FAQ's
What are the
typical responsibilities of a Nanny?
What's the
difference between an Au Pair and a Nanny?
What kind
of benefits do nannies typically receive?
What are the
Agency fees for Long-Term placements?
When is the
placement fee due?
What are the
Agency fees for Temporary/Short-Term placements?
What if I
want to hire the temporary candidate on long-term basis?
Is it possible
to hire the same candidate for Temporary/Short-Term
assignments?
What if I
hire a Temporary/Short-Term candidate and then decide
I don't need their services?
Do I pay
the Temporary/Short-Term candidate directly?
What happens
if my nanny is sick or takes a vacation?
How does
SS@MA find qualified candidates?
What experience
is required of SS@MA candidates?
How do you
screen your caregivers?
What is a
Newborn Specialist/Doula?
What are
the responsibilities of a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
When should
I begin a Newborn Specialist/Doula search?
What is the
typical work schedule for a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
What is the
typical salary range for a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
How do I
get started with SS@MA?
What
are the typical responsibilities of a Nanny?
A Nanny's #1 priority is to create
a safe, loving, and stimulating environment because
this is most crucial for nurturing a child's well-being.
The specific responsibilities vary upon the agreement
made between the Nanny and the employer. Their duties
typically include the full range of activities in childcare
such as: supervising the child; playing and reading
with them; engaging in developmental activities, especially
with younger children; preparing the children's meals;
driving the children to appointments and coordinating
their activities; light housekeeping, e.g. maintaining
the playroom, the children's rooms and laundry. A Nanny
may also have the responsibility of running the household
while a parent is away on business or personal travel.
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What's
the difference between an Au Pair and a Nanny?
An Au Pair is a young adult from a
foreign country who comes to the U.S. as part of an
educational and cultural exchange program. Au Pairs
are considered to be members of the family, not employees.
They may or may not have prior childcare experience
or training.
Their work is restricted to childcare
duties only. They are not allowed to perform general
household responsibilities or manage the home if parents
are away on travel. Their work week is restricted to
45 hours or less and they receive a small allowance/salary.
The Au Pair program limits the time they can stay in
the U.S. to one year to experience American life.
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What
kind of benefits do nannies typically receive?
Benefits vary from family to family
depending on the market and on what you negotiate during
the interviewing process. Examples of some of the more
common benefits families are offering nannies: Paid
holidays, paid vacations, sick days, personal days,
gas/mileage, partial or full health insurance, dental
insurance, use of family vehicle, cash bonus for longevity,
paid airfare home for visits, cell phone allowance,
401K, Sep IRA.
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What
are the Agency fees for Long-Term placements?
There is a non-refundable annual Registration
Fee of $295.00. This fee covers consultation, search
and the registration of a long-term placement or summer
placement, and the use of our "Temporary/Short
Term Services" for one year from the date of registration.
If you hire a candidate we refer to
you, our referral fee is as follows:
Full-time, Live-out or Live-in Nanny, Parent Helper, Family Assistant, Governess
15% of gross annual salary or $3000, whichever is greater
Part Time, Nanny, Parent Helper, Family Assistant, Governess
15% of gross annual salary or $3000, whichever is greater
Summer Nanny employment of 120 days or less)
35% of gross compensation or $1500, whichever is greater
Share A- Nanny/Live-in or Live-out,
Full or Part-Time
20% of gross annual salary or $3000, whichever is greater
SS@MA conducts in-depth interviews
with our clients to identify specific requirements.
This helps us create the best matches between employer
needs and employee services. In the event that you terminate
employment during the first 4 months of placement, we
will offer you a partial credit of your original fee
to be applied towards a future search. This credit is
prorated based on the employee's last day in the position.
Our Referral Agreement provides a detailed outline of
all of the terms and fees mentioned.
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When
is the placement fee due?
The placement fee is due only when
you make the offer and the Nanny accepts the position.
At that time we do the criminal background check.
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What
are the Agency fees for Temporary/Short-Term placements?
There is a non-refundable annual Registration
Fee of $295 that allows you to use all of our services,
including searching for a long-term candidate or use
our Temporary/Short-Term department. In addition to
the registration fee, there is a referral fee due to
the agency of $40 for each day the provider is placed
in your home for days or evenings. There are additional
fees for overnights and holidays. There is a 4-hour
minimum.
If you do not wish to register for the year, you can become
a non-registered client and pay $70 referral fee for each day the provider
is scheduled to come to your home. The referral fee is due when a candidate
is confirmed for the assignment. There are additional fees for overnights
and holidays.
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What
if I want to hire the temporary candidate on long-term
basis?
If you choose to hire a temporary
candidate on a long-term basis, a Placement Counselor
will be happy to review the long-term placement fee
structure with you. Temporary fees do not apply toward
a permanent referral fee.
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Is
it possible to hire the same candidate for Temporary/Short-Term
assignments?
While we cannot guarantee that the
same person will be available for each assignment, we
will be happy to check the availability of a specific
person for you. We make every effort to honor our clients’
requests and with sufficient notice, we can usually
make the necessary arrangements. We understand our clients’
need for consistency.
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What
if I hire a Temporary/Short-Term candidate and then
decide I don't need their services?
If the assignment is changed or cancelled after it has been confirmed, there is a $25.00 Service Provider charge for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, in addition to the non-refundable referral fee.
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Do
I pay the Temporary/Short-Term candidate directly?
Yes, you pay the caregiver’s
wages directly upon completion of the assignment. The
caregiver's wages are separate from the agency fees.
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What
happens if my nanny is sick or takes a vacation?
SS@MA provides Temporary Short-Term
childcare services for personal in-home use as well
as corporate services for conferences, special events,
worship centers, hotels, daycare centers, etc. You may
utilize this service when your nanny is sick, on vacation,
or when you just want to get away for the weekend.
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How
does SS@MA find qualified candidates?
Since 1979, we have successfully placed
experienced caregivers in homes throughout the Washington
metro area. We are proud to work with caregivers who
have completed long-term assignments through us and
have returned to us for further placement. We also partner
with other leading agencies to conduct nationwide searches
for qualified candidates.
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What
experience is required of SS@MA candidates?
The candidates represented by our
Agency must have at least two years professional experience,
as well as references in their related field. Our candidate
pool consists of a wonderful variety of ages, ethnic
and educational backgrounds and experience levels. This
diversity allows us to offer you a wide range of profiles
to match your unique needs.
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How
do you screen your caregivers?
Our 9-step background check allows
us to screen candidates meticulously. Our priority is
your peace of mind. We hire professional caregivers
who take their responsibilities and care giving seriously.
All our providers meet our exceptionally high standards
of qualifications and are selected for their experience,
character and reliability. Some of our providers have
been with us for more than 15 years, and some of our
families have been with us more than 20 years - a reflection
of our stability and a sign of confidence. Additionally,
all our providers speak English, are legal residents
of the United States, and have their own transportation.
Our 9 Step background check includes:
- Personal Interview
- Reference Check
- Health & Safety Orientation
- Fingerprints & Photograph
- Criminal History
- Driving History
- Sex Offender Registry
- Social Security Verification
- CPR Certification
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What
is a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
A Newborn Specialist or Doula (Greek,
meaning “new mother/new baby”), can be a
nurse or a person who has gone through training with
a lactation consultant. They have extensive training
and experience and help nurture and care for the baby
while providing guidance and education for you. A Newborn
Specialist will provide unique expertise in all aspects
of newborn care and parental education and support.
Whether you need a lactation consultant, an expert in
the care of multiples, or just an extra set of hands,
SS@MA can provide a Newborn Specialist who meets your
needs.
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What
are the responsibilities of a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
The primary role of a Newborn Specialist/Doula
is to provide assistance during the post-delivery recovery
period and help you transition into a regular schedule.
The Newborn Specialist is available at night to take
care of your baby in order to give you needed rest.
The Newborn Specialist feeds your baby by bottle or
brings the baby to you for nursing. After feeding, she
burps and changes your baby before settling him or her
back to sleep. A daytime Newborn Specialist provides
similar care and also strives to create a nurturing,
stimulating environment for your baby during waking
hours. Both day and night Newborn Specialists document
your baby's patterns and keep a log of sleeping, feeding
and changing times so you can transition your baby to
a regular schedule.
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When
should I begin a Newborn Specialist/Doula search?
It's never too early to start your
search for a qualified, trustworthy Newborn Specialist/Doula.
To ensure the broadest selection available, allow up to 3 months prior to your
anticipated delivery date to begin the selection process.
However, don't hesitate to call us if you have an immediate
need. We have accommodated many families on short notice.
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What
is the typical work schedule for a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
A Newborn Specialist/Doula can work
full-time, usually in 12-hour shifts day or night, or
work 24-hour shifts, either 5 or 7 days a week. A Newborn
Specialist usually works a minimum of 2 weeks.
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What
is the typical salary range for a Newborn Specialist/Doula?
Salary is usually based on two factors:
the amount of experience the caregiver brings to the
position and the number of infants involved (twins,
triplets, etc.) The average salary range for a Newborn
Specialist is $17 to $30 per hour or $250 to $400 +
per day. Since Newborn Specialists work as temporary
employees, they usually receive no benefits.
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How
do I get started with SS@MA?
Our team of Placement Counselors is
ready to assist you with our extensive pool of cheerful,
professional caregivers for your childcare needs. Contact
our Placement Counselors at 703-250-0700 or 800-526-2669
from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday or click
to begin your search.
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