Safety First for In-Home Hiring (Some things you may not know or have forgotten)

Some alarming news came to my attention in the past week which sparked this post. A babysitter was not who they said they were and two little babies unfortunately were at the forefront of this (thankfully, they are ok). As we are starting our very own way for parents, families, nannies, babysitters, tutors and more to connect I feel it only necessary that we address the issue at hand. 

Below are some helpful lists to help those on the ‘search’ - and we will have plenty more helpful tips coming to the blog, so stay tuned! 

(The website is getting closer everyday! If you haven’t yet signed up to be notified when we officially launch, you can do so here. We will have so many more handy resources and checklists there when we are done!) 

We provide you with a few helpful resources for all the information you didn't know. You are not expected to know what to do when hiring someone for your home or family however it is your responsibly to ensure you do the proper research before making any advancements.

Whether you are hiring someone to work as a nanny or a cleaner, you need to carry out the relevant checks. If you were going through an agency they would be doing the same so you need to be sure to protect yourself and your full house.

- - -

CVs and References

First things first, you must thoroughly check the CV of the person you want to hire and their references.

Check the following;

- How long have they stayed in previous positions

- Most relevant experience for your available position

- References, ensure you contact them. It would be unsafe to invite someone into your home before conducting your own background check.

When conducting checks on the candidate’s references, ensure you are speaking to the real person; make a phone call, it is much more reliable. Of course not all references are job related however the below questions are some of the most important in any regard. Keep in mind it is dependant on the job you are hiring for, if you are hiring a cleaner you want to ask about the quality of their work and if it is a live in nanny you want to know that they will be able to successfully live with you. Remembering also you will learn a lot from the interview process with the candidate yourself.

Reference check must asks;

- How long did they work for you for and in what capacity?

- How would you best describe him/her?

- Would you consider him/her punctual and reliable?

- Do you feel *JOB DESCRIPTION* would suit him/her, are they capable of this?

   

Official background check:

Next you want to check their criminal record status. All people working with children or in the presence of children at any time must hold a current and clear police check, blue card or working with children's check. Each state is different in this regard, simply ask the person for their card number or certificate/notice number and look it up online to ensure it is still valid. You should also keep a copy of this for your own records. If this expires while the person is still working with you, they must renew and provide you with the details again. Remind them if necessary, it is unsafe not to have this up to date. It costs anywhere between $30-$80 depending on state and checks required.

Take a look at www.nationalcrimecheck.com.au or www.afpcheck.com

Queensland go by the Blue card system and the remainder of our states follow the Working with children system (for easy googling of forms).

*Note if the person you are hiring has lived in another state for a long period of time ensure you see clearance in both states - a national police check can help clear this up. They will need a valid 'card' for the state they are not working in and a police check nationwide.

First Aid and CPR

This is a non negotiable when working with or in the presence of children. If the applicant has not completed their first aid and you want them to have this, suggest to them to use an ambulance service such as St John's, the Red Cross or Australia Wide First Aid for a range of course options. It is also helpful for parents to stay up to date with the latest in CPR in the case of an emergency. This usually costs $60-$190 for a full course and refreshers courses can be less. CPR should be renewed yearly and first aid every 3 years, ask the instructor for details as the regulations are subject to change.

Qualifications and other certificates

Some candidates will have qualifications and some may not, in that case they may have completed some short course or learnt from another platform so be aware to ask about this. Collect a copy of anything you wish to have on hand, for example if you have a child with anaphylaxis you may want to keep a copy of their certificate of training completed in relation to this.

Your children and their needs

Every child is different and every family has different rules. It is important to be as clear as possible to someone coming into your home whether it be to clean, to care for your children or to tutor them. Allergies and personal preferences are the first big items to disclose, specifically religious beliefs or practices that you would require the candidate to work with. Anything that may be detrimental to the partnership, or determine whether or not someone is comfortable working for you, needs to be discussed upfront. After this outline things such as safety, routine, do's and don’ts, discipline etc.

Work cover and public liability

Both parties need to look into insurance for in-home work. You need to be covered for anything that happens to them while in your home and if they are working with your children they need to be covered if anything was to happen to your children while in their care. There are multiple companies that provide nanny insurance such as Nanny Sure, an Australian based company - www.nannysure.com.au (for public liability)

See www.workcover.com.au for information on all states.

Queensland specific for cleaners and more - CANSTAR  OR  Worksafe

Car: Insurance and Licence

If you need the candidate to drive your children whether it be in their car or your car you need to ensure both cars are full comprehensively insured for the drivers, particularly if the new driver is under 25. Secondly you need to be aware of the driver’s licence status. Find out what type of licence they have and how many points they have accrued and take a copy of their licence for proof of identity. Thirdly check the car they have is safe for children (wheels, airbags etc) including having a road worthy and registration. If you are not comfortable with any of these circumstances I suggest providing a car to be used during work hours or find an alternative form of transport. If the candidate is using their own car they need to be compensated for this and keep a log book to record kms used during work hours.

Pay and benefits

Paying your employees can be tricky when it is an in home arrangement. The most common way for this to occur is that the candidate for whichever job in your home has an ABN (Australian Business Number) and you can pay them direct. They will then of course be responsible for taxes, holidays, sick days and super. Other options are to use a payroll agency which will run the show including tax and super. However if you choose to set this up just be aware that you need to discuss this in detail to ensure everyone is covered for all aspects of pay and benefits. Any allowances and benefits also need to be discussed in detail such as car, fuel and spending money.

*Note*: If you are going to pay them effectively as a contractor with an ABN the pay needs to reflect a casual hourly rate to ensure the candidate is still left with the award hourly rate at a minimum after covering super, tax etc. Super should always be paid separate and be stated in a pay slip regardless of the arrangement.

Check out www.domesticpayroll.com.au for tips, award rates and nanny tax services.

Contracts and confidentiality

A contract protects both parties so ensure you put one in place before the first day of official employment. Below is a list of some items that need to be covered in this process;

- Start date

- Length of contract

- Hours per week

- Rate of pay

- Pay period

- Method of pay

- Extra pay/over time and holiday entitlements (sick pay included)

- Allowances and benefit

- Spending money or kitty

- Car use

- Super (9.25% legally)

- Number of children if any, duties, requirements etc

- Confidentiality

- Notice period

- Ground for termination

- Trial period

- Location of workplace

- Social media policy/ images of children or home

- Contract and performance review schedule

We hope this helps you out in your search for suitable, and safe, help for your full house. If you have any queries or thoughts or stories to share, please leave us comment below, or send us an email. We love to hear from you!

C x

Time is all they need... (it's been one of those days)

I've had a week of days that I don't like my kids all that much but I love them anyway. The days we all know too well; that start great.. get a little shall I say, horrible in the middle, and end with cuddles and gorgeous sleeping children. So this week I tried out some new tactics to settle down the horrible middle we all hate so much... here is how I went.

Ignore them: Worked well until I was told my one of the builders in the house (note constant renovations and 17 builders roaming around) I should really pick him up and give him a cuddle now. Guilt rushed over me and I said "sorry baby, I love you but can you please stop winging now, its slowly killing me"... he hit me in the face and laughed it off. FAIL

Distract them with toys: Once they had realised what I was doing when creeping away for a coffee they started throwing toys at each other... toys were a fail.

Feed them: Great until the food ran out and I wasn't going to over feed them!

Take them out of the house: Surely fresh air will work a treat! All went very well... the park became my new hero and I thought if anything ever happened to this park I would be distraught. On the way back we needed to pick up some milk... I should have known better. All went down hill quicker than they ate their snacks! Home we go.

Match them: At one point in this day the noise was so loud I thought how in the world can I calm this down. And then I thought how about I just join them. So I did ... Terrible I know but it was soothing. That was until they wanted to beat me instead!

So I gave in, it was a day for cuddles, love and time together. Sometimes there is no amount of distracting you can do that surpasses the need for YOU. Makes for a good story and a strong heart at the end of the day.

For my nanny children,
C x

(on a side note, we have added a "like" button at the very bottom of all our posts, so if you liked what you read it's now even easier to let us know and show us a little love!)

Kids say the darndest things (and I wrote some of them down - #2)

Hey there lovelies! The other day Chan shared some of the adorable and hilarious things she's heard from that funny bunch she spends her days with, and it seems you all enjoyed it! I promised to share some of my own, which is easy as I am in the habit of writing down anything that I don't want to forget my boy saying. It all goes too fast, and as much as I believe I will remember it at the time, lets face it; by bedtime I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast that day so I don't like to take my chances... a backup is a good idea...

The things that come out of that tiny little loud mouth melt my heart and crack me up, DAILY. Here are a few...

While playing with his toy police motorbike on us and the couch. 

"Shhh Daddy" and sweetly brushes his Dad's eyes closed so he "sleeps". 

Then runs bike over his face, making a loud siren noise "NEENAWNEENAW! ... AWAKE!" 

"Oh no, I got crumbles"..... Crumbs 

Him - "I love Marnie and Pa. I love you too." 

Me  - "I love you too, you're my little man."

Him - "I not a man. I a boy."

Talking about our one day veggie patch...

Me - "I think we'll grow some carrots" 

Him - "Carrots. Or some spaghetti!"

'Breastfeeding' his favourite toy...

"I feeding him because he's hungry. This (*points*) one's pasta and this one's milk!" 

"Plants" -  Pants 

"Putanas" - Sultanas (apologies to any Italians...)

"Oviler"  -  Oliver

Heading for my Aunty's place, hopefully for a swim, but he said we can't swim because "it's totally cold out there".

Not wanting to sleep in his room

"I don't like my bedroom. Take it to the bedroom shop"

Coming home from shopping 

"I've been gone ages! I've been gone FIVE minutes!!"

Trying to teach him about mistakes. "I make lots of mustaches" 

"I doing hair bands!" ... Handstands

If you have some hilarious cuteness of your own to share we'd love to hear it!
H x

Board Game Chores (a DIY with a bit of bribery)

The kids start getting older, are more capable and can understand contributing to their home... but how can we convince them to help. First thing that comes to mind is to tell them to, just make them. We all know that ends in arguments and nagging, two things I'm sure you aren't a fan of.

A little while ago I decided to test out a new 'chore chart' idea that has been floating around the world of parental tips and tricks (of course we added our own flare). It went quite well, considering these bunnies hadn't really had to do much before this exercise, mainly because I was terrible on reminding them and following through myself. This can be tricky if your children are of different ages. Be aware that you will need to customise the chores and amount given to each child so that it is fair and age appropriate. I found this way of sorting out chores to be less effort for me. I don't have to chase up anything... they just know that if they do it, they get their reward/s.  

What you will need:

Paint or coloured pens (choose the amount of colours depending on number of children)

Large paddle pop sticks

2 jars to hold the sticks

Method:

Decide on the chores you want to give your children to do. How many for each child and then do the same for the rewards.

We did the following;

13 Year old 3 chores and 2 rewards

8 Year old - 2 chores and 1 reward

3 Year old - 1 chore and 1 reward

Note: The key is to make the rewards their own, let them decide what they want for a reward and give them a little bit of say over the chores in their pot to help push them along. Also make sure you have plenty of 'free for you' rewards. Make it as fun as possible! See below for some of our 'board game' rewards we came up with;

- Get out of one chore next week

- 30 mins extra TV

- 15 mins extra xbox

- Chore swap

- Double your rewards

Paint one end of the stick in the colour relating to that child and write the chore/reward on the other end. Make sure you don't write the chore/reward too far up the stick or you will find yourself in a pickle.

Place rewards in one pot/jar and the chores in another, with the coloured end of the stick sitting up so they know which one is theirs to pull out.

Before you return the sticks from the current week have them choose the new ones so that the chores and rewards aren't the same every week.

Each week sit down together talk about the week before, then pick out your chores and reward/s. Each child is to keep them in their rooms in their own pot or place in eye's view.

I have always found that following through can be hard, this exercise took the hard work out of the chore debate in our house. They believe I will follow through on the reward and I knew they wanted it. Was almost a board game for chores! Anything that works I say!

Enjoy! And if you do create your own version or have any great ideas of your own, be sure to let us know below! (or you can always join the conversation on Instagram or Facebook!).

C x

Kids say the darndest things (and I wrote some of them down - #1)

The list of funny, honest, terrible, misunderstood, loving things that children have said in my presence over the years is endless. At the end of a 12 hour day with my little munchkins I am exhausted beyond reason - and I am completely full of love and stories to go with it. My favourite thing about working with children is their ability to shock me. The things that they come out with and learn everyday is astounding. Let's just say my days are filled with laughter, frustration, repetition and a serious amount of fun!

I know how much joy the things they say bring me, so I thought I should share a few little stories, misunderstood words and funny one-liners from those who do it best;

Misunderstood words:

Fiveteen - Fifteen

Elevo - Eleven

John Sniff - John Smith from pocohontas

Honk - Hulk

Cheese Louise - Geez Louise

Duck Duck Juice - Duck Duck Goose

Underdorm - Thunderstorm

Flavourite - Favourite

Bounce-a-line - Trampoline

Basgetthi - Spaghetti

Punkuter - Computer

One-Liners that I'll never forget:

I can't even wait

It’s going to take for a long time

I think it in my brain

I 'magiced' it away

I love you too much

You're driving me nuts

Hi Sweet cheeks

I love you to the moon and the stars and the trees and the dinosaurs

Oh don't worry

Love: 3 year old little man

C: I love you

S: I know you do!

C: Oh and you don't love me?

S: I do love you

C: You just don't want to say it?

S: I don't need to say it, you know I love you, it's in my brain.

Excuses : 4 Year old monkey

C: No eating that in on the carpet... only on the timber ok.

S: Yeah of course

........... 2 mins later

C: What is that on the carpet?

S: *shrug*

C: How did that happen?

S: It jumped out of my hand and stuck to the floor, it was so crazy.

C: Oh yeah…

S: Crazy, what the heck!

I could go on forever and I am sure before I actually manage to post this I will have many more to share. I hope you all got a little chuckle out of them... they sure keep me going each day in my crazy job.

C x

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Admit it, you've used these! (Honestly, I'm lying...)

Shh by Terence Spencer, London 1970

I had a realisation, maybe a slightly obvious one but nonetheless I still had one! And these days they are few and far between. I honestly realised something had to change as kids grew older! My question is what do we do when we have to tell them the truth?

The reality is that up until they are 5 if you don't have an answer you can honestly just make it up! Pull it from nowhere make it sound convincing and Bob's your uncle, happy child! Well not after 5 you can't ! They know! They know if you are lying, they know if you only half know the answer and they absolutely know the answer when you don't! Now this realisation came from one little boy a few weeks ago who plainly and frankly told me I was wrong. I had an answer, one I have used forever and he knew I was lying! Little bugger has out smarted me, now what do I do!? I have to fess up and actually come up with the real answer, admit my defeat and deal with this situation. 

So in the spirit of this realisation I thought I would compile a list of things I can guarantee we have all said to a child at one point or another. Let's just hope your little ones believe you for longer than mine. 

- it's time for bed (bed time is 7 and it’s 6)

- the icecream truck plays a song when it has run out of ice cream
- it's my medicine

- it's too cold for that 

- it's too hot for that

- we don't have any left

- this shop doesn't sell those

- our house doesn't have that

- we can't do that because (insert silly reason here ) 

- it's too far away

- another day

- tomorrow

- next week

- it's bad for us

- mummies/nannies/grandparents aren't aloud to do that

- it will make you sick

- the doctor said 

- I am calling .... 

Happy Monday!

C xo

...H’s weigh in...

Ah yes, the beautiful trusting naive little souls. Their gullibility during these young years is a bonus I often forget to be grateful for; it sure can come in handy ;) I really like to explain most things, but being honest, there are times I just need to avoid tantrums. Other times the real answer is a little grown up or too hard to explain right now or… I really just don’t have the time or patience because - sleep deprivation!

Some of the ones that come to mind are….

- Telling him that my drink (no matter what it really is) has coffee in it so he can't have any..

- "Uh oh - it's Broken!" (The classic)

- Sorry, Mummy can’t open that/lift that/play that game, how about you ask daddy when he gets home.

- Skim reading when you don't have time to read the whole book, (or you’ve already read it 3 times…) 

  that's when I'm glad my kids can't read yet and correct me!

- Those wonderful ridiculous stories and explanations that are complete nonsense. (Like the time my little guy asked us what that thing was attached to the back of the truck - (It was a box like thing but I can’t even tell you what it was we honestly had no idea!). The hubs said “It’s a pillow for when the truck goes to sleep!”, and apparently that was a very satisfactory answer!

A post about Autumn (before it's over already!)

Autumn; in recent years I have realised what a treasure Autumn is in this part of the country. Unlike some other parts of the world, Autumn here in sunny Queensland often only lasts for a few short weeks. Summer here lingers. It stretches into March, usually April, over enthusiastic with it’s relentless scorching heat, doggedly carrying on until we are all begging for relief; “just a smidgen of cool, please?! Winter, where is winter?!” 

my favourite view from our backyard: up

The only hint of change comes in the slightly later sunrises, and the earlier nights. But finally, rather abruptly, it arrives. One morning you’re suddenly pulling on your uggs and you realise it’s here - Autumn. Autumn; with it’s crisp mornings and evenings, but-not-giving-up-just-yet hot days. It is glorious picnic weather and sun showers, breezy days and quieter evenings. Grab it while you can, because any day now the biting winter cold will show up and Autumn will be done for the year.

Sunny backyard picnic.
See what I mean? Hard to believe it's autumn.

First in line, calling for the cooler months, is usually where you can find yours truly. Typically my favourite season, I’m usually counting down the days, itching to get out my boots and scarves…  but this year, I’m uncharacteristically… hesitant. This may be the first year that I am hesitant about winter. I think it has something to do with not being pregnant this summer and being able to enjoy it more (read: being able to be outside and not just want to spend the entire season in a freezer room…  and being able to fit into my shorts..). I’ve really loved all the outside things we’ve been doing with the kids this year too. Summer is fun with kids. And I still have so many things I’d like to do while it’s hot.

#bringoutyoursoupspoons

So I’m soaking up the sun a little longer, wearing shorts and dresses and such while I still can. But I’m slowing bringing out the cardigans. Soups have started making their way into our kitchen again and the pantry is packed with pumpkins (yes that is fun to say); the dressing gowns and scarves are coming out of storage; and I’m being slowly but surely reminded why I love this chilled, cozy, snuggly time. 

Autumn is here. But before I know it, it will be gone. Time to embrace it I suppose! The cool reminds me to slow down and enjoy warm company. To get more cuddles in. So that is what I’ll be aiming for these next few months! …. Just let me pop outside for a while more… See you next year, Summer… Autumn, bring me my slippers….

H x

Tips and tricks for those moving to London (Part 3 - For Nannies and Au Pairs)

Hello again! Happy Friday! Continuing on from our “Moving to London” series (see part one for before you leave here, and part two for when you arrive here), I’ve learnt lots of different things from finding work as a Nanny, too. If you are coming over to be a nanny, or an Au Pair, here is a few tips specific to you.

1 - Who, What and How

Applying with an agency is the best place to start. You will need to send a copy of your passport, blue card/police check, First Aid certificate, any qualifications, visa if you have it already, CV (make sure this is done right, it will be important), drivers license and a photo is a good idea also. Agencies are a very helpful resource and will guide you through the major parts of the process like contracts, interviews etc. 

2 - Specifics

Send your information to as many as you can, just google agencies in London and they will all pop up. Some agencies will say thank you but we don't take internationals, others will say they will want to meet you when you arrive and some will accept you via Skype. Agencies that are specific to your nationality will always accept you as an international who is moving over. I used KiwiOz London and they were great for me. It really depends what you are willing to do, if you can afford to come over with no job, then go for it you may have a better shot at some positions in this case, but if you want a job before you arrive that is possible too.

3 - The live in live out debate.

As I mentioned before it is hard and expensive to find a place in London but it is all part of the experience. I am in a live in position as I wanted somewhere to live before I arrived. I was very lucky and found a job that gives me my own space in the basement with my own entrance so I still have my own life here. Its nice to be comfortable while getting your bearings instead of being thrown in the deep end. Well it was for me. It can be disheartening otherwise. Live in jobs are easier to get, if you want a live out job you will be competing with people who have worked in London before, are residents or who are already in London. Again it depends if you want a job before you arrive. You will get more pay when you are a live out however you need to compare the wage to what you will spend on living.

4 - Pay

Live in positions as a nanny will get paid between 300 and 450 a week (max 60 hours) after tax which takes into account you living in and eating their food (huge benefit). You will get more benefits from the family if you live in. Live out pays about 12 pound an hour on average so your pay will depend on your hours. If you are an Au pair (younger, older and/or have no experience or qualifications) you can expect to get paid 130-180 pounds after tax a week, you will live in and have all expenses paid, but I would recommend making sure you have money behind you for travel as the money you make won't go too far.

5 - Get Insured

You will need insurance, you can get this through Morton Michel. This is super important, it is your public liability which protects you on a legal level if anything was to happen to the children while they are in your care.

6 - License

If you have an Australian license you do not need to change it as you can drive anywhere in the UK or Europe with this in any rental car (If you are under 25 it will cost you more due to insurance and some companies may not rent to those younger). However if the family you work for want you to transfer it to the UK they will pay for this.

7 - Interviews

If you are going to be doing Skype interviews make sure you are prepared. Ask the agency for tips if you want them, for any information on the family you don't have or just read up on the position have any questions ready for them. People love when you ask questions as it makes them feel you are more committed to the idea of working with them. Also just be yourself. Experience is important but they really need to know if you fit into their family so put your best foot forward. Do not lie or bend the truth. Are you a quiet person? Tell them. They need to know these things. You may loose an opportunity or gain one that isn't for you if you don't.

8 - Contracts

You will receive a contract, if you don't you need to get one. If you are going through an agency (which I recommend) they will have a contract for you, don't worry you are not signing your life away or signing yourself up for a lifetime. If you find a job from another means, you will be able to find a contract template online that you can follow. It will need to state holidays, extra pay, penalty rates, overtime, weekend and overnight pay, living arrangements, hours, expectations, probation period, notice to leave periods, length of contract etc.

9 - Hours and Holidays

It is very normal to work Monday-Friday 12 hrs a day if that is what the job spec has said. You will usually have to babysit at night two times a week if stated in the job spec also. Some families would like you to work a Saturday on occasion but they will specify. You will get 4 weeks paid holiday a year, all bank/public holidays unless otherwise asked and sometimes sick leave. If you work for a family who travel and they don't want you to go they will pay you as per normal, for the period they choose to go away, as it isn't your choice not to work, it is theirs.

C x