nanny is hired specifically to care for your child or children. That’s not necessarily the case with a day care. While a day care is required to have a certain amount of supervision for a specified number of children, in many cases this requirement isn’t sufficient for the care and supervision required for the children at the day care. That means that your child isn’t likely to receive more than a few minutes of focused attention. A nanny is devoted to your child, so there’s almost always someone there to help your child with homework, spend time playing, or do whatever you expect from your childcare provider.

Fewer Illnesses

Day cares are notorious for spreading illnesses from family to family. It’s inevitable, even in the most germ-conscious day care. Fortunately, you can avoid many of the colds and more serious contagious diseases by avoiding day cares altogether. A healthier child equals a happier child, but it also reduces the amount of sick days you’ll have to take to care for your child. With day care, when your child does fall ill, you’ll have to find another option for childcare because the day care will often refuse to allow your child to stay when exhibiting certain symptoms. A nanny will still be there to care for your sick child, however, so if you’re unable to miss work when a child gets sick, you’ll have peace of mind that your child is still receiving superior care.

Better Behavior

Sickness isn’t the only thing that can be contagious in a day care. Bad behaviors are often learned from other children, and this is even truer in a day care setting where supervision can often be lacking. Children in day cares often exhibit more behavioral problems, such as disobedience or aggression. A full- or part-time nanny can provide the attention a child needs to curb such behaviors and can devote the time necessary to developing good behavior and the ability to deal with disappointment, sadness, anger, and other emotions that can trigger poor behavior.

Price Considerations

Even though day care may be more affordable than a nanny service, there are some things to consider when looking at the overall cost of different types of childcare. Although you pay a day care for full-time care, you’re not actually getting that. You’re only getting part-time care because there’s no way for your child to have one-on-one attention due to the number of children in a day care. In addition, day cares close every night, so you can’t count on getting care at odd hours of the day like you can with a nanny. You’ll get far more for your money with a nanny than with day care.

More Personalized Care

As mentioned, your money is better spent with nannies for hire in Orange County because they can provide so much more than supervision. They can keep your child engaged and help educate them with fun, extracurricular activities that aren’t possible with a day care. They also often provide other valuable services, such as helping with errands and chores around the house. To learn more about hiring a nanny, contact OC Home & Family today by calling 949-335-7963.

When people picture the kind of family that hires a nanny, they typically imagine a wealthy family where both parents are frequently out of the home for work, travel, or other responsibilities. There’s a common belief throughout the country that nannies are only hired as primary care providers for children that don’t usually have an adult at home. But this is simply not true. Families of all types and from all walks of life can benefit from a nanny, including those with mothers who typically stay at home with their kids. Here are a few of the benefits a stay-at-home mom can experience by hiring a nanny.

Time for Self-Care

Self-care is a popular topic these days, especially among women. Women have a tendency to take less time for the things they enjoy than men do, and this is particularly true of mothers. “Mommy burnout” is a very real and very common problem for stay-at-home moms, who are constantly giving of themselves all day, every day. It’s important that you take time to care for yourself and meet your own needs, but sometimes it can feel impossible to find the time to do that.

That’s where a nanny comes in. A nanny can step in and handle the kids while you take a little time for yourself. Whether it’s a long bath, a trip to the spa, or just the ability to go to the grocery store without dragging your kids along with you, a nanny can give you a little time to yourself each day so that you can tend to your personal needs and your mental health.

Quality Time with Kids

While it may seem counterintuitive, hiring a nanny can actually help you to spend better, more quality time with your children. As a stay-at-home mom, you’re with your children constantly. By the end of the day, you’re probably exhausted and just want some distance from them. And while it’s perfectly fine to want some space for your kids, that feeling of exhaustion makes it really difficult to enjoy close quality time with one another.

With a nanny, you can get that bit of extra space during the day so that when your family comes back together, you’re feeling refreshed, relaxed, and ready to really engage with your kids. And, whether you’re aware of it or not, your kids benefit from some distance as well; when you come back home, they’ll be more excited to see you and tell you about their time with their nanny. With a nanny, you may reduce the amount of time you spend with your kids, but the quality of your time together will improve significantly.

Extra Help When It’s Needed

Sometimes, things come up and you really need an extra set of hands. But if you’re a stay-at-home mom without close family nearby, finding that help on short notice can be really difficult. Perhaps your baby finally fell asleep for their nap, but you need to pick up your older children from school. Maybe you came down with a sudden case of food poisoning and can barely stand, much less care for your kids.

When you have a nanny, you have that extra help around when it’s needed. They can step in and take care of the kids when you’re sick or pick up the kids from school so that you can stay home and let your baby enjoy their nap. That extra set of hands will come in handy more frequently than you realize.

If you’re a stay-at-home mom, that doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone. It’s OK to ask for help or even to hire help if you feel it’s necessary. There are many reasons for stay-at-home moms to hire a nanny and countless benefits to doing so. If you’re looking for nanny services in Orange County., contact OC Home & Family today, and we’ll pair you with the right nanny for your family!

As a parent, you always want to be there to watch over your kids. Whether they’re burping, wobbly walking, eating, or doing homework, you’re likely to help them out with whatever they do. But, sometimes, there can be too much on your plate, and you’ll need an extra hand or more to get everything done. In these instances, it’s a good idea to hire a nanny to care for your little one. Read on to find out about the services that you can expect from them.

What to Expect: Quality Child Care

Providing excellent care and stimulating healthy growth is at the very core of nanny services. While the minimum educational requirement for this job is a high school diploma, most professionals have an associate’s degree or certification in early childhood development and instruction. This course provides them with the skills and knowledge needed to ensure their charge’s emotional well-being and good physical and intellectual progress.

Aside from teaching and helping kids out with their daily routine, nannies should be well-equipped to handle emergencies. Accidents can happen on the job, so they must hold additional qualifications. Some examples are cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid licenses.

What Not to Expect: Housekeeping Duties

A nanny’s role is limited to childcare, which means that they shouldn’t be expected to perform housekeeping duties. But, there are some who pitch in and offer extra assistance with chores from time to time. If you’re looking for someone who can fully commit to domestic tasks, then you’ll have to hire a helper.

What to Expect: Lots of Learning

Because a nanny focuses on the child’s development, their daily tasks are anchored on specific goals and tailored to their distinct needs. These include coming up with nutritious meal plans, getting them washed and prepared for the day, and ensuring that they’re on time for classes or playdates. Activities and games also come with set objectives, like introducing new words or concepts. These stimulate the brain and encourage growth.

In addition, this professional presents themselves as a good role model, teaching manners and respect. When the child displays displeasing behavior, the nanny will serve as a disciplinarian. They’ll appropriately and effectively explain how certain actions may be hurtful and why they should be avoided.

What Not to Expect: Babysitting

While a nanny’s tasks sound quite similar to that of a babysitter’s, these 2 professions aren’t the same. The former focuses on both childcare and learning, while the latter only involves watching over a child when their guardians are away.

You’ll also find a more obvious difference between the 2 in terms of working conditions. A nanny works part- or full-time and is paid by the week or month, while a babysitter shows up when asked to and charges upon your return home.

What to Expect: Dealing with Child-Related Concerns

On top of the caring and teaching they have to do, a nanny is in charge of all things regarding their little client. These include doing their laundry, setting up and taking them to medical and dental appointments, and shopping for their essentials, like diapers, wipes, shampoo, and healthy snacks.

What Not to Expect: Attending to Everyone at Home

But, that doesn’t mean that the nanny will do the same for the entire family. So, don’t expect them to fill the pantry and supply room with your necessities. Their only responsibility is the child who’s been put in their care.

Get in touch with OC Home & Family to find the best nanny in Orange County. We will carefully select the right childcare provider who meets your standards, so you’ll be at peace, knowing that your child is in good hands.

Most parents look for the same thing when hiring a nanny. You want someone you can trust, someone with experience, and someone who can help your kids stick to their schedules and complete daily tasks. But when it comes to hiring a nanny for the weekends, you’ll want to consider a few other things. Let’s face it: weekends are special for kids! It’s a 48-hour window that should include fun, exercise, relaxation, exploration, and preparation for Monday morning. In order to make sure all of these boxes are checked, make sure you look for some specific characteristics when interviewing your potential weekend nanny.

Comfortable in Groups

There are many nannies out there that are happy to pick kids up from school, help them with homework, prepare healthy meals for them, and primarily focus on your child(ren). However, weekends are a great time for kids to exercise their social skills and spend quality time with friends. If your kids enjoy having friends over on the weekends, then you’ll want to mention that in the interview process. You want to make sure your weekend nanny understands that sometimes they’ll be watching your two kids, but sometimes there might be four or five kids in the house that they will also be responsible for. If they’re not willing to be flexible with a small group of kids that may or may not show up on a Saturday, then it may not be the right person for you. Make sure you find someone who thrives in groups.

Holds Many Interests

If your kids enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities, then you’ll want to find a weekend nanny that also holds a variety of interests. Some weekends might include soccer and swimming practices, others might include art projects and trips to the science museum. You want to hire a weekend nanny that’s willing to take the reins and come up with fun activities that promote healthy living and learning. That also means hiring someone with a ton of positive energy! Weekend routines can sometimes be more demanding than weekday routines. Be sure to ask a lot of questions about their hobbies and interests. Find out if they’ve played sports in the past or if they have any particular talents that match up with your kids’ interests.

Reliable Transportation

Of course, reliable transportation is always important for a nanny to have on both weekdays and weekends. Regardless if they’re using their own car, public transportation with your children, or your vehicle, you want to make sure you trust this person to take the kids places beyond the backyard. Weekend nannies in Orange County should be able to safely transport children to local libraries, baseball games, or other traditional weekend destinations for kids. If you contact a representative at OC Home & Family, we can help you find a weekend nanny that has all of the right credentials to support your family on the weekends. We will also give you a list of potential weekend nannies that will meet all of your needs. Give us a call today to learn more!

Are you looking for a new nanny? If you’ve already begun your search, you may be realizing how difficult and frustrating the whole process can be. Finding a nanny that suits you and your children’s needs can be a long and arduous process that will likely require a lot of trial and error. The key is to be patient in your search. For more tips to help you find a nanny in Orange County, keep reading below.

Determine What You Need

Before you begin looking through applications or profiles, you must sit down with your partner and have a discussion about what you are looking for in a nanny. Take some time to identify your priorities. Would you prefer a nanny who is older and has more experience? Do you want them to have a degree in education? How independent do you want the nanny to be? Are you looking for someone to perform simple chores, or do you want a parenting partner? Make a list of the qualities that you are looking for so you can refer back to it when you are talking to an agency or interviewing candidates.

Use Word of Mouth

Let your friends, family members, and fellow parents know that you are looking for a new nanny. They may be able to put you in contact with a potentially good candidate. Plus, seeing that someone that you know and respect has recommended them can make you feel more confident in the nanny’s abilities. You can also post an advertisement in the school newsletter or on a local parenting message board, too.

Work with Professionals

Sometimes, the best option is to work with a private nanny placement agency. These services screen candidates before they agree to represent them. They verify the candidate’s background, experience, and legal history. Some agencies also require their nannies to take a physical exam, including tuberculosis and blood tests. They will work with you to find a qualified nanny who meets all of your requirements. Plus, it will save you a lot of time and energy, since you won’t have to find candidates or perform background checks on your own.

Interview All Candidates

Before deciding on a nanny, you should interview as many people as you can. Talk to them about their education, background, experience, and parenting philosophies. You should also ask them about their driving record, personal interests, and hobbies. You may want to have your child present at the interviews, so you can see how the potential nanny interacts with your kid. During the interviews, trust your gut instincts. If someone doesn’t feel like a good fit, keep searching.

Check References

Narrow down your list to a few skilled candidates. Contact the references they provided, even if the candidates came from an agency. Don’t forget to ask the former employers about the nanny’s strong suits, their weaknesses, and why they don’t employ the nanny anymore.

Arrange a Trial Run

Ask your top contenders to come to your home and work on a paid trial basis. Observe how they interact with your child and how well they meet your standards. Seeing how the nanny is while on the job can make the decision much easier.

Do you need a new nanny? Contact us at OC Home & Family to learn how we can assist with your search!

A nanny can make a huge difference for your family. Not only do they provide legally required services, like overseeing young children while the adults are out, but they can also bond with and teach your children, too.

Even better, nannies can be closer to your family, if you prefer, getting to know your children and becoming a helpful, reliable extension of the family.

Of course, this depends on how the nanny works into your home dynamic. For instance, should you hire a live-in or live-out nanny? What are the differences, and why can the choice between the two actually affect your experience with each type of home service provider?

Live-In Nannies

Surprisingly, live-in nannies are some of the least expensive nannies. That’s because you pay for their room and board, as well as a salary. Live-in nannies can spend part of the week with you, or live with you full-time.

Some people even choose to take live-in nannies on vacation with them, or ask them to attend important family events alongside them.

It’s important to note that you must provide suitable room and board for a live-in nanny. This means providing them with food, or the time and finances to shop for food for themselves and your family. Also, you should provide them with safe and private accommodations. A separate bedroom, bathroom, and even entrance would be recommended.

The most common downside families share about taking on a live-in nanny is a lack of privacy, and a risk of children—especially very young children—developing a closer bond with their nannies than their parents. However, nearly all families that elect to hire live-in nannies are happy with the experience. On-site nanny services will be available around the clock and there are few waiting times between the nanny’s arrival and your ability to leave home freely.

Live-Out Nannies

Live-out nannies typically work shorter days, as they need to commute to and from your home. They maintain their own separate housing and board, and their own independence.

While live-out nannies do retain their independence, they can still become close members of the family, especially if you work with the same nanny for a long period of time.

Live-out nannies won’t be as readily available as live-in ones, and they may have a more rigid schedule. However, this regimented schedule gives you a simpler understanding of when the nanny will be available to visit your home and tend to your family’s needs.

They may also expect higher pay. However, you save by not having to provide the pricey accommodations expected for a live-in nanny.

So which type of nanny should you hire? Whichever type is right for you, OC Home & Family can connect you with the right OC nannies for your family’s needs. Whether you need help around the house, babysitting, or other forms of childcare, visit their website to get more information about local services. You can find fully experienced, background-checked, and respected nannies so that you’ll feel comfortable inviting this person into your home and entrusting your loved ones in their care. You can even find nannies with CPR certification and other important life skills.

A lot of people underestimate how much a nanny has to do on the job. They’re not like a babysitter who gets contacted to watch the kid for a couple of hours when the parents go out. Nannies come to the house every day to take care of the child and aid in their development while the parents are away. As the child’s guardian for that duration, they have the following responsibilities that come with making sure everything runs smoothly at the house:

Maintain Trust with the Parents

Parents make the decision when it comes to hiring and rehiring nannies. That’s why nannies need to communicate clearly with the parents about what their parenting styles are and how they can provide care for their family. This might be the parents’ first time hiring a nanny, so they may accidentally leave out some important information. Maintaining trust is one of the highest priorities for nannies. Nannies are responsible for being on time, especially if part of their job includes taking the child to and from sport and other activities.

Keep Children Safe and Healthy

Some of a nanny’s responsibilities include cooking for and feeding the child. Nannies need to ask parents about any medical conditions the child may have if the parents forgot to mention it. It’s the nanny’s responsibility to keep in mind of food allergies when feeding the child, cooking, or ordering food from a restaurant.

Keeping the child safe is another major responsibility. If the child is suffering from an injury, then the nanny should avoid activities that would otherwise involve the child’s injured body part. The nanny should always use a car seat if they plan on driving the child anywhere.

Promote Child Development

While many babysitters these days like to take it easy and have the kids simply watch television or play video games while the parents are gone, nannies provide activities that can help children improve physically and mentally. A nanny’s responsibility extends beyond caring for the child. They plan and do activities that promote the child’s well-being and development. They help the child with their homework, read to them, take them to the park or walking, and take them to do other fun activities. This is what sets nannies apart from care givers like babysitters. They’re here to promote child development as well as care for them.

Keep Everything Clean

Even if nannies don’t live in the same house, they are responsible for housework and cleaning. Upon arriving, nannies should request if the parents have a list of chores for them to perform, such as cooking dinner, washing the dishes, or cleaning the laundry.

Many nannies try to go the extra mile to ensure that those hours when the parents are gone are free of stress for the entire family. It’s important to have someone kind and courteous to look over your child when you’re away from the house. Contact OC Home & Family if you’re looking for nannies in Orange County. Our nannies go through rigorous screening to ensure we’re placing the most-qualified nanny in your home. The well-being of your family is our top priority. Check out our website and give us a call to find the perfect nanny for your needs.

Hiring a nanny in Orange County can help a lot when it comes to childcare. You and your significant other both have busy lives, and sometimes, you need an extra pair of hands to help out around the house. However, you can’t expect Mary Poppins to just show up at your door. You must take the time to find the right nanny for your family. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common mistakes parents make when hiring a nanny and how you can avoid them.

Performing an Insufficient Background Check

Before hiring anyone to take care of your children, it is crucial to perform a thorough screening. This process involves an in-depth interview, reference check, and a criminal background check. You should verify their past references in the same way that you would interview the potential nanny. Start by confirming the basics like the number of children cared for, dates of employment, and the reason for separation. You should also ask a few more open-ended questions about the nanny’s past responsibilities, their strengths and weaknesses, and any other major concerns you have. You should also order a complete pre-employment background check to ensure the candidate does not have a criminal past. Though this information is important, you should give more weight to the interview and references when making your hiring decisions.

Not Asking the Right Interview Questions

One of the most important parts of the hiring process is the interview. Be sure to conduct a thorough interview so you can get a better idea of who the nanny is and how they will act in certain situations. Confirm the basics of the job like schedule availability, general duties, required skills, and salary. You should also ask all potential OC nannies about their past experience caring for children, the jobs they worked, and the ages of the children they worked with. Then, ask a few questions about specific experiences, good and bad, and how they handled it. This will give you a better idea of how they will handle problems as they arise on the job.

Setting Unrealistic Expectations

The primary job duties of a nanny should be childcare first and foremost. Many people often expect nannies to handle all the childcare duties, along with general housework duties. It is reasonable to expect the nanny to leave the house in the same condition that they found it in. This usually involves cleaning up after the child, sweeping up after meals, laundering clothes when they get dirty, and cleaning up after craft projects. However, you should not expect the nanny to take on full housekeeping duties like vacuuming the whole house, changing linens, and picking up after adults in the home. By adding these tasks to the job description, you are limiting the number of interested potential candidates and limiting the nanny’s ability to focus on caring for your child.

Offering Unfair Wages

Before deciding on a salary, check out the average market compensation for the job you are offering. By providing a fair wage, you are showing the nanny that you care about them and their ability to take care of your child. Plus, it will make it easier to find qualified individuals and limit frequent turnover.

Not Providing a Written Work Agreement

Before hiring a nanny, you must be sure to provide a work agreement for both parties to sign and agree to. The agreement will lay out the terms and conditions of the relationship including hours, duties, benefits, and pay. If you do not have a written agreement, it will only be a matter of time before a conflict arises.

If you need to hire a nanny, contact us at OC Home & Family today!

You’ve hired your first nanny. How exciting! A nanny is a wonderful addition to your family, helping your provide care and support for your children. As you begin to navigate this new lifestyle, here are some tips from the top nanny agency in Orange County for preparing your home and your children for the nanny’s first visit.

Preparing Your Home

When your nanny first arrives, you want your home to feel open and invited. You want to make sure that they feel welcome and know where everything is to make the transition as smooth as possible. Make sure to give your Orange County nanny the following information as it applies to your situation:

• Building codes, key codes, and any sets of keys necessary for coming and going from the home
• Emergency numbers for family members and doctors’ numbers
• Cash, credit card, or prepaid card so that the nanny doesn’t have to worry about using their money for gas, special outings, etc. Determine a weekly budget for these types of expenses.
• All information about children’s allergies, medical conditions, and any current emotional, behavioral, or physical problems
• How to use the appliances in your home
• Any special instructions for how to install car seats, open strollers, etc.

You also should create a comfy guest room for nannies who will be staying overnight or for extended times and ask them for a list of their favorite foods and drinks. Stock the kitchen with these items to make them feel at home.

Nothing is too much when it comes to preparing your home for your new Orange County nanny. It’s better to be too prepared than not prepared at all. Careful preparation makes it easier for this person to integrate into your family right away and with fewer awkward moments.

Communication

Nannies come from many different backgrounds. There are female nannies and male nannies. There are nannies who grew up in the Orange County just down the street from your home and those who are from other countries. Nanny services in Orange County hire out nannies from all backgrounds. When a nanny is assigned to your family, get to know him or her and where they’re from. If they’re from another country and have a different cultural background from yours, learn how to communicate with them. It’s not as if you’ll need to learn a new language because individuals hired to help your family should be fluent in English. However, make it a point to learn their birthday, the names of their family members, and any cultural holidays (if applicable) they celebrate. Remember, the nanny is now a part of your family and should be treated with kindness and consideration. After all, you’re entrusting them with your children.

Preparing Your Children

If this is the first time you’ve hired a nanny in Orange County, sit down with your children and explain this new family dynamic. Set clear boundaries with your children about what this person’s job is and how they are there to help them. Let your children know you’re still their parent(s) and that you are always available for them.

Do you need a full-time or part-time nanny in Orange County? If so, contact OC Home & Family to learn more about hiring home and family care help.