I hired a nanny for my 6th month old...LOTS of questions?

Question

I have a 6th month old baby girl. I have been home with her since day one. Finaces dont allow me to stay home permantly, so I return to work next week.

I have hired a nanny to take care of her until January ( she will come to work with me after December) I have complete confidence my choice of nanny....so please limit comments to helping me brainstorm-not horror stories of nannies gone bad

I need help gathering info that my nanny will need to know about my daughter. So far I have a list of foods she eats, her normal routine, likes, dislikes, what to do in case of emergency, and It seems like a nanny would need to know more....

Any suggestions on how to better equip our new nanny?

Answer 1

I have been a nanny for several years and with the families I have worked for we have put together a notebook for me. I fould this website that gives you forms with lots of information, stuff I would have never thought that I needed and I have needed them. www.nannycontracts.com and look for the free household forms. They have insurance forms and phone lists, permission to treat for the dr. and tons of other important forms Also some things that she might need are a schedule, list of favorite toys, songs, foods. Make her feel like she is a part of your family. Happy nannies do much better with your children. If you need extra help let me know I would be happy to help you [e-mail] good luck I know it isn't easy for you to go back to work but you are making the right choice for your family.

Answer 2

Where stuff is in the house...aka: the remotes to the TV for when the baby sleeps, the thermometer for when she needs to take her temp (hopefully not needed), bath supplies for if the baby gets really messy, extra changing materials, clothing, and whatever else comes to mind.
Also, what will be expected of her, the nanny. If she should give the babe a bath, get her dressed in the morning, lay her on her side to sleep, do dishes while the kiddo is down for nap, write the baby's day out so you know what went on at what time...etc.
A list of the neighbors around, just in case. And whether she should answer the phone or not.
And be sure to brief her at the beginnings of the days (wake time, how the night went, last feeding, last diaper, what the mood seems to be...) because this can really make things go so smoothly. Good luck...nannies are awesome...make sure you tell her how she is doing too! Feedback is always welcome.

Answer 3

I'm a dogwalker, so I can tell you what is usually asked, what I wish was asked, and what I ask: You have some questions here that are just not helpful, and some are flat out illegal: What type of activities do you enjoy in your spare time? What is your educational background? and your plans for the future? Do you have any chronic medical condition or ailment? Do you take medication for these? Don't get me wrong--you want someone you can totally trust with your housekeys and your dog! You are entrusting an enormous responsibility to your dog nanny! But you aren't asking all the right questions. Any question I didn't highlight is FINE. You should be asking: -For references. -About their insurance. (Bonding is a joke-unless your dogwalker is criminally convicted, you will never see a dime from 'bonding'. Insurance is my day job, Trust, you want INSURANCE in your dogwalker. ) -How they would determine if your dog needed immediate emergency care. If they will pay for it. Your dogwalker/dog nanny is not legally authorized to approve veterinary care UNLESS you have signed a contract allowing it. Many vets won't honor that. In most cases, you, personally, must give the OK for veterinary help. -You need to tell your walker/nanny about anything that is unusual. They should be asking. How is the dog with new people? With kids/ With other dogs/ With cats/with thunderstorms or other loud noises/with strollers, etc? -If the worst happens and the dog gets away from the sitter, how best to get the dog back? Do you have neighbors that know the dog? What always gets the dog back?! Is he microchipped?! -How much does the dog weigh? How old is the dog? What meds does he take and when and at what dose? This includes the HW and flea/tick meds. We need to know if your dog is ill and we have to call your vet or an emergency vet. -What does he eat? Brands, amounts, etc. With the amount of recalls, yes, your sitter needs to be able to answer this question without thinking. -Can your sitter give meds? Injections? How and why? Trained in it? Yes, you absolutely want to have the pet sitter interviewed in your home. The dog learns that person is allowed, and you can observe their interaction with the animal! Have your neighbors do a little spying. I know that sounds awful, but do it. Make sure the dog is always on a lead outside the home. Make sure they spend as much time as they say they will. Your neighbors can help you here. I'm sorry to sound like a paranoid freak, but I've had good dogwalkers and I've had bad ones. Hell, I've employed good ones and bad ones! A little spying never hurts. ;) I THOUGHT I had a good dogwalker. I had references, etc. But I later found out that she overfed my dog; let my dog off lead; let a 6 year old walk my dog-aggressive dog!; basically swung by the house and did not actually spend the time she promised; Or, spent the night when no one asked her to and went through every drawer and cabinet in my house; sent backup walkers I'd never met or approved; let her insurance lapse; etc. It was a NIGHTMARE. That's why I started my OWN dogwalking biz. I do it right. ;) And yes, I spy on petsitters now.

Answer 4

Hi.
I've been hired as a Nanny to a 6 mos old, my friends daughter. I've been on the job for 3 mos now, so I can give you a different perspective from the caregivers point of view. I am also a mom of my own 2 children, so I am experienced. But as you know, every child is different. And their baby is a totally new experience compared to my own.
What I wish I would have done:
FIRST: Hung out with them and WATCHED how they feed her (even hold her as they give her bottle) b/c I could tell by the way the baby reacted to me that I just wasn't doing it like mommy. Now we are on solids, and I spent about 30 min on the phone with the mommy tonight b/c I can't figure out how to get their baby to accept being spoon-fed by me. My advice, show the Nannies your FEEDING / SLEEPING techniques in person. If she can watch your technique, and do it like you can, it will be an easier transition for the baby.
SECOND, consider a contract. A written contract. I know it sounds silly b/c you are 'friends'. But that can actually cause more problems down the road if you don't protect yourself and your friendship with a written agreement. When I first started watching my friends baby, they told me I would be getting $X a day, which over a 8 hour day, evened-out to much better than minimum wage. WELL....now that they are comfortable with me providing childcare, and have gotten a "taste of freedom" from their baby so-to-speak....I find that they are leaving her with me for 10 hour days! But I make the same $X per day. But I don't know how to approach them BECAUSE they are my friends. But deep down inside, I'm beginning to feel taken advantage of.

I hope my insights helped a bit. Good luck!

Answer 5

I was a nanny 20 years ago, and we are still friends...
There were lots of nannies in the neighbourhood, and I felt my employers were the best .... they completely trusted me and integrated me into their family -. I would have done anything for them, and I treated their baby like my own.... I was very young, and made many mistakes, but we sat down together, and they helped me establish a routine...... but your nanny will soon grow into her own routine with the baby , and change with the baby's needs, and sleeping habits etc... giver her the freedom....
They always had a jar with some money for me to borrow, or to use in case of emergency if I needed to take a taxi and take the baby for a checkup etc...
Decide beforehand what you would like her to do, or who to call.... in case...it is good for her to know the neighbours ph # as well..... It was also important for the couple, that I went out lots with my friends (also a gentle reminder for me, that I am not the mom ), and let them have their own space with the baby which was important..
hope some of this helps

Answer 6

Have you thought about whether or not she sill be able to call you for minor things at work? Will she need to wait and call at specific times, like when you are on break? Think about whether or not she can make personal calls from your home phone or use your computer while the baby naps. Will she be required to do light housework? If so list what exactly you expect from her. If you are running late will she be able to stay an extra hour or whatever? What about taking the baby to the park or for walks (weather pemitting)? I think you have pretty much got things covered so I just threw out a few things that came to mind

Answer 7

If she has experience being a nanny she will have questions for you! The list you have is more than adequate for a 6 month old child. If she is local, she should know her way to the nearest E.R. If not, make her a map with written instructions as well. You should also provide her with a car seat. Good luck!

Answer 8

Does your daughter have any allergies, medical conditions, and all the phone numbers associated with them?
The big questions are WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS OF HER?
Pretend that you are a manager at work, what would you like if you were that managers employee? Now consult your other half and describe to the Nanny what you expect, before N starts. It is only fair a job is a job, be fair now

Answer 9

Nannies are awesome. Looks like you've hit all the major info that she'll need. As long as there is a way to reach you or the babys dad by phone you should be all set. One thing I would mention is how do you feel about giving medication. I always want them to call me before they give any tylenol or anything like that.
Good luck

Answer 10

What to do in an emergency, If the baby chokes or gets hurt.
Where she can go with the baby, like to the store, park, backyard.
What friends you have that she could call if needed.
Who can come into the house when you are not there.
What to do if they have been out and she thinks someone has been in the house.
Safety issues like keeping the toilet seat down, plugins covered, cords out of reach.
Not to let the baby have anything she can put in her mouth.
Names and phone numbers of friends and relatives that you trust. And photos of them available so if they come over she will know they are ok.