It’s hard to believe that the beloved go-to agency for vacation nannies, babysitters & live-in nanny services -  Hilton Head Nannies - could get any better.  After all, they’re already the leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies.

But Hilton Head Nannies just became even more essential.

While celebrating their 5th year in business birthday,  Hilton Head Nannies has expanded into companion work (Hilton Head Companions) and Pet Nanny Work!

Hilton Head Companions is a compassionate senior care service that assists seniors in staying in their homes longer. Hilton Head Companions provides families with non-medical, private-duty senior-care, elder-care, respite care, personal care, companionship, and home care with the goal of helping seniors stay in their own homes. To see the various senior services provided, click here. Call today for a complimentary in-home consultation: (843)342-5673

Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies, “The More We Care, The More Beautiful Life Becomes” www.HiltonHeadNannies.com , 843.815.1313 Appointments may be made 24 hrs, 7 days per week on the Hilton Head Nannies website. Follow Hilton Head Nannies on Facebook here for updated information, coupons &  special promotions! Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

PROGRESSIVE, AFFORDABLE, DIVERSE ENROLLING NOW!

For children 6 weeks-4 years

FREE registration for SouthernMamas.com readers!

Among the many things that makes mama frantic, the quest for quality childcare trumps all.

Trying to find an affordable Savannah early learning center that fits your progressive tastes and provides a nurturing and diverse environment is tough.

Set in Midtown Savannah, BEST Academy enrolls children from Infants to 4 years old. Their creative approach to learning and playing brings something unique to childcare in Savannah. The Children at BEST receive the benefit of
having highly-qualified and enthusiastic teachers who keep children engaged with hands on lessons and innovative teaching.

There is art, yoga, and Ms. Amy’s School of Music provides musical fun and child-led instrument jams.

BEST Academy is proud of their all vegetarian menu. Each spring and fall they plant their own organic garden, with the kids lending a hand. Healthy eating produces healthy kids!

They encourage the kids to learn while doing. And, after lots of learning, the 12,000 square-foot playground gives kids plenty of room to do what kids do best – play.

BEST currently has openings for the fall and they welcome new families. BEST is happy to work with parents looking for part-time or flexible schedules.

Feel free to visit, meet the staff and see BEST in action.

BEST Academy, 1010 E. Duffy St. at the corner of Waters Avenue, 912.335-7123 or email best.academy1@gmail.com www.thebestacademy.net BEST Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a private Savannah preschool for this upcoming school year?

Check out First Christian Preschool in Savannah which first opened its doors in 1952 and has been in continuous operation since.   The preschool now offers Pre- Two, Two, Three, and Four year old classes and is in session from 9 AM-12 noon.  First Christian Preschool also offers a Summer Camp program from 9 AM-2 PM during June and July. 

Here’s great news for parents looking for a fun indoor place where you can get fit or stay fit with your child:

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness just opened in Richmond Hill.

The brand new venue at 2552 US Highway 17 offers parent/child classes, birthday parties, Mommy’s Morning Out, free play, pay to play and more!

Classes begin Mon. Aug. 1. Limited slots remaining. Enroll online here or call 912.756.2828.

For children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness also hosts a FREE storytime every first Thursday of the month at 1 PM. Reservations Required. Call 912.756.2828

Lifetime Membership Fee waived for those that register on-line July 23-July 30. Military & Multi Child/Class Discounts also offered.

Stay connected and learn more about upcoming events by liking Mommy & Me Play and Fitness on Facebook by clicking here.  

SouthernMamas.com often hears from moms who say they wish our area had more indoor play spots, so please support this new kid-and-parent friendly business. Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is also open Saturdays, ideal for work-outside-the-home parents looking for parent-child weekend activities.

Hours: Mon: 9 am-2 pm
Tues – Thurs: 9 am -2 pm & 5-6:30 pm
Fri: 9 am – 2 pm
Sat: 9 am – 12 pm

Mommy & Me Play and Fitness, www.mommyandmeplayandfitness.com, 2552 US Hwy17, Richmond Hill, 31324, 912.756.2828, email: mommyandmeplayandfitness@live.com Mommy & Me Play and Fitness is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

For kids, summer means no school and lazy days at the pool. For a lot of parents, summer means searching for ways to keep the kids busy while you’re at work.

From now until June 30, Southernmamas.com readers can apply for just $59 and welcome an au pair into your home as early as next month. Your live-in au pair can help make your summer less chaotic by:

View some of AuPairCare’s more popular au pairs now, such as German au pairs and Brazilian au pairs, or search all available au pairs by language.

Getting started is easy! Apply online and use the promo code SUMMER$59 to apply for only $59 (over $290 in savings!) You can also speak with a Program Advisor at 1-800-428-7247 and receive a free, no obligation childcare consultation.

Ever consider hosting a Swedish au pair?

Madde (pictured here) arrived in the United States on Feb. 21, 2011 and she is available to match with a new Host Family in her first program year. Madde can travel to her new Host Family’s home and start her new placement on any date between May 17 and June 15.

Madde has several years of experience babysitting and she has coached a synchronized swimming team. She comes from a supportive natural family who values cultural exchange – her sister was an exchange student in Pennsylvania and this truly inspired Madde to participate in an exchange program as well. She also has a four-year-old younger sister she cares for on a regular basis.

Madde currently works with a family caring for three boys. She is responsible for driving the children to and from their activities (the boys have 9 different activities they attend each week), preparing their meals, and all aspects related to the care of the boys. The Host Family has two au pairs in the home and the au pairs alternate their duties.

Madde’s Host Family recognizes that a household with 2 au pairs in the home is not suitable for every au pair. The family feels that Madde will be more successful working with a family where she can be the sole care provider in the home. The family indicates that Madde has a wonderful attitude (one of the best they’ve seen amongst their 10 au pairs they have hosted) and she is always willing to learn something new. They do indicate though that she does not have as much initiative with regard to household tasks. She tends to wait for the task to be requested of her; however, they state she has very good cooking skills. Madde will be a very good au pair for a family who has a clear, more predictable schedule, and perhaps with at least one girl.

Madde is a very good driver and she holds an International License that is valid until February 2012.

Take a look at other available au pairs now by clicking here.

AuPairCare is the leading au pair agency providing live-in childcare services to American families since 1989. Enjoy reliable childcare for a set fee that remains the same no matter how many children you have.  To find out more information, call 912.844.8487 or log onto AuPairCare.com

Need childcare this summer?

No matter how many children you have, enjoy reliable childcare for just $340 per week with AuPairCare!

Au pair childcare offers you flexibility. The diversity of the au pair selection allows you to choose the au pair with the childcare experience, special skills, interests and personality that will best fit your family’s lifestyle. You set your au pair’s schedule and working hours to meet your needs.

Take a look at AuPairCare’s available au pairs by clicking here:

AuPairCare is the only au pair agency with an A+ rating form the Better Business Bureau cases, au pairs save families money while providing a rich cross-cultural experience. To find out more information about live-in childcare starting at $340 per week call 912.844.8487 or log onto AuPairCare.com. AuPairCare is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor.

Need a Mary Poppins to take over at a moment’s notice?

Check out Hilton Head Nannies, a leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies. Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies clientele includes local families, families from all around the world who come to the Lowcountry to vacation, sports professionals, media personalities, internationally known musicians, movie directors, actors/actresses. Hilton Head Nannies has been the official Nanny & Babysitting Service of The Heritage PGA Tournament since 2007.

Owner and operator Jennie Krogulski has parlayed her more than 20 years working in childcare – including working as a  nanny for children nationwide and on Hilton Head Is. – into finding the perfect caregiver for your family whether for babysitting, vacation nanny services or part-time or live-in nanny jobs. 

Vacation Nanny Services

The agency’s Vacation Nannies Hotel, Villa, & Rental Home Childcare Services – available 24-Hours a day, 7 days a week – is ideal for tourists visiting the Hilton Head Island area. The nannies will come directly to your home or vacation suite. You and your children will receive a special postcard from your vacation nanny so that you know a little about her prior to your arrival.

Babysitting for Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Residents

Now you can have your own Placement Coordinator & Nanny Concierge Service that you can call on when you need a babysitter. Hilton Head Nannies offers such a service for locals in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas. Simply sign up for HHN’s Parent’s Time-Out babysitting program. After you pay a low annual membership, you can call Hilton Head Nannies with the date and time that you need a sitter and they’ll deliver a professional caregiver to your door.

Just like a real-life Mary Poppins, sans the flying umbrella and carpet bag, of course.

SouthernMamas.com discount: 10% off for all Southern Mamas readers on one service or 20% off annual membership fee. Mention you read about Hilton Head Nannies on SouthernMamas.com to receive your discount!

Hilton Head Nannies , Hilton Head Office: (843) 342-5673; Bluffton Office: (843) 815-1313; email children@hiltonheadnannies.com ; P.O. Box 2782, Bluffton, SC 29910, www.hiltonheadnannies.com  Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas advertiser.

Savannah Yoga Center at 1319 Bull St. believes that moms and dads should be able to grow a yoga practice while raising kids. While you find your center, your kiddo will be enjoying structured activities with other children right in the other room. Childcare at Savannah Yoga Center provides organized learning, yoga, & skill development projects for ages 6mo – 5yrs. Cost is $5 per child, $3 per additional sibling.

Child Care Times:
Tuesday 10am-11:45am
Wednesday10:30am-12:15pm
Thursday 10am-11:45am
Friday 10:15am-12:00pm

Please reserve childcare 24hrs in advanced via email: savannahyoga@gmail.com. For more info. on childcare at Savannah Yoga Center, click here.

Savannah Yoga Center also wants to encourage practicing yoga WITH your child. Which is why Savannah Yoga Center offers a Mommy and Baby (for babies 9 – 14 months old.) yoga class at 10:15 am Mondays and a Mommy and Infants (for Infants 6wks to 8-9 months old; pre-crawling) yoga class at 11:45 am Mondays. Click here for more info on those classes.

Savannah Yoga Center, 1319 Bull Street, Savannah, 31401, email: savannahyoga@gmail.com, (912) 232-2994, www.savannahyoga.com Savannah Yoga Center is a SouthernMamas.com sponsor

AuPairCare is happy to make, cross-cultural, live-in care an option in Savannah and surrounding areas.

Have you ever looked at a successful couple and wonder how they do it? Both husband and wife work full time jobs, run a family business, work as politicians or in philanthropy? It’s quite possible that they have a family member that lives in their home, but it’s more likely that they have live-in childcare.

For years, au pairs have been the secret of success for families in cosmopolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles and now that option is available to you. Your children will be exposed to different languages and cultures without having to leave the comfort of your very own home.

AuPairCare is the only au pair agency with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. AuPairCare provides live-in childcare in the Savannah, Hinesville, Richmond Hill, Statesboro, Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head Island areas.

Au pairs from more than 40 countries are screened overseas and, as a family, you are able to interview and select your own au pair for the best possible match. In the best cases, au pairs save families money while providing a rich cross-cultural experience.

Most host families find that the young adult they host becomes a member of their family and a life-long friend to their children. Read essays from participating families and find out more about the program by clicking here.

NO APPLICATION FEE FOR SOUTHERNMAMAS READERS! AuPairCare’s $350 application fee is being waived for SouthernMamas readers from Aug. 2 – Aug. 9. Apply at www.aupaircare.com with promo code: AUPAIR$

To find out more information about live-in childcare starting at $340 per week, call 912.844.8487 or log onto AuPairCare.com.

 Babysitters & Nannies  – which pairs families with child care providers for babysitting, part-time nanny or live-in nanny jobs – will offer an April discount to SouthernMamas readers: $50 off a yearly babysitting membership and $100 off  a nanny placement service.

Babysitters & Nannies serves Savannah, Tybee Is., Wilmington Island, Bluffton, Hilton Head Is., Beaufort, Charleston and surroundng areas. Babysitters & Nannies has an arsenal of vetted candidates who are CPR certified and have undergone DMV checks and extensive criminal records checks.

After you pay a membership fee that comes out to less than $1 a day (and even less with the April discount), you can request a babysitter 24 hours-a-day via phone, email or by filling out a Babysitter Request Form through the Babysitters & Nannies website.

Make sure you mention SouthernMamas sent you to receive your April discount.

Also, school will be out sooner than you think and Babysitters & Nannies has summer nannies for elementary kids who are out of school.

Babysitters & Nannies, Owner/Operator Jenna Lucas, Phone: 843-384-4317; Fax: 843-757-8294 email info@babysittersandnannies.com  or jenna@babysittersandnannies.com ; www.babysittersandnannies.com, 6 Victory Point Circle, Bluffton, SC 29910

Of the top 10 things that make parents anxious, the search for reliable childcare is No. 1.

Your model babysitter or nanny is a mix of Jo Frost and Mary Poppins, with a dash of Julie Andrews’ Maria von Trapp for levity.

For a blend of all of the above, check out Babysitters & Nannies, serving Savannah, Tybee Is., Wilmington Island, Bluffton, Hilton Head Is., Beaufort, Charleston and surroundng areas.

 Babysitters & Nannies pairs families with child care providers for babysitting, part-time nanny or live-in nanny jobs. Babysitters & Nannies has an arsenal of vetted candidates who are CPR certified and have undergone DMV checks and extensive criminal records checks.

After you pay a membership fee that comes out to less than $1 a day, you can request a babysitter 24 hours-a-day via phone, email or by filling out a Babysitter Request Form through the Babysitters & Nannies website.

Babysitters & Nannies offer a variety of enticing discounts – of which the best is 10 percent off to SouthernMamas readers! Make sure you mention SouthernMamas sent you.

Babysitters & Nannies Give Back Program allows you the option of donating 10 percent of your membership fee back to a participating school or charity of your choice.

Even Mary Poppins can’t beat that.

Babysitters & Nannies, Owner/Operator Jenna Lucas, Phone: 843-384-4317; Fax: 843-757-8294; email info@babysittersandnannies.com  or jenna@babysittersandnannies.com ; www.babysittersandnannies.com, 6 Victory Point Circle, Bluffton, SC 29910

Date night is back – thanks to The Sandbox.

The interactive children’s museum on Hilton Head Island is now hosting WEEKLY “Parent’s Night Out – Kid’s Night In” programs at their 18 A Pope Avenue location. The program will be 6-9 PM Wednesday nights during June, July and August.

Can you say marriage-saver? And it’s available for tourists and residents.

It’s for children 3 to 9 years of age (all children must be potty trained) and includes a pizza dinner, summer arts and crafts projects, supervised play throughout the hands-on museum and take home toy for each child.

Cost: $30 per child, with a reduced $25 fee for siblings and Sandbox Members.

Eventually, local restaurants will provide discounts to parents dining out on these evenings. A complete list of dining partners will be included on The Sandbox’s website here. Release forms may also be downloaded from the website.

Call 843.842.7645 for more info or to make a reservation.

If you’re looking for quality care and early learning experiences for your child’s first three years, come check out CareSmart Nursery & Preschool on Wilmington Island.

CareSmart has been taking care of children for 15 years! CareSmart is accredited by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, has a Comprehensive Life Membership with NAEYC and is Georgia certified, licensed and incorporated.

CareSmart is hosting an open house in April for interested parents. This private childcare service has twice the adults and space per child than required by the state of Georgia. Caring for infants 6 weeks to age three. Anyone interested should call 912-897-1768 during work hours: 7:30-5pm. M-F for reservation, date, time, and location.

Is your New Year’s resolution to look at other childcare options and find a Flexible Option with Cultural Flair?

Check out AuPairCare, which is now available in the Savannah, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island areas. This is a cultural live-in childcare program. Au pairs from more than 40 countries are screened overseas and, as a family, you are able to interview and pick your own au pair for the best possible match.

Most host families find that the young adult they host becomes a member of their family and a life-long friend to their children. Read essays from participating families and find out more about our program.

To find out more, call 912.844.8487 or click here.

We heard from a lot of SouthernMamas readers when we posted earlier about the best Savannah-area preschools and day cares. Thank you.

Now we’re asking for your help yet again. We’d love to hear your input on the best preschools/day cares in the Hilton Head Is./Bluffton area.

SouthernMamas reader Elizabeth Dulaney, who moved to HHI about a year ago, emails she’s looking for a daycare/preschool program in HHI for her daughter this summer. “I need something for three days a week. I have toured some of the bigger daycares and I would prefer something smaller possibly in a church or just an overall smaller more personal setting.”

Feel free to comment below or email your input to anne@southernmamas.com.

OK, OK, we fully realize applying to a funded (i.e. FREE!) pre-K program isn’t the equivalent to trying to get into an Ivy League.

But it can be stressful and every bit of info helps. So below is a lowdown on the dizzying application process, which runs Feb. 2-March 16, and the nerve-wrecking lottery held @ the school sites @ 10 am March 18. You can attend the lottery drawing to see if you child gets in to the pre-K program of your choice or wait to be notified in writing of acceptance or waiting list status during the week of March 23.

Applications will continue to be accepted after the classes are filled, but they will be placed on a “waiting list” in the event that openings occur in the pre-K classes.

The most surprising tidbit from the info below is that you can only apply to TWO different schools and that your first choice must be the school in your attendance zone.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
1. The child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2009.
2. The child must be a Chatham County resident.
3. If your child is selected, the following required documents are needed: Georgia Immunization Certificate #3231, certified birth certificate, social security card, Eye Ear & Dental Certificate and proof of residence.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1. The program is full day. Check with your school for the starting and ending times.
2. You can apply at two different school sites; however your first choice must be the school in your attendance zone.
3. You are required to show proof of residence when submitting an application and at the time of registration.
4. Transportation will be provided to children who are on the existing bus routes for each elementary school. No transportation is provided to Windsor High School, Woodville Tompkins, or Savannah High School.
5. Before and after school programs are provided at most elementary school sites. Call your school for further information.

HOW TO APPLY
Parents must apply to the pre-k school site within their *designated attendance zone and one other additional site of their choice. (Only two applications can be submitted)
Complete the application and return it to the school site(s).
The first date to return applications is Mon., Feb. 2. Please contact the school if changes in your address or telephone number should occur after the application is submitted.

Here is a list of all the schools in Chatham County that offer the free pre-K program. Applications will be available at the school sites.

Thanks (once again) to SouthernMamas reader Kari Hunter for providing this info!!

First Baptist of Rincon Weekday Ministries was voted best day care by the people of Effingham County.

The child care center on Highway 21 @ 6th Street in Rincon offers day care for 6 weeks- 12 yrs of age. The center serves afterschool children from Rincon, Blandford, and Ebenezer Elementary. There is also have a private Pre – K and two K-3 programs.

For more info, call 912.826.2213 or click here.

As a follow-up to the earlier post we did on best area preschools, a SouthernMamas reader wants to know the best small-scale day cares.

Reader Alexis emails that she, her husband and their 5-month old son will be relocating to Savannah from NYC in February. The child is in a family day care in NYC and they’re looking for something similar here, but only finding big centers.

Any suggestions? Below are some of our area’s best day cares based on input from others (I don’t have any personal experience with these). Here’s a link to a post we did about local day cares a while ago.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool:10 W. 31st St. (912) 233-8895

The Sanctuary Child Learning & Development Center:8912 Whitfield Ave(912) 692-1523

Calvary Child Care and Preschool: 4625 Waters Ave (912) 351-2299

CandlerHospital’s Children’s House: 5353 Reynolds St. (912) 819 7200

SavannahYouthUniversity: 204 Tibet Ave. (912) 927-9537

Isle of Hope United Methodist 412 Parkersburg Rd. (912) 355-8527

Bible Baptist Church 4700 Skidaway Rd. (912) 352-3020

Savannah Country Day’s The Little School, 824 Stillwood Drive, (912) 961-8830

UPDATE: Sherry Costa, director of Early Start Child Care Resource & Referral Agency at Savannah Technical College, emails that families seeking to find child care in the Savannah area can contact her agency at 912-443-3011 or visit the Early Start website by clicking here. You will receive information on identifying quality child care as well as a free list of registered/licensed child care providers in the region.  You can investigate child care quality by viewing the child care licensing reports on the Bright from the Start website.