What is Share Care?

When two or more families hire one Nanny to care for all the children, it's called a “share care” arrangement. For a share care arrangement to work effectively, the participating families need to have a compatible geography, budget, values and preferences for how their children will be cared for. Typically, a Nanny will require a somewhat higher wage to care for more children. For tax purposes, each family participating in the share care is considered to be a separate employer. We encourage you to consult with us to evaluate whether share care is the right option for your family. We can help you make the right decision.

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What is the difference between a Nanny and an au pair?

An au pair is treated as a member of the family, not an employee like a Nanny, and comes from a foreign country as a part of a cultural exchange program administered by the U.S. Department of State working with approved agencies placing candidates under a so-called “J-1” visa. Au pairs have limited duties that encompass care of children but most may not perform household tasks like laundry or managing the household in the parents' absence. Unlike Nannies, au pairs are limited to a 45-hour work week and are limited to a one to two-year stay in the United States. Also, while Nannies vary in age, au pairs must be aged 18 to 26 years old. There are additional requirements imposed by the terms of the au pair’s visa, including that the au pair has been hired through a special agency approved by the U.S. Department of State.

Party Helpers and Event Nannies

The benefits of Town & Country Party Helpers and Event Nannies

Are you planning a party, birthday celebration or holiday gathering? Rely on our terrific pool of experienced party helpers to assist with party setup, food and beverage service and clean up.
You might also consider bringing in one of our Event Nannies who can help to make your event a success by providing an extra hand for child-related activities and help in the overall supervision of children.
Why not enjoy your guests and your party and leave the rest to our party helpers and event services candidates?

Responsibilities

Party helpers can help before, during and after your event:

• Set up and preparation, including arranging furniture, setting up party supplies, plates, glasses, utensils, etc.
• Serving food and beverages during your party
• Clean up during and after the party

Event Nannies can help before, during and after your event:

• Set up and organize children’s activities or coordinate with other entertainment activities.
• Supervise and care for your and your guests’ children during your event.
• Work individually or as part of a team with other Town & Country Nannies, depending on the size of your event.

Compensation

Party Helpers and Event Nannies both typically charge $25 per hour for most events. All wages are payable directly to the Party Helper or Event Nanny at the completion of the assignment. There is a four hour minimum for any assignment.
There is also an Agency fee of 35% of the total wages paid that will be billed to your credit card. This referral fee is due when your Party Helper or Event Nanny is confirmed for your assignment.

What clients and staff are saying

“Town & Country service is incredibly helpful to us!  I particularly value: (1) the high quality of the employees and the careful screening you do of your employees (2) the flexibility of being able to schedule for any times (3) the fact that you are always so nice and so professional!” —Amy
“When you need a Party Helper for a special event, finding the right match is important.  Town & Country Resources has the largest pool of Party Helpers in the Bay Area.  We know these Party Helpers very well and can find someone who will be the right fit for you.” —Melissa Browne, Town & Country Resources

Hotel Nanny: Job Description

The benefits of a Town & Country Hotel Nanny

Are you staying in the Bay Area, or planning a trip here, and in need of childcare? You can depend on Town & Country’s roster of experienced Hotel Nannies. We have a great pool of experienced, professional Nannies located throughout the Bay Area who are able to meet your requirements.
A major advantage of hiring a Hotel, Temporary or On-Call Nanny from Town & Country is that you are getting a real childcare professional. We have verified all previous employers and have also conducted a thorough background check including driving and criminal records. We only send Nannies with excellent records and completely clean background checks on temporary assignments.
While it’s always great to schedule your temporary help in advance, we realize it is not always possible and we are ready to help you find the help you need, even with short notice. Placement Counselors are available to help you schedule a Hotel Nanny during our regular hours and also during extended hours on Friday evenings and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Please give us a call to arrange for your short term or last minute requirement. Feel secure knowing you have the best care from our thoroughly screened childcare professionals.

Responsibilities

Town & Country On-Call Nannies excel at:

• Planning and sharing fun activities with new youngsters of all ages.
• Working with a range of families and children with different needs and personalities.
• Always putting safety and health first. You can feel secure knowing you have the best care from our thoroughly screened, childcare professionals.

Compensation

Hotel Nannies charge $20 per hour for a minimum of four hours. You pay the Nanny directly when she is finished working. There is also an Agency fee for Hotel Nannies of $10 per hour which is payable by credit card and is non-refundable. For Hotel Nanny bookings with less than 24 hours notice, the agency fee is $15 per hour.
If you need to make a change to the schedule we will do our best to accommodate you. But please keep in mind that for any cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice, the scheduled fee still needs to be paid to the Nanny as she has reserved time especially for you.

What clients and staff are saying

“Kristy was great. The kids loved her and I would hire her again any time. She had them both playing with her within minutes of her arrival, they hardly could find the time to wave us goodbye! I was impressed by how she could coordinate playing with a 5 year old and a 17 month old at the same time.  We visit SF often so I will be contacting you again.  We were extremely happy with the service.  It was great for us to rely on your agency to provide us with a trusted sitter.” —Maryanne
“Even when you need a temporary Nanny, finding the right match is important.  Town & Country Resources has the largest pool of temporary, on-call Nannies in the Bay Area.  We know these Nannies very well and can find someone who will be the right fit for you.”  —Melissa Browne, Town & Country Resources

On-call Nanny: Job Description

The benefits of a Town & Country On-call Nanny

Is your regular Nanny away? Are you planning a date night or weekend getaway? Have a last-minute need to care for a sick child or to cover a school vacation?  You can depend on Town & Country’s roster of experienced on-call Nannies.
A major advantage of hiring a Temporary or On-call Nanny from Town & Country is that you are getting a real childcare professional. We have verified all previous employers and have also conducted a thorough background check including driving and criminal records.  We only send Nannies with excellent records and completely clean background checks on temporary assignments.
As part of their job description, they are ready to jump right in and help you out  – exactly how you need it.
While it’s always great to schedule your temporary help in advance, we realize that’s not always possible and we are ready to help you find the help you need, even with short notice or after hours. Please give us a call to arrange for your short term, last minute or even emergency backup requirements. Click here for our regular and after hours contact information.

Responsibilities

Town & Country On-call Nannies excel at:

• Planning and sharing fun activities with new youngsters of all ages
• Working with a range of families and children with different needs and personalities
• Always putting safety and health first.

You can feel secure knowing you have the best care from our thoroughly screened, childcare professionals.

Compensation

Temporary Nannies typically charge between $18 and $ 20 per hour. For Temporary and On-call Assignments, there is a four hour minimum. There is an Agency fee equal to 35% of the nanny’s wages (additional fees may apply for after hours requests), payable by credit card at the time of booking.

What clients and staff are saying

“I was also really happy with my entire “temporary nanny” experience with Town & Country.  You guys made it really easy for me to request a Nanny, and it allowed me to concentrate on the rest of my hectic life with one less thing to worry about.  Many, many thanks!”  —Rachel
“I will always remember how your company came to my rescue 2 days before my September 1999 wedding.  We needed childcare for 5 or 6 guests’ children, and the Mountain View agency we had made arrangements with suddenly fell through. Someone at Stanford Park Hotel told us to give you a call and we were amazed at how seamlessly and efficiently you handled it.  Just like you do now:)“ —Jane
“Even when you need a temporary Nanny, finding the right match is important.  Town & Country Resources has the largest pool of temporary, on-call Nannies in the Bay Area.  We know these Nannies very well and can find someone who will be the right fit for you.”  —Melissa Browne, Town & Country Resources

Family Assistant: Job Description

Responsibilities

Families want a nurturing, safe and stimulating environment so their children can thrive. Some families also need help running the household to help out busy parents. Working with a Town & Country Family Assistant is like having two great employees in one - they take care of your children and while helping to keep your home running smoothly.
We know how important the safety of your family and your home is. We work hard to screen all of our Nanny and Family Assistants and check every reference. We practice "full disclosure,” which means that we share all pertinent information about candidates with our clients so that you can make a fully informed hiring decision. We’ll never withhold information from you just to push a candidate through. We will keep you informed of our progress screening your chosen candidates throughout your search.
It is important to us that you feel confident that the Nanny and Family Assistant you hire through Town & Country will keep your children and home safe. Just as important, we work closely with you to understand your family’s unique needs so that we can match you with a Nanny and Family Assistant who will be a great fit.
The duties of a full-time or part-time Nanny and Family Assistant can include:

• Childcare: The Nuts and Bolts
  Helping busy parents ensure that essential childcare tasks are done right.
• Preparing children for their day; dressing, grooming, breakfast and getting them organized
• Preparing meals for the kids
• Driving children to school, appointments and activities
• Laundering clothes
• Tidying up after children

• Childcare: Developmental
  Enriching children’s intellectual, emotional and physical development.
• Tutoring and helping with homework
• Initiating and participating in enriching activities
• Playing sports and exercising
• Story time and reading
• Connecting during “just hanging out” time

• Managing and maintaining the household.
  • Light housekeeping
  • Loading and emptying dishwasher and keeping kitchen tidy
  • Taking out garbage and recycling
  • Taking care of pets
  • Managing the family calendar
  • Scheduling repairs and service
  • Planning birthdays, play dates and other activities
  • Assisting with travel plans

• Doing household errands.
  • Grocery shopping
  • Personal shopping for family
  • Picking up and dropping off dry cleaning
  • Interfacing with vendors

Compensation

Compensation for a Family Assistant is usually based on two factors: the amount of experience your Family Assistant brings to the position and the duties included in the Family Assistant’s job description. We can help you determine the appropriate compensation that will work for your family and your Family Assistant.
Salary
Full-time, live-in Family Assistants earn $2,950 to $4,200 per month on average. Family Assistants who live outside the home typically earn $17 to $25 per hour. This range includes both full-time and part-time Family Assistants.
Benefits
Many families provide benefits that may include:

Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Medical insurance
Reimbursement for automobile expenses

Part-time benefits may include:

Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Reimbursement for automobile expenses

What clients and staff are saying

“I wanted to let you know that Allie is fantastic!  She takes great care of the kids, the house is in great shape when I get home from work and many of the errands and chores I had to do myself are now done for me – it’s really wonderful! Going back to work was stressful and I knew I needed all the help I could get. I thought that finding the right person to take care of my kids and my house would add to the stress, but I was really impressed with your process.  The pool of candidates you sent was of the highest quality and well screened ahead of time. You assured me we would find the right fit – and we did! ” —Sally, Mom and Sales Executive
“Nanny and Family Assistant is a position we created here at Town & Country.  As parents got busier, we found they needed help with a variety of tasks to keep their household running smoothly – not just childcare.  We helped to guide our best Nannies to step up to the plate and take on more responsibilities.  Our Nanny and Family Assistant position is a win for everyone.” —Sarah Thigpen, Town & Country Resources

Baby Nurse: Job Description

Responsibilities

A Baby Nurse provides loving care for babies, usually at night, so new parents can get much needed rest. Town & Country Baby Nurses are very experienced; most have worked on assignments with us for years. Baby Nurses can provide expert assistance in your baby’s first weeks and months during the post-delivery recovery period. A Baby Nurse, also known as a Night Nanny, Post-partum Doula or Newborn Specialist, can help new parents in a wide variety of ways, including helping your baby adjust to sleeping and feeding schedules, providing burping and swaddling techniques, as well as assistance with lactation, changing, bathing, infant laundry and sterilizing bottles.
We know how important the health and safety of your newborn is. We work hard to screen all of our Baby Nurses and check every reference.  Due to the short-term nature of Baby Nurse positions, we have worked with most of our Baby Nurses for many years and have placed them on multiple assignments with clients, so we have an opportunity to get to know them extremely well. As with all of our placements, we practice "full disclosure,” which means that we share all pertinent information about candidates with our clients so that you can make a fully informed hiring decision. We will also follow up with you after our Baby Nurse has completed her work for you so that we can include your feedback as part of her reference file.
It is important to us that you feel confident that the Baby Nurse you hire through Town & Country will keep your baby safe and well cared for. We also work closely with you to understand your unique needs so that we can match you with a Baby Nurse who will be a great fit.
The duties of a Baby Nurse may include:

• Feeding by bottle or bringing baby to Mom for nursing
• Changing
• Laundering infant clothes
• Sterilizing bottles
• Burping and settling newborn back to sleep after feeding
• Helping to create a nurturing, stimulating environment for baby during waking hours
• Documenting baby’s patterns, including sleeping log and feeding and changing times
• Transitioning baby to a regular feeding schedule
• Formulating a sleep schedule
• Educating parents about care for twins, triplets, etc.
• Providing parental guidance and support
• Consulting on lactation issues

Compensation

Compensation for a Baby Nurse is usually based on the amount of experience the candidate brings to the position. We can help you determine the appropriate compensation that will work for your family and the Baby Nurse.

Salary
The salary range for a Baby Nurse is $25 to $35 per hour. Salaries for twins typically begin at $30 per hour.

What clients and staff are saying

“I was really impressed with Town & Country. I started working with another agency; they sent six Baby Nurses but I didn’t like any of them. When I switched to T&C, Elizabeth really listened to me; she paid attention to what I needed and was looking for. Then she made the match – Rosemarie, the Baby Nurse I hired, was the first person I met.” —Barbara, New Mom

"Rose was a big support, provider of great advice and a good partner to us. It was nice to have her there every evening. She helped with a lot of sleep training and really participated in the stages and changes in the baby’s development that occurred over the months she was with us. She was incredibly helpful along the way, both practically helpful and helpful on a psychological basis. We trusted her completely. We could just go to our room and relax and know that she would care for our son the way we would ourselves." —Marian, First-time Mom
“We have a stable and highly experienced pool of Baby Nurses. Over the years I’ve gotten to know these committed women quite well and I have a good sense of which Baby Nurse will be a good match for each family.” —Elizabeth Dameron-Drew, Town & Country Resources

Nanny: Job Description

Responsibilities

Families want a nurturing, safe and stimulating environment so their children can thrive. The best Nannies do a great job of creating that atmosphere.
We know how important the safety of your family and your home is. We work hard to screen all of our Nannies and check every reference. We practice "full disclosure,” which means that we share all pertinent information about candidates with our clients so that you can make a fully informed hiring decision. We’ll never withhold information from you just to push a candidate through. We will keep you informed of our progress screening your chosen candidates throughout your search.
It is important to us that you feel confident that the Nanny you hire through Town & Country will keep your children and home safe. Just as important, we work closely with you to understand your family’s unique needs so that we can match you with a Nanny who will be a great fit.
The duties of a full-time or part-time Nanny can include:

Childcare: The Nuts and Bolts
Helping busy parents ensure that essential childcare tasks are done right.

• Preparing children for their day; dressing, grooming, breakfast, and getting them organized
• Preparing meals for the kids
• Driving children to school, appointments and activities
• Laundering clothes
• Tidying up after children

Childcare: Developmental
Enriching children’s intellectual, emotional and physical development.

• Tutoring and helping with homework
• Initiating and participating in enriching activities
• Playing sports and exercising
• Story time and reading
• Connecting during “just hanging out” time

Managing and maintaining the household.

• Loading and emptying the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen tidy
• Taking out garbage and recycling
• Taking care of pets
• Planning birthdays, play-dates and other activities

Doing household errands.

• Grocery shopping
• Personal shopping for family
• Picking up or dropping off dry cleaning

Compensation

Compensation for a Nanny is usually based on two factors: the amount of experience your Nanny brings to the position and the duties included in the Nanny job description. We can help you determine the appropriate compensation that will work for your family and the Nanny.

Salary
Full-time Nannies who live in the home work between 40 and 55 hours per week and earn $2,800 to $3,500 per month on average. Full-time Nannies who live outside the home work more than 35 hours per week and typically earn $18 to $25 per hour. Part-time Nannies generally work between 20 and 35 hours per week and earn $18 to $25 per hour.

Benefits
Many families provide benefits that may include:

Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Medical insurance
Reimbursement for automobile expenses

 Part-time benefits may include:

Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Reimbursement for automobile expenses

What clients and staff are saying

“I was just named Chief of Neurosurgery. My husband and I have both achieved our professional goals and raised sweet and loving children. I tell Gina, our nanny who’s been with us for 14 years, that we couldn’t have done it without her. We’re grateful to Gina and to Town & Country for finding just the right nanny for our family.” —Eileen, Surgeon and Mom

“Working with families and nannies requires asking the right questions – really digging into the details about how families live day-to-day and what they value when raising their kids.” —Sarah Thigpen, Town & Country

Our Summer Solution

Summer vacation for preschool, grade school, or middle school can present challenges for many families.  It can be difficult to decide which activities to participate in and how to piece it all together so that everyone in the family can have a fun, enjoyable and well balanced summer.

Last summer, we opted to get a “Summer Nanny” for our children. Our Summer Nanny was on break from our local college and had spent previous summers working as a counselor at summer camps. Peter wanted someone who would play basketball with him and Anna wanted someone who would get in the pool and go swimming with her. First and foremost, Jens and I wanted to find someone who would make sure our kids were safe and well cared for, but we also wanted someone who would enthusiastically engage with our kids in all their summer activities and help to create a unique, personalized and stress-free summer experience for all of us.

Our Summer Nanny exceeded everyone’s expectations. It was a wonderful summer for our entire family and the kids still talk about their “Summer Buddy.” Our Summer Nanny was able to connect with our kids, show an admirable amount of care and concern for our children, AND provide them with an amazingly unique summer experience! Here are some of the other things our kids did with our Summer Nanny that stand out in our memory:

• Taught the children how to make lanyards and friendship bracelets
• Played games like tag and capture the flag with the children in the back yard
• Packed up the kids and their bikes and went riding with them at a local park
• Cheered the children on at their swim meets and was thrilled when they achieved their personal bests
• Read to the kids when they were tired in the afternoon and needed some down time
• Taught the children about lacrosse (which our Nanny played in college)
• Took the kids to the local museums
• Took them to see a couple of very silly children’s movies
• Accompanied the children when they visited with their grandparents
• Helped the kids keep their rooms clean and picked-up
• Packed lunches before they headed off for the day’s activities
• Attended the summer swim team trip to the waterslides with both children

Both of our children loved their summer with their Summer Buddy.  They were able to participate in their chosen summer activities and were also able to spend valuable time at home reading, playing, sleeping in, and relaxing. Having a Summer Nanny was like getting our own personalized camp counselor!

I am just about to call our Summer Nanny to see about this summer – the kids would be thrilled!

If a Summer Nanny sounds like something your family needs, our Town & Country Temporary Department can help.  We have a pool of qualified and wonderful Summer Nannies that can help you.  To see our Special Summer Nanny Pricing and to learn more about our Summer Nannies, click here.

Traveling with Your Nanny

Families often have questions about traveling with their Nanny. If you are planning to take your Nanny on a trip with you, here are some basic guidelines to consider:

It’s always best to discuss the trip and your expectations with your Nanny before you leave.  Remember, it is not a vacation for your Nanny.  No matter how luxurious the accommodations or where she sits on the plane, she’s still working for you and should be compensated for all of her working hours, especially if they exceed her normal working hours/schedule.

In addition to her regular hourly wage, it is your responsibility to pay for her:

• Travel
• Lodging
• Food
• Activities while on the job (for example, ski lift tickets or rentals if she’s skiing with the family)

We recommend looking at the entire vacation schedule with your Nanny and confirming which hours she will work for you and which she will have off.  Discuss whether you’d like her to dine with you or not, and if not, what her daily food budget will be. (Please keep in mind that hotel restaurants are sometimes pricier than one would expect.)

Some families pay a flat daily rate so they don’t have to keep track of their Nanny’s work hours.  Many families also offer a daily bonus of $50-100 to compensate the Nanny for being away from home, and a few families simply add 25% or more to their Nanny’s weekly salary.  Extra financial compensation isn’t a must; some families provide the privacy of one’s own hotel room, ski tickets, a spa treatment, or other non-financial considerations.

Travel salaries can also vary depending on workload.  If the Nanny is responsible for watching a second family’s children as well as her employers’, she may receive double pay or a premium on her base salary.  It is also necessary to compensate your Nanny if you have her sleep in the same room with the children or care for them overnight. For the sleeping hours, we recommend a flat rate of $75 per night for school-aged children and $100 for infants and toddlers.

What is most important is that you and your Nanny sit down together when planning the vacation and discuss schedules and compensation.  Taking the time to discuss these factors ahead of time will result in a more enjoyable vacation for you and your family.

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Finding Great Candidates in a Down Economy

Finding just “the one” can be tough no matter what the economy and the unemployment situation is. Currently, one of the trends we’re seeing is that great candidates are not taking the risk to search for a new job due to the current state of the economy. Those who have years of experience under their belts and are contently employed are simply not interested in making a change right now. Working in someone’s home requires a solid, mutually rewarding match which can take months to establish in a new job. Here at T+C, we’re finding that many stellar candidates aren’t interested in taking that risk for fear of being unemployed in the months ahead due to a mismatch or a client eliminating the position unexpectedly.

Should you consider hiring a Live-in Nanny?

Many of our clients seeking to hire a Nanny start their searches focused on finding a live-in candidate. The reasons are many, but in our experience, the two main reasons family consider a live-in Nanny are (i) to get increased coverage, and (ii) to save money.

In our experience, a live-in Nanny is not necessarily going to be able to address these two needs.

Often families will expect a live-in Nanny to be willing & able to provide a significant level of coverage with flexibility to meet changing needs (i.e., “24/7″ coverage). From the Nanny’s point of view, this is still a job and a source of income. They seeking set schedules for 40 to 55 hours per week. And while they do often have the flexibility to work unusual schedules, they still want to set their work schedule in advance.

Cost savings can also be difficult. Wages for good Live-in nannies are only slightly lower than for live-out Nannies. It is important also not to underestimate the indirect costs of providing housing, utilities, often also food, as well as the cost of lost privacy.

The challenges of finding a live-in Nanny

Qualified childcare is difficult to find under the best of circumstances, and even more so for the family is seeking live-in help. In our experience, the vast majority of professional Nannies prefer live-out positions. Often, both Nannies and employers alike find it challenging to maintain boundaries during non-working hours when the Nanny lives in.

The search for the right Nanny is also complicated by the fact that many live-in candidates live out-of-state and are seeking to move to California. Screening & interviewing out-of-state candidates adds a level of complication that can add undue pressure on the family’s hiring decision.

The challenges of employing a live-in Nanny

The three most important success factors for employing a live-in Nanny are Chemistry! Chemistry! Chemistry! The chemistry match with your Nanny is incredibly important, even more so with a live-in Nanny. Hiring a live-in employee is like hiring someone to join your family. There needs to be a very strong foundation of mutual respect, shared child-rearing philosophies and superb communication between both parents and Nanny.

It is also important that boundaries are maintained during non-working hours. It can be difficult not to ask for or expect help on a Saturday afternoon as you’re struggling with a crying baby in your arms and a toddler scrambling for the stairs.

Wage Threshold Changes Under Federal Tax Law

For 2012, the domestic employee wage threshold under Federal law for paying Social Security taxes will rise to $1,800. Earnings below this amount will not be subject to Social Security taxes. This limit is up from $1,700 in 2011.

Under California law, the thresholds will stay at $750 and $1000. Specifically: You must register with the Employment Development Department (EDD) as a household employer for California payroll tax purposes when you have paid cash wages totaling $750 or more in one calendar quarter to one or more people who work as employees in or around your home. The amount of wages you pay in a calendar quarter will determine the payroll taxes you are required to withhold and pay. If you pay …

- $750 to $999, then you have to withhold State Disability Insurance (SDI).
- $1,000 or more, then you have to withhold SDI, PLUS pay Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Employment Training Tax (ETT).

Thus, if you, as an employer, pay more than $750 in a quarter or $1,800 in a year, you will have some tax reporting requirements.

Professional Housekeeper Training with Charles MacPherson

On May 11th & 12th, Town + Country is partnering with Charles MacPherson to host a two-day professional housekeeper training class at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City. We’re incredibly excited to have Charles here to work with some of our top-notch housekeepers.

Charles is the founder of Charles MacPherson Associates Inc. He has nearly three decades of experience in the service industry. In 2009, Charles opened North America’s only registered school for Butlers & Household Managers in Toronto. Charles has worked for and consulted with many of the highest-end hotels & resorts, as well as with prominent families around the world to help them set up their household systems, train and manage staff, and ensure the smooth running of their resorts, hotels, homes & estates. His web site is atwww.charlesmacpherson.com.

This course is not designed to teach a new or entry level housekeeper. It is designed to improve & enhance the skill set of an experienced housekeeper who is serious about their job, skills and career. It is ideal for Town + Country clients who want to the opportunity to have their housekeeper take their skills to the next level. This  class is a two-day version of Charles’ accredited housekeeper training program. Students will have both classroom and hands-on training. Each student will receive a copy of the housekeeping & laundry textbook from the academy. Subjects taught will include:

- Understanding Personal Hygiene & Sanitation
- Cleaning tools required for the house of today
- Cleaning products both chemical and non chemical
- Cleaning techniques for bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens
- Dealing with specialty surfaces such as wood cabinetry, stainless steel, ceramic, shower doors, blinds
- How to correctly dust anything from delicate to everyday surfaces
- Dealing with specialty items such as antiques, art, books, draperies, sculptures, painted and wallpapered walls, chandeliers and rugs
- Time management, including scheduling your time, how to keep track of what has been done and what needs to be done
- Laundry, including sorting, folding, stain removal, ironing and hand washing

At the conclusion of this course, students who successfully complete the program and testing requirements will graduate with an academy certificate. The cost is $400 for registered candidates or employees of T+C clients; $500 for DEMA members; and $600 for all others.

Want more information? Call us at 650-326-8570 or 415-567-0956.

Town + Country Adds After-hours Support for Temp Clients

We recently added additional hours of coverage for our Temp Department. Now clients & candidates can both call in Friday through Sunday after hours. Need a Nanny on a moment’s notice? Last minute plans changed? In town for vacation or for a convention? Have an emergency that’s come up? Our regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, but now you can also reach us after hours, Fridays, 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Saturdays & Sundays, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can always reach the Temp Department by email at temp@tandcr.com. You can also reach our Temp Department counselors directly by phone or text at 415-508-TEMP (415-508-8367). We’re here to help, and now it’s even more convenient for you.