IN THIS ISSUE:
Message from Kathy | Announcements |
Ask the Expert |
MBF Superstars | Craft Activity
What Clients and Nannies Are Saying |
Job Openings at MBF
Serving the Community Summer Greetings!
As I speak to nannies, I continue to hear themes of partnership and teamwork between you and your employers. MBF families place a great amount of dependence on you to help “run their lives.” As amazing caregivers (the title is no coincidence as you do indeed care for the whole family), you are always stepping up to the plate to take on greater responsibility, ease the often heavy burden of your employers and walk alongside them to assist in whatever capacity is most needed. In my household, that may change on a daily basis! My precious nanny of 2 years functions as camp director, driver, chef, trainer, personal assistant, project manager, travel companion, activities coordinator, personal shopper, and much more! I can barely function a day that she is not a part of this parenting team responsible for molding and shaping the character and development of four little lives! Many hours have been spent brainstorming together on creating goals and plans for fine motor skills, large motor skills, language development, cognitive development and social/emotional development. Together, we work toward achieving these goals and then together, we celebrate the victories!
Thanks for doing a great job and contributing to a wonderful partnership with your families! Kathy Dupuy, Owner and Founder Austin Office Expansion
After 14 years in business, our staff has grown and we have expanded our offices within the building! Our address will remain the same at 1101 Capital of Texas Hwy. S, Building H, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746, but we encourage you to stop by anytime to see the new space! We would also like to remind you that if you move, please notify MBF so we can update our records.
Wed July 16- Central Market- 38th and Lamar
Tues July 22- Extreme Fun http://extremefun-tx.com/
Wed July 23- Sprinkler Park @ Auditorium Shores- Across the street from the Long center
Tues July 29- Deep Eddy Pool- 401 Deep Eddy Drive
Wed July 30- Radijazz- more info http://radijazz.com - the 27th is Zack's 2nd birthday so I'm bringing cupcakes
We will do alternate locations on a as needed basis. Check your email for location changes if it is raining (wishful thinking) or just blazing hot.
If you have questions about Tuesday playgroup, please contact Kristy at 762-0129.
Any othjer questions, Cecelia 554-3412
Have a great Month!!
Everyone knows that good communication between employer and nanny is key to a successful relationship. Many nannies are used to talking with their boss about what needs to be done when they get to work in the morning and giving them a run down of the children’s day when they return in the evening. This is a great way to keep everyone on the same page about what happens on a daily basis, but what about setting developmental goals for the children? How do you fit this into your daily talks with your employer?
 Going over developmental goals on a daily basis can be a little daunting and probably unrealistic. Most homes are hectic at the end of the day with children being excited to see their parents and parents being tired from work. A better time to discuss setting long term developmental goals would be at a monthly one-on-one meeting. This meeting should be set up without the children being present and at a time when mom and dad can focus on you and the meeting.
There are a couple of steps you can take to make these meetings a success and therefore help your charges succeed: - Wow your boss by being prepared for the meeting! Do some research about child development. Look up what some of the developmental milestones are for fine motor skills, large motor skills, language development, cognitive development and social/emotional development for a child the same age as your charge. Remember, all children develop at different rates. Assess your charges' abilities in these areas and set some realistic goals for the next month or so in these areas.
- Put your thoughts on paper so you can keep the conversation on track and not lose your train of thought. (We have the perfect form for this at MBF- email me at ctaoftx@aol.com for a copy.)
- Provide your employers with a copy of your plan to help your boss better visualize the goals you have set and also give them a place to put their ideas down too. Keep an open mind about what they might want you to work on and don’t take it personally if they don’t agree with some of your observations or goals you have set. This is their child after all, so you want to be mindful of what you are saying about the child and always try to avoid statements that would imply the parents have done something wrong. You may not always agree on what is most important for the child to be learning, as long as you end up agreeing what goals you will be working toward together.
- Keep a daily log about your activities as a great way to track milestones.
- Celebrate their accomplishments, whether it be with a hug, a high five, or a trip to TCBY.
- Make a big deal about a success to help your charge want to succeed. Don’t forget to reinforce good behavior and show enthusiasm, as well as having the children with you when you are talking to mom about the child’s accomplishments.
- Lastly, remember to write down these accomplishments so that you and your boss can go over these accomplishments at next month’s one-on-one meeting and also so you all can celebrate your success as a team. Hey, go to TCBY- you deserve it!
Cecelia Zapalac, Austin Nanny Network Coordinator
| | | | | | John began his childcare career in high school when he volunteered to help care for a child with muscular dystrophy for over four years. John has also worked as a teacher at Children's Courtyard, caring for children of all ages, including infants. John became a babysitting resource for several families at the school, and eventually was hired on as a full-time nanny manager for a family with four young children.
John is completing his associate's degree in History and would like to continue to obtain his bachelor's in early childhood education so he can teach kindergarten. | | Jennifer’s experience as a nanny manager began when she worked for a family with four children!
Jennifer has been described as “a very reliable caregiver" and “very on top of things.” One former employer even going so far as to call her “the perfect babysitter” and “A natural with children.”
Jennifer has cared for kids of all ages in her many years as a nanny. She is a highly creative caregiver who loves doing crafts with children. She has even decorated a nursery for one family. |
Bubbles with Bubble Blower Materials Needed for Bubbles:
- 1/2 cup Dish soap
- 1 1/2 cups Water
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
- Mixing bowl or cup
- Spoon
Mix all 3 ingredients together and pour into pan, bowl or plate. Materials Needed For Bubble Blower: - Drinking straws
- 1 plastic six pack can holder (6 plastic ring holders which hold cans together)
- Tape
- Pan, Bowl or Deep Plate (to hold bubble mixture)
Instructions: - Cut the 6 pack holder into three rows of two.
- Tape the holder to the straw.
- Pour bubbles into bowl or pan.
- Dip into bubbles and wave threw the air
 MBF should be commended for its response time to requests and availability.
--Derek A, Nanny Client
- The sitter was great. She really interacted well with my son. They played board games, hide and seek, and much more. I was very pleased with her service. Thanks so much! It really eased my mind knowing I could leave my child in very capable hands and feel comfortable doing so. I appreciate your time helping me in a time of need.
--Angie J, Sitter Client
- You work very hard to make sure that I get all the jobs I can. You also make sure that the clients who request me, get what they ask...you are my great agent working very hard on my behalf and looking out for my best interest.
-- Temujin Scott, Sitter
Each quarter, our staff looks forward to our time with  the girls at The Settlement Home. Coming up at the end of July, our ladies at MBF will make crafts and decorate cookies with the girls. We are looking foward to a day of fun and interaction with the girls! The girls can give their creations to their house parents and friends! If you are interested in participating in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Laura Patterson at laura.patterson@momsbestfriend.com. |