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Travelling with your Nanny - Nanny Payroll Implications

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Going on vacation?  Visiting the family?  If you are ready to hit the road with your child and you are taking you nanny with you, allow us to share these helpful tips to avoid any misunderstanding, uncomfortable situations and make your trip a complete success!

• If you are travelling internationally, please make sure your nanny has plenty of time to get/renew her passport and any needed documentation to make the trip with your family.  If she needs any vaccinations to enter the country, you need to let her know … it is your job to do the research for your nanny.

• Plan your nanny’s travel duties ahead of time and most importantly – share them with her.  Knowing her responsibilities in advance will make your nanny aware of your expectations of her performance during this temporary new routine and will avoid frustration between both parties when your expectations are not met.

• Nannies are hourly employees and your nanny typically doesn't work around the clock.  Keeping track of on-duty work time is important. If you are travelling for a long time, make sure nanny gets some “down time."  Your nanny will appreciate her down time and will be refreshed and enthusiastic when on duty! She should have at least one full day free in a 7 day work week. Also, if she is expected to be on duty during the flight, road trip or any kind of transportation let her know ahead of time, and don't forget to compensate for those hours.

• If she is expected to go out with the family for any special occasion, let her know your plans so she can pack accordingly.

• On a trip and always – make sure you communicate with your nanny.  Nannies know your children pretty well, after all, they spend most of their days together.  Nannies are the first “to go source” on any matter regarding your child.  Nannies are often quick notice any behavioral or attitude change in the little ones.
  
  
• Inform yourself about nanny payroll and nanny taxes for these extra hours. Also remember that while she is traveling with the family, you are responsible for her meals, lodging and transportation expenses. If she is accompanying children to venues with entrance fee these too are your responsiblity.

After all these checks … you are ready to go and enjoy your tip with your nanny!  Bon Voyage!

Families, nannies, what has been your biggest challenge when traveling together?

Do You Owe the Nanny Tax?

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Personal finance expert Jane Bryant Quinn recently discussed the "nanny taxes" on the popular TV show The Street - stressing that these are not just for nannies! We have posted often about the obligations of families who hire cleaning ladies, maids, and senior caregivers to report and pay the employment taxes. The IRS recently announced an IRS Nanny Tax amnesty program, promising stepped up enforcement going forward.

Ms. Quinn's presentation is short and totally on point:

(The Street)

HomeWork Solutions has worked with thousands of families nationwide for over 20 years helping them understand and solve their "nanny tax" headaches. We offer free telephone consulations - call us at 800.626.4829 today. Go Ahead - Simplify!

Related Links

• When Do I Owe Taxes for my Cleaning Lady?
• Free Publication: Household Employer Quick Start Guide
• Nanny Tax Amnesty - Prelude to Enforcement?

Transition from Nanny to Nanny/Housekeeper

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Note: Special thanks to our guest blogger, author Marta Perrone (The Professional Housekeeper).  Marta is an expert in the household staffing industry. We are pleased to share her discussion on transitioning a nanny to the nanny/housekeeper role.   Marta is a professional trainer of housekeepers, nannies and household managers.

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 A common difficulty when hiring a nanny is the discussion of what entails “light housekeeping”. Everyone has a different view on this, especially the nanny. The new mom has her hands full with a first child and is overwhelmed with the idea of caring for an infant along with cleaning and organizing a home. Her only hope is that the nanny she just hired will jump in and assist. Typically most nannies are asked to do “light cleaning” but would prefer that it be referred to as “household chores”. Somehow when a professional nanny hears the word “housekeeping” they cringe like having heard nails on the blackboard. You can call it anything you want; the bottom line is that it comprises the very basic concept of “cleaning” and is a mandatory function of nannies as it relates to the children.

So let’s break it down so we clearly understand what “Light Housekeeping” really means. Here is the list:

• Maintaining the child’s room and bath clean and organized*
• Cooking for the children and cleaning the kitchen after meal preparation – including sweeping floors and cleaning the breakfast table, washing necessary dishes, cleaning counters and removing trash
• Organizing the playroom, family room or any room where the children play
• Organizing and keeping toys sanitized
• Light dusting and vacuuming in rooms where children convene
• Laundry belonging to the children

*Sometimes a family has a housekeeper either 1-5 days per week who may be responsible for cleaning all the bathrooms and bedrooms. If so, then the Nanny would be relieved of this duty.

If a nanny is accustomed to doing these household chores and doesn’t have an issue with it, then as the children grow up and transition to full days at school, the nanny (with more time on her hands) may increase these efforts and become more of what is known as a “Full Charge Nanny/Housekeeper”.

After several years, often nannies become so close to the family that they choose to make this transition in spite of the change in responsibilities. However, if a nanny wants to primarily work with infants and toddlers without being overloaded with housekeeping, she will electively not make this transition and move on in search of a new family. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but rather solutions that match the needs, skills and desires of all parties involved.

Nanny Recognition Week

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On behalf of the entire HomeWork Solutions' team, we would like to wish a great National Nanny Recognition Week 2012 to all nannies! We appreciate all you do for the children in your care and the families to whom you provide services.
This is your week ... enjoy it with a smile!

National Nanny Recognition Week

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Through the year, there are some special days, created to remind us of the importance of those special people that make a difference in our lives.  We are now approaching the National Nanny Recognition Week (September 23^rd through 29^th).

To the families blessed with the care of a loving nanny/care giver, this is the perfect opportunity to show her how important she is and how much you appreciate her.  Let her know how much easier your life is since her addition to your family.

This is also a good time to connect with your child on the giving experience and show him the importance and the power of those two words “Thank you”.  Plan with your child a thoughtful token of appreciation for your nanny. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, it has to be something meaningful for her.   Have your child draw a picture titled “The best thing about my nanny” or “My nanny loves me”, etc … A photo with your family and the nanny could make a great present as well.  You could also find some great gift ideas on the Regarding Nannies blog.

This is just a reminder there is a week created to show your nanny how much you appreciate her.  We want you to ask this question to yourself “how has my life changed since my nanny came to the rescue?”  Show her how you feel … I am sure you have something to say!