Happy Thursday everybody 🙂 I have been lucky to work with some of my families for over six years now. While that has been so great some of them are starting to outgrow needing a nanny or babysitter, so recently I’ve started taking on some new families. I got names of families through a friend and have worked with three new families for a month now! It has been really fun, and such great experience having some babies again.
Since I’ve been with my families for so long now whenever I see them it’s like seeing family. It is so comfortable and easy. To say I was a little nervous to start all over again with new families was a given. I’ve been lucky to have enough work with my network of families for the last few years. BUT I wanted to form new relationships with some sweet new little kiddos. The families I’ve been working with have been so great! The kids are amazing and so fun, and the parents have been really nice and easy to get along with, which is something so important to me.
However the first day I nanny for the first family I got there, exchanged phone numbers, they gave me the daily run down, and then they were off! Thank goodness for modern technology and cellphones because I had a lot of little questions I forgot to ask in the morning rush. So that inspired me to come up with a little checklist or information to get from families the first time you watch their kids! I even created a printable, Notes for the Nanny, you can bring with as well 🙂
- Exchange phone numbers (including work numbers). This seems like a dumb one, I know, but sometimes you may forget to think that their office phone would come in handy. Say there’s an emergency and they aren’t answering their cell phones? It’s a long shot, and hopefully never needed, but good to have in case.
- ALLERGIES! I am so bad at remembering this one because I have no allergies and neither have any of the kiddos from my families I work with. BUT this is so important in case one of the kiddos does. Make sure you ask what exactly they are allergic to and what meds to give them in case they come in contact with it.
- Ask about screen time. This one can be so different from family to family so it’s always good to ask. Some don’t care and others limit it to a show a day. Whether you believe one way or the other always go with the parents rule. It’s not fair to the child or the parents if you change it up on the days you’re there.
- Ask about their favorite foods. This way you will have a good idea of what to make them for lunch or dinner without having to try and figure that out from the little one or guessing. Also ask if there is anything they really don’t like. That can help too when it comes to meal prep
- Ask about snacks. A hard moment for me is when the parents leave and then an hour later the kids ask for a snack and I don’t know if the parents let them have them whenever. Just ask right away. Ask what they usually have for snack and the timing. Most people have a snack shelf or drawer 🙂
- Wifi password 🙂 while this is more for the sake of the nanny during nap time, it can also come in handy in case any device in the house falls out of sync during the day! No one wants a sad toddler just because you told them they could watch Micky on the iPad and the signal is signed out.
- Random things it helps to know! Garage code (in case you leave), where the stroller is (in case you want to head outside), favorite activities (if you are searching for ideas), where the craft supplies is, nap time routine (if they need their nook or lovey), and any other little thing that puts your mind at ease!
Never be afraid of asking too many questions. Better safe than sorry is my belief. It also makes you look prepared and serious about your job. If you feel comfortable and prepared for your day ahead with the kiddos it will make you less stressed and keep them calm. Attached to this blog post is my link to Notes for the Nanny, which is a printable I created to easily get all the main information I need in case of emergency and for the day ahead! Enjoy 🙂
xoxo Kelly
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