Play Safe with Holiday Gifts!

With the holidays, children are gifted with new toys and trinkets from well-meaning loved ones. While everyone enjoys a child’s face when they open a new gift, be sure to follow all safety precautions when introducing a new item. The goal is for playtime to be hazard-free. Here are some tips for safe gifting:

•  Choose age appropriate toys. Toy packaging notes the proper age group for a specific toy. Choose gifts that are suitable for the child’s skills, abilities, and will spark their interest.

•  Follow directions. Before handing a new toy to a child, be sure to read the instructions. This is best to do before buying the item to ensure that there are no serious dangers.

•  Buy safety accessories. If purchasing items such as a bike, skateboard, scooter, skates, or the new hot ticket hover board, buy the necessary safety gear. Items such as arm/knee pads and helmets should be added as part of the gift.

•   Properly dispose of packaging. Tags, zip ties, plastic bags, and staples are just some of the harmful debris that comes with new packaging. It is best for the parent or caregiver to open the new item prior to playtime, or be vigilant about the cleanup of a torn open package.

•  Pay attention. Monitor children when they are playing with a new toy. Be sure that the child is capable of managing the toy and no safety concerns arise.

•  Store toys after playtime. Put toys away when they are not in use. Tripping, stepping, or falling on a toy left lying around can cause an avoidable accident!

Remember, play safe and play smart!

Holiday Tips For Household Employees!

Almost everyone is in high gear for holiday cheer and celebration.  It's a fun time of year and with a little planning, stress levels can be calmly maintained.  We want to offer a few ideas to consider that are particularly important this time of year.  While a nanny feels at home in her work place, each family may approach the holidays a little differently in their home.
 

• Families travel, and schedules change.  With everyone so busy, parents may forget to tell an employee about a change or a travel plan.  It is advisable to be proactive.  Ask your employer about their holiday travel plans and ask if there will be any change in schedule that you can help accommodate. This will serve two purposes. It will help your employer focus on these items.  And, you will minimize the chance of being blindsided by the "Oh, I forgot to tell you but tomorrow...." 

• Over the holidays, many families have an influx of guests from out of town.  This could be relatives, step children, or friends.  Be proactive and ask if there are any plans for guests and ask if there is anything you can do to help prepare for their arrival. It could mean anything from picking up a few additional groceries, to help wrap a few extra gifts. 

• Each home celebrates the holidays unique to their family "culture".  Check in with the parents about how they want you to emulate their practices.   Ask about their traditions, activities, and if there are any boundaries on decor or craft projects.  Some parents may love that you want to take the kids to have a picture with Santa, while others may not.  It's better to ask and get a clear idea of how you can align your activities with the family's traditions.  

• Help to minimize stress and keep the household running smoothly.  Ask if there are any special holiday clothes for the kids that you can help prepare by making sure they are cleaned and pressed. If it's a "hand-me-down" from an older sibling, does it need any mending?  Ask about assisting in gift wrapping or home decorating.  A less stressed employer makes for a less stressed employee! 

Be proactive! Thinking ahead will always be a mark of your quintessential professionalism!Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Thank You, Nannies! (and Happy Holidays!)

Last night, The Philadelphia Nanny Network hosted our 2011 Holiday Get Together. It was so nice to see so many of our fabulous nannies. We were also thrilled and awed at their incomparable generosity. Thanks to the wonderful network of nannies, we were able to gather a large donations for Cradles to Crayons, a very deserving charity in the Philadelphia area. 

Cradles to Crayons works in the community to help provide children with the essentials they will need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued. We feel their mission is incredibly important year-round, but especially during the holidays. For more information, visit http://cradlestocrayons.org/ . The Philadelphia Nanny Network will also being accepting donations at our office until next Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Again, thank you to all of our nannies for your hard work all year and for your continued kindness, both of which inspire us!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!