Six Great Childcare Apps

Parenting apps to help simplify your life are all the rage these days, especially ones that provide entertainment for your kids or help you access childcare quickly when you’re in a bind. 

This blog article gives you an objective view on childcare apps, what to expect from a cost perspective and how they work. Read on to find out more…

NannyPod

Obviously we are somewhat biased when it comes to tooting our own horn about the NannyPod app. NannyPod launched its new super-fast childcare app in July 2021. It is the lowest cost childcare connectivity mobile app in the industry. It’s fast and simple to use. 

Pros: No subscription needed, low fee background checks, easy to use filters

Cons: Credit card must be added to pay childcare providers (no cash option)

Overall: 9/10

Bambino

This company is somewhat new to the industry. They’ve done a great job at creating a smooth app with lots of features, even if it looks a bit busy. A little like UrbanSitter, it connects you via friends and neighbors to childcare providers. 

Pros: Comprehensive features

Cons: A little overloaded

Overall: 8.5/10

SitterCity

SitterCity has been around for quite a while. They’re on par with Care.com from an age perspective, although somewhat behind the curve of their nemesis from a features point of view. They also do senior care and pet care.

Pros: Good all round platform, nice images

Cons: Pricey subscriptions, different apps needed

Overall: 8.5/10

Nanno

Nanno is another new provider in the childcare app space. They’re gradually building a presence, although they do have a few things to fix on their app.

Pros: Comprehensive vetting process

Cons: App seems to have a few issues at present 

Overall: 6.5/10

UrbanSitter

A nice interface for parents to find childcare, although one may argue that they could have improved a bit more over the years. They’ve branched out into senior care, pet sitters and household help.

Pros: Connects you via Facebook friends and groups

Cons: Shares your information

Overall: 8/10

Care.com

The behemoth in the industry which started out of Boston MA. They’ve branched out into pet care, elder care and even home-sitters. Definitely the most expensive platform coupled with various caveats for cancelling.

Pros: Multiple services on one platform

Cons: Expensive subscriptions and background checks

Overall: 8.5/10

Summary

We think it’s a good idea to use a few apps for the same function e.g. Uber and Lyft, or OpenTable and Resy. That way, you always have a back-up plan if one is not getting you what you need.

As a side note, NannyPod recently incorporated the most technologically advanced background check feature called SafetyPIN, that includes ongoing monitoring for a low monthly fee. Background checks are purely optional, but strongly recommended for all users so as to keep the NannyPod community a generally safer place. 

Where else can you find, book and pay for childcare in seconds, for hardly any fees? If you have some ideas or information to include in our next blog article, please email info@nannypod.com thank you.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod App or find a long term nanny through the NannyPod Boutique service. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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NannyPod's Super-Fast New Childcare App

Families can get set up and make requests in under a minute, helping the company capture some of this $30 billion industry. Parents can opt to pay $8 per month for unlimited bookings. When you pay a babysitter through the app, there is an extra $2 Safe Pay fee. Thus paying a babysitter $30 while you had a date-night would only total $32, plus the monthly fee. You can then get the childcare tax credit or use your dependent care FSA to offset the cost! The low fee app is designed to be the fastest way to find childcare anytime you need it and pick up jobs on the fly in the gig-economy. The platform is entirely free to all childcare providers and allows them to keep 100% of their earnings. 

“Our platform simplifies family life on a daily basis, and helps childcare providers earn more money,” stated Kevin N. Hedges, CEO & Co-Founder. “The app combines all of the features you’d expect when trying to book a babysitter or find a nanny, including filters for ratings, pay rates, CPR certifications, experience and more. What makes it really special is the speed at which it works. Parents can also pick childcare providers who have a background check with continuous monitoring. Our core childcare services include infant care specialists, babysitters, nannies, homework helpers and tutors. There’s even a pick up / drop off service for families whose kids are always at activities. The all-in-one solution for childcare is accessible in every city across the USA,” says Hedges. It’s recommended parents invite some sitters and friends they already know to the app, then make childcare requests as needed.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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Pay Your Childcare Providers Legally - It's Cheaper!

Have you heard of the American Rescue Plan? How about Dependent Care Savings Accounts or the Childcare Tax Credit? These may sound complicated, however really they’re not. In addition, these plans are of huge benefit to parents with children. If you are looking at using any type of childcare such as a nanny, babysitter, infant care nurse or even a day care service, read on.

The US government recently improved benefits for families massively during 2021. However, in order to access such benefits, you must pay for childcare by the books. No more cash or checks under the table guys!

There are great childcare cost calculators available to help you budget and work out the math. In addition, your childcare provider will accrue important long term benefits such as social security and even unemployment. Paying under the table doesn’t help them with these, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to play by the rules.

If you are unsure about what to do, we recommend talking to a qualified CPA or CFP to help guide you. Navigating these waters is not too difficult with a bit of help from a professional.

There are also a couple of software resources like NannyPay to do the heavy lifting. You’ll avoid the paranoia too of any type of IRS tax audit where you inadvertently fell afoul of the rules and the ‘nanny tax’.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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Searching For A Nanny - How To Find Childcare In The Lowcountry

Whether you need full time care during the week, or occasional help for an appointment or date night, finding good reliable childcare can be a struggle for parents with young children… read more

https://www.postandcourier.com/special/lowcountryparent/page-l17/page_683e4bef-7e4d-51d5-b9ac-3861f4347501.html

Article published by Lowcountry Parent Magazine - June 2020

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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How to Get Better Sleep: A Guide for the Whole Family

Sleep is vital. It allows our bodies to rest, recharge, and refresh, and our minds to process the events of the day. Good sleep can make us healthier, happier, and more productive. Poor sleep can make us irritated and exhausted in the short-term and mentally and physically ill in the long-term. Despite this, many of us continue to accept that sleeping poorly is inevitable in our modern lives.

However, getting a good, restful night’s sleep is not only possible, but it is necessary for our well-being. To improve sleeping habits, you need to analyze your current sleeping routine and figure out what needs to change. It’s also important that you do this for your family and especially your kids because they may not even realize that they are not sleeping well enough. Here are the areas you should be looking at.

Schedule

First of all, you need to figure out whether your problem is poor sleep or simply not enough of it. The National Sleep Foundation advises adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, with children needing more. Check out their recommendations by age to find out how much sleep your kids should be getting.

For Adults: Make a note of when you go to sleep for a week, and see whether you are within the recommended range. If you aren’t, you need to set a bedtime and stick to it. If you simply aren’t sleepy at that time of the evening, you need to consider stimulants that may be keeping you up (see below).

For Kids: While it is relatively easy to monitor a young child’s sleep schedule, it becomes harder when they’re older. According to CNN, teens are getting on average seven hours of sleep, which is two less than the recommended amount. 

If your children are going to bed late, ask them why. If they are doing homework until very late, it may be because they have too many things in their schedule. If it’s the latter, ask them what you can do to help and reevaluate their extracurriculars.

Sleep Environment

Next, you need to make sure your sleep environment - including your mattress and room temperature - is optimally designed for you to get a good night’s rest. 

For Adults: Consider the quality of the environment in your bedroom, including your mattress and bedding. Ideally, you want to sleep in a cool bedroom with as little light as possible. For your bed linens, you want sheets and a comforter that provide enough warmth or that help you stay cool. When it comes to your mattress, if it’s older than 10 years, it’s most likely past its prime, which means it’s time to start shopping around for a new one. If budget is a concern, there are plenty of affordable mattresses on the market that will also suit your sleep type. If you’re shopping as a couple, look for mattresses with solid edge support and that have motion transfer control.

For Kids: A young child will not be able to identify differences in air quality, so focus on the humidity in your children’s bedrooms. A humidifier can help maintain the right levels of moisture in the air, help prevent your child’s skin from drying out, and can help when your child has respiratory issues.

External Stimulants

Lastly, you should consider whether you are making things harder for yourself by stimulating your body before sleep. The main things to watch out for are caffeine and blue screen light from technology. Both can make it difficult to fall asleep, and both should be avoided in the hours leading up to bedtime.

For Adults: It’s a piece of advice you have probably heard before, and that’s because it works. Leave phones, laptops, and tablets outside of the bedroom so you aren’t tempted to use them before bed. If you use your phone as an alarm, simply buy an old-fashioned alarm. This may take some time to get used to, but it will do wonders for your sleep.

For Kids: Consider making a ban on night-time technology a family thing. Your kids are more likely to comply if they know you are doing it, too, and it’s good for everyone. You should also watch out for how much caffeinated soda your kids are drinking, and especially watch out for your teens consuming energy drinks.

If you or someone in your family have tried all of the above and still can’t go to sleep, it may be a case of insomnia or another sleep disorder. Visit your family doctor, who will discuss your options. A lack of sleep is a health problem like any other, and there are plenty of treatments available that can help you get some well-deserved rest.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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12 Ways to Thank Your Nanny - National Nanny Recognition Week 2018

Take a few minutes to thank the people who help raise your children. National Nanny Recognition Week is September 23rd - 29th 2018!

1. Create a thank you message and post it on social media.

2. Give an unexpected bonus

3. Make a homemade gift

4. Surprise your nanny with breakfast when she arrives.

5. Encourage your nanny to pursue her professional education by paying for nanny certifications.

6. Pick up her favorite snacks so she can indulge whenever she needs a pick-me-up.

7. Present her with a gift card based on her likes or interests, to show you pay attention.

8. Give her an extra paid day where she can catch up on her to-do list.

9. Show that you value her professionalism and sponsor her membership to the International Nanny Association for $35. 

10. Send her to the spa with a gift certificate and let her know that since she spends so much time taking care of others, this is her day to care for herself.

11. Pay for a nice manicure and pedicure if the full spa is too pricey.

12. Give the nanny an afternoon off, where she gets to finish early.

NannyPod provides long term nanny matches and short term occasional date-night babysitters and infant care on demand, at an affordable price. Our service is convenient, safe and secure for families and our staff. Parents can request childcare instantly by using the NannyPod app. Get started with NannyPod today and find babysitters or nannies for your childcare needs!

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