We’re continuing our Best Practices series today with the installment from Nannies. We asked a few of our top nannies in this industry to share with us their Best Practice recommendations for nannies to follow.
Karen Yatsko shares …
The 5 Best Practices for a nanny I recommend are as follows, with four under the category Document!! One, Document your day!! Most jobs ask the nanny to keep a log book of the day’s activities or milestones. What a great way to showcase the growth and changes of your charge/es while you are their nanny! Parent’s love to see what happened while they were gone during the day. With technology today, you can also take a cell phone picture and down load to a flash drive for a daily record of that job.
Secondly, I suggest documents in your car or nanny car. I have copies of my charges health insurance cards, dental insurance cards and parent information located in the folder with the car registration. If I was knocked unconscious in an accident, the police would be able to contact someone on that list. Thank to Mary Ann X. Meddish, I have tie-on ICE cards that are attached to infant and toddler car seats where that information can also be reached.
Third, I recommend having a document, preferably a contract in place. It protects you and the family when all information pertaining to the job is written down. For busy parents and nannies, having it on paper helps the communication and keeps all parties with in the job description.
Fourth, keep your resume updated at all times! Many nannies I know have recently lost their positions thru no fault of their own. Downsizing, parents deciding to stay home or job relocation for parents mean that keeping your resume updated will only benefit you! Always include copies of trainings, certifications, and conference attendance forms. Parents like to know that you are constantly educated and know your business!
Lastly, Be sure that you land in a job where you are happy and where your communication with your employers is great. Because if the nanny is not happy, it will trickle down in to the family dynamics. Be pro-active in talking about issues or concerns to keep a smile on your face! Why spend your days not doing something you love?
Becky Kavanagh shares …
Ability to be confidential and discrete – this applies to the employer family, previous families, other nannies, etc. That being said we all need to vent, talk or share – doing so with others who will respect confidentiality is essential. Choose your confidante wisely.
Maintain current CPR and First Aid. This is an easy thing to do but it always surprises me how many good nannies let this slide or feel that they took it five years ago so that should be good enough. Really?
Seek out continuing education opportunities and hone skills – which can mean learning new skills to position yourself as competitive and professional in your market.
Be an asset to your employer not a liability. Go above and beyond, offer information and ideas without stepping on their parenting toes.
Join and actively participate in professional organizations or associations. An active member gets the full benefits from their membership and is an asset to the industry.
Beth Lehmann shares …
Have a work agreement – cover all aspects of the job so disputes/issues can be easily resolved should they come up in the future, include hourly rate, hours of work, and guaranteed base pay, outline important benefits such as paid holidays, vacation and sick time agreements. attending conferences as part of professional development (have employers pay for 2 conferences a year and time off with pay not used as vacation days), if driving work vehicle who is responsible for deductible in case of damage to vehicle during work hours.
Being punctual – Arrive on time for work, get children to classes, activities and appointments on time. If you are constantly late you can disrupt the children’s class/activity or cause your employer to be late.
Communicate – have a daily journal keep track of your day – leave messages to parents and they can respond back on their time. At the end of the day you want to leave and they want time for the kids it’s a great tool to keep in contact and everyone knows what is going on. If child is sick there is a record of medications and times, keep track of foods eaten (allergies can be traced easier), nap schedules, playdates, activities, can all be recorded. Keep receipts from all activities and shopping you do (lunch out, grocery store, bought birthday gift, etc) int he journal. If your low on cash leave a note you need to be replenished. Remember sit down with employer and talk for 15 minutes 1x a week/1x a month .
Stay connected with the parents during the day -via phone calls, text or emails (whatever the parents preference is) Surprise the parents and send a photo of happy child/ren with a cute little message.
Take classes and attend workshops/conferences: keep up to date with CPR/First Aid, attend child care related courses, conferences and workshops.
Karen LeBlanc shares …
Communicate openly with your employer regularly. Do not wait for an issue to arise. Keep an open dialogue going.
Uphold professional boundaries. Do not friend your employers on Facebook. Don’t post anything on your Facebook page you wouldn’t want them to see.
ALWAYS have a work agreement/contract in place and follow tax laws.
Maintain membership in INA and stay current on industry issues.
Reach out to and support other nannies in your area.
What are your Best Practices you follow and would want other nannies to know?