Once you hire a new nanny it is very important to make sure that they have been oriented to your family and household properly. It is a good idea to put all essential details into a document that is readily accessible to the nanny. This way they can refer to the document should they have any questions.
Following are a few things to keep in mind when orienting your nanny:
Allergies
Of course you would let your nanny know about any allergies that the children that they will be caring for have, but it’s a good idea to make sure they are aware of allergies for anyone in the home. As certain allergic reactions are in response to contact, you want to make sure that the nanny isn’t coming over with cat hair on her shoes if someone in the home is highly allergic to cat hair.
Medications
In addition to going over any medications that the children need to take, it’s also a good idea to discuss with them if and how any over the counter medications should be administered if the need arises.
Dietary Requirements & Restrictions
It is always a good idea to let your nanny know what kinds of foods are, and are NOT, alright for your children to eat. While your child may not have any food allergies, you may not want them eating cookies all day. Talk with your nanny about the kind of foods that you would like your children to be eating, and make them aware of any foods that are kept in the home that the children should not be allowed to eat.
Nap & Activity Schedule
If your children are on a schedule, be sure to sit down and spend some time going over it with your nanny. Are there certain times that you do not want your chid napping? Are there certain activities that you would like them to participate in on a daily basis? Talk with them about the kinds of activities that your children like to do, and what you would like to see them doing.
Household Information
In addition to giving your nanny a tour of your home, you should also go show them how the appliance work, where the thermostat is, and where you keep your cleaning supplies. You may also want to consider showing them where you keep safety items, such as your first aid or earthquake kit, as well as where the circuit breaker and water valve shut off is. Are there any pass codes that they will need access to? If so, you may want to consider keeping a list handy for them.
Emergency Information
In addition to the standard in case of emergency contacts (e.g. doctors, neighbors, guardians, repair men, vet, etc.), you should consider leaving them with a medical authorization form so that in the event of an injury to your child they are authorized to get your child necessary treatment. You should also share any emergency plans that you have in place should the need arise.
The above is an example of the kind of information we at Crunch Care believe in sharing with our clients.
Should you decide that you would like some assistance finding a nanny, please give Crunch Care a call at (877) 553-4231 for a free consultation!