Child Care |
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Other resources for parents include the National Resource Center for Health and Safety and Child Care, 800-598-KIDS, http://nuc.uchsc.edu. LA parents might want to visit www.LAparent.com for its community discussion boards on topics from the going rate for a babysitter to determining when your youngster is ready for kindergarten.
Need a sitter on a more permanent basis? A nanny may be the right choice for you; don’t think you have quite enough money? Consider doing a nanny-share, and therefore splitting the cost. To find a good match, nanny referral agencies are available and offer the benefit of prescreening applicants for you, but they will cost more than if you locate one yourself. If you are hiring a nanny without the help of an agency, you’ll want to do a background check, which can be done online. Go to any search engine and type in “employment screening.” A host of companies is available to research criminal records, driving records, and credit information for you. Check local parent magazines or the “Help Wanted” section in the LA Times, or see the different resources above.
The following companies offer a range of domestic care providers:
For hiring a nanny directly (not using an agency) there are certain taxes you will be responsible for calculating, specifically social security and Medicare, and possibly unemployment. For help with such issues, check the Nanitax web site, www.4nannytaxes.com, or call 800-626-4829. Nanitax provides household payroll and employment tax preparation services. You can also check with the Nanny Tax Company, 800-747-9826, www.nannytaxprep.com, or the IRS’s household employer page, www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc756.html, which discusses taxes for household employees.
If you land the right applicant, an au pair (typically, a young woman—18 to 25—from abroad who will take care of your child and do light housekeeping in exchange for room, board, and a weekly stipend) may be a better alternative than a nanny. However, an au pair will likely not have the extended experience of a professional nanny, usually works for only one year, and is required to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution for not less than six semester hours of academic credit. The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 202-647-4000, http://exchanges.state.gov, oversees and approves the organizations that offer this service in the US. The national agencies below can match your family with an au pair:
We at Valerie Fitzgerald and Associates realize that you are in the information gathering stage of your purchase and we respect your privacy. Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at info@valeriefitzgerald.com or call us directly at 310-285-7515. If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please note that we can provide detailed information and access to:
You can count on the services of Valerie Fitzgerald and Associates to provide you with information you can trust.
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As in most major US cities, finding good daycare can be difficult and waiting lists never-ending for highly recommended daycare centers. LA has over 3,000 licensed childcare centers and over 3,800 licensed family childcare providers, the quality of which varies, so screen carefully. California requires a license for any childcare provider who cares for the children for more than one family. To check if your childcare provider’s license is up to date, or investigate any field complaints against the provider, call the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Offices, 310-337-4333 or 323-981-3350, or go to
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