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Just as the agency will want to ensure that nannies referred to you are suitable candidates, for the nanny’s protection, the agency also may ask you for references. Most agencies will assist you in preparing a job description that summarizes your family’s job duties, compensation package and other important considerations.
Many placement-agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pairs
Au Pairs are foreign nationals age 18–26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12-month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child-care services (maximum of 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants 3 months of age or younger unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child 2 years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child-care experience.
CHILD-CARE RESOURCES
The California Child Care Resource & Referral Network (R&R Network) (www.rrnetwork.org) promotes affordable, accessible quality care through research, education, policy and advocacy. The Community Care Licensing Division (CCL) of the California Department of Social Services (DSS) oversees the licensing of all child-care facilities in California. Parents have the right to receive information regarding substantiated, as well as inconclusive, complaints about any child-care provider. This information is public and can be acquired by calling the local licensing office in every county.
Trustline, California’s official background check for in-home child care, is a database of license-exempt child-care providers (nannies and babysitters) who have passed a criminal history background check in California. It is the only authorized screening program of in-home caregivers in the state and has access to fingerprint records at the California Department of Justice and the FBI. TrustLine also checks the California Child Abuse Central Index for any substantiated child abuse reports and is endorsed by the California Academy of Pediatrics. To check if a provider is registered with TrustLine, call (800) 822-8490 or visit www.trustline.org.
Finding the Right Child-Care Provider
Finding the right child-care provider takes work, and it takes asking lots of questions, from practical ones about hours and meals to the personal ones about discipline and toilet training. As parents talk to providers, the most important question to consider is, “Will my child receive loving and careful attention?”
Local child care resource and referral agencies help parents form the questions that will guide them to quality, affordable care in a variety of settings, depending on family needs. Located in every county in California, R&R agencies are in constant contact with parents and providers. Parents can call for information about choosing child care or for names of specific providers or centers in the region. A child-care specialist is available at every R&R to consult with parents and provide free referrals that meet the needs of each family. Some California families qualify to receive financial assistance from the government to help pay for their child care. Local child-care R&Rs can help families determine if they qualify for assistance.
Call (800) 543-7793 or visit www.rrnetwork.org to view the map to locate the closest R&R in your county. Before calling the local R&R for help finding child care, parents should consider their needs in terms of fees, hours and location and other information helpful to a counselor for finding appropriate child-care solutions.
According to R&R Network, it is important to address the following points and questions when looking for a child-care provider.
Interview and observe the potential provider with the child.
Beyond that, you should check their references and work history. Plus, trust your instincts. Hire someone you and your children like. Once you have found a provider, communicate regularly and openly about how the child-care arrangement is working.
Many placement-agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency’s services to help you locate a nanny.
— Au Pairs
Au Pairs are foreign nationals age 18–26 who enter the United States through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Au Pair Exchange Program, to experience American life for up to 24 months. Au Pairs in good standing can apply to extend their initial 12-month visit an additional six, nine or 12 months. Au Pairs participate in the life of the host family by providing limited child-care services (maximum of 10 hours per day, 45 hours per week) and are compensated for their work according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Au Pairs may not be placed in homes with infants 3 months of age or younger unless a parent or responsible adult will be in the home supervising the Au Pair. An Au Pair may not be placed in the home with a child 2 years of age or younger unless they have 200 or more hours of documented child-care experience.
CHILD-CARE RESOURCES
The California Child Care Resource & Referral Network (R&R Network) (www.rrnetwork.org) promotes affordable, accessible quality care through research, education, policy and advocacy. The Community Care Licensing Division (CCL) of the California Department of Social Services (DSS) oversees the licensing of all child-care facilities in California. Parents have the right to receive information regarding substantiated, as well as inconclusive, complaints about any child-care provider. This information is public and can be acquired by calling the local licensing office in every county.
Trustline, California’s official background check for in-home child care, is a database of license-exempt child-care providers (nannies and babysitters) who have passed a criminal history background check in California. It is the only authorized screening program of in-home caregivers in the state and has access to fingerprint records at the California Department of Justice and the FBI. TrustLine also checks the California Child Abuse Central Index for any substantiated child abuse reports and is endorsed by the California Academy of Pediatrics. To check if a provider is registered with TrustLine, call (800) 822-8490 or visit www.trustline.org.
Finding the Right Child-Care Provider
Finding the right child-care provider takes work, and it takes asking lots of questions, from practical ones about hours and meals to the personal ones about discipline and toilet training. As parents talk to providers, the most important question to consider is, “Will my child receive loving and careful attention?”
Local child care resource and referral agencies help parents form the questions that will guide them to quality, affordable care in a variety of settings, depending on family needs. Located in every county in California, R&R agencies are in constant contact with parents and providers. Parents can call for information about choosing child care or for names of specific providers or centers in the region. A child-care specialist is available at every R&R to consult with parents and provide free referrals that meet the needs of each family. Some California families qualify to receive financial assistance from the government to help pay for their child care. Local child-care R&Rs can help families determine if they qualify for assistance.
Call (800) 543-7793 or visit www.rrnetwork.org to view the map to locate the closest R&R in your county. Before calling the local R&R for help finding child care, parents should consider their needs in terms of fees, hours and location and other information helpful to a counselor for finding appropriate child-care solutions.
According to R&R Network, it is important to address the following points and questions when looking for a child-care provider.
Interview and observe the potential provider with the child.
- Why does this caregiver want to care for children?
- How does he or she feel about this work?
- Is this person warm, caring, attentive and responsive to the child who will be in this care?
- What do you like to do with children?
- What are your feelings about discipline?
- How do you handle naps, eating and toilet training?
- How would you handle an emergency?
- What if my child cries all day?
- What if my child refuses to eat?
- What if my child refuses to nap?
Beyond that, you should check their references and work history. Plus, trust your instincts. Hire someone you and your children like. Once you have found a provider, communicate regularly and openly about how the child-care arrangement is working.
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