NannyMall, LLC

Your thoughts on St. Louis Nanny Agencies

2011-10-24T09:24:00.004-05:00

When searching for a Nanny Placement Agency, what do you look for?

What is most important to you?

Is it cost?
Is it the customer service?
Is it the level of involvement of the Owner?
Does it matter how many office workers they employ?
What about years in business?
The services they provide?
The Nannies they offer up for your childcare needs?

Is it all of the above and then some?

Yep! All of the above because after all, the agency you choose to work with is going to be involved with your family for a good time to come!

NannyMall is a small, dedicated Nanny Placement Agency that works a bit differently than the other traditional agencies. Now we can't say that we know everything about other agencies because we don't work there nor do we keep up with their practices.

But we do know this about our agency:

The cost of our services are substantially lower than other traditional agencies w/o lowering our standard of service!
Our Customer Service is 2nd to none. We are quick to respond, helpful & sincere.
Our Owner is involved with everything. Hiring, screening, scheduling, CS, etc...
Our office has 1 to 3 workers depending on the day and are still able to fit everyone's needs into their schedule.
Our agency has been in operation for 2.75 years, well over the "business hump."
We may not provide every desired service but we do offer On-call, FT Placement, Vacation coverage, Hotel and Overnights. (for Emergency Placement, go here: NannyNurseNetwork)
Of course every agency feels like they have the best Nannies, but we really do! The reason for this is because our Nannies KNOW beyond any doubt that they are respected and honored for their experience and childcare service. What we sow as an agency towards them, is what we (and the families) reap in return!

We hope you are one of our next clients and we TRULY look forward to serving you!

As a reminder, we provide Nannies in St. Louis & St. Charles Counties!

What a Few of the Nannies Are Saying

2011-07-26T08:32:00.005-05:00

Be good to the agency and be a professional with your families, the rest will take care of itself...
A.B.
--------------
The one thing I love about the NannyMall is that our great leader is always there for any of us. We can always count on each other and you just like you can count on each of us to be there for the agency and for you. We back each other up because you were very careful when you chose your nannies. We work great together and I believe with my whole heart that all the families are very happy with their nannies since you where very careful when matching them together. This is the best agency to work with and I am very happy with my choice. B.W.
--------------
Thoughts about NannyMall:
I have been to several sites applying for nanny positions and either never received a response or was led on and eventually tossed on the back burner. With NannyMall, I received a response the next day and a interview the day after that. Patty is very attentive, professional, and dedicated to getting the best nannies for our families in need. The prosess of finding a nanny for every family is one of diligent and personal attention. I am very happy with my time with NannyMall and will not even think of pursuing a different agency! D.L.

--------------
As far as the agency (and the owner, Patti). I feel that you've been a Godsend (not just to me)..you have listened to me..(and us) and not only for potential jobs..but I feel that you really care about what we have to say (or if we have problems with our jobs...even if you didn't place us there--my case in fact)..you have given me advice on many aspects of it. Listened and answered my calls, e-mails and most important (to me), as a Nanny for 20+ years, I was afraid that I was too old to compete with the ones in their 20's--30's. I do not have the same stamina as a younger Nanny, but I carry a lot of experience and sometimes, that is against me in getting a new job?

As a Nanny that also had (another agency) looking for positions for me (they found me employment for many years..full and part time and temporary positions). I am looking for employment as a Nanny..not in competition with other Nannies..just a job that I enjoy working, can love the kids as a Nanny should..but also, know that I am appreciated and loved (from the kids). NannyMall appreciates each and every Nanny, whether you are young or old, whether you have 2 yrs experience or 20 yrs experience.

(Patti I can tell you personally, that you've been very encouraging, to me, in many ways with your positive attitude with your business..and with encouragement that we..as Nannies..are important to you..and I felt that every time I talked or e-mailed you..that you took the time to listen to me).

I know, thru my experiences, too...with NannyMall..that you give one-on-one attention to your NANNIES and to the potential EMPLOYERS.

You try your best to match the perfect Nanny to the families and you give 150% to each and every potential Family and 150% to each and every potential Nanny.

Afterall...we all want to be appreciated. We all want to have the perfect Mary Poppins, but mostly, we all want to know we made a DIFFERENCE in these kids that we have for such a short period (even though I have kept in touch with most of my 'kids'..I still have many years, I hope, to give to 'new kids')? K.J.

Nannies, you are all a BLESSING.
Sincerely,
Patti

Recycled Kids Treasures Aug 6-8, 2011 --FREE childcare!

2011-07-13T10:49:00.007-05:00

Recycled Kids Treasures

Back to School Fall 2011 Sale
NEW LOCATION HIGHLY VISIBLE
FROM 141 AND HIGHWAY 40!

JOHN F. KENNEDY CATHOLIC
HIGH SCHOOL

500 WOODS MILL ROAD
MANCHESTER, MO 63011

Saturday Aug 6th -

FREE CHILDCARE PROVIDED BY
NANNYMALL! 9am to 1pm!
Ask about our Membership Savings Coupon!

SALE HOURS: Consignor/St. Louis Super Saver Passes (*info coming soon) 9:00am

New Mom Passes (LIMITED NUMBER ONCE GONE NO ADDITIONAL PASSES WILL BE ADDED) 9:30am

10am-5pm PUBLIC SALE

Sunday Aug 7th

SALES HOURS:
Consignor/St. Louis Super Saver Passes (*info coming soon) 9:00am

New Mom Passes (Limited Number*) 9:30am

10am-1pm PUBLIC SALE

Monday Aug 8th

DOLLAR DASH (PAID ADMISSION SUPER SAVER PASSES-9:00am) PUBLIC 10am-12pm. No Tax charged. 90% of proceeds given to Missouri Special Olympics http://www.somo.org 10% given to John F. Kennedy Catholic High School for their generosity in allowing us use of their school for this special sale! Items $24 and under will be marked $1, $25-$49 will be marked $5.00, $50.00 and up $10.00, join us and pick up some great bargains and support these wonderful organizations at the same time!

Changes to NannyMall Services

2011-06-22T14:19:00.005-05:00

Recently our office has been going through a pretty big transition.

We have gone from offering all Nanny services to mainly offering On-call services.
That's not to say we won't do the occasional permanent placement, but not without
some certain guidelines. Please see site for more info regarding permanent placements.

We are all pretty excited about going to mainly On-call! Our Nannies are preparing their schedules and turning them in to the office, our current Families are putting in their requests for their favorite Nannies before they are booked up and the office is welcoming new Families in each week.

Families are finding that our agency is so affordable and easy to work with that they question why it took so long to Register with us! They LOVE our Nannies and our Nannies love the awesome Families!

Right now we are running a Special, please check our On-Call Page for more information. Our On-call placements include: week days, week nights, weekends & overnights. We can send Nanny to your house, hotel, reception hall, place of business, Church or Temple!

We are SO excited about our new changes! Our ultimate goal is to have every Nanny (about 50 and counting) working every week 30-40 hours, with our current and new families but each day will be with a different family! How fun!

Please check us out, give us a call, email us, or Register! You will pleased with our Service, we promise!

Know Before You Go ---to your On-call job---

2011-04-19T12:28:00.004-05:00

We've all heard that before, right? Right.

So what is the most important thing to know before going to an On-call job?
Is it the phone number, the address, directions, the family name, the dog's name??

It's the correct address with specific directions.

The street of St. Louis and St. Charles can get a little confusing especially with
ALL the construction. This street is closed, that one is now one-way, etc.....

We used to recommend driving the route a day or two before the actual job but now
with gas prices touching near $4.00 a gallon, we highly recommend doing a thorough
online map search....with at least 2 map sources. And of course, make sure they make
it out to the car!

What to do if you get lost: Do not panic nor get flustered. Call the family immediately.
If no answer, call your agency. (assuming you are working through an agency) They will
either call the family for you and/or guide you to their home from your location.

When you arrive to the home, smile, apologize, thank them for requesting you and assure them the children are in good hands.

Know (directions) before you go!

Making those allowances

2011-01-20T10:25:00.001-06:00

What to do when snow happens.

1/20/11 = BIG SNOW

In our city we got 8 inches by 5am and it's still snowing. As an child, we said YAY SNOW! As an adult and most likely an Employee, we say NO SNOW!

So what to do in a case like this.....do you call in to work or do you hope that your Nanny can make it to you in time so that you can leave on time?

Before the dreaded snow day happens, a backup system should have been put in to place and it should've been outlined in detail within your Family-Nanny Agreement.

If you have a permanent Nanny and your Nanny can't make it in, you can most likely rely on the Agency to send an on-call (back-up) Nanny, weather dependent of course. (There are Nannies that refuse to drive in this kind of weather.)

But again, the true responsibility lies on the family having backup plans in place.
If you don't have family/friends/or a neighbor able to care for your children, consider asking your Employer if you could work from home, take a vacation day, or a personal day.
Working from home isn't always feasible so perhaps you can ask your Employer if you could come in later, after roads have been cleared and Nanny (or on-call Nanny) can make it to your home.

Whatever the solution, the most important thing to keep in mind is SAFETY.

Feel free to visit our site for more information on permanent Nannies.

Happy Snow Day!

On the search for a great St. Louis Nanny?

2010-10-27T09:13:00.003-05:00

When hiring a Nanny……....originally run by STLFamillyLife

written by: Patti Mueller

www.nannymall.com

Asked by Lisa with STLFamilyLife: 1.)When a parent interviews a nanny, what are the basic questions a parent should ask?

Nannies are a wonderful addition to a family for several reasons so when your family is searching for a new Nanny lots of questions should be asked!

This is just a very small sampling:

What is your experience working with children? (were you a Nanny, work at a daycare, have a home based daycare? Etc…)
How old were the children you cared for?
Do you have any formal early childcare development or childcare training?
Are you CPR and First Aid certified? Are you willing to become certified?
Why are you a Nanny and what type of position are you looking for?
Will you follow our house rules and will you speak up when something is bothering you?
What is your definition of “open communication?”
Do you have future plans (school, marriage, children) that would put a limit on how long you expect to be a Nanny?
What is your salary range?
What is your availability date?
And many, many more!

2.) What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter? What is expected of a nanny that's not of a traditional babysitter?

The difference is really quite simple.

A Nanny is a professional childcare employee. Nannies have years and years of childcare experience on their resume along with impeccable references. All Nannies that work through an Agency have been cleared with clean backgrounds and are required to be CPR certified. They usually have a degree in Childcare or a similar field and more often than not, they have made “Nannying” their career.

Nannies are employees; just like any other employee they receive benefits: paid vacations, paid personal days, un-paid personal days, sometimes help with health insurance, and by state and federal law taxes should be taken out of their weekly salary. (There are GREAT tax breaks/benefits to the family when employing a Nanny!)

Too, Nannies always appreciate finding a family to stay with for a number of years as it can be difficult on both parties to jump from family to family each year. It’s not unheard of for a Nanny to have made the commitment to a family for 5-6 years!

Nanny’s normal duties are not limited to childcare but also include cleaning up of the kitchen, play areas, children’s rooms and their laundry. They are also in charge of play dates, occasional doctor appointments, and child related errands.

A sitter is someone who is usually younger, still in school and looking to make a few extra dollars a week for social expenses. Typically sitters are not dedicated to just one family and will not work many hours a week, the norm is 2-6 times a month with any given family…and only with families that are located within their own neighborhood.--Nannies will drive up to an hour each way to their respective families!--

3.) How does a parent find a nanny to match his/her parenting style?

This could be as simple as outlining exactly what the family desires in a childcare employee and making sure your expected criteria is matched through the first question and answer interview. -The thorough process of a good Agency will begin by matching 90-100% criteria between the family’s application and the Nanny’s application before even sending the portfolios over for family to view.-

What are the questions that should be asked in the interview process to ensure a great match with the children?

What do children like best about you?

How do you comfort children? How do you deal with separation anxiety?
How do you discipline children?
What are some of the rules you've followed in other households that you think worked well? Which rules haven't worked for you?
Would you be willing to follow my rules and disciplining/comforting strategies even if they're different from yours?
What will my child be doing on any given day?
What are your favorite activities to do with a child the age of mine?

4.) How do you tell if a nanny isn't working out for the family?

There is always a period of adjustment which can last a few short days or a couple of weeks. There will be times when the family may feel a little overwhelmed and same for the Nanny but should you start to see these warning signs, it may be time to find a new Nanny:

Nanny begins to call off one or more days a week.
She asks if she can come in later or leave earlier.
The children act different around her perhaps because she isn’t dedicating as much time with them or has distanced herself from them.
There is less communication between Nanny and family.
Chores that are in the normal description of duties aren’t completed.
Your neighbors have noticed the children aren’t outside as much, and/or play dates have dwindled.
Where she may have come over for the occasional weekend to keep the children, she’s now stating she’s unavailable.
You find the browser on your computer has been opened to Nanny Job sites.
There are many other warning signs but those are the top few. --A true professional Nanny will discuss her concerns with the family before it gets uncomfortable.--

NannyMall, LLC is a local Full Service Nanny Placement Agency and below answers some questions regularly asked by families.

Why should families use a Nanny Agency such as NannyMall, LLC?

The use of an Agency cuts down your time spent looking for qualified childcare. A dedicated Agency such as ours will take the time to discuss your needs, learn your specified criteria desired in your new Nanny, and spend time going over your family application, making sure nothing is overlooked or forgotten.
All Agencies should, and ours will, match criteria between both the family app and the Nanny app, cutting out the Nannies families wouldn't even consider. Agencies also contact Nanny's references, do background checks, and make sure they are CPR Certified within 30 days of hire by a family.

--Also a big question: isn’t hiring a Nanny more expensive than daycare? The short answer is no. For more information about this topic please visit our website, www.nannymall.com

What is NannyMall’s role?
We provide excellent services to families in need of experienced childcare. We are here to walk you through the process of hiring the very best Nanny for your family. The family has unbiased people, our Placement Coordinators, to discuss each Nanny's portfolio should the decision become difficult.

What criteria do you look for when recruiting Nannies?

When searching for a Nanny, the qualifications we look for are:

· experience

· sweet, healthy disposition towards children

· impeccable references from previous families

· willingness to work within family guidelines

· clean background/driving record

· dependable car with enough space to seat children safely

· desire to stay with a family for at least a year or more

How do families benefit when using your Agency?

We have a knowledgeable staff to help guide them.
We know the ins and outs of hiring a Nanny.
We perform the interviews, backgrounds, reference checks.
We work side by side with Household Tax specialists. (Who can teach the family how to pay Nanny legally and help save on their taxes!)
We provide a Family-Nanny Agreement form that takes out the guess work of writing an Agreement on your own.
Most importantly our Nanny Placement Agency is here to help and encourage you through the entire process so that the very best Nanny is found for your children.

You may contact NannyMall, LLC and learn more about our services by going to our website: www.nannymall.com , calling 314 769 MALL (6255) or emailing us: info@nannymall.com .

Thank you and we wish you all the success in finding your “gold star Nanny!”

NannyMall Raffle! Awesome Gift Certificates!

2010-08-16T10:48:00.006-05:00

Would you like to get away but not go very far and not pay more than
a few dollars?
NannyMall, llc is raffling 2 Gift Certificates good for 1 night each
(2 nights total) stay at The IrishInn!
The Irish Inn is located in southern Ozark, IL, just a couple hours drive from St. Louis, MO. These 2 certificates are worth $300 and have no expiration date! A portion of the proceeds is going to the charity: Shepard's Hands of STL They welcome children and your dog
(or leave both w/the Nanny)!

In the morning sit down with the Innkeepers and have an incredible Irish breakfast. It's simply wonderful; we know because we've been there!
*more information about the Inn on our website*

Raffle tickets are just One Dollar ($1.00) each and ALL US residents are welcome to purchase!
You can buy 1 or 100!
Raffle begins Aug 16th, 2010 and ends Sept 30, 2010. Winner will be chosen by Random.org
Raffle tickets can be purchased through PayPal or via postal mail.
You will receive your virtual ticket(s) by email after payment has been received.
Winner will be notified via email and phone.

Please go to: NannyMall Raffle Page for more information and to purchase your tickets!

Nature's Simple Blends Organic Baby Food

2010-07-10T14:44:00.010-05:00

An in depth talk with Katie Dowd, creator of Nature's Simple Blends
Written by: Glenda Propst of RegardingNannies.com
*After you read the great article, please see information below about the Give Away sponsored by RegardingNannies!

When you think of Organic baby food with no additives or preservatives it sounds simple but if it's so simple, why isn't organic baby food easier to find?
There is a good reason so few companies offer these products. The process of becoming USDA Certified Organic is labor intensive, difficult and often frustrating.

You must find a supplier that follows all of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines.
There is a mountain of paperwork, specialized training, specified production facilities and inspections from multiple government agencies.

Because this process is so daunting, most companies just give up before achieving the organic certification.
While the certification process is not enjoyable for companies seeking USDA Certified Organic status, it’s great news for consumers. You can be confident that the quality of your food is superior, from the farm all the way to your freezer.

Today I am talking with Katie Johnson Dowd, the creator of Nature's Simple Blends Organic Baby Food. As the mother of 4 Katie knows the importance of offering your children the best and most nutritious foods available. I asked Katie some questions about what set her on this path to opening her own organic baby food company and here are her answers.

Did you make your own baby food with all 4 of your boys?
I made some of the older boys baby food, but I supplemented with the store bought stuff. They weren't real happy when I did that. When the twins were born, I made everything. I started testing different blends that you could not get at the store. I experimented with blends like spinach and broccoli.

When did you decide that it was best to make organic baby food?
I started reading a little bit about organic about 8 yrs ago, but the produce was pretty scarce, so our family went completely organic about 3 yrs ago, when the twins started eating baby food and the produce was more readily available.

What made you decide to make organic baby food for your children?
I started doing research on organic baby food and found that there are not many options out there. There is one brand that you can get at the grocery store, but a lot of things had been recalled for botulism. And with the suggestion of my sister Donna, I knew that I could offer a much safer, tastier and healthier method to feed the little ones for the St. Louis area.

Did you see changes in your children when you starting feeding them organic foods? I didn't see any changes in my kids because of organic per say, but I felt better because I knew that my kids were eating food with out chemicals. I think that the benefits will be seen in the long run.

Why do you think organic is important?
I think that organic is important because we get so many chemicals in our bodies from so many places, like our houses, the air, the water, medicine etc., the last thing that we need is to get it from our food. Why put chemicals, hormones, additives and preservatives in our bodies when we don't fully know what they will do or how they will effect us in the future. I refuse to put my family at risk from the things that I can control.

What else do you want to share with us about your business and why is organic worth it?
With our baby food at Nature's Simple Blends, when the product is Apples and Pears, that is what you get. Nothing else is added!! The ingredients for each product are listed right on our website so that you can see for yourself exactly what goes into them.

Our blends are steamed soft, then pureed, then flash frozen to maintain the highest nutritional content. The store brands are heated to extremely high temperatures for canning and then much of the nutritional content is lost. We have over 35 different blends of fruits and vegetables to introduce the little ones into the world of solid food.

We take every precaution to make sure that our parents receive the best product available. Another perk to Nature's Simple Blends is that we hand deliver to your door.
Today's moms are very busy. We thought that this door to door delivery method would make feeding their little ones safe, healthy,organic baby food more convenient.

Is organic baby food only for babies?
No, it's not just for babies. It's also for people on a soft solid diet like the elderly and people who have had weight loss surgery. I have even had some interest from someone who was a body builder who needed some extra calories to add to his oatmeal at breakfast. I have found that there are times in everyones’ lives when they need to be on a soft food or pureed food diet for one reason or another. Our blends taste so good that even the grown ups enjoy them.

Katie is the mom of 4 little boys: Shannon age 8, Karter age 6, Aiden age 3, Jace, age 3 (twins)

NannyMall will have a Registration Page on their website, NannyMall.com, that families can enter to win one of two great cases of Organic Baby Food. The contest will begin July 15th, watch for additional information on KSDK's Channel 5 show, Mom's Like Me at 7pm July 15th. Ends Aug 15th, 2010 and winners will be chosen by Random.org and is sponsored by RegardingNannies.com!
Glenda says: If you visit RegardingNannies.com, leave a comment on RegardingNannies' blog and if you are a winner of the Give Away, you will win something extra!

10 ways for Nanny to feel welcome in your home.

2010-06-22T08:41:00.006-05:00

Nannies are people, not superheros........sounds like a "duh" statement I know, but did you know there are people who think Nannies are impervious to "normal, everyday life" because they are employed to work with children.......you know, the children that may have gotten an early call on their life to throw a tantrum at every "no?"

While "she" may be a "hero" in our eyes from time to time because she got Trevor to eat his broccoli or got Elle to clean up her toys without a promise of a treat, she's just doing her job.......but let me re-phrase, she sees it more than "just a job." Nanny chose to watch your children. She wants to help your children learn & grow. She wants to help you by helping them.

So here are 10 ways you can make your new Nanny feel welcome ---because she chose your family just as much as you chose her.

1. Make or buy a "welcome home" card. Even if she's not a live-in Nanny, she will be employed within your home, so a welcome home card is totally fitting. If children are of age to help, perhaps have them make it.

2. Find out what foods/snacks she likes and stock your pantry/fridge with her favorites.

3. Introduce her to your extended family so when you are talking with her about them, she knows of whom you are referring and will feel attached to the conversation.

4. Share with her your favorite lunch spots and offer to pay for her lunch a couple of times a month, she will feel included in "your life."

5. Encourage her to join a Nanny Support Group. They are essential in Nanny's life as it offers an outlet to speak with other professional Nannies about the daily experiences.

6. Show her you value her by remembering her birthday and anniversaries. Have the children make cards and/or presents.

7. Immediately include her in parenting decisions so she's always on the same page, you will gain her gratitude.

8. Speak to her as you would a good friend. She will always remain the professional and not take advantage of your kind words.

9. When you see your Nanny stepping out and really going above and beyond, reward her for it.

10. Always, always, always, talk with her about your concerns away from the children. She will be very thankful for your decision to do so.

Most of all.......let her know what a huge help she is to you and your family!

A brief and insightful talk with Glenda Propst, Nanny extraordinaire!

2010-05-12T11:10:00.002-05:00

NannyMall, llc talks with Glenda Propst about changes in the Nanny Industry

Agency: When you did you begin your Nanny profession?

Glenda: In 1984 I was a live in nanny, worked a 12 hour day and 1/2 day on Saturday. I cared for a newborn, 12 and 14 year old. My responsibilities were mostly caring for the baby, the baby’s laundry, activities, grocery shopping , supervising the teenagers and transporting them where they needed to go. I had 2 weeks vacation, one week of my choice and one of theirs, health insurance and grossed $250 a week.

Agency: Flash forward 15 years into your career and please share the duties, wages and benefits.

Glenda: Fifteen years into my career I worked about 40 hours a week, I was provided a car, reimbursed for mileage, and even though my work agreement stated 2 weeks of vacation I usually ended up getting about 6 weeks vacation. I can't really remember how much my salary was at this point but I want to say it was about $12 an hour. At this point I had a 2 year old and she kept me busy and on the run all day long. I picked the older child up after school and supervised homework etc.

I am still with the same family and my job changed dramatically as my kids got older. Now I work about 25 hours a week and about 8 of those I work from home doing things for the mom on the computer. My duties are less child care related and more household manager related. The parents and I have a very good relationship and we ebb and flow with each other. My hours are 7:30-5:30 but on my long days I will often work from home until about 9 or 10, and then run errands on way to work and be there for the kids when they get home from school to transport them to music lessons, playdates, supervise homework or just hang out with them.

Flexible hours are not something that I recommend but if my boss asks me to stay later and get dinner for the kids, I am always willing to do that. My employers have always been so respectful of me and always allowed me to have a life beyond my job.

When you choose to stay with a family long term, you have to be willing to go with the flow of the changes in your work schedule and the changes in what your family needs most. Now beyond laundry my duties are grocery shopping , errands, and organizing family photos. Getting the photos off the camera and getting them uploaded to an online site and burned to disc.

Photos are very important to my employers and in the digital age with 3 cameras in the family in addition a DVD recorder, it takes a lot of time to make sure these important documents are taken care of. I also research camps and classes for my younger charge and try to encourage her creativity by planning lots of fun art projects and activities.

My employers have always made a point of compensating me. In the past I have talked to nannies who say that their salary caps out but my employers are very good to me and make sure that I am compensated the same as I would be if I had left them and started over with a new family.

One thing that I will say is that I think employers realize that nannies are not maids or housekeepers. Nannies care for children, and maids mop floors. If you want someone to take care of and nurture your child, hire a nanny. If you want someone to take care of your house hire a maid. If you hire one person to do 2 jobs they will do one thing well and one thing not so well and you should only want the best for your child.

Agency: Where do you see the Nanny industry headed in the next decade?

Glenda: In the next decade I think we will start to see the impact the generation of children raised by nannies has had. I think that people will finally start to view nannies more as professionals and realize that the women in this profession are educated, articulate and passionate about what they do. There have been so many misconceptions about nannies over the years via books, movies and media and I hope that some of the public education will start to pay off.

Glenda Propst has been a professional nanny for 25 years.
She is a founding board member of INA. She was the 1991 INA Nanny of the Year and was one of the 3 Co Founders of the now defunct National Association of Nannies.After working as a Child Care Center Director for 9 years she attended the St. Louis Child Day Care Associations Nanny Training Program and has worked with 2 local families. The first for 8 years and the second for 17 years. She is a member of The Regarding Nannies Development Team with Alice Shaffer and Kellie Geres.

Thank you Glenda, for your wisdom and constant support! The Nanny Industry wouldn't be where is it without you!

Thank you all who supported the BabyKid Expo on 4/10!

2010-04-12T09:54:00.003-05:00

The BabyKid Expo was a great success! There were nearly 3000 people who attended and the best part was, there were approx. 280 that received info about our services!
Thanks to all of you that came by and registered and took time to talk with us about our services, we look forward to working with you! We also met some really great potential Nannies! :-)

We're hopeful you check this blog often because there will be some great savings posted from time to time! And/or find us on Facebook @ NannyMall St Louis

The really big news is: Paula S. entered and won the Family Membership to the St. Louis ZOO and she won a 40$ gift certificate she can use towards our services! Yay Paula!

NannyMall Nannies really helped pull this off and we're so appreciative!

Nanny and Health Insurance - Do they really need it?

2010-03-26T07:43:00.003-05:00

I turned on the news this morning as I always do just to have "background noise" and they (Today Show) were in the middle of am interview with a Nanny that saved her charge from a house fire.

There she sat in a wheelchair, R hand and both feet burned and wrapped. Child she saved sitting there along side of her, tearful but thankfully okay, and the Dad/her Employer there too, humbled by her actions.

The interviewer said a couple of things that made me cringe:

#1 "The firefighters estimated the fire to be 400 degrees, you didn't have shoes on, you went in anyway and saved him (boy)."

#2 "You don't have insurance so you're not sure how you are going to pay your hospital bills."
Nanny agreed, doesn't have insurance and not sure what she's going to do.

Dad/Employer stated that he's lost his home and that since Nanny is now part of the family, he has to find a home suitable for his family and Nanny.
Commendable....however Nanny has no insurance and cannot work because she cannot walk nor use her R hand. Had Employer picked up a cheap policy, even maybe a policy for Hospitalization, Nanny's burden would be lightened.

So the question is: Should Nannies have health insurance provided by their Employers?

The resounding answer is YES.

If you are a Nanny and are in a FT/PT permanent position, insurance should be negotiated with your Employer before signing the Agreement.
If you're comfortable with using the internet and you need insurance quotes to have a starting point, you can google "health ins quotes." It's not recommended to fill out a webpage with all your info to wait for a quote...they'll just bug you, find a link that you can get it immediately.
Or go here: http://www.eisenbergassociates.com/

Take your quote info to your Employer, talk with them, hopefully they're open to paying the entire monthly bill, if not, then get them to agree with paying for 3/4 or 1/2 of the monthly invoice.

Give them the whole picture.........you are there for their child(ren), if you fall ill or have a debilitating accident, who's going to help their family, who's going to help you?

NannyMall is committed to all Nannies and their well-being. Nannies play an intricate role in family's lives, let's give them the respect and insurance they deserve.

In Our Own Words

2010-03-23T12:15:00.007-05:00

Why should families use a Nanny Agency? Doesn't it cost too much? What is the Agency's role? How do families benefit when using an Agency? Why can't families just use an inexpensive online Nanny locator?

Why should families use a Nanny Agency?
The use of an Agency cuts down your time spent looking for childcare. A dedicated Agency will take the time to learn your needs, spend time going over your family application, making sure nothing is overlooked or forgotten.

Agencies should and will match criteria between both the family app and the Nanny app, cutting out the Nannies families wouldn't even consider. Agencies contact Nanny's references, eliminating "phone tag" for the families.

Doesn't it cost too much?
Some Agencies charge Registration and then a flat Agency Placement Fee only after Nanny is hired. NannyMall's Fees can be found on the website. (NannyMall charges a flat fee)

Though most Agencies charge a Registration Fee and a percentage of the Nanny's Annual Gross once placement is confirmed. For example: Nanny's Annual Gross Pay is $28,000. That's a placement fee of $2800. (plus Registration)

The fees we are discussing are for permanent placement; the fees for On-call Nannies are relatively inexpensive! They can range from $12 to $25 per on-call placement.

What is the Agency's role?
Agencies are to provide excellent services to families in need of experienced childcare. They are there to walk you through the process of hiring the very best Nanny for your family. The family has unbiased people, aka the agency, to discuss each Nanny's portfolio should the decision become difficult. i.e. we're your sounding board! :-)

How do families benefit when using an Agency?
1. They have a knowledgeable staff to help guide them.
2. They know the ins and outs of hiring a Nanny.
3. They perform the interviews, backgrounds, reference checks.
4. They work side by side with Household Tax specialists. (who can teach the family how to pay Nanny legally AND help save on their taxes!)
5. They provide forms that help smooth out the hiring. (less confusion when there's a family-nanny agreement in place)
6. Most importantly your Nanny Placement Agency is there to help and encourage you through
the entire process so that the very best Nanny is found for your children.

Why can't families just use an inexpensive online Nanny locator?
They can....but there are many Agencies that would discourage that process and here are a couple of reasons why: Agencies screen potential Nannies with many methods: application, face to face interviews, reference cks, background checks, personal character references, etc.... Should any of those come up as a negative, Nanny isn't used within the Agency.

Some of these Nannies that have been turned away from an Agency will turn to an online Nanny placement service. And there's a real good chance they won't tell you why they were turned away from an Agency, nor is it probable the family will even know to ask if Nanny did apply with an Agency and then ask why she isn't with said Agency.

So a local Agency is your first defense in making sure Nanny is who she says she is and really has the experience she says she has.
These are the people that are coming into your home every week and spending time with your precious children and they should be who they say they are. Plain and simple.

Also, I'm not one to use a cliche' but, you get what you pay for......who do you turn to when "hired from the internet Nanny" decides to bail for the day or week or worse yet, totally? Do you have a backup plan/person to take over?
When you use an Agency, the Agency first makes sure Nanny is on the up an up and not only that, they also have meticulously weeded out the "not for us Nanny" and have given you only the best of the best. Not to mention....should the best of the best not feel well one day, Agency has backup Nannies that can be called out to help!

A call to your local Agency is the first step a family should take when hiring childcare.
Although, it is true that you can find great help online....Agencies just make it easier.

These are but a handful of Why's w/the questions answered....written in Our Own Words.

NannyMall is local to St. Louis and St. Charles, MO and offers many services to meet your childcare needs.

Insurance Rates---Until they raise yours, you don't think about it.

2010-03-06T11:23:00.002-06:00

Blogging isn't a strong suit of mine. I have plenty to say all the time but that doesn't mean it has to go into print.
Today I have 2.5 million things on my plate, addressing mail that came in was one of them.
As I looked through the typical junk mail, BUY ME BUY ME! and the bills, I saw an envelope
from our ins co, GHP. Okay, cool, probably just a "this is not a bill" notice.
I opened it and stopped in my tracks......my daughter's ins rate went from $136 a month to $285 a month beginning April 1, 2010. I don't know what the exact percentage is but I do know it's OVER a 100% increase!
---Please if you are an Ins Rep do not contact me for a new policy, we have a rep in our family. Thank you.---
Anyway, I half listen to the news, people are reporting their rates go up, in-fact I heard them state that some rates go up "as much as 60%," hello.........how about over 100%?!
So I will be on the hunt for a different ins company effective today....after I complete the other 2.5 million things on my plate. ( I think it really bothers me because I have told client after client, nanny after nanny, "go to GHP, they have great rates.......")

This also affects the Nanny industry. Say a family hires a Nanny for 2 years. They offer to pay for her insurance and they work in out in their budget so everyone is happy. The first year is fine but the renewal notice comes, it's going to raise to an uncomfortable amount, family has a few choices: Tell Nanny they can no longer offer the coverage - Tell Nanny she has to kick in the difference - Start the search for new insurance all over again.
All three of those scenarios aren't ideal.

I'm hopeful the insurance companies realize what they are doing and just stop it.

Nannies, please take this Survey!

2010-03-03T12:54:00.002-06:00

The International Nanny Assoc. wants to hear from you!

Please complete this survey...it'll take just a few minutes of your time!

Thank you!

http://guest.cvent.com/SURVEYS/Welcome.aspx?s=4d4d1f8f-dc63-44c8-ba1e-ec9a88d72a2d

Contest for NannyMall Nannies presented by: Glenda Propst of RegardingNannies

2010-02-17T16:34:00.005-06:00

Glenda Propst of RegardingNannies is offering a free INA membership to one of our Nannies!

Glenda writes:
As a professional nanny that has worked in the St. Louis area for 25 years I have great respect for what NannyMall is trying bring to the nannies and families that go through their agency.

One of the most important aspects of being a nanny is having other nannies that can be there to support you when things get tough or challenging.

Beyond my amazing nanny friends, one of the most important things to me as a professional nanny has been my involvement in the nanny industry on a national level.

Some of my best friends are nannies but very few of them live in St. Louis. I was able to develop these connections through my involvement first in INA and then in NAN and now again in INA.

I wish that all nannies could have that opportunity to connect with their profession on a bigger scale. It is such an important part of growing as a professional.

In keeping with idea I am going to give one of the NannyMall nannies a membership to INA for one year.

To enter: write a paragraph or two about your Childcare Philosophy and email it to: info@nannymall.com - The entries will be forwarded to Glenda anonymously and she will chose a winner by March 3rd, 2010. Happy writing!

Awesome Nanny Support Group Meeting!

2010-02-16T07:01:00.008-06:00

NannyMall's Nanny meeting was smaller in numbers than expected but it was mighty in strength due to the speakers!

Shirley McFadin spoke to the Nannies about her recent diagnoses of breast cancer.
She was able to tell us of the challenges and triumph of recovery and now being cancer free. She also shared with us the beauty of her doctor's words, "You do not need any further chemo or radiation." She is an inspiration to so many women and probably doesn't even know it.

Connie Houlihan also joined us and told the Nannies about her great service.
NannyNurse™ Network. * When your child is sick & you need to work, NannyNurse™ Network creates peace of mind for your family. They provide medically trained and screened caregivers, NannyNurses™, in your home to nurse your child back to health. They serve the Greater St. Louis area.

If you'd like to contact Shirley please shoot an email to us and we'll get you in touch with her. To visit NannyNurseNetwork, just click the link.

Our meetings from here on out will be held at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Chesterfield Valley. The conference room had more than ample room, it was clean and they served coffee and water. Plus it was very reasonable!

We hope that ALL Nannies will begin to attend. This group/meeting was started in order for all Nannies, ours, independents, from other agencies, newbies, etc.... could come and connect with other Nannies. No one knows the joys and challenges of a Nanny profession except another Nanny.

We're looking to redefine the public's view of a Nanny....it is a true profession that is seasoned with experience, laughter, patience,grace and joy; at these meetings the Nanny will learn, grow and experience understanding from leaders in the industry and from this humble agency. We invite all Nannies.
For more information please visit our site: NannyMall.com

The single most important thing to know about a Nanny

2010-02-02T15:00:00.002-06:00

The single most important thing to know about a Nanny is:
She's a professional through and through.

Nannies take their jobs very seriously and whether they are
a Nanny for 1 year or 30, they will all tell you how rewarding
the profession is and they prefer working with children.

As with any profession experience speaks volumes! If you are
considering hiring a Nanny the 1st thing to look for is a
diverse background in childcare.

The second most important thing to check is their references.
They can call themselves a Nanny but perhaps they were sitters
for a couple of families on weekends....look for length of time
with a family, look for consistency and talk to the previous
employers. If they aren't friends or families they will definitely
give an unbiased reference.

Ask them to give you a copy of their background check and driver's
history. They can have that pulled M-F. Ask if they are CPR certified,
if not, are they willing to become certified? Infant CPR has changed in
the last few years so make sure they take an updated class!

Don't forget about taking out taxes on Nanny's wages, she will get older
too and will need to collect Social Security just like everyone else, so
please take that into consideration. There are tax breaks for the Employer!

If you'd like to know more about hiring a Nanny please contact NannyMall.com
and we'll be happy to answer all your questions! If you'd like for an
agency to take care of gathering the Nannies to interview, we can help with
that also!

NannyMall.com

Safety ---always an issue

2010-01-14T13:07:00.003-06:00

NannyMall Nannies know this agency is just but one source of finding a great Nanny position. They are encouraged to seek a position through another agency, word of mouth or independently.

If using independent sources, i.e. craigslist or kijiji, there are some strong rules of safety that should be followed. *(this blog is dedicated to all nannies but especially the nannies that relayed stories of unscrupulous people to my attention a number of times in the past few weeks.)
** PLEASE NOTE, this blog is simply for informative purposes only, it's not to be used in lieu of any safety training class or manual, nor to be viewed as a single source of safety procedures; it is simply suggestions of safety.

1. When a family contacts you, let them interview you and when it's your turn, ask a lot of questions! Don't feel intimidated.
Ask pointed questions about their children, ask if they've ever hired a nanny, ask how soon they are needing to hire, ask if either parent works from home, ask about taxes, and then ask if the have personal references, yes you ask them if they have a friend and/or family reference you can call. You will find that 99.99% of the families will be fine with that request because they'll understand you are being cautious and who wouldn't respect that? Even though it's you looking for a position, you can still "interview" the family to make sure it's the right fit....and that's it a real position.

2. If all your questions were answered and you feel okay about setting up an interview, set it,
and follow through with the reference check. If attempts to reach reference don't pan out but you are still interested, then perhaps drive by their home a couple of times, not in a stalker kind of way, but in a, making sure it's all legit, kind if way. Note the number of cars, note if there are children's toys outside (perhaps you won't see any in Winter), note the amount of lights on....if only one person lives there, most likely won't have but one or two lights on; with children look for several.

3. A day or two before your interview, call their house phone (if they gave # to you) and see who answers, if it's someone different than you originally spoke with, that's probably a good sign. You can say you are confirming the interview...because actually you really are.

4. Make sure you tell a couple of friends and/or family members when your interview is scheduled and also give them the name, address and phone number. Let them know that family interviews can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

5. When you arrive at the home, call a friend or someone to let them know you are there and are going in for the interview. Have them note the time.
Once introductions are completed, politely ask if you may call your friend/mom to let them know everything is good to go. ---From a parent's prospective, they will deem you worthy because if you're THAT careful with your personal life, you will MOST LIKELY be THAT careful with their children. -----Make it a brief call!----

6. If you get there and something doesn't feel quite right, don't enter the home. Wait till you see the other parent or the children, or ask if there is a better time to come back when all the family is home.

7. You could always bribe a friend to go with you to sit in the car....just offer to buy her lunch or buy a small "thanks for waiting in the car for me" gift. Perhaps you'll ask the family to meet you in a public area such as McDonalds or St. Louis Bread Co. to avoid the home interview.

Whatever you do, remember safety first! ---This blog is in response to several stories relayed to me about nannies going for interviews and it would turn out to be a person with no children.

If you have your own methods of safety you'd like to share please leave them in the comment section.

St. Louis Childcare Agency
St. Louis Nanny Agency
NannyMall.com

Nurture your "daisies."

2010-01-13T14:10:00.007-06:00

Agencies are much like a garden!

Lets break it down (like compost).

Any good/legal garden (agency) should:

* have perfect soil composition for the daisies (Nannies) to grow

* be nurturing from the very beginning

* take to time to talk with and encourage

* give water (praise)

* pull the weeds that try to shade them

* teach about negative growing conditions ( how to avoid dry, arid, stunt your growth areas )

* spray "weed stop" to keep the negative growing conditions at bay

* have genuine interest in finding the perfect "clay pot" for the daisies

* works the ground to ensure fertile growing conditions

* continue to give support after daisy has left the garden

Our garden totally supports our daisies because they are worth supporting!

New Household Employee Hiring Trend is Emerging

2010-01-05T13:48:00.011-06:00

When new clients call in and relay criteria they wish to have met within the Nanny they will be employing, what we're seeing is the beginning of a new trend.

Our observation: Up until 6-9 months ago, Families that employed Nannies would generally also employ a Household Manager and a Housekeeper. The hiring of 3 individuals is now morphing into one position, which NannyMall nick-named, "the Gold Star Nanny." (affectionately named after the gold star we received in school as children for going above and beyond what the teacher had asked of us)

Gold Star Nanny is asked to do a variety of duties, first and foremost, tend the children. But what was out of the question for additional duties before is now definitely required.

Looking back at our last 10 placements, 8 of them required/hired a Gold Star Nanny.

Families are looking for the well qualified, educated Nanny but also for the Nanny that doesn't mind cleaning the bathrooms and picking up the family dry cleaning. These Gold Star Nannies were few and far between but as the Families desires have changed, so has the Nanny's understanding. They realize in order to get into a long term position, they have to be willing to take on extra responsibilities.

As we talk with Families about their requirements, we let them know they are pioneers of the new household employee hiring trend and that while morphing the positions together is totally acceptable, they also need to keep in mind that while they save from having one individual do all three jobs, they should also expect to pay a higher salary for Gold Star Nanny.

To learn more about the changes in the industry or to hire your Gold Star Nanny, please contact us, we'll be happy to speak with you!

St. Louis' childcare referral agency, NannyMall.com

NannyMall.com - Let's talk credit reports!

2009-12-19T05:46:00.009-06:00

While this truly isn't just a "Nanny topic" it certainly can affect your life as an individual. And while being a Nanny is one of the BEST professions, unfortunately not all Nannies are paid above board and wages aren't reported to be readily seen by say a car dealer or mortgage co, so a really good credit report is a MUST for Nannies.

Credit reports are very important and should be checked at least once a year.
You can receive your free online credit report here: Free Credit Info and Report
There are 3 credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, Equifax
Print your credit reports as you receive them, do not save on your computer.
Look over them very thoroughly. If you see an item that is puzzling, back track thru your paperwork, thoughts and transactions to make sure this isn't just an item you had forgotten about. If you know that an item isn't yours, dispute the item. It's all online and very easy. They have 30 days to respond. After their investigation is complete they will email their findings and you will be able to ck your report again. If it still remains and you know it isn't yours, dispute it again and again.
Each time you talk with someone, record name/date and time. Keep copies of all originals that you send.
Your credit report and score has everything to do with purchasing a house, a car, renting an apt, getting a credit card, getting good rates on insurance (yes, they do ck it!), etc....
Credit reports can show negative information forever but good news, after 7 years for credit cards and collections, 10 years for bankruptcy, by law you may request for those items to be removed. (for MO, other states the laws are different) Important note: The bureaus do not and will not automatically remove the older items, it has to be requested by the consumer.
Try not to close credit card accounts if they are in good standing. The longer they are reported as a positive acct, the better for your score.
Make your payments on time....not a day or two late. On time or late, credit lending companies WILL and DO report every month. It's kind of like an eternal credit report card...sad but true.
Your credit report always shows more than just your credit worthiness. Your report shows all your reported addresses, alias names, places you have worked, phone numbers, public records, etc....
There's somewhat of a limit of information people can see but if there is anything damaging on it and in the event your employer/new creditor wants a copy, it's best to know yourself beforehand about anything negative, therefore being able to explain or let them know it's being disputed.
For more information visit this helpful site.

Well I could probably go on for hours but I'm sure you want to get started checking your credit report!
_____________________________________________________
Personal Lessons 101

I will attempt to briefly tell you what my personal experiences have taught me and how I seem to have to learn the lesson over and over again.

About 20 years ago I realized something very important: A good credit report and credit score will get you further in life than a bad one. --Nice blanket statement I know but please follow these lessons that I painfully learned--

First Lesson: When I was 20 I went through a few things that completely disrupted my credit and probably due to ignorant bliss, I didn't care nor understand how it would effect me, until a few years later when I went to purchase my first home at 23.
We had found our "dream" home! A day later, we made an appointment w/a mortgage lender and went into their office to start the process. They ran my credit and then sat across from the table and nicely explained how I was UN-creditWORTHY. I was shocked and angry, angry at myself for turning a blind eye to being credit-WORTHY. Long story short, I paid off all the outstanding debt and was able to purchase my first home.

Second Lesson: Fast forward about 12 years. I was in my 30's and out of the blue I was receiving the dreaded "collection calls." I kept telling them that I don't know what they are talking about, I never had a Visa card from xxxBank. The letters were outrageous too. I'd get one a week. It was like a bad dream. THEN a light bulb went on! Check my credit report!! Sure enough, someone had stolen my identity! They had racked up over $19000 in credit card purchases!
A day or so after I had discovered this, I had a knock at my door, it was a Sheriff serving me papers, I was being SUED for these bogus charges! --We had to close all our bank accounts, credit cards, and take other measures to ensure this person couldn't get to my other information! -- The end of the story is this: I had to hire an attorney (would have been big $$ but I'm buddies w/a few attorneys), I contacted the Attorney General, Jay Nixon (at that time) to help in prosecution of the filing collection co, wrote letter after letter to the credit bureaus stating someone had stolen my identity and after 6 years and a 7inch stack of paperwork, the charges and information was finally dropped off my credit reports.

Did I learn some lessons?................you bet I did! I learned to check my credit report every year, I learned that after 7 years I can ask for items to be removed, I learned to always ask to see my credit report when I purchase a new home or new car, I've also learned that you can be guilty by name association. For that lesson, read Lesson Three.

Third Lesson: Fast forward to present day.....last Thursday.
I hadn't checked my credit report since 2007 because I KNEW I was fine...I had checked it every year, fought off some little things, saw my credit score grow to a beautiful number and had become complacent.
Thursday's work was slow and after another bothersome phone call......a collection co calling for a guy with the same name as my husband and asking if we still lived in Bowling Green, KY?
(nope MO his whole life)
BUT since my husband happened to have the same name as a person who has a huge collection co after him, this credit collection co feels like this HAS TO BE THE GUY THEY ARE AFTER, so they WON'T stop calling. (I'm certain at this point that I will have to go there and bang on their door to make them u n d e r s t a n d....it's NOT MY husband!)
Anyway, I think to myself, I had better check my credit report because it's been a while and while I'm absolutely positive there is nothing wrong with it, free is free and I go and check it online.
WELL YEP, you guessed it! There sat 2 items of collection for medical procedures! I nearly fell off my chair. First I looked at when this began....Aug of 2007! I had just checked it earlier that year....had I checked it in 2008 and not been so "yea, it's all good," I could have had it fixed!
So it has the company listed and the phone number. It's local....I'm thinking good because if they don't listen to reason via the phone, I'll just drive there and camp out until they listen...IT'S NOT ME!
I called and got a very NICE lady. I explained that I don't know what these 2 collection items are and could she please try to shed some light. After a very lengthy time and a bazillion questions later, her manager gets on the phone and says, " It looks like our credit reporting girl is at fault, she only matched you by name and not by social security number, we can't even find you in our system, indeed this isn't your collection." I felt a huge relief at that moment and asked if they would please inform the credit bureaus of this information, well...no they wouldn't, I had to do it myself. Okay, I can do that as I have countless times before. Not even an apology! This had been on there for 2 stinkin' years!
I hung my head, took a deep breath, and proceeded to contact all the bureaus to dispute these again, bogus collections.
I'm happy to report TransUnion responded very quickly and has already removed the two collections! The bureaus are to respond within 30 days....I'm looking forward to being completely exonerated.

What it means to be a Nanny...by a few of our Nannies

2009-12-14T09:16:00.006-06:00

Recently our Nannies were asked to tell us why they love being a Nanny.
Their wonderful responses are posted below.

I like being a nanny because I love working with children. They remind me to smile and to stop and have fun! They remind me that life is precious and what is really important. I love being able to care for them however I can. I have enjoyed getting to know each child whom I have cared for over the years. Each is unique and special, their smile, their laughter and their personality. I have seen God's face in each one and each one has helped me to love a little more, smile a little more and have left an impact on me. I also love being able to help a family who needs childcare and I hope that brings them peace of mind. Jamie G.

What I love about being a nanny is that you get to share your compassion with other families and be able learn from them on how to become a better nanny/person. It is so exciting to meet new people and build new relationships. There is nothing more wonderful to see the smile on a person(s) face or the relief in the person(s) eyes that they found someone they can depend on trust them with their family...Its Great!!!!
Tara P.

Children are like sponges.....they pick things very quickly…..their smiles and laughs are adorable...gotta LOVE those!! they are so innocent and loveable......kids make my day!!
Anne B

Nannies! I love being a nanny and taking care of children because there are so much fun to be around. I love being able to see them grow as people and learn new thing everyday. Being a nanny is such a great experience for me. I always wanted to take care of kids and play with them. I love making them laugh and smile. This is the best job I could ever hope for!
Always Becky T

I love being a nanny because I love being with kids, I don't have to punch a clock every day, It’s not the same thing over and over everyday. Something new or different happens everyday with the kids that make me smile. It’s a very rewarding career that I feel very blessed to have.
Becky W.

I love being a nanny because it’s so personal. I love getting to know the kids and family so well that I become a part of their family. The family I am with right now I adore and couldn't be more thankful for everything they've done with and for me. I love picking up the kids from school and having them run up to me smiling and yelling Jessica! To give me a big hug! It is such a rewarding experience to be able to help raise children and encourage them to be wonderful little people! Jess F.

If you are in need of a Nanny or you know a family that could use some really great, professional childcare, please contact our office. We'd be happy to go through our hiring process with you!

St. Louis' unconditionally nice, customer service oriented Nanny agency.
NannyMall, LLC
314 769 -MALL (6255)

Gifting your Families this holiday season? ( Ideas for the placed FT/PT/Temp Nanny)

2009-12-08T08:29:00.005-06:00

I recently had a NannyMall Nanny email to say she was giving gifts to the children of the family in which she was placed and she asked a really great question:
Is it appropriate to gift the parents and if so, what do you give them?
Etiquette dictates you don't truly need to gift the parents because after all, it's the children you are there for.....however.....if you'd like to give to the parents, here are a few easy, inexpensive ideas.

For the Permanent Nanny:

Make a coupon either on your computer or by hand for a "free of charge evening." Then give the dates on the back of when you are available to watch the children.
A small gift basket packed with popcorn and/or sweets and a child's movie; it encourages "family time."
A board game that has at least as many players as there are in the family.
A tin of cookies that were prepared by you and your charges.
A simple thank you note expressing how thankful you are for your position.
A framed finger-paint picture (done by the children of course!) :-)
A holiday themed "Welcome" mat.
A couple of holiday kitchen towels.
Gift card to their favorite restaurant.

For the Temp/On-call Nanny: (who probably has many Families)

Again, a coupon would suffice, however you probably want to limit it: i.e. "1 hour free" or "free trip to the zoo" for the children, etc...
Thank you cards with a nice written sentiment about the Family.
Small boxes of their favorite candy.
A gift card to their favorite coffeehouse.
Art projects completed by the children.
A small house plant, i.e. poinsettia. (animals should be kept away as they are poisonous)
A simple phone call to share holiday well-wishes.

There are many, many other ideas that won't set you back too much....just remember to have fun with the ideas and don't let it turn into a stressor! Holidays are meant to be joyful!

Please post your ideas in the comment section....after all, sharing is within the season!

Happy Holidays from NannyMall!

NannyMall suggests local Santa Parade to families!

2009-12-01T16:45:00.010-06:00

This past weekend Historic St. Charles, specifically Main Street, began the annual tradition of their Santa Parade. Though the parade is truly quite short, it brings families and friends together in an atmosphere of celebration and festivities. The Santas are all in period dress and "come from" all over the world. My personal favorite is the Civil War Santa.
When you arrive, look for the parade characters, they all have collector cards to give to the children, something they can collect from year to year! It's a parade that shouldn't be missed!
More information about Main Street's Santa Parade:
Create Holiday Memories in Saint Charles, Missouri ~ Holiday festivities including carolers & authentically costumed Santas from around the world. Santa Parade every Saturday & Sunday at 1:30pm. The shops & restaurants on South Main Street stay open 'til 9:00pm on Wednesday, Friday & Saturday evenings with activities from 6:30-9pm. Weekend Presentations: Saturdays 11am-9pm & Sundays 12-5pm. Christmas Eve 11-2pm. Check the website for further information & more events.
To add to the festivities they've added an ice rink!
For the first time ever, and to honor the City's Bicentennial, St. Charles will erect an outdoor ice rink along the Missouri River in Frontier Park. The rink will operate from November 27, 2009, to January 4, 2010.
Other great things to see and visit are: Christmas window dressings, the real trolley you can ride for FREE, two horse drawn carriages, the Lewis & Clark huge bronze statue, the Lewis & Clark Museum, a true replica log house, and so much more!
Historic Main Street.....the place that allows you to step back in time.

NannyMall.com is THANKFUL for.....

2009-11-23T13:40:00.004-06:00

NannyMall, LLC....what a great place to find great Nannies!

I'm thankful our Nannies are:

Humble (they take a compliment very well and their heads don't swell!) yes, it rhymed.

Sweet (they offer to help in any way that the agency may need it)

Nice (these Nannies have never had a negative thing to say!) really!

Thoughtful ( I get an email or two every week with encouraging words)

Generous (they give of their time for different projects/meetings even when not getting paid)

Giving (they give out information about the agency to anyone who will listen) yay!

Professional (these Nannies take their positions seriously and strive to be the best they can be!)

Creative (just ask them, they have a craft for every occasion and then some!)

Grounded (there's no funny business going on in their heads)

Smart (I've yet to come across one that I can't have a great "daily life" conversation with!)

Goal oriented ( School? Professional Nanny? You betcha!)

Funny (these girls always make me laugh! they have awesome stories and funny ways of explaining things!)
Appreciated (I really, really appreciate them, they'll never know how much!)

are THE BEST NANNIES EVER!

Nannies, Families, Visitors, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and make sure you tell someone how thankful you are for them!
If you'd like to find out more about our awesome Nannies please give us a call 314.769.MALL
or email: Info@nannymall.com

It's Recruiting Time!

2009-11-16T11:44:00.004-06:00

NannyMall.com is looking for a few (many) good Nannies!

And since NannyMall.com has some of the best Nannies in STL & STC County, we are also recruiting Families!

Yep that's right, Families we are looking for you!

Are you a Nanny that is looking for "the family?" Are you a Family that is looking for "the Nanny?"
We may have your solution!

Our passion is matching Families w/Nannies & Nannies w/Families. We fully appreciate and respect both!

Please visit us at Nannymall.com for more information. You'll be glad you did!

Some suggestions for "waiting Nannies"

2009-11-03T07:51:00.004-06:00

If you are a professional Nanny or just breaking into the profession, waiting to get placed with a family can be extremely difficult! It's not an question of your experience, your talents, your availability, your age, your anything, it can be simply explained like this:
Families are extremely particular when it comes to choosing a Nanny for their family. (as they should be)
After all they want someone "just like them."

If you polled families the general consensus would probably look a little like this: Nanny must be fun, energetic, playful, loving, gentle, kind, and above all, must love our children. You see, it's everything they offer their children so they expect to bring in someone with the same actions and feelings they have towards their children.
And true, they might even hold a brighter candle to you to make sure you pass the grade due to "you being the professional."

It's not always an easy choice. There are times when a family meets with just one applicant and "tag you're it!"
happens. There are families that had a clear idea on what type of Nanny they would like for their home only to interview many and decide they need to change their criteria and start all over. Then there are families that interview 15-20 applicants and decide not to hire at all.

It's constant wait and see but understandably a Nanny can become discouraged and feel she doesn't have what it takes should she be passed by time after time. (side note: a good support group or agency can help in that area)

Here are some suggestions that may help keep your mind strong and your days busy during your waiting period.
#1 Post its ---write out a post it stating, "today is the day I get placed!" or "My perfect family is going to find me today!!" Place your post its on your mirror, in your car, on your computer, on the fridge, ON YOUR TV! Keep reading your notes, you will get placed!
#2 Call another Nanny or two, perhaps they know of some on-call work you can pick up.
#3 Post a simple flier around town informing the public what an awesome Nanny you are!
#4 Find your local support group and go to the meetings, there may be some Nannies in the same boat that could use an encouraging word from you!
#5 Use the time to update your resume and references. Touch base with your references and make sure they are still accessible for a phone call or email.
#6 Pick up a Part Time job at a mall, especially right now, there are many seasonal jobs to be had! (think of the connections you could make there!!)
#7 Take an 8 week class online or at your local community college, you'd be surprised how much that keeps your brain moving forward.
#8 Start a blog. Write about the ins and outs of being a professional Nanny. Someone may need to hear your words of wisdom and your words of caution. Try not to be too opinionated, that makes that writer sound negative and that's the last thing you want! :-)
#9 Create a Facebook page and invite your past families and Nanny friends to join. Make it a fun place where they can find links to local happenings, local restaurant coupons, local parks, etc....you'll find that they keep coming back to your page for good information, their friends will begin to ask, "where did you hear about that great deal?" and before too long you'll have new requests from people you don't know BUT THAT MAY NEED A NANNY, especially a wise Nanny that keep her page updated with fun stuff!!
#10 Perhaps choose a room in your house to paint, switch the furniture around in your apartment or even get a new haircut. It's amazing what a little change does for a person.
#11 Take a weekend road trip with friends or family. Check with Hotels.com, they probably have some great deals! Maybe you can't be hours away from your home, but you can certainly spend the night at a hotel and take advantage of their indoor pool and treat yourself to their hospitality! (and free breakfast!)
#12 Lastly, keep a positive attitude at all times. If you go in for an interview expecting they won't offer you the position, they will pick up 0n that and you probably won't get the position. So chin up, smile in place, shoulders squared, laughter ready, wisdom in check, answers firmly planted, ready-set-go!

Sharing is good!

2009-10-14T10:00:00.005-05:00

Introducing The Urban Studio Cafe, a new non-profit cafe in Old North St. Louis! 8am to 2pm, Monday through Saturday. Free Wifi. Coffee, Sandwiches, and Pastries, and more. Hold your group meetings or events at the cafe! www.urbanstudiocafe.org

2815 N 14th St
St Louis, MO 63107-3902

314.601.3699

theurbanstudio.blogspot.com

On Saturdays, Students receive FREE small "for here" coffee with any purchase of $5 or more!

The Urban Studio, a non profit organization that provides innovative art and educational programming for under served youth, recently opened a social venture café in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood. This project builds a bridge between the arts and urban revitalization; profits from The Urban Studio Café’s coffee and food sales will generate sustainable funding for The Urban Studio’s youth programs.
In addition, The Urban Studio Café creates jobs for low-income individuals, fosters a sense of creativity and possibility, and strengthens social bonds while serving a quality cup of joe. This social venture concept won the Skandalaris Center’s Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition in April 2009.

Old North St. Louis, home of Crown Candy Kitchen, possesses a strong sense of community and a history as a vibrant urban center. However, due to years of disinvestment, the neighborhood now lacks local businesses, job opportunities, community gathering spaces, and positive outlets for youth. The Urban Studio’s past work addressed the issue of outlets for youth by providing photography camps, media literacy programs, mural painting, and Brazilian martial arts classes. This new social venture will continue to use the arts to strengthen the community and will additionally focus on six critical goals:

1. To generate profits to provide sustainable funding for The Urban Studio arts programming

2. To create jobs and provide job-skills training and financial literacy

3. To serve as a gathering place for neighbors to strengthen the social fabric of the neighborhood

4. To create an atmosphere of creativity and possibility through events and programs held at the café

5. To be a catalyst for economic revitalization in the Old North St. Louis neighborhood.

6. To be a model social venture for other emerging community cafés

Tell your friends and come visit us today!!

EDUCATOR MONDAY: All teachers, professors, tutors, educators receive 15% off entire purchase!
TOOL BELT TUESDAY: All trades people (construction workers, plumbers, welders, electricians, etc) receive 15% off entire purchase!
WEAR-A-TIE WEDNESDAY: Wear a tie and receive 15% off entire purchase
PARENT THURSDAY: All parents receive 15% off entire purchase. If you bring in your child, receive 1 FREE goldfish cup or animal cracker cup with purchase!
UNIFORM FRIDAY: Police Officers, Firefighters, Military personnel or any other public service professionals with a uniform receive 15% off purchase!
STUDENT SATURDAY: Show your student ID and receive a FREE small coffee with purchase of $5.00 or more!

FPR

NannyMall recognizes Nannies in their GREATNESS

2009-10-12T07:15:00.005-05:00

On a personal note.....
If the title doesn't give it away then perhaps this brief description of the St. Louis and St. Charles Nannies will:
These people, these Ladies, these Nannies of all different backgrounds, are simply amazing.

As the owner of a Nanny Agency, it could all easily become a chore to crank out emails, to call on individuals, to post a blog, to make sure advertising is in place, to even just think about what has to be done for the day, BUT it's not a chore, it's a privilege.

The Nannies that are in this Agency are a daily inspiration. With their niceties, their compassion, their drive, their professionalism, hard work and dedication, it all makes it worth while.

I don't know if they realize how valued and important they are, that they are worth every bit of thought and energy I, (we) put into this Agency.
When new clients don't call or when emails seem to still themselves, I, as they do, wait patiently for the flurry of activity to pick up again, and in those still times, they are emailing or calling with encouragement, with ideas, with a story, all to show their dedication for this Agency.

NannyMall is very, very blessed to have these awesome Nannies, my appreciation for them will never cease. That is why I have written this, so that others too may see and appreciate their kindness and dedication.

Because here, YOU are valued!

NannyMall opens Nanny support meetings to all Nannies!

2009-10-09T07:05:00.003-05:00

NannyMall is announcing it's next Nanny Support Meeting! It will take place on November 14th at Kaldis Coffeehouse in Chesterfield Valley from 10am to Noon.

The reason why we are announcing it so soon is because we are opening it up to Nannies from other Agencies and to independent Nannies and want to give them plenty of time to find out about it!

Human contact seems to have taken a back seat in this day and age of technology so the importance of having a meeting where Nannies can get together and share their stories is, in my opinion, very much needed!

No one knows but another Nanny what it takes on a daily basis to be a Professional Nanny, so what better place to meet with Nannies that understand than at a tailored support group?
Here you will possibly connect with old friends, meet new friends and for sure leave with a sense of "belonging."

So if you are a NannyMall Nanny and happen to know Independent Nannies or Nannies from other Agencies, please invite them! The more the merrier!

We will post an addition to this as more details are solidified.

Hope to see you there!
NannyMall.com, here is where YOU are valued!

First Quarterly Nanny Support Meeting a success!! NannyMall.com where it all begins!

2009-09-21T09:15:00.007-05:00

NannyMall, LLC is very excited to announce that it's first quarterly meeting on Sept. 19th, was a huge success!

We thought that only a few would participate but we had roughly half of our registered Nannies in our meeting. That's awesome! Thank you Girls for being there, your time was very much appreciated!

We were very blessed in having our Guest Speaker, Glenda Propst of RegardingNannies.com, share her 25 years of Nanny profession with us! Not only has she made a lifetime commitment to being a "Super Nanny," she has also dedicated many, many years in promoting and supporting Nannies in their various roles. She is a true inspiration to us all! Thank you, Glenda!

Our Agency is very dedicated to our Nannies. We feel very strongly about making sure our Nannies get a chance to meet with other Nannies to swap stories, give advice, connect with one another and have an understanding that there are others who may have the same questions, feel the same way about a situation, etc.... Support groups can make a huge difference in the lives of not just the Nannies but their Families as well!

NannyMall, LLC is already planning the next meeting! It will be sometime in early December before the holiday shopping rush begins. And I'm taking this moment to welcome Lauren to our Planning Committee! She will bring fun, fresh ideas to the table!

So if you are a Nanny and weren't able to meet with us this time, we invite you to join us the at next meeting ! Details will be posted here at a later date (or emailed).
**If you are registered with another agency and are interested in the meetings, we are seriously considering opening it up to all registered Nannies, not just our NannyMall Nannies. Please contact the office with your interest.**

Thank you to all who made it a success! I feel as if we are on to something big and I personally cannot wait to see where it takes us all! :-)

And a big shout-out to Kaldi's coffeehouse in Chesterfield for making the meeting room such a nice meeting spot!

NannyMall Nannies, you ROCK!

NannyMall.com - the place to find your Nanny

2009-09-08T07:03:00.005-05:00

NannyMall, LLC is the premier place to find your Nanny. Whether you need FT/PT/Temp childcare, we can help your family! We are a Nanny Placement Agency that makes services easy and affordable. We can be reached by phone,email, or you can meet with us at an appointed time, face to face!

We place Full Time Nannies, defined as weekly 34+ hours, minimum one year commitment.

We have a Temporary Placement service that includes placement of day and/or
evening Nannies for the times you have a special need, i.e. an engagement to attend,
a date with your spouse, school function that includes one child but not the other,
shopping with friends, etc....

We ALSO offer:
Part Time permanent, Summer&Vacation; placements, the occasional overnight and group care, when you need 2 or more
Nannies, we can provide them! (i.e. weddings, receptions, luncheons, parties, church nursery, temple, etc...)

NannyMall, LLC has very strict hiring guidelines.

We only consider/work with Nannies who:

		Are at least 18 years of age Have a car and current insurance
		Have a minimum of 3 verifiable, previous childcare positions
		Must be/or is willing to be CPR certified
		Have genuine care and interest in children
		Have a clean criminal report
		Have a clear Child Abuse&Neglect Screening from MO Division of Family Services
		Own a safe vehicle with verifiable insurance
		Are legal to work in the U.S.

Please give us a call and we'll be happy to help you with your Nanny needs!
314 769 MALL (6255) NannyMall.com
Household Employer Tax Specialists

NannyMall discusses your choices in childcare

2009-08-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

Growth, development, safety and stability for your children are top priority. You are a working parent so what options do you have in childcare?

Family daycare is probably the most cost effective and hopefully licensed. Your child(ren) are most likely supervised by one worker per 4 or more children (not including their own).

Daycare centers are another reasonable choice however you may find the worker turnover is high which could be detrimental to your child if he or she gets attached. If you have 2 or more children in daycare, it may get a little pricey.

Then you have the choice of hiring a professional Nanny.

If you choose to hire a Nanny, you can be assured she (or he) will provide your children with warmth, care, education and consistency. Your Nanny will be there daily for your children with joy in her spirit and a smile to share.

Parents are comforted with the knowledge of their children at home in their most comfortable and familiar environment. With a Nanny there isn't an extra charge (like you would receive from a daycare) if you are going to be home 30 minutes late and there's also little or no concern about other children at daycare who may have been brought in sick and contagious.

You can rest assured your children will be happy and content playing in their own yards, their own rooms, going on special play dates and perhaps even participating in parent approved field trips! These factors allow parents to achieve peace of mind.

Nannies, expensive? No, not really when you consider all the advantages!
Industry standard averages are $10.00 - $14.00 per hour. The Nanny’s rate is based on experience, education and other household responsibilities families expect. The rate may be higher depending on whether you have the Nanny cook and clean for the entire family. The cleaning of the kitchen, the children's rooms, their play areas and laundry are included in the normal pay.

Many Nannies will work for the lower stated pay if you are willing to pay as an incentive, money towards her health/dental insurance.

They always appreciate gas cards, a small bonus, an extra paid day off, etc... Note: pay is always negotiated between family and Nanny before Nanny start date.

We as a Nanny Placement Agency, would like the opportunity to share more information with you about choosing the perfect Nanny!
Please call, email, visit or website or meet with us for more info!
Thank you!
http://www.NannyMall.com
314 769.MALL (6255)
Info@NannyMall.com

NannyMall Nannies, the best of the best!

2009-08-17T15:49:00.001-05:00

To take a different approach to the Blog today I am going to sing praises about the Nannies that are currently with the Agency. ---Normally what is posted are happenings around town----NOT today!
Today I would like to tell whomever reads this: NannyMall Nannies are Rock Stars!

They stay in constant contact with the agency and communicate very well with us.
They arrive on time for their interviews and positions.
They're all very excited about working with children.
They know what direction they are headed in life.
They are clear with their wants and needs within a placement.
They call in and update regularly with the agency.
They ask, "what's next, what can I do to help?"
They are so very funny and good natured!
They are experienced and love children!
They are all happy to help a family in any capacity!
They are very, very helpful to the agency and I couldn't ask for a better core group of Nannies!

Thanks Nannies, this Blog's for you!!

Need a party idea? See this! NannyMall.com offers up a cool website!

2009-08-10T07:35:00.000-05:00

With so many other things to think about, you probably would like to have party plans delivered right to you.....well here's a great website that can help! Whether it's a princess theme or a super hero, this party company can and will provide!
http://www.smilesfamilyent.com/

Their current special:

August Special!

Save 30% off during weekend on 1 1/2 or 2 hr packages if you call in three days or less before the party, and we have open spots. Also, save 30% off weekday parties of 1 1/2 hrs or longer during the month of August, while space is still available. No deposit required three days or less before the event!!!

Book a facepainter from August 5th - August 31st and pay $65.00 per hour!!!

Office Hours Mon-Fri,

11AM-6PM

Phone us @

Office:

314-783-4010

or Email us @

Email:

smiles4thekids@gmail.com

For the Parents! NannyMall.com has weekend destinations for you!

2009-08-03T07:10:00.001-05:00

The week has begun and the weekend is days away but that shouldn't stop you from planning a special time with your significant other! Check out what's going this Friday and Saturday, August 7th and 8th, 2009.

St. Louis Artists’ Guild and ArtDimensions of St. Louis

Collaborate on their Second Annual

ArtDTour of St. Louis
http://www.artdimensions.org/index.php?section=22

Next date: Friday August 7, 2009

St. Louis Artists’ Guild and ArtDimensions of St. Louis are collaborating to bring you one more “ArtDTour of St. Louis” this year. This is an exciting night of art appreciation, featuring bus and shuttle tours that start at the Saint Louis Art Museum and go to art museums and galleries in the St. Louis metro area.

For the August 7^th ArtDTour, there will be 2 routes to choose from; both starting at the Saint Louis Art Museum:

ROUTE A: Saint Louis Art Museum, Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Craft Alliance Gallery on Delmar, Gateway Gallery, Regional Arts Commission Galleries and the St. Louis Artists’ Guild Galleries.
ROUTE B: Saint Louis Art Museum, The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, The Sheldon Art Galleries, Craft Alliance in Grand Center and ArtDimensions’ 3^rd Floor Gallery
There will be departures from the Saint Louis Art Museum at 6:30pm and at 7:00pm. Arrive at 5:30 so you can view the exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum and enjoy food and wine samples before boarding the shuttle. ** Please see website for pricing information.

August 8th, 2009
Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Sale Date:
Location: Missouri Botanical Garden
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $8.00 adults 13 and up; 12 and under Free
For more information call: (314) 577-9400 or (800) 642-8842
Website: www.mobot.org

Any family that would like to take advantage of these fun happenings and need childcare, please give us a call, we will be more than happy to send the best of the best Nanny to your home!
NannyMall.com

GO BANANA'S! Family Fun Time!!

2009-07-31T15:24:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, August 11 - 3pm, 6:30pm

Ticket Prices: $20, $25, $30, $40

Come and wiggle in the aisles as The Wiggles Go Bananas Live! Tour brings The Wiggles highly interactive, fun and educational message to St. Louis, MO.

http://www.thechaifetzarena.com/event_125

Still have time to purchase tickets!

If you have a little one at home that is too young to attend, NannyMall will send childcare for the times you need for a reasonable cost!

St. Louis Zoo info!

2009-07-30T18:02:00.001-05:00

NannyMall.com believes in Family Fun Time! Following is a really fun way to spend the morning with your children!

St. Louis Zoo
Admission to the Zoo is always free, but each day from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.,
now through Sept 7th, within the Children's Zoo, the Stingrays at Caribbean Cove
and other special exhibits are also free.

Visit the Stingray page here. click

Have a great day at the Zoo!

Free Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour! July 31-Aug 2nd, 2009 St. Louis Union Station

2009-07-29T16:59:00.000-05:00

FREE!! Disney's A Christmas Carol Train Tour this weekend!

FREE THIS WEEKEND ONLY! -- ST. LOUIS UNION STATION
July 31st - August 2nd, 2009

Click here for information:
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/christmascaroltraintour/email/?SLMO

Get behind the scenes look at the magic, the spectacle and cutting edge technology of the all new motion picture "Disney's A Christmas Carol." Starring Jim Carrey! A once in a life time attraction INCLUDING SNOW all for FREE!

Click here to enter to win 4 tickets to the world premiere of, "Disney's A Christmas Carol" in London!
Sweepstakes ends Sept. 13, 2009.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Hot_Deals_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1189639672821&ssid=224

Hope to see you there!

NannyMall.com