Every family should have a nanny binder. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a book containing all the essential information a caretaker needs to know about a kid.
It is an important addition to a home, but sometimes we get confused about what they should contain. You might love the idea of nanny binders but have many questions or are somewhat unsure. In that case, this article is for you.
Here, we are going to answer those questions and clear any doubts. We know the grave importance of nanny binders and would love to guide you in making yours.
What Should Go In a Nanny Binder?
You should document numerous things in your child's nanny binder. We'll cut to the chase and make a list.
Child's Information: This section is where the basic data about the child is input. You should include their names, date of birth, and even allergies.
This is the first page of the binder, and it should have all the basic information about the child up front. Schedules and Calendar: Schedules are next, an essential part of nanny binders. They usually contain stipulated times and dates for the activities of the people involved.
It should contain info about the regular family calendar, the nanny's schedule, the kid's schedule, and other schedules that may overlap with the child's times to be cared for.
Another vital addition could be notable dates, such as the day they took a first step or their little league baseball finals. Household Information: This section should contain all the data needed to equip a household manager, such as one from The Elite Nanny Team, to care for the house. You should include the contacts of handypersons and other utility professionals.
Simple house rules that you and your partner have created for the safety of your kids should be included. This way, the nanny gets a household orientation via the book. Children’s Contacts: This partition is for child-based contact info. It should include things such as their dentist's or pediatrician's contact.
Other non-professional information could go there, too, such as their playmates, special spots, or even their favorite toy.
Emergency Contacts: This is a very vital part of a nanny directory. It should contain all the information needed in case of any emergencies.
You should include addresses and contacts of the fire department, the closest hospital, and poison control.
There is also a need to add available relative numbers and the parent/guardian’s (yours) work contact.
Homemade or Store-bought?
Whether a nanny binder is homemade or bought from a store shouldn’t be an issue. More attention should be put on the functionality of the book.
We recommend a nanny binder for all full-time and live-in nannies. It provides more control over your nanny's choices for your child's safety. Just in case we think the same way, here's what you'll need:
5-6 page dividers.
A 1.5-inch binder.
A spiral-bound notebook.
Binder-friendly calendar/schedule.
Where Should the Nanny Notebook Be Kept?
You should always keep your nanny binder in a very accessible place. This is dependent on the design of your home.
It could be atop the fridge in the kitchen, on the TV stand in your sitting room, or inside your kitchen cabinet. All that matters is that it’s easily accessible.
Another thing to note is to have only one spot for it. This way, there wouldn't be any confusion when the book is needed.
Conclusion
A nanny binder is a vital document to have for your child's protection. It should be concise, accessible, and easy to understand.
This article focuses on your child's nanny binder, but a binder would be useless without a good nanny.
You should get a caregiver who can react appropriately in all situations for your child's well-being. They should also be able to teach your kids while actively caring for them.
This subtly defines the nannies. At The Elite Nanny Team, we can offer you this and more with our numerous experienced and well-trained caregivers.