What Kind of Info to Leave for the New Nanny?

I normally leave a daily note - anything that is different from routine or new or something that migth impact the day like sleepless nights.......

I taped important business cards to one of our kitchen cabinet doors - the pediatrician, Poison Control, a local emergency clinic, etc. I put our contact phone numbers on a sheet of paper and taped that there too. It's easier access there in my opinion. We also introduced her to one our neighbors with whom we are close. She knows she can knock on their door at any time for help. One time she accidently locked herself out of the house so the neighbor came in handy. We gave her a house key and gave a key to that neighbor also. You need to hash out nonpaid/paid days off, vacation days, what happens if you have to come home sick/stay home sick, etc. Our nanny likes to cook homemade food for our son so I ask her if she needs anything when I make my grocery store runs. I also let her know she can eat or drink anything in our house. Our nanny doesn't take our son out of the house except for walks. Otherwise, we'd have to leave her a car seat and outline our expectations for outings. We also ask her to make her doctor’s appointments as late as possible in the day. Let her know if there is absolutely anything you don’t want the kids eating, drinking or doing.

Here's a pretty extensive checklist:

http://www.workitmom.com/checklists/detail/5664

I also think that "the beginning" is a good time to make it REALLY clear what her "nanny" duties are! Many nannies do light housekeeping, errands, etc. She'll need to know what is expected.

Good luck!

Think about emergency situations. Do you have a note/letter permitting her to take the kids to the doctor/emergency room? Leave her insurance cards? Maybe get another copy from the insurance company?

Label all the medicine in the house with the kids' initials and dosages (we do this for the middle of the night for our own sakes).

What are your levels of tolerance for the types of foods you want your kids to eat? Drinks?

How much tv?

Just some things to think about....like you don't have enough. :)

I wrote a book for our part-time teenage babysitter. I don't think it hurts to over-inform. You are setting up your expectations. :)

You have gotten great responses so far! I want to add expectations of cleaning to the list. There was a question about the babysitter cleaning last week and the responses were varied, but most said that you need to let the nanny know what she is expected to do. For example, when they eat, do you want the dishes on the counter, sink, dishwasher, or hand washed? Also, any messes that are preexisting vs messes made by her and the kids. It seems silly to mention it, but everyone has their own idea of what to do, and you don't want to get frustrated over something that she didn't know about!

A communication notebook is a great idea. You can write daily notes about the kids night, maybe a package is anticipated to be delivered that day, a "could you try to do" list or whatever your anticipated things for her to also get done (whatever was spelled out in her contract for chores, tidy up things, etc).

Then she can write similar things as her day progresses for you to see. The package came and she signed for it, its on the counter. Little X complained of a tummy ache, keep and eye on that. The smoke detector in the basement is beeping so probably needs new batteries. The last roll of paper towels was set out today (so was added to a running grocery list or needs to be..if you do this as well), etc..you get the idea. Each page in the notebook is a new day and for both of you to make sure its all there. Just the needed stuff.

As far as the other mainstay things, make a 3 ring binder. Make those emergency forms, copies of medical cards, emergency contacts (relatives, your work info, etc). Anything needed in emergencies about allergies, if a fire happened (so she can grab this book if possible/..keep it in the same place ALWAYS!)

When I was a nanny we had the communication book for the first year or 2 when the kids were very young and I was new to them, and did away with it eventually. The Binder we kept and proved very essential in many instances. There is nothing worse than having a minor emergency (or worse a major one) and not being able to get ahold of a parent.

Also make sure she knows where a fire extinguisher is located, knows how to use it, that you have a good, put together first aid kit, etc

Here is a link to another board with ideas..
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/52013.page

As a former nanny, it was very important for me.

Good Luck!!!

I like the notebook idea. That way, should you think of anything, or if she has any questions, ya'll can write it down right away when you're thinking of it. Sounds like you've thought of everything!

I keep a big desk/wall calendar on the bar for our nanny to make notes--what and how much he's eating and drinking and at what times, poops, any medicine, naps, whatever else is important. I also use it to note any changes in her hours and mine. In addition to using it to memorialize his daily activities, it helps me to know what to expect on and how to direct the weekends. (And I use the info for doctor visits.)

I have separate containers and a dedicated refrigerator shelf for his food, so there is no confusion about what's his. I don't get to see her or even talk to her EVERY SINGLE DAY, and we can't always schedule a phone call during the day, so I leave notes for her. She enjoys having it all in writing so it's clear. (My husband meets her in the mornings, and I meet her in the evenings. If my husband beats me home and it's time for her to leave, then he will usually release her, unless I need her to stay. She'll typically call me on her way out so we can touch base, but that's not always necessary.).

Something that I had to learn was that she needs to feel comfortable, pretty much like she is at home. (It's not so easy for me to share personal space.) That means rearranging things at times, especially making his things more user-friendly for how their day is structured. I allow her space for personal items--change of clothes, sneakers, coffee cup, sunglasses. She keeps food in my refrigerator. We also allow her to eat whatever is in the fridge.

I am very particular about having new things run by me--food, antibiotic ointment, etc. She gets my personality by now, and I usually say okay, but I don't like surprises, and I don't want anybody giving him something that would counteract with something that I've done or am doing. She got really comfortable a few weeks ago and gave him macaroni and cheese. This is the only time she didn't ask first, so I didn't make an issue of it, but I didn't like that he had eaten it. He was miserably constipated for the next couple of days, waking up in pain at night trying to get it out.

Congratulations on the new gig.

I used the notebook with the families I worked with. Worked great...

What I would want to know (I just made a questionnaire for a family last week):
Daily routines: when kids generally do what; mealtimes/snacktimes, and naptimes. If your little ones have any special 'lovies' or pacifiers, let her know. I also wanted to know for the kids...what are typical reasons for upset/distress and what's usually done to remedy this.

Be clear about family limits/guidelines for media, treats and house rules. These are areas where 'shades of gray' can be confusing. I found that I am inclined to be more strict than some parents and less than others, and every parent seems to have strong feelings on these topics.

If it were me, I'd also talk to the nanny about a mutual liability waiver regarding property damage: if your kids break anything on her watch, your homeowners covers it or you pay for it; if anything happens to her property(say, the two year old breaks her glasses pulling on them) then it falls on her to replace that item. This is just about clarifying expectations in case a situation of this sort arises.

I always had a written contract with my families, just so we all knew what was expected of each other. (Payments: in what form/when; are you claiming her on taxes; daily tasks you are expecting her to perform, etc. as well as any paid/unpaid personal/vacation days, etc.) Be clear about vacations: if your family goes out of town and are unavailable for care, does she get paid anyway? You won't spring this on her this morning, but try to get it all in writing so everyone's on the same page.

Good luck!

I didn't read the other responses so I'm sorry if I repeat the same things.

Is she CPR certified? If not, I would print out instructions on CPR and basic first aid and have her read them. It's not as good as taking a class, but it will work (Actually, the family that I nannied for paid for me to get CPR certified so that might be something to look into).

I like the notebook idea. Giving her an idea of the kids schedule is also good. Allergy information, and emergency contacts... all good. I think you got it covered.

Maybe, if you are really picky about what the kids eat, set out meal plans for each day.

Consider making a DON'Ts list-

This might help you identify house rules that are important to you, but not obvious health and safety concerns. For instance kids aren't allowed to have electronics at the table. or kids aren't allowed to help themselves in the kitchen, or to enter the home office under any circumstances, or to close their doors.

Good luck on your new job.
F. B.

Insurance cards, a waiver giving her authority to take them to the hospital. Can't think of anything else but then I have never had a nanny.

Print out a copy with instructions and pictures on how to perform CPR on children and adults.

Show her where the fire extingusher(s) are located in your home.

Have a great first day...keep US posted.

Hi, R. and congrats on your new job!

I think your daily notes back and forth in a notebook is a great idea. When my son was in kindergarten the teacher actually wrote a short note daily in each student's notebook. Sometimes about behavior, sometimes comments about things that happened that day, etc. and in turn, I could write things that I felt she needed to know. He actually enjoyed when I'd read what she'd written and it always got him talking about how his day had gone.

I think the most important thing is she should always know how to get in contact with you..your work #, work e-mail, cell phone, etc.

Good luck! Let us know how your day went :)

Hi, R.:
Congratulations on your success in finding a
job and nanny.
I suggest you have something in writing about resolving
conflicts.
Just a thought.
D.