3 Ways to Help Your Nanny

Source : http://www.mysupernanny.com.au/blog/article/129-3-ways-to-help-your-nanny

We have a nanny one day a week. I do contract work which means I either have a lot of work on, or none at all. The kids go to pre school two days a week and daycare one day a week, but don’t provide the flexibility I need to add another day if I need it or cancel it if I don’t.

So a nanny was the best option. And Lauren has been part of our family on Wednesdays on and off since July.

And here are 3 ways I have learnt to make her life a tad easier.

1. Be Stocked Up
I always make sure there is a full bowl of fruit, stacks of snacks, the fridge is packed and there are some pre-made frozen food options available. This means Lauren can just open the fridge and get on with it rather than scavenging around.

2. Go Label Crazy
I recently bought a labeller. I am in love. If it doesn’t move in our house, it gets labelled. Everything has a place. And a label. The toy cabinet has labels on the shelves so it’s clear what goes where. This makes it easier for Lauren to oversee the cleaning up of toys. The pantry has labels with it so she can easily find food.

3. Write it Down
The mornings Lauren comes over are a bit nutso at our house. I am up early getting ready for work, packing laptop bags, getting my lunch sorted and I normally do a quick whip around and clean-up of the living areas so Lauren can actually see table and bench surfaces.

I am normally out the door by the time she arrives and it’s my husband (who works closer to home) that meets and greets her. And while he’s a great dad, sometimes he’s not so great on detail and forgets to pass on information to Lauren that I’ve asked him to. The solution?

Inner-B’s Babysitting Notes. I’ve used them for ages and now Lauren goes looking for them. I fill the page out and leave it on top of the kitchen dresser, so she knows where to find it.  It has detail around contacts, emergency contact, doctors information, when Mum or Dad will be home,  routines for the kids, allergies, lots of info that the nanny can have at her fingertips if she needs it. All you have to do is fill in the blanks.  And it’s only $5.95.

Head to www.inner-b.com.au  to buy online.