The Nanny Checklist: Setting Up Your Nanny to Succeed

Checklist · For families welcoming a nanny

A happy nanny makes for a happy home.

When your nanny knows what you expect, has what they need, and understands your family's values, everybody wins. Especially the children.

Here's my checklist to work through together.

The Basics ✅

• Do they have their own room?
• Do they have a written schedule?
• Do they have a list of family rules and values?
• Do they have what they need? Phone credit, toiletries, sanitary towels, underwear, slippers, a mobile?
• Do they know when and what they can eat?
• Have you considered an allowance?
• Do they know how to contact you?
• Have they been first aid trained?
• Do they know what to do in an emergency?
• Have you explained your behaviour management approach?
• Do they know what you would like them to do around mealtimes?

Household Duties 🧺

If your nanny is in charge of cleaning the house, have you discussed how they will care for the children too? How will they balance their time safely?

Meals 🍽️

Take photos of your regular meals to show your nanny what a meal for your child needs to include.

Nappy Changes and Toileting 🚽

How involved would you like them to be?

Things to Include in Your Information Pack 📋

• Hygiene: daily shower, uniform, hair and nail expectations.
• Room: where do they have their meals?
• Safety: please do not share photos or information about the children.
• Confidentiality: what stays within the family?
• Greeting people: how would you like visitors welcomed?
• Mobile phone: when is it OK to use it?
• Responsibilities: what is theirs, and what is yours?
• Conversations with other staff: what is OK to share?
• Meeting other nannies: at the park, at soft play, on playdates.

Playtime and the Playroom 🧸

• What does tidy-up time look like?
• Cleaning up: what is the children's responsibility?
• Independent play time: what are the rules around toys?
• Screen time: how much, and when?
• Reading: how often, and which books?

Language and Attitudes 💬

• How would you like them to speak to the children?
• Voice level: calm and gentle?
• Manners: what do you expect from the children, and from the grown-ups?
• Connection and bonding: how can they build a warm relationship with your child?
• Consistency: are you both responding in the same way?

Behaviour Management 🌱

Talk through how you'd like them to respond to:

• Interrupting
• Sharing
• Hitting

And agree together on:

• Words we don't use about children, such as "sexy", "naughty" or "shy".
• Labels on children. We describe what a child is doing, not who they are.
• Religious topics: how would you like these handled?
• Scary topics: what's not OK to talk about with little ones?

💛 Welcoming a new nanny, or want your nanny to feel more confident with the children? You don't have to work it out on your own. Book a Free Discovery Call and let's talk it through together: https://www.thepottyqueen.me/free-call

With love, Principal Lisa x