Phone Call/Video Call
If you have seen me on Facebook, Care.com, or another site, I would prefer to do an over-the-phone interview, whether that be a video or voice call. I do not necessarily communicate well or understand tone of voice over text, so it would help me better understand the questions you have and their importance.
Meet In Person (Parents and Children)
Before I begin working for your family, I need to meet you and your children before I watch them. I have had experiences in the past where I have watched children without meeting them and the experience isn't ideal, and I tend to have issues with the children that can be avoided if I meet them prior to watching them.
LINK: "How to Handle Nanny Vacations, Holidays, and Sick Days"
Sick Days Policy
I try my best to let you know as soon as possible if I need to call off due to illness. I only call off when I am sick.
Here's what I will do: the second I realize I am sick; I will let you know and let you decide if you want me to come in to complete my hours for that day. If I am dealing with allergies or a cold/sinus infection, I will wear an N-95 mask when I am around you and/or the children. If I am watching your infant child(ren), I will make sure that I am especially proactive with treatment.
COVID-19 Policy
Ah, COVID. It's still a thing? With the mask ban having been lifted a few years ago, many families are loosening their feelings on COVID. If I have been exposed to COVID but am not experiencing any symptoms, I will let you know and ask what you would prefer for me to do in that situation. If you still want me to come over to complete my hours for that time, I will wear a mask and do as many preventative measures as possible to ensure I do not get anyone ill if I find out that I do have COVID. Examples include extra handwashing (I am already doing this as much as possible), wearing gloves when making food/drink/bottles/changing diapers/cleaning the child/etc.
The only time I will absolutely require not coming in without giving you an option is if I test positive for COVID. Again, I know families are loosening their feelings around the subject, but I take not getting families sick very seriously, so I will take the recommended five days to quarantine in this situation.
Sick Days .
When I do need to utilize a sick day, I will do my best to get a doctor's note as to why I was absent if you would prefer. I am hoping not to ever be out unless my symptoms are bad enough that I need to go to the doctor/urgent care/emergency department. Because of my neurodivergent brain (autism/ADHD/etc.), I have a higher sensitivity to physical symptoms, which is why I may struggle to give my 100% when I am ill. When my mental/emotional health symptoms are not being adequately taken care of, they tend to exacerbate the physical symptoms.
This is why that it is going to be very important that we communicate a clear sick day policy. If my illness is going to be more long-term, you will know.
Here's what I will do: the second I realize I am sick; I will let you know and let you decide if you want me to come in to complete my hours for that day. If I am dealing with allergies or a cold/sinus infection, I will wear an N-95 mask when I am around you and/or the children. If I am watching your infant child(ren), I will make sure that I am especially proactive with treatment.
COVID-19 Policy
Ah, COVID. It's still a thing? With the mask ban having been lifted a few years ago, many families are loosening their feelings on COVID. If I have been exposed to COVID but am not experiencing any symptoms, I will let you know and ask what you would prefer for me to do in that situation. If you still want me to come over to complete my hours for that time, I will wear a mask and do as many preventative measures as possible to ensure I do not get anyone ill if I find out that I do have COVID. Examples include extra handwashing (I am already doing this as much as possible), wearing gloves when making food/drink/bottles/changing diapers/cleaning the child/etc.
The only time I will absolutely require not coming in without giving you an option is if I test positive for COVID. Again, I know families are loosening their feelings around the subject, but I take not getting families sick very seriously, so I will take the recommended five days to quarantine in this situation.
Sick Days .
When I do need to utilize a sick day, I will do my best to get a doctor's note as to why I was absent if you would prefer. I am hoping not to ever be out unless my symptoms are bad enough that I need to go to the doctor/urgent care/emergency department. Because of my neurodivergent brain (autism/ADHD/etc.), I have a higher sensitivity to physical symptoms, which is why I may struggle to give my 100% when I am ill. When my mental/emotional health symptoms are not being adequately taken care of, they tend to exacerbate the physical symptoms.
This is why that it is going to be very important that we communicate a clear sick day policy. If my illness is going to be more long-term, you will know.
LINK: 7 Things to Do When Your Nanny Calls in Sick
Respect/Communication Policy
Because I am autistic, I do not necessarily communicate in the most understandable way so this can confuse and irritate people, I am aware of that. However, I need you to be patient with me as I navigate learning about your family and how you all communicate. It will take time, so if I do not figure it out right away, please be patient. Do not be afraid to talk to me about something I may have said or did that upset you, but I ask that you talk to me directly and respectfully. Likewise, if there was an instance where I was made uncomfortable or felt disrespected, I will need to talk to you about it.
Every person has a right to feel seen and their needs heard in any type of relationship without fear of retaliation. I have had my fair share of dealing with unpleasant people, and I get that people can have certain traits or things that may make them seem more high-strung, but that doesn't negate the fact that I have the right (and everyone has the right) to expect respectful treatment.
Every person has a right to feel seen and their needs heard in any type of relationship without fear of retaliation. I have had my fair share of dealing with unpleasant people, and I get that people can have certain traits or things that may make them seem more high-strung, but that doesn't negate the fact that I have the right (and everyone has the right) to expect respectful treatment.
Mandated Reporter
As a future social worker, as well as a childcare provider, I am required, BY LAW, to report any suspicions of child abuse/neglect to the proper authorities. I also do this for pets and any older adults living in the home as well. If I sense something fishy going on, I will approach you and ask you about why things are a certain way. This may put the end to the issue at hand, so nothing may have to be done if it was just a misunderstanding. I have had families in the past with dogs keeping their dogs locked up in a different place in the house entirely from where everyone else is, and one of the cases was so bad that I was considering telling the parents that they needed to rehome their dog, but they came to that conclusion on their own.
I am not someone who "pushes things under the rug". If something is wrong, I will do something about it. I, and I am sure you would prefer, for me to talk to you about it in person about it to ensure good communication.
I will not tell you when and if I report to the proper authorities. It is your judgement as to whether you want to continue utilizing my services, but in this situation, if you choose to terminate me, I will require severance pay.
I am not someone who "pushes things under the rug". If something is wrong, I will do something about it. I, and I am sure you would prefer, for me to talk to you about it in person about it to ensure good communication.
I will not tell you when and if I report to the proper authorities. It is your judgement as to whether you want to continue utilizing my services, but in this situation, if you choose to terminate me, I will require severance pay.
Communication and Learning Styles
| communication_style.docx |
Some of these things may not be relevant to the job of childcare, but I figure I would include them anyway.
Supplies Reimbursement
If you would like me to provide more enrichment/learning opportunities for your child(ren), I can. I have experience creating lesson plans for ages 0-12 (see lchildcare resources page for documents of past lesson plans). I will not be paying for the supplies needed for these activities nor will accept you taking money out of my hourly pay to pay for these things. I will most likely be ordering my supplies through Amazon, so I can either put your credit card information in when ordering supplies for your family or I can screenshot what I am ordering and have you reimburse me either immediately or at my next pay day.
Pet Policy
My job is childcare, it is not to take care of any pets at home. I am happy to do minor things, like feeding/refilling water or letting out, but if I am expected to do any more than that, I will require compensation for any additional services.