Miami Nanny

Hiring an Miami Nanny or Babysitter

Networking in Miami with friends, neighbors, teachers, or using a professional registered sitter agency is a good way to start. It is important to find someone that you like to watch your child. This should be a responsible, competent, trustworthy individual who actually likes being with children. Ensure that they are age-appropriate since some nannies and sitters are not comfortable with babies or very young children. Do a background check, ask for references and be sure to check them out. It would also be helpful if the sitter had some first aid or CPR training. Remember your child’s safety is your first priority.

Miami Nanny Salary

The going rate in your Miami neighborhood can vary depending on the sitter’s qualifications, experience, education, and the number of children to be cared for. Salaries for live-in nannies currently range from $600 to $1200 per week depending on qualifications and responsibilities. Be fair – for sitters, pay a decent rate with a minimum number of hours arranged beforehand.

Miami Nanny & Babysitter Agencies

There are some well-established registered babysitter and nanny agencies in Miami, and they will provide references and background checks on request. The Nanny Network (305-932-5335) has been a member of the International Nanny Association (INA) since 1985, providing quality staffing of nannies, mother’s helpers and elder care companions. They have developed a national recruiting network and are active in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). All candidates undergo in- depth interviews; employment, education and medical histories are checked, and all references are thoroughly checked for previous employment, childcare experience and character. Class Act Nannies (305-302-9777 or 305-761-0001) is an INA member and provides full-time live-in and live-out nannies, part-time live-out nannies, weekend nannies, and 24-hour baby specialists. All candidates submit personal and work references, are personally interviewed, undergo a driving record check, and a criminal background check is conducted by an independent screening agency. Be sure to leave a contact number where you can be reached, as well as your child’s medical information. If you are going to be unavailable, perhaps a grandparent or good neighbor in Miami can be notified. Be clear to the babysitter about your expectations. This should be a good experience for your child, something and someone they can look forward to coming again.

Miami Kids Activities & Things To Do with Kids

Miami, also known as the “sunshine state”, is the second largest city in Florida, located in the southeast part of the state on Biscayne Bay. It was built in 1835 during the Seminole Indian wars, founded in 1870, city planning by Julia Tuttle who arrived there in 1891 and bought several hundred acres on the bank of the Miami River. Miami was incorporated as a city in 1896 after Ms. Tuttle convinced New York City financier Henry Flagler of the area’s potential and persuaded him to extend his Florida East Coast Railroad there. He dredged the harbor, began a recreational center and promoted the area as a leading year-round resort area. Miami is an international banking and finance center, a national leader in biomedical technology with the health care sector providing a major industry. The city is a main transportation hub with its international airport, and the port of Miami is the world’s largest cruise port. With its great weather and white sandy beaches, tourism is one of Miami’s largest industries, making the city a good place to visit or hold a convention. With much to see and do, Miami is a favorite tourist destination for kids of all ages.

Miami has a multitude of restaurants and pubs that offer diverse international cuisine in all price ranges, as well as after-hours live music and entertainment. Be sure to try the fresh seafood, and Cuban food is readily available. Shopping is a major attraction in itself. Sawgrass Mills, famous for its factory outlet stores, big box and specialty shops, is the largest mall in Florida with more than 350 stores and restaurants where it is fun to find a bargain or that hard-to-find treasure. Lincoln Road Mall is a 10 block mall full of shops, boutiques, art galleries, museums and restaurants (most offer outdoor seating to let you people-watch while enjoying the weather) with seven blocks closed to traffic, all within walking distance to world famous South Beach with its unique art-deco style and pizzazz. Bayside Marketplace, one of the stops on the Downtown Waterfront Walking Tour, offers a wide variety of shops and restaurants right in downtown Miami. There are several economic methods of public transport to get around Miami. The Metromover where everyone rides free is an automated people mover atop an elevated track, a convenient way to get around downtown with 20 stations, one every two blocks, and it connects with Metrobus at downtown bus terminals. The MetroRail is a 21-mile elevated rail system with stops every mile, and the Tri-Rail is a commuter rail system with 15 stations throughout Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. So if you don’t have a car, don’t despair.

The Miami Children’s Museum has more than 56,000 square feet showcasing hundreds of bilingual interactive exhibits, programs and classes related to culture, arts, community and communication. Kids of all ages will enjoy the World Music Studio where they can make a recording and play instruments. There is even a kid-sized rock-climbing wall.

Biscayne National Park is an under water 181,000 acre national treasure located just off the coast of Miami. You can snorkel, scuba dive, fish, go canoeing, or take a glass-bottom boat tour. There are hiking trails and campgrounds available, and entrance is free. The Miami Metrozoo highlights over 1200 animals divided into geographic areas where you can see the animals living in free-range environments. For a faster point of view, rent a Safari Cycle and tour the grounds, see the koalas, free-flying rare Asian birds, and feed the “mile-high” giraffes at the new Giraffe Feeding Station. Admission is free for children two and under. The Miami Seaquarium is a good place to spend half a day where kids can see their favorite ocean animals, watch the killer whale and dolphin shows, explore the park to see coral reef fish, manatees, sharks, crocodiles and more. If you can plan ahead, their wade program offers adults and children (over five years of age) a chance to swim with the dolphins. The Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium offers hands-on exhibits to make science fun for older children. The Planetarium shows for all ages are scheduled several times daily. The unique outdoors wildlife center showcases reptiles, turtles and birds of prey in their natural habitats. Laser light shows are held on the first Friday night of the month, and special exhibits are featured on a temporary basis.

Kids of all ages will enjoy Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle), which has several daily animal shows with an up close look at birds, tigers and more. You can watch the frisky twin orangutans, visit the Serpentarium to see giant reptiles and the world’s biggest crocodile, and active tweens will have fun on the 168-foot Hippo Slide. Crandon Park is ranked one of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S. Visit the Amusement Center with its carousel, splash fountain, outdoor roller rink and playground, rent a cabana or a kayak, explore the Biscayne Nature Center, enjoy the Park Gardens, and have a picnic.

With so much variety for kids of all ages, you can see why Miami is one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, and you will want to return again. Just remember to have everyone wear sunscreen, bring a hat, and wear comfy shoes when out and about in Miami.