ParentTalk Forums / ParentTalk / Child Care & Education

Finding a Live in Nanny

rayah — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:31:56 GMT

I had been completely overwhelmed trying to find a live in nanny. So many different agencies to choose from. I took the advice of another member Maya (I think that's her name) to call an agency, Trust Caregivers. Its not too often that i will write a recommendation like this, but they were amazing. Any family that wants to hire a live in nanny should call Trust Caregivers first. They were so professional, they listened to all my craziness (I think all us new moms have a touch of craziness) and they basically gave me all the information I needed to make a well informed decision. Since they don't charge a placement fee, I really felt at ease using their services. Juvy arrived at my home last week and she has been an absolute pleasure. Not only does she care for my two kids, she cleans my house and cooks dinner every night. I pay $1200.00/month...that is the total cost. That is less than it would cost for me to have both my kids in day care. Trust Caregivers did all the screening and interviewing for me. With so many shady agencies out there, I felt compelled to write about this one that found my family the very best nanny (I really do not work for Trust Caregivers...they were just really good) Check out their website www.trustcaregivers.com Anita was the consultant I worked with.

Dreams Made Possible

mccrory32 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:23:48 GMT

The ‘I have a dream’ foundation was formed to provide educational opportunities to kids from low income and high violence zones. Most of these kids end up dropping from school primarily due to lack of opportunities and unfavorable circumstances. The foundation adopts such kids and enables them to pursue their educational dreams.

The foundation was started accidentally by Eugene Lang, while addressing the parents and children of his inner city elementary school. As he faced the children at this high dropout rate school, he was inspired to tell them that he had a dream for each of them, and he spontaneously, committed to this class that any student who graduated from high school and qualified for college would be personally assisted by him to be assured the financial resources to pursue his or her college education.

This impulsive action resulted in a revolution that has lasted so many years and still continues to influence lives. The foundation was started in Dallas by Bill and late Elaine Farrell with the help of Eugene Lang. The first class of almost 1,000 sixth grade ‘Dallas Dreamers’ was adopted in May 1987, making Dallas the first city outside of New York to start an ‘I Have a Dream’ Foundation program. The adoption of a second class of 1,000 ‘Dreamers’ was in 1988. In November 1990, Education Secretary Lauro Cavazos helped kick-off the adoption of eight new fourth grade classes into the Dallas program with Arthur Andersen, IBM, Bank of America (formerly Nations Bank) and Alcatel (formerly Rockwell International) as corporate sponsors. This tradition of adopting classes and ensuring proper education and development of the adopted dreamers continues today. Presently the organization is guided by the board members of IHAD-Dallas which has many dignitaries including David Disiere of the Deep South Surplus of Texas, Helen M. Dorsey, Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc. James W. Loose Galloway-James Inc. and others.

Conduct of Life Books for kids

ahbooks — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:55:37 GMT

Hi! My name is Amanda and I just wanted to share some exciting news with as many parents as possible. There is a great conduct of life book out there for kids, one that helps busy parents, teachers and caregivers have profound and intimate conversations with kids on matters like self-image, materialism and respecting the environment (to name a few). The book is called GIFTS by Amanda Maragos
for more info visit www.ahbooks.ca
Enjoy!

How much to pay the occiaional babysitter?

violet1amythest — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:06:17 GMT

I'm wondering what is "normal" to pay for someone who watches the kids when you go for supper or need a break away for a few hours? We have a regular sitter for when I'm working or need to go someone where for the whole day but for the times it's just a few hours or when we want to go out I'm not sure what to pay her. She is only 14 and is very good with the kids, most of the time we take them to her house (her mom is there and I feel better as Carter is still very little and the 2 can be a lot for 1 person, but I'm told she does everything that needs to be done), and a few times she has come to our house. Because we are her "first" paying job (she's gained others but we got her started) she didn't tell us and hasn't specified lately what she wants to be paid. When I was young and babysitting I charged up to $5/hr and as low as $2.50/hr-a more full day. And decided I was very expensive. And that was a long time ago. So I really am not sure where on the scale I should be paying.

What do you pay your occaisional sitter?

Questions to Ask a daycare facility

Westley — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:05:25 GMT

I need help. Would like to know some general questions on what folks ask daycare facilities . Iknow Ishould find out if they will suit my needs but what else? I am a first time mom and will be calling to get my son on waiting lists. I am also thinking I should visit these facilities.

best nanny in Canada

regev1 — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 21:42:26 GMT

Hi, we just wanted to share a site we came across that has lots of good info on finding/hiring/employing a nanny, including the details of the Canadian laws and regulations - we found it very useful actually. The address is:
http://www.ofek.ca

Warning about A+Child Development program

taratosia — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:08:00 GMT

Has anyone recieved a call from these people they are also call project Head Start. They are based out of Calgary. I would advise you not to go through the application and presentaion it only leads to further pushing of a salesperson saying that your child needs this in order to be successful in school and in life. The program would of costed 3600.00cnd. My husband and I did not go through with this and began to research them out, and found that there program was not worth what the asking price was,aswell there company made over 3.8 million dollars in 2005. This does not sound like a research company striving to better the education of our future childern.

If you are also wondering how they get you number to call you they buy lists from companies like huggies or what ever company that says hey sign up and we will send you free stuff etc.

I am only putting out a warning I was lucky my Husband was on the ball, because these people are very convincing, but do your home work, and really the best thing we can do for our is talk and read lots to our kids.

The Choice in Chid Care Allowance

brendicat — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:14:40 GMT

Hello. My name is Brenda and I am a Child Care Advocate. I belong to another site and was asked to post this information here as well. As new moms, soon-to-be moms and hoping-to-be moms I feel the need to share some information about governement policies that will affect you. I hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions or want more information please PM me or email me at brendaohlheiser@hotmail.com.

The Conservatives favour a 'demand-side' approach to childcare where public funds would be paid directly to parents, allowing them to purchase child care on their own. The proposed Choice in Child Care Allowance Policyembodies the demand-side philosophy.

I am sure you have all heard that the Conservative government will be giving parents of children under the age of six $1200 a year to be used towards child care, or as the parents see fit. That's $100 a month, which would be great, but what Mr. Harper forgot to mention while discussing this "gift" is that he will also be taxing that $1200. The overwhelming majority of Canadian families would end up with considerably less than $1200 per child. The biggest losers would be modest-income families earning in the $30,000 - $40,000 range. And because every family with a child under the age of six gets this allowance, it is inequitable. The Child Care Allowance is unfair because it would pay working poor and modest-income families smaller benefits than middle-income and upper-income families. It is doubly unfair because it would favour one-earner families over single-parent families and two-earner families.

Take the example of a two-earner couple in Ontario raising 2 children (1 under 6) and earning $36,000 per year. That family would end up with only a net Child Care Allowance worth $388 - only 32.3% of the $1200 face value payment.

The other part of this Child Care Allowance plan is that the Conservative party will be breaking the Child Care promise instigated by the Liberal government which was signed in 2005. That agreement was to provide $5 billion in federal funding over five years to create a quality, national child care system in Canada. Part of that funding was to go towards subsidy. If any of you parents are using child care and are on subsidy your subsidy will be cut and your fees will be raised.

One other thing I wanted to mention is that your child tax credit will be reduced as well under this proposal.

There is something you can do. Quebec has gotten the Federal government to promise to continue this funding for at least the next 5 years. You can help your province fight for it too!

Thank you for you time and attention to this important matter.

52 weeks mat leave in Ontario?

wiccanmomma — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:13:38 GMT

i just heard a rumour that as of Jan. 1, 2007, maternity benefits in Ontario will be extended.

Has anyone else heard this or know of anything?

I need a REAL answer quickly, as I am negotiating with my boss about going back to work in less than a month.

Thanx.

Daycare drop-off disasters

springbaby — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:33:12 GMT

My daughter goes every morning to daycare-she has been for a year now, same time every day,and she gets upset every single day, she's so sad I'm leaving she cries every day. I don't know what to do, or say, or how to handle it.

As well. she just started dance class-which parents are not allowed to view-it's been wonderful...but the last dance class...as soon as she see's me leaving, she attaches herself to my leg crying. We ended up leaving dance class, and going home..but I don't want her to think we can do that every week, and I also don't want to leave her crying.

Please help.
angela

how much to pay a babysitter?

caroline — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 22:17:42 GMT

hi all,

we have 2 kids, a daughter who is almost 3 and a 14 mth old son.

we have a girl that we are considering to be our babysitter... she's 17, lives in the area, says she has a lot of experience with young children and is a trained lifeguard after school.

my question is.... how much is the going rate for a sitter these days?

thanks!
caroline

ps-we live in toronto

Good News Last Night

SAHM04 — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 11:42:13 GMT

Hello Ladies.

I got a call lastnight! She is going to call me back next week. Her little boy is bully. And her little daughter is in school. So l told her that l wanted to meet the kids and see how they do with my son. I don't like the fact that her 2 1/2 year old is a bully. So l don't think that this would work to well. My son is great with other kids. So what do you ladies think? would it be a good idea to take these kids in? Any advice you can give would be great. It would not be till Sept.

Called another lady today. She needs care for 2 school aged kids. Part time and she will be calling me at the end of the week. this one sounds promising... Not till Sept

What would you charge for 2 school aged kids? parttime
What would you charge for one school aged kid and one toddler?

Kathy

He's so smart!

violet1amythest — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:01:36 GMT

Everyone keeps telling me how smart Cole is. I don't know if they are just being nice and impressed someone young is capable of doing xyz or if he really is smart for his age.

Cole is now 2 and he can sing the abc's very clearly. He will also sing other songs but most of them are just sounding like the song it self or parts of the song. Like twinkle twinkle little star or old macdonald. He's got most of the words to little star but only sings ei ei o moo moo here moo moo there for old macdonald. He is also starting to count. He will say numbers but they are not in any kind of order but he thinks he's counting properly anyway. Yesterday he told me he has 1 teddy and when I asked him to get his other teddy he told me he had 2 teddies once he brought it out. He knows shapes and most colors and when doing a puzzle meant for older kids he can do it alone after the second time doing it with us. The puzzles that are shapes of animals and stuff he can do alone the first time and get it all right with really no mistakes. He knows animal sounds and will now ask what something is when he hears a noise or sees something he doesn't know. When he watch shows like Dora or Blues Clues he will point out the answer to their questions or clues.

I don't think that he's a child prodigy or anything and am not really sure where on the scale of smartness he is compared to other kids his age since the kids in our playgroup are older or a lot younger.