New York Nanny Center » families

It’s Coming, It’s Coming!

Lindsay Bell — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 18:40:21 +0000

Over the last five months, our team has been working tirelessly to perfect our new site and booking platform that will launch this June. The new platform will make the booking process quick, simple, and convenient for both our member families and our CareGivers. Yesterday evening, a few lucky CareGivers, member families, and our in-house team were able to preview the next phase of Bell Family Company by participating in our first beta testing for the site!

Our goal of the new site and booking platform was to add functionality and efficiency while maintaining the same tight-knit, family feel of the individualized CareGiver-family matching process. Kelly, who participated in the beta testing as a BFC member family member, said “the level of detail was great and will make matching families and CareGivers easier.” Compatibility and the precision of the matching system seemed to be a big plus of the new booking platform, allowing the BFC process to remain just as highly personalized as before. Laurie agreed with Kelly stating, “I am incredibly impressed by the matchability–being able to match a sitter so closely with a family’s wants and needs is a plus.”

However, it wasn’t just the BFC families that were raving. Many longtime BFC CareGivers were impressed with the functionality and aesthetics of the site. Mary told us, “ I think it will be a great addition–a lot easier and more organized for both families and sitters.” Brittany and Yasimen also enjoyed the aesthetics of the site respectively saying, “I think it looks good. It just needs tweaks here and there, but it is very visually pleasing” and ”The site looks great and works well; now it is just about the minor changes.”

The closest sneak peak to our brand new site for now! How good is your vision?

Besides the format and aesthetic changes, BFC is also looking forward to introducing a plethora of new features. Components such as Paypal integration and a personalized calendar of all bookings will help both families and CareGivers keep track of their appointments. Betsy loved the feature, and thought ” it’s going to be great to have all the bookings in one master calendar for reference. It is also good that you have the ability to change your availability.” We are looking forward to introducing a host of new features in order to make our member families’ and CareGivers’ lives easier!

Overall, the new booking platform includes the same time and care put into each booking currently, but better. It is more accessible to our families and our CareGivers. BFC Investor, Miles believes, ”It’s really humbling to see the difference between what you think is going to be great for the sitter and what they think. But in reality it is a more effective way to do what we’ve always done.” We look forward to finalizing the platform over the next two months and hearing your thoughts after the site goes live!

Stay tuned… Coming soon:

Recycle Your Kid’s Clothes without Leaving Your House + Get Cash Back

Lindsay Bell — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:23:00 +0000

What’s on your spring cleaning agenda?

Like most moms, we are sure you want toorganize the kid’s closets. Whether you take on the duty solo or call someonelike our friends at Cut the Clutter,be sure to have an organization plan. One step of that plan is where to toss out your unwanted clothes.

Check out this article on Babble’sFamily Style Blog they talk about threadUP’sConcierge Service where it allows you to recycle your kid’s clothes withouteven leaving your house AND you get cash back!

It is easy to sign up, then request a bag and startcleaning!

threadUP does have a few rules, so be sure to read them beforeyou start cleaning. See below!

Clothing must be:

In gently used to new condition
Clean and freshly laundered
Originally purchased within the last 2 years

They don’t accept:

Infant clothing size 12 months and under
Clothing from brands: Faded Glory, Garanimals, Baby George, Sonoma, Circo, or Cherokee (it’s hard to resell)
Sleepwear, sock, and undergarments
Homemade items or clothing that supports a local team
Non-clothing items

Earn more money with:

Name brand clothing, including: Oilily, Mini Boden, Tea Collection, Guess, Gap, Gymboree, Baby Lulu, and more!
In-demand clothing sizes, including: 18 months, 2T, 3T, 4T, and 7
In-season clothing, i.e. warm clothing in the winter months and lighter weight items in the summer months

Things to do this weekend in PHILLY!

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Philly has SO much to offer for local families … Here what one of our wonderful sitters Brittany B rates as her top 3 rated family friendly places:

Please Touch Museum- it’s a museum for kids! They offer so much for all ages of children to do. A great event for families and kids or kids and their babysitters to attend would be the Story Book Ball which takes place on Saturday April 21st from 6-9PM. The event happens to be a fundraiser all proceeds will go to the museum’s new program “Play Without Boundaries” which helps all children of socio-economic backgrounds, especially children with disabilities, enjoy new ways of learning at the museum and in their community. In the meantime the museum is hosting “Story Time in the Story Castle” Sunday the 4th at 12:30 and 3:30.
World Cafe Live- it’s the home of WXPN a radio station here in Philly but they always have concerts and events for families. Their most popular events for families and kids is called Peanut Butter and Jams. A kid friendly artists usually a musician puts on a show for children and their parent(s) every weekend.
The Franklin Institute- Best Place for kids to explore, learn and have a great time. The best part of the Franklin Institute is the IMAX theater which shows great educational yet really exciting films.

Brittany B comes to LLD referred by one of our LLD families in ny. She is both gracious and kind with a slew of Childcare experience!

Get Your Must Have Baby Shower Gift!

Lindsay Bell — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Behind on your shopping for your line-up of baby showers this spring?

Here is our LLD Approved top pick for your next ” its a girl” baby shower!

Angel Dear gowns are quick and easy for a diaper change, good for girls and boys and best yet it covers the entire leg so your lil’ one doesn’t get cold. The ensemble comes with lil’ cap too. Pick between the adorable birdie print in pink, owls in white & grey or elephants in blue.

Since spring break is around the corner don’t forget to include a Jack Webster Passport Holder for those kiddies that already love to travel.

And to complete the gift go with the Little Giraffe muslin swaddling blanket set, a Rachel Zoe favorite. This breathable blanket offers sun protection and shade while you swaddle your baby to help them sleep, like they are back in the whom.

Budget total: Only $103!

LLD Founder Lindsay Bell & Bundle Owner Allison O’Neill

All items can be purchased at Bundle NYC, the quaint boutique downtown. Need more convincing? Ask Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Alicia keys or Pink who are all recent shoppers.

Happy gifting!

Here’s to all our Atlanta Families!

Lindsay Bell — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

Here we come! LLD has reached yet another big east coast city: Atlanta. We’ve already rounded up some of the best sitters in town and are ready to help with everyone’s lil’ ones down south. If you’re stumped about something to do for the weekend in the city, one of our newest sitters Courtney Kligman has given us her tips for the weekend! Thanks Courtney!

Center for Puppetry Arts Not only do they have shows that will appeal to the whole family – right now, they are performingSpace!; the Center has a museum and puppet making workshops.
The Little House of Art Get creative with your little ones! A fun place to paint, sculpt, and use your imagination. Check out their website to see special events like Princess Day.
Piedmont Park For only $15 per session, the Rink at Piedmont Park, offers an ice skating rink within a heated garden tent!

Make sure you check out Courtney’s suggestions to do with the lil’ ones this weekend. Have a great friday and keep tuned for more posts from LLD!