Moni your response sounds great...one more thing you may want to get certified in some health issues like, first aid, heimlich manuever and anything that may add to the safety aspect of taking care of ones children. Good luck.

June

Good luck Moni. I agree with the basic life support certification. Easy to get too, they're usually a one day class here. Sorry don't know anything about salaries, though. I'm sure someone here knows.

You say you have no references in child care--you raised your own children, successfully, to adulthood. They are your references!

Good luck. If I were looking for a nanny, I would hire you.

My friend was a live in nanny and was paid $400 a week for two children. (That was in Seattle though.)
I would buy the newspaper for a major city near you and look under nannies wanted and see wha the going rate is.
SHe will want you to go to the Red Cross, and take a infant CPR class and it may help you to tell her you will be taking the next class offered.
Being bi-lingual is going to be a HUGE bonus!

It would be a good idea even if this job doesn't pan out to go ahead with the certification as that will be a real winner on your resume. Working as a Nanny would be a wonderful job for you at your age and with your stamina.

Sounds good.

Am getting a divorce, and need a job.
I am getting a divorce and needing employment.
or
I am getting a divorce and seeking employment.

In Calgary, most are paid minimum wage, which here is $9.90 an hour. Live in nanny's pay room and board out of their salary.

This is a quote from an ad I found on a job bank here:
Specific Skills: Supervise and care for children, Bathe, dress and feed infants and children, Prepare infants and children for rest periods, Organize, activities such as games and outings for children, Prepare craft materials and assist children to use them, Instruct children in personal hygiene and social development, Read to children, Prepare and serve nutritious meals, Sterilize bottles, prepare formulas and change diapers for infants, Shop for food and household supplies, Wash, iron and press clothing and household linens, Perform light housekeeping and cleaning duties, Assume full responsibility for household in absence of parents, Maintain a safe and healthy environment in the home, Tend to emotional well-being of children, Discipline children according to the methods requested by the parents, Take children to and from school and to appointments, Keep records of daily activities and health information regarding children

Work Location Information: Work in employer's/client's home, Room and board provided

Essential Skills: Reading text, Numeracy, Writing, Oral communication, Working with others, Problem solving, Decision making, Critical thinking, Job task planning and organizing, Significant use of memory, Finding information

Other Information:Must have 1 year full time experience within the last 3 years. Must reside in the employers home for the duration of employment. Private room provided. Room and board charge of $336 per month.

______________________________

I agree about getting a first aid course that also teaches proper chest compressions. There are specific courses for child care.

"I have no references in child care. Am getting a divorce, and need a job."

I think the above sentences make you sound desperate and a bit "down and out," which I know you are not.

As Wanda said, you have raised your own children, and as you know all those well-developed child care techniques come back to you pretty fast, right??!! Also, haven't you spent some time with your own grandchildren? So mention that. I think your comment about wanting to share your love of children is very telling--in a good way. That's exactly what I would want to see in a letter from a potential nanny.

Also, is it really anyone's business that you are getting a divorce? It's a personal life change.

Anyway, Moni, DS/DIL are in the process of seeking a nanny, and none too happy with what they are finding. The better nannies (speak English, drive, etc.) run about $2,000 a month in Orange County, CA. It's an awful prospect to leave a beloved child with someone you "think" is good but have not known too long.

Good luck, Moni. There is a very lucky child or children out there somewhere who are about to get a wonderful nanny. You can teach them to ride bikes! What fun!

Moni, you have been given some very good advice. Our grandchildren have a nanny. Of course the welfare of the children was the main priority. Debby's post summed up most of our requirements. We did call the references and if you have someone with a number, friend, priest, former employer, in whatever field you have worked, or family, that would give another contact with you. Debby's post is great information. The first 6 months, the nanny was paid eleven dollars and hour . Then thirteen an hour, now she is paid fifteen dollars an hour. This is based on a forty hour week, she is paid for anything over her forty hours, also paid for all holidays, and anytime they are out of town , she still receives her pay. Most folks that hire nannies realize the importance of this person, she is as important as our school teachers. We think of this lady as part of our family. Wishing you a very good interview, want them to see how valuable you would be to their family. Just from your posting here, it reflects the fine person you are. Please keep us posted.

I am calling myself out for a statement I made. Not only was Debby's post great info, everyone that had posted had great ideas. When I read my posting, it sounded rude to me. My old mind gets dim at time.

You might want to let them know that you're healthy (tell them in the interview about your bicycling) and don't smoke (assuming you don't!). :-)

Good luck with this, and keep us posted!

I looked in the St. Pete Times today and there were only 3 ads looking for nannies and only one had a salary--$10 an hour. Make sure you read Debby's post well and ask about household duties, because I think that's grossly underpaid for the services rendered plus charging for rent. Basically they want a full-time wife/mother for $9.90 an hour minus room and board.

Good luck and I hope it turns out to be a job you love!

Good luck Moni, sure hope it works out for you. What is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? I have not ever had either one for any of my kids. I have baby sat before.

Sue

Moni, I suggest you send another e-mail and mention that you raised two healthy children and spend time with your grands. Also, list a couple of personal references. Mention that you are a non-smoker and are a cycling enthusiast.
It sounds like a great job to me. I babysit for some friends for free. They drop off their precious baby at my house for 2 to 4 hours at a time. I gave them 1 year of free babysitting when they adopted a newborn. He is almost 4 months old now.

I hope you'll be able to look into some agencies as well, to see what their going rate is in your area; of course they add an extra something as middleman. I think it would be a good idea to decide ahead of time what you would like in the way of pay and benefits. Here in the Bay Area (much demand,) nannies are paid VERY well, especially if they drive. They are also often (always?) given vacation time and sick days, as is true with other full-time jobs. Also make sure any potential employer will adhere to the social security rules and handle appropriate forms from their side. It will be one darned lucky family who gets to have you as a nanny!

I agree that our nannies are grossly underpaid here. My friend dusts and vacuums peoples homes for $25 an hour. No windows, and doesn't clean human or animal fluids if you know what I mean.

When I was unemployed, I contimplated being a live-out nanny until I saw everything they expect you to do, for minimum wage. And no medical benefits.

A lot of nannies here, are allowed to have a job outside of the home as well.

Moni could you just come live here and be a Nanny to me? LOL! Good Luck....Stacy

Good luck. I hope you get the job.

I have poured over all kinds of nanny related websites. My head is spinning.

Bought a nice outfit, as most of my clothes are in storage, way deep in.

Will work a few kinks out with my daughter in the morning, but will draft some ideas on what I want for compensation, time off, extra for over time, paid ss etc.

Will let you know, how the interview tomorrow goes.

Moni

PS, Stacy, I have thought of personal assistant... but I think I would rather care for an infant for now, then a toddler and so on, than a grown person to busy to do things for themselves.

OoOoOoH! I'd hire you in a minute! I think it'd be
great if you would throw in German lessons too!
wOW! to bad MY baby is too big! lol

well, my terminology isn't so great, I don't really mean
throw it in. Putting that down as just ONE of the MANY
reasons to make you part of their family!

My daughter works as a nanny. She charges $12 an hour, cash only.

Good for you Moni.....getting a job is a great way to stay active! I'm rooting for you!!!! and you'd be a great nanny!!!!

How many hours a week is "part time?" Enough to make it worth your time? Any overnights? My Dd#2 in the Dallas area paid $10. an hour.

Hi Moni, good luck! Just stress your good points and qualifications, your life experiences and if you have references from ministers, past employers and/or longtime friends take those as well. And make sure that you ask for some from as well.

Moni, a friend was just talking about her granddaughter being a nanny in FL to a dr.'s kids. She is a college student. If I remember right, she is paid $12-13/hour. She picks the kids up from school, takes them to activites, shopping (the little girl is allowed to pick whatever she wants to do/buy). She has a debit card to use (her own) that she pays for everything with, keeping the receipts, then is reimbursed. She gives them baths and puts them to bed, ect. Reads to/with them,I forget how old the kids are, but I think just early grade school. Overtime is expected. Over night is expected when they are out of town. She grocery shops, tho my friend has no idea why, as they NEVER eat at home or cook! She did say the the kids were very well behaved everywhere they are taken.

To me, that is way too much responsibility for that amount of pay.

Tami