Trusting Connections

From the Blog

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Christmas Gifts For Nannies

Nannies, sitters, and all other childcare professionals are truly the hardest working people. They dedicate their life taking care of our precious little ones, our future, our children. Most are working over 60 hours a week, from the start of dawn to the late evenings, seven days a week. And what better way to show appreciation and love for them than gifting them something they will cherish and adore this holiday season.

Here are a few options we think will make great gifts for nannies.

 

TC Merchandise Store

Visit our estore to purchase cute t-shirts, sweaters, coffee mugs, and other gear nannies can wear and use!

These can also be a great gift for your nannies for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones!

Click here to visit our store!

 

Nanny Tees Apparel

Let nannies come to work in style by wearing these super cute, fun, and unique shirts from Nanny Tees.

There are so many styles and options to pick from; you just have to buy more than one for your nanny!

 

Tickets to Nanny’s Night Out

Trusting Connections and Nanny Tees have partnered up to host a special night for the nannies that lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. This event is made for nannies, to nannies! It’s a great Christmas gift for your nanny to enjoy and relax for a night. Our event is set for January 3rd, 2019 starting at 5 pm.

Nannies can enjoy watching the Mary Poppins Returns movie in a private theater room, delicious drinks and bites, gifts, prizes, and giveaways, and so much more. It’s a night your nanny will never forget. It is really a VIP experience a nanny truly deserve!

For event details and tickets, click here.

 

Spa/Salon Package

Nannies are known to spend so much time taking care of others, they often times forget how to take care of themselves. Gift your nanny this Christmas a spa package from their favorite salon. Maybe a gift certificate to their favorite hair stylist or their local nail salon. Nannies deserve some self-pampering too!

You also find spa gift baskets online at sites like Amazon, Bath & Beyond, and more.

 

A Personalized Item

Make a gift more personal by customizing it for your nanny: a piece of jewelry with a special message, or a set of earrings that is the color of the nanny’s birthstone. Either way, adding a personal touch is what makes the gift so much more valuable.
Stores like Things Remembered makes the perfect gifts for nannies.

 

Whichever gift(s) you end up choosing, a token of appreciation goes a long way, and no one is more deserving than the one who has been there for you and your family throughout this year. Nannies, sitters, childcare professionals, or any other term that describe someone who took part in taking care of your kids, just let them know how thankful you are to have them this year. It will surely make their day.

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Benefits Of Being An INA Member- Join Today!

Are you a nanny or a childcare professional seeking a support group? Do you want to share your passion, expertise, and stories with other like-minded people? More importantly, do you feel like your profession is being underrepresented? Then choose to join and become a member of the International Nanny Association.

 

What is INA?

The International nanny Association (INA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “serve as the umbrella association for the in-home child care industry by providing information, education, and guidance to the public and to industry professionals” since 1985. For example, INA issued a research study in 2017 about the Nanny Tax Compliance where the results of the study was presented at the 2018 IRS Research Conference. You can read the findings here. INA have also worked with Wall Street Journal on a recent article but was not shy to respond back when the article missed several important points. Read INA’s response here.

INA members consist of nannies, nanny employers, nanny agencies, educators and industry service providers all over the world. And over the last 33 years, INA has worked to “professionalize the industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies.”

 

The Benefits of Joining INA are Endless

Here are a few highlighted benefits INA offers:

  • Access to valuable industry information and tools you can use immediately to enhance your business and professional development.
  • Make an Impact in the In-home Child Care Industry. Click here to see INA news features.
  • Ability to partner up with others to professionalize the Childcare industry, educated parents when it comes to hiring, and raising awareness about in-home child care.
  • Professional Networking Opportunities.
  • Access Publications, Forms, and Tools at a discounted rate.
  • Reduced Registration to INA’s Annual Conference. Click here to learn more about the Conference.
  • Exclusive discounts on INA eStore.

Read all the benefits and perks INA can offer here.

 

More Than ‘Just A Member’

Make long-time friendships, gain priceless knowledge, and achieve tremendous growth as a childcare professional by joining INA. It’s an important decision, but an investment you won’t regret. INA is an organization that will bring significant value to you, families, and childcare professionals all over the world.

Trusting Connections Nanny Agency is a proud member of INA and we can truly say that this organization has been a valuable resource. In fact, Trusting Connections’ Co-Founder, Caroline Wesnitzer, serves as Secretary on INA’s Board of Directors.

Need more reasons why to join? Read the testimonials from nannies and childcare professionals about how INA have affected their lives here!

All in all, there’s just no reason NOT to become a part of something this important. And the timing is perfect as INA is preparing for their 2019 INA Annual Conference which will be held March 21-24, 2019 in the city of Jazz, New Orleans! Early registration ends December 31st so hurry and register today!

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TC’s Top 10 Picks for Kids Activities in Tucson

Looking for Kids Activities in Tucson? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite “must-do” adventures for kids and families.

Content Enthusiastically Approved by Rosalind Prather (Local Mom and TC Co-Founder), Writing accredited to Kayla Formalejo, Trusting Connections Intern

 

Top 10 Kids Activities in Tucson

 

  1. The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures

Why We Love It: See and feel the magic of the Mini Time Machine Museum! It’s exactly what it sounds like – a showcase of more than 400 intricate, antique and contemporary dollhouses. Your and your little one’s creative minds will start flowing when imagination turns to life. Visit the “Enchanted Realm” where you can go searching for fairies for some seek and find fun. Keep your eye out for the magical fairies  flying in and out of little fairy doors throughout the museum.

Check out the other entertainment options available, such as story-time led by costumed characters and more.

  1. Trail Dust Town (Polly Anna Park)

Why We Love It:  Tired of the same old park party? Dust off the old cowboy boots and head out to the Western themed Polly Anna Park for a picture-perfect picnic. This colorful little town will leave you and your little ones with a giant smile. After riding the miniature train, take a spin on the vintage carousel. Don’t forget to fuel up with a variety of restaurants or the option to bring your own food. Face painting, panning for gold, play shooting galleries and a wagon-styled Ferris wheel are just a few attractions that will keep you and the kiddos wanting to stay all day long.

  1. Pima Air & Space Museum

Why We Love It:  Soar through the Pima Air and Space Museum with over 100,000 sq. ft. of displays. Navigate through 350 different aircraft carriers. Take a step back into history as you learn about vintage aircraft, helicopter and fighter jets. Whether you are interested in history, engineering or aviation in general, this is a must. Who isn’t fascinated by aircraft – especially almost every make and model in the world? Bring your kiddos along as they’ll be happy to explore and crawl inside the displays all they want. Who knows! This experience might ignite a passion in your little one to become a pilot.

  1. Children’s Museum

Why We Love It:  Here, fun and learning collide with hands-on and play-based activities for kids of all ages. Exploring, discovering, creating and inventing are just a few of the components that stimulate a child’s desire to learn. Give kids all of the tools and opportunities to expand their knowledge in an inviting environment. Explore the impacts of gravity, the human body, nanoscience, electricity, veterinary stations and more. If you are closer to the Northside of Tucson, the Oro Valley Children’s Museum is the perfect indoor play space geared towards kids 5 and under.

  1. Funny Foot Farm Petting Zoo

Why We Love It: Calling all animal lovers! This is NOT your ordinary petting zoo. Stop by this family-friendly farm for an unlike-any-other educational tour of all different kinds of animals. Meet, feed and pet all of the exotic wildlife while learning interesting facts and hearing all kinds of funny puns. Capybaras, porcupines, emu, and mara are just a few of the buddies you’ll get to spend your day with. This very affordable experience is different than most petting zoos. You’ll get to be up close and personal inside the enclosures. Not only will you leave happier than you came after a thrilling day at the Funny Foot Farm, but the animals will appreciate all the love and kindness as well!

  1. White Stallion Ranch

Why We Love It: Horseback riding and the luxuries of a fine resort emerge as one at the White Stallion Ranch. Whether you’re an inexperienced or experienced rider, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of different riding adventures with a horse that’s one of the largest private herds in Arizona. Take the slow route and experience the serenity of the peaceful Tucson outdoors. If you’re more adventurous, kick it up with a faster mountain ride through the breathtaking terrain. Kiddos 5 and under experience a thrill just the same, as staff guide the ride on a safe lead line.

When you’re not in the saddle, spoil yourself and the little ones with all that the resort has to offer: a petting zoo, spa amenities, hot tubbing, a rec room and movie theater. The White Stallion Ranch is an all-in-one package deal, so saddle up for a unique kind of vacation!

  1. Amy’s Donuts

Why We Love It: Sometimes you just can’t help but give in to a sweet tooth. When you see the variety of fun and creative donuts at Amy’s Donuts, there’s just no room for feeling guilty about indulging! You can’t go wrong with an OG donut, but something about a “Rocky Road Glaze” or “Maple Bacon Fudge” is overly-enticing. The kiddos will love the “Trix” and “Fruity Pebbles” options – and YOU even more for taking them to Amy’s! Being that there are only three locations and one is in Tucson, it’s a must-see during your stay. Be sure to visit the mural right outside the shop with your delicious and colorful donut for the perfect photo-opp.

  1. Ben’s Bells

Why We Love It: Be a part of something bigger than yourself by helping make Tucson a more beautiful and welcoming place. Ben’s Bells is a non-profit organization that spreads kindness and awareness of strengthening ourselves and our communities through the creation and distribution of home-made windchimes; they are then dispersed throughout the town as a reminder to all. Each one is uniquely made by gentle hands through volunteering to either mold from clay, paint beads or assemble chimes. This short 1.5-hour experience is perfect for little ones to explore their creativity through arts and crafts while learning about what it means to be involved in the community.

  1. Arizona Zipline Adventures + Biosphere 2

Why We Love It: We lumped these two together because they are near each other and in the quaint town of Oracle. These two activities combined with lunch at one of the local restaurants would make for a great day trip just 30 minutes or so North of Tucson. Is your kid a non-stop energy ball who loves the outdoors? Give them an exhilarating Zipline adventure on the backside of Mt. Lemmon! The Zipline EcoTour offers five different zips, ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet, starting out slow to get a hang of the ropes and then gradually increases as you’re more comfortable. Have a leap of faith as you zip past the beautiful Catalina Mountains and through the mini valleys, seeing Tucson from a whole different perspective. Overcome your fears and go to higher heights!

Biosphere 2 has been touted a “must see wonder of the world” housing seven model ecosystems that scientists at the University of Arizona use to conduct active experiments. You’ll be able to observe real nature in a controlled environment at this world-renowned research center made of steel and glass. Both of these activities are recommended for school-aged children.

  1. Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch

Why We Love It: While not technically in Tucson, this insanely fun petting and feeding farm has been featured on shows like Extreme Roadside Attractions. Just a short, 30-minute drive from Tucson, this really is the “darndest place you’ll ever visit” and worth every bit of the drive. Feed goats, deer, ducks, ostrich and enter the Lorikeet enclosure where the colorful and friendly birds may land on your head or perch on your finger in anticipation of the treats you’ll have to offer them. They even have a stingray tank that’s sure to delight kids of all ages!

Who We Are

We are an award-winning nanny agency and sitter service that connects families, businesses and churches with exceptional nannies and sitters. Just visiting? Let one of our awesome child care professionals help make your family vacation more memorable and relaxing. Our team provides quality on-site child care services so you can enjoy some kid-free time. Our nannies and sitters can also take kids on off-site adventures to the places listed above and more. Call us for more information!

Honorable Mentions

Be sure to check out the following suggestions for more kid-friendly fun: Kartchner Caverns State Park, Hike Sabino Canyon (East Dam for younger/Seven Falls for older, The Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Flandreau Planetarium, Colossal Cave and Gaslight Theater.

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Local Hotel Sitter Services You Can Trust

Are you planning to visit family and friends, attend a close friend’s wedding, going to a concert, or participating in a conference soon and need some help with the kids? If you are looking for local hotel sitter services during your stay, Trusting Connections can help!

Enjoy Your Hotel Stay With Peace Of Mind

Enjoy dancing away at your friend’s wedding or get that important speech memorized before the big meeting in peace knowing your children are in safe hands with a qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced sitter. Our local Hotel Sitter Services will ensure you attend your events while your kids are having fun as well.

Our sitters will make your kids’ stay memorable by keeping them entertained with games, activities, and much more. All of the sitters on our team have passed a meticulous 21-point screening process some of which includes a drug test, proof of CPR and First-Aid certification, and a thorough criminal background investigation. See our entire list of requirements on Our Standards page.

Our childcare services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. So the next time you visit, no need to panic finding a sitter, give Trusting Connections a call!

Visit our Services page to read more about our Hotel Sitter Services.

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Event Childcare Staffing – A Solution To Your Holiday Parties

Are you a company looking to host your annual Christmas or End-of-the-Year Party?

Or are you a family who is planning to have a big holiday get-together?

If you are and need some childcare assistance, look no further! Trusting Connections’ event childcare services are here to save the day! We staff high-quality nannies and sitters for your upcoming holiday fiesta, weddings, private party or corporate event!

 

Corporate Events, Big Or Small, We’ve Got You Covered!

Whether you are a business of 0-100 employees or 500+ employees, hosting an annual Company Christmas Party can be difficult and challenging, especially when the whole family is attending.

Let us help provide the best event childcare for your company! Our team of fully-screened and agency-employed nannies can make your event a huge success and especially memorable for your young guests. We have helped staffed small private parties with one or two nannies all the way up to very large-scale, multi-day events with 200+ children. Some of our past clients have included out-of-state event planning companies, local small businesses, large corporations, churches and the military.

 

For All Host And Hostess Fanatics

Nothing excites you more than planning, decorating, cooking, baking, and everything in between when it comes to hosting your parties. But doing all of that while making sure the kids don’t knock over the table of food you had spent eight hours cooking can be quite stressful. Look no further, let Trusting Connections help through our event childcare services.

Our experienced and knowledgeable nannies and sitters will help keep the young guests entertained while you can go and do what you do best, host an unforgettable party anxiety-free!

 

So whether you are a company or an avid party host/hostess, let Trusting Connections help provide safe, reliable, and trustworthy childcare staffing for your upcoming holiday festivities.

Need a quote? Ready to book? Fill out our Event Booking Form today and let us help make your event unforgettable!

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Nanny Agency Holiday Rates + Office Hours

The holiday season is upon us and we want to ensure that our families and future families are well aware of our office closure dates and holiday rates. Trusting Connections Nanny Agency understands how busy the holiday season can be for parents and that’s why our nanny agency is working hard to provide safe and reliable childcare during this time of the year. We offer a wide range of childcare services for you and your family, 24/7, 365 days a year.

 

What’s The Occasion?

If you are staying at a local hotel during your holiday visit, try out our Resort & Hotel Sitter Services.

Are seeking childcare for a holiday event like your company’s Christmas party or a friend’s wedding? Read about our Event Childcare Services.

If you are just overwhelmed with hosting five-holiday parties and need an extra pair of hands to help, definitely check out our Flex Services! Our nannies can help with set up, take down, general hosting, and other tasks in addition to nannying your kiddos!

To use our Flex Services, you will have to become a member of our agency first. Please email your inquiry over to info@trustingconnections.com. A Trusting Connections representative will be in touch with more information about our services and how to join. If you are ready to become a member, please fill out our Family Registration Form.

 

Holiday Office Hours

We strive to help families thrive and achieve peace of mind when it comes to safe childcare. While our nannies are working hard around the clock, please note our physical office will be closed for the following dates shown below.

 

trusting connections holiday office hours

Holiday Care Rates

We also want to compensate our wonderful team of nannies who dedicate their time working during the holidays appropriately. Holiday rates are applied for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve after 5:00 pm, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve after 5:00 pm, and New Year’s Day.

 

trusting connections holiday rates

Thank you for choosing Trusting Connections Nanny Agency for your childcare needs. We wish our families a safe and wonderful holiday season!

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