Many parents have a list of criteria that they look for in a nanny. As a nanny, you can certainly match those standards. However, simply doing your job isn’t always enough. Although it’s not necessary to take on responsibilities that don’t match your pay scale, there are some things that you can do to get rave reviews from your employer.
Be On Time
Parents often build their lives around their nannies’ schedules. If you’re late or absent, you might cause your employer to miss a big meeting or another important function.
Always be on time. In fact, allowing an extra 5 to 15 minutes to arrive and get settled in is usually appreciated by the parents. This gives everyone a chance to chat and explain the expectations for the day. Showing up early might even give your employer a chance to make a coffee run on her way to the office.
Clean Up After Yourself
Even if cleaning duties aren’t part of your job description, you’ll shine in your employer’s eyes if you keep the house at least as clean as you found it when you arrived. That means putting away toys and wiping down countertops instead of scrolling through social media while the kids nap.
Share Something Exceptional
Even if you’re not required to track everything that your charges do throughout the day, parents always appreciate knowing how you spend your time. Presenting them with a daily or weekly report that lists some of the activities that you and the kids completed will help them realize that they’re spending their money wisely.
Always include something remarkable about the children, especially if you’ve had to report something that wasn’t necessarily positive. You can talk about how generous your charge was when he shared his toy with his sibling or something funny that the child did.
Get The Kids Ready For The Next Day
Being a parent can be overwhelming. One of the hardest parts of raising children is getting them out of the house. Getting things ready for the following day takes some pressure off the parents and can make your life easier if you’re returning in the morning.
Some ideas include:
• Restocking the diaper bag with wipes, diapers, and cloths
• Have the child pick out clothing
• Pack a lunch
• Make sure that library books, homework and science fair projects are ready to go
• Find the child’s shoes and matching socks
Organize The Schedule
Introducing a central calendar can help you and your employers stay on the same page when it comes to the child’s schedule. You can use a dry-erase calendar in the kitchen or create an online calendar that everyone can access.
When you meet another parent in the park and set up a playdate, mark it on the calendar. For school-age children, you can empty their backpacks every afternoon, writing down important dates and project deadlines and putting permission slips and other forms in a specific spot.
Carry A Babysitting Kit
In the Baby-Sitters Club books by Ann M. Martin, the sitters often bring Kid Kits with them when they go on a job. They’re cardboard boxes filled with goodies to keep the kids busy. Change out the items in your goody bag periodically.
Some items that you can pack include:
• Books
• Bubbles
• Arts and crafts supplies
• Puzzles
• Printable coloring sheets
• Costumes