Generations of Annie's Nannies

 Jodi Vandenbranden, a ski coach at Telluride Ski Resort, works as one of Mayer's nannies to supplement her income. Vandenbranden has fond memories of Mayer taking care of her and her sister when they were growing up.

"Holly did a sewing project with my sister and me," said Vandenbranden. "She made us a heart pillow and every time I came home, I would see it and think of her."

According to Mayer, Jodi's parents did not want to leave their children in the hands of anyone else.

 "Her Mom wouldn't think about going out of town, unless I watched Jodi and her sister," Mayer said.

Today, Vandenbranden still considers Mayer a friend and a respected employer.

"Holly is a wonderful person to work for. She really treats me well," Vandenbranden said.

 Mayer currently staffs over 40 nannies. It is her job to juggle all of the nannies' schedules and to schedule nannies for all of her clients. Clients call Mayer a year, a month, a week, a day, and an hour in advance when hiring a nanny. Mayer never double books by referring to what she calls her two bibles, her reservation book and schedule book.

"I have to make sure that they coincide every night before I go to bed," Mayer said.

Nannies get in touch with Mayer once a week to go over their schedules. A goal of Mayer's is to schedule her nannies so they can stay with the same families year after year.

"The same families will come year after year for vacation and I give them the same nanny year after year," Mayer said.

Just like Mayer getting to watch many of her nannies grow up, her nannies get to see the children they watch, grow up. Parents greatly appreciate the bonds built between their children and their nanny. Melodie Yano has worked as a nanny for the same family every year and the family is generously paying her college tuition. Mayer feels good about giving work to college kids who need the money.

"Social Services thanked me the other day for giving work to people in the community who need it," Mayer said. "Where else could these college kids go to find a job for a few weeks that pays well and they enjoy the work."

 Mayer is proud of all of her nannies and strongly believes in their qualifications.

"The nannies want to do a good job for me and they don't let me down," Mayer said.

Her nannies are infant specialists, nursery workers, adventure guides, ski instructors and local moms. Tova Davis, a local mom, has been a nanny for Mayer for three years. One of the reasons Davis likes the job is because she has time to be with her own children.

 "Working as a nanny is flexible, it's fun because I meet people from all over the world, and it pays well. This job has got everything," Davis said.

According to Davis, Annie's Nannies is great outfit for the town of Telluride. Tourists can come to town and not have to worry about their most precious commodity, their children.

"People feel good when a mom like me watches their kids," Davis said.

 Children taken care of by one of Annie's Nannies will never be sitting in front of a television. Annie's Nannies specializes in creative play, out-door adventure, and hands-on learning experiences. Nannies do arts and crafts and take kids to the library, tubing, sledding, hiking in nature, and for rides up the gondola. Each nanny is supplied with an arts and craft bag filled with toys, paints, crayons, coloring books, cookie dough, and plastic beads to make jewelry.

"Holly is enthusiastic and she really cares about doing a good job for her clients. She will always supply ideas and answer questions," Davis said.

Mayer also believes that Annie's Nannies is a business that benefits the community.

 Local nannies are a wealth of information for tourists visiting Telluride. Nannies answer questions about where to go to eat, where to hike, or how to adjust to the altitude. The nanny service then gets tourists to go out and spend money on the town. Parents are freed up to shop and wine and dine in local restaurants.

"It's a win-win situation. Everyone benefits, the community, the nannies, and I benefit," Mayer said.

Mayer frequently receives thank you notes and letters from families whose time in Telluride was made more enjoyable because their children had such a fun time.

 "I look forward to many more years of continuous worry-free parents and families vacationing in Telluride," Mayer said.

Annie's Nannies also provides care and fun activities for the elderly and pets. For more information call 728-2991 or go to www.annies-nannies.com. Advanced reservations are appreciated.