Washington Nanny

Hiring a Washington Nanny or Babysitter

Networking in Washington 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.

Washington Nanny Salary

The going rate in your Washington 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 $12 to $16 an hour or $500 to $700 per week. Be fair – for sitters, pay a decent rate with a minimum number of hours arranged beforehand. There are some well-established registered babysitter and nanny agencies in Washington, and they will provide references and detailed background checks on request.

Washington Nanny & Babysitter Agencies

Georgetown Nanny, Inc. (202-629-1851), a member of the International Nanny Association, is owned and operated by a team of professional women who demand the very best in childcare for their children. Candidates must pass extensive reference and background checks, CPR and first aid certification is required, and a basic training program must be completed. Advance Nannies (757-481-5396) has been operating since 1984, and candidates must pass character reference and driving checks. 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 Washington 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.

Washington Kids Activities & Things To Do with Kids

Washington is the capital of the United States, located between Virginia and Maryland on the Potomac River, and the district is named after Columbus. D.C. history began in 1790 when Congress directed the selection of a new capital site 100 square miles along the Potomac. The federal government and tourism drive the city’s economy. Washington is accessible by air with three airports to choose from, and rail and road. It is easy to get around D.C. with the MetroRail subway system, surface routes, plentiful taxi service, and of course walking the well-laid out streets. Washington has a multitude of restaurants and pubs that showcase its diverse and international cuisine as well as after-hours live music and entertainment.

Washington is most well known for the National Mall and its monuments, all situated near the western end of the mall and most can be visited within one day. The most prominent landmark in Washington is the Washington Monument, the tallest structure at 555 feet tall, the centerpiece of the National Mall. You can take an elevator to the top for a spectacular 360-degree view of the city, and 50 flags symbolizing the 50 states surround the base. Another must-see is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall of black granite, inscribed with the names of those who fought so bravely. You can also visit the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King, Jr. stood to deliver his speech “I have a dream”; the National World War II Memorial with its wall of 4,000 gold stars commemorating the 400,000 that served, and the FDR Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial.

The White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the most famous address in the nation. The Visitor Center is open seven days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and you should allow up to an hour to explore the exhibits. Public tours of the White House are available on request, up to six months in advance. Washington is proud home to the Smithsonian Institution, a vast research and education complex founded in 1846 that began as a museum and today is the largest in the world. It encompasses the very popular National Air & Space Museum that houses the largest collection of air and spacecraft in the world where you can learn about the history, science and technology of aviation and space flight. There are also planetarium shows and IMAX films several times daily. Go early to avoid the crowds.

The National Gallery of Art, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, houses more than 1200 paintings of Italian, French and American works. Its Index of American Design exhibit consists of 20,000 drawing and watercolors illustrating the history of American crafts and folk art. Also part of the Smithsonian is the National Museum of Natural History with its Discovery Room with hands-on displays for young children. This includes an 80-foot dinosaur skeleton and a gigantic prehistoric white shark as well as an insect zoo and a live coral reef. The National Aquarium is home to more than 200 species including gators, sharks and turtles, good for younger kids because they can get up close and personal to observe a variety of species, with the typical visit taking just one hour. The National Zoo, founded in 1889, is also part of the Smithsonian, home to more than 400 species with giant pandas, monkeys, sea lions, and the Invertebrate Exhibit’s Touch Tank is always of special interest. Admission is free, but you will have to pay to park here. Another interesting tour for all ages is at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where you can see how U.S. paper currency is printed, stacked, cut and checked for defects. Also printed there are securities, identification cards and naturalization certificates, but no coins are produced. For something a little different, you can visit the Discovery Theater which is live educational theater geared towards school age children. Through puppet shows, storytellers, mimes, actors and dancers, classic stories and folktales are presented.

As you can see, Washington offers something for everyone, resident and tourist alike. Just remember to bring a jacket and wear comfy shoes when out and about in Washington.