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What Essential Questions Should You Ask a Nanny You Want To Employ?

Finding the right nanny can be overwhelming for parents looking to ensure their child’s safety and wellbeing. Knowing what essential questions to ask a nanny during an interview is vital for making an informed decision. This article will cover key areas to explore, including basic qualifications, health and safety protocols, and expectations regarding caregiving. By following this guide, parents can confidently assess potential nannies and ensure a suitable match for their family’s needs. Engage with this content to gain clarity and streamline your hiring process, addressing any concerns you may face.

Understand Your Priorities When Interviewing a Nanny

Determining the key priorities before an interview helps parents sift through potential nannies more effectively. Consider aspects like sexual orientation and how these may influence the nanny‘s interaction with the family. Identifying what is important, su an omage of a young professional family , interviewing a nanny for a job to care for their young children , white caucasian , warm freindly envirnment, relaxed , english home, london based ch as discipline strategies and preferred working hours, lays the groundwork for a successful interview.

Parents should also consider their own needs when it comes to vacation time and how that might affect the nanny‘s schedule. Discussing holiday arrangements during the interview can prevent misunderstandings later on. Clarifying expectations surrounding time off ensures that both parties are on the same page.

Finally, establishing clear guidelines about payroll and payment structures is essential. Nannies should be informed about the financial arrangements, including hourly rates or salaries. Open dialogue about these topics fosters trust and aids in setting up a positive relationship from the onset.

Basic Questions to Ask a Nanny

When interviewing a nanny, parents should consider starting with foundational nanny interview questions to ask about the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Understanding their background in childcare, including relevant certifications and previous employment, provides insight into their capabilities and suitability for the family’s needs.

Another critical aspect involves discussing the candidate’s approach to discipline and child engagement. Asking specific babysitter interview questions about how they handle different situations can reveal their philosophy on childcare and how they align with the family’s values, ensuring compatibility in the home environment.

Lastly, it is essential to cover practical details regarding availability and scheduling. Clarifying preferred working hours and any flexibility in their routine will help prevent future conflicts and ensure a smooth employment relationship. Open communication regarding these matters builds a solid foundation for a successful partnership with the nanny.

Inquire About Nanny’s Training and Qualifications

Parents should enquire about the nanny‘s training and qualifications, especially concerning childcare methods for infants and young children. Understanding whether the candidate has completed first aid and CPR training can provide reassurance that they are prepared to handle emergencies effectively.

It is also essential to ask specific au pair interview questions designed to uncover the nanny‘s educational background in childcare, including any certifications or courses completed. This information can highlight their expertise and commitment to providing high-quality care.

Additionally, conducting a thorough background check and gathering nanny reference questions helps verify the candidate’s experience and reliability. Parents should seek references that can attest to the nanny‘s past performance, ensuring a well-informed hiring decision.

Discuss Health and Safety Protocols With the Nanny

Discussing health and safety protocols during the nanny interview is essential for parents, particularly for those with newborns. Parents should ask specific questions related to childbirth recovery and any relevant procedures the nanny will follow to ensure the child’s safety. A clear understanding of these protocols can help build confidence in the caregiver‘s behaviour and decisions.

It is important for parents to inquire about the nanny‘s experience with emergency situations and their approach to health-related matters. Asking targeted nanny questions about how they would respond to illnesses or accidents can provide insight into their preparedness and knowledge. This information is vital in ensuring the caregiver aligns with the family’s expectations for health and safety.

Furthermore, parents should assess the nanny’s ability to monitor the health of the child and follow guidelines regarding vaccinations and hygiene. Inquiring about these aspects creates a dialogue around health protocols, helping parents feel assured that their newborn will be well cared for. A comprehensive understanding of the nanny‘s health and safety practices establishes a trusting relationship from the start.

Explore Previous Experience and References of the Nanny

Understanding the previous experience of the nanny is critical in assessing their suitability for child care. Parents should ask about specific roles held, the age groups cared for, and any emergency situations the nanny has managed. This insight helps gauge their capability and confidence in handling various scenarios.

References play a vital role in confirming the nanny‘s qualifications and reliability. Parents should request contact information for previous employers who can provide feedback on the nanny‘s philosophy regarding child care and their ability to nurture and guide children. This step ensures a well-rounded view of the nanny‘s past performance and values.

Conducting thorough interviews with references allows parents to delve deeper into the nanny‘s work ethic and interpersonal skills. Asking targeted interview questions for an au pair can uncover how past experiences shape the nanny‘s approach to child care. This information enables parents to make an informed decision when selecting a caregiver for their family.

Assess Nanny’s Approach to Caregiving and Child Engagement

When evaluating a nanny‘s approach to caregiving, parents should enquire about their methods for engaging with children during playtime and learning activities. Understanding how the caregiver integrates educational moments, such as counting games or storytelling, ensures that the child’s development needs are met effectively.

It is equally important to discuss specific childcare strategies, including toilet training and breastfeeding support, as these factors significantly influence a child’s transition and overall wellbeing. A nanny who is knowledgeable about these essential aspects can provide tailored care that aligns with the family’s parenting philosophy.

Parents must also explore the caregiver‘s understanding of household payroll procedures to manage financial aspects transparently. Clarity regarding payment terms will foster a collaborative relationship, enabling the nanny to focus fully on providing quality care for the children.

Clarify Expectations and Responsibilities for the Nanny Position

Clarifying expectations and responsibilities is vital when interviewing a nanny. Parents should discuss child-related duties, including babysitting, engaging in learning activities, and any household tasks related to the children’s care. Clear communication in these areas helps ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities from the outset.

It is also important for parents to outline their parenting philosophy during the interview. This includes preferred discipline methods and daily routines, which allows for smoother integration of the nanny into the family dynamic. A shared understanding of these aspects fosters a harmonious environment for both the children and their caregiver.

Finally, parents should address any logistical matters, such as working hours and the potential for flexibility in scheduling. Defining these elements early in the process ensures that the nanny‘s availability aligns with the family’s needs, promoting a successful and productive babysitting relationship.

Identify Questions You Should Avoid in a Nanny Interview

During a nanny interview, parents should steer clear of questions that may infringe on personal privacy, such as those regarding a nanny‘s marital status or family planning. Such inquiries are irrelevant to assessing the candidate’s suitability for childcare and could create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Focusing on professional qualifications and experience is essential to maintaining a respectful dialogue.

It is also advisable to avoid questions that may seem discriminatory, such as those related to cultural background or religious beliefs. These inquiries can not only lead to misunderstandings but may also violate legal protections. Instead, parents should concentrate on how a nanny’s experience and childcare philosophy aligns with their family values.

Lastly, parents should refrain from asking about salary expectations too early in the conversation, as this can divert the focus from evaluating the nanny‘s qualifications. Discussing compensation should come after ensuring compatibility in caregiving style and responsibilities. Emphasising qualifications first fosters a more productive interview and enables parents to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Asking essential questions during a nanny interview is crucial for ensuring a good fit for both the caregiver and the family. By focusing on experience, qualifications, discipline approaches, and health protocols, parents can assess compatibility and establish clear expectations. This proactive dialogue fosters trust and sets the foundation for a successful working relationship. Ultimately, thorough questioning empowers parents to make informed decisions that prioritise the wellbeing and development of their children.

British Science Week 2025: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

British Science Week is more than just a celebration—it’s a powerful opportunity to spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for discovery in children. From 8th to 17th March 2025, the UK will come alive with science-themed events, experiments, and activities, all designed to make science accessible, exciting, and engaging for young minds.

As nannies, parents, and caregivers, we play a key role in introducing children to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Encouraging an interest in these subjects early on can shape how children view the world and help develop problem-solving skills that will benefit them for life.

What is British Science Week?

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM), organised by the British Science Association. Its goal is to make science more approachable and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

Throughout the week, schools, universities, and organisations across the UK will host:
Science fairs
Hands-on experiments
STEM workshops
Online discussions and challenges

Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a nanny, or simply curious about science, there’s something for everyone to explore!

Why STEM Education Matters for Children

Early exposure to STEM subjects can have a lifelong impact on children’s development:

Problem-solving skills – STEM encourages critical thinking and the ability to work through challenges.
Creativity and innovation – Science and technology inspire children to think outside the box.
Confidence and resilience – Success in experiments and projects builds confidence and teaches perseverance.
Future career opportunities – STEM-related jobs are growing rapidly, and introducing children to these fields opens up future career possibilities.
Teamwork and collaboration – Working on experiments and projects encourages children to communicate and work together effectively.

Fun Ways to Get Children Involved in British Science Week

1. Simple Experiments at Home

Set up easy science activities like:

Making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar
Growing cress or sunflower seeds to explore plant life
Mixing oil, water, and food colouring to learn about density

2. Visit a Science Museum or Exhibition

Take a trip to a local science museum or check out pop-up exhibits running during British Science Week. Hands-on experiences make science come to life!

3. Outdoor Exploration

Science is everywhere! Go for a walk and:

Identify different plants and bugs
Discuss the changing weather and seasons
Look for shapes and patterns in nature

4. Encourage Curiosity

Let children ask questions and explore their own ideas. If they ask why the sky is blue or how planes stay in the air, take the time to research the answers together!

How Nannies and Parents Can Support STEM Learning

Encourage questions and curiosity – Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers! Exploring together is part of the fun.
Provide access to STEM books and toys – Building blocks, science kits, and coding games all foster a love of learning.
Engage with technology – Educational apps and interactive games can make learning about science and maths fun.
Create a safe environment for failure – Science is all about trial and error. Let children know that mistakes are part of the learning process.

Final Thoughts

British Science Week is the perfect time to introduce children to the exciting world of science. Encouraging a love for STEM early on helps children build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and see the world through a curious and creative lens. Whether you’re conducting experiments at home, visiting a museum, or simply asking ‘why?’ more often, you’re helping to build a foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Understanding Different Learning Styles in Young Children

Every child learns differently, and understanding their learning style can help parents, nannies, and caregivers support their development in the best possible way. Some children learn by seeing, others by hearing, and some by doing.

Introduction

Every child learns differently, and understanding their learning style can help parents, nannies, and caregivers support their development in the best possible way. Some children learn by seeing, others by hearing, and some by doing.

By recognizing whether a child is an auditory, visual, or kinaesthetic learner, we can tailor activities to suit their strengths, making learning more engaging, effective, and fun!

Let’s explore the three main learning styles, how to identify them, and practical ways to support each type of learner.

The Three Main Learning Styles

1. Visual Learners – Learning Through Seeing

These children process information best through images, diagrams, and demonstrations.
They enjoy colorful books, flashcards, and watching videos.

Signs Your Child May Be a Visual Learner:
Loves looking at pictures and watching demonstrations.
Enjoys drawing, maps, and puzzles.
Struggles with verbal instructions but remembers things they see.

Activities for Visual Learners:
Use picture books and visual storytelling to explain concepts.
Encourage color-coding and mind maps for organizing ideas.
Use flashcards and charts to reinforce learning.

2. Auditory Learners – Learning Through Listening

These children learn best by hearing and talking about concepts.
They enjoy music, storytelling, and discussions.

Signs Your Child May Be an Auditory Learner:
Loves listening to stories, rhymes, and songs.
Enjoys talking, repeating things aloud, or explaining ideas.
Recalls information better when it’s spoken rather than written.

Activities for Auditory Learners:
Use songs and rhymes to teach new words or concepts.
Encourage reading aloud and storytelling.
Play listening games like Simon Says or follow-the-leader.

3. Kinaesthetic Learners – Learning Through Doing

These children learn best through movement, hands-on activities, and physical experiences.
They enjoy role-play, experiments, and active play.

Signs Your Child May Be a Kinaesthetic Learner:
Prefers touching and moving while learning.
Enjoys hands-on activities like building and crafting.
Finds it hard to sit still for long periods.

Activities for Kinaesthetic Learners:
Use sensory play (playdough, sand, water play).
Encourage role-play and hands-on science experiments.
Incorporate movement-based learning (counting steps, jumping for syllables).

How Parents & Nannies Can Support Different Learning Styles

Observe the Child’s Natural Interests

Watch how they respond to books, toys, and activities. Do they love looking, listening, or doing?

Mix and Match Learning Styles

Most children benefit from a combination of learning styles, so try different approaches and see what works best.

Adapt Daily Routines to Support Learning

Simple activities like storytelling, singing, drawing, or outdoor play can reinforce learning in ways suited to each child.

Conclusion

Understanding how a child learns helps us support their development in a way that feels natural and enjoyable for them. Whether they are visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic learners, we can tailor activities that make learning fun and effective.

As parents, nannies, and caregivers, we have the chance to nurture every child’s potential by creating experiences that match their unique learning style. Let’s make learning exciting, engaging, and tailored to their strengths!

Halloween Fun and Safety Tips for a Spooktacular Night!

Introduction

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many children—a night filled with costumes, candy, and spooky fun! However, as exciting as Halloween can be, it’s essential to keep safety in mind while ensuring everyone has a great time. From choosing the right costume to making trick-or-treating safe, here are some tips for creating a Halloween experience that’s both fun and safe.

1. Choose Safe and Comfortable Costumes

Costumes are at the heart of Halloween fun, but safety should come first. Here’s how to pick the right costume:

Choose Bright Colors: Opt for bright or reflective costumes so children are easily visible in the dark. If your child’s costume is darker, consider adding reflective tape or glow sticks.
Check the Fit: Make sure costumes fit well to avoid tripping or catching on objects. Avoid long, trailing fabric or accessories that could be a hazard.
Fire Safety: Choose flame-resistant materials, especially if there will be candles or open flames around. Many costumes and props are labeled as flame-resistant.
Comfort Matters: Halloween can be a long night, so pick costumes that are comfortable, breathable, and weather-appropriate to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves.

2. Go Trick-or-Treating Safely

Trick-or-treating is the highlight of Halloween, but it requires some safety planning:

Stick Together: Always trick-or-treat in groups. Young children should be accompanied by a trusted adult, and older children should go out with friends, never alone.
Plan a Route: Map out a safe, well-lit route and make sure children know not to take shortcuts through alleys or unfamiliar areas.
Use Flashlights and Glow Sticks: Give each child a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility. It not only helps them see where they’re going but also makes them more visible to drivers.
Set Ground Rules: Remind children never to enter a stranger’s house or car. They should stay on well-lit paths and only visit homes that have their porch lights on.

3. Practice Road Safety

Halloween can be a busy night, so it’s essential to stay vigilant on the streets:

Use Crossings: Make sure children know to cross streets at designated crosswalks and to look both ways before crossing. Remind them to avoid running across streets.
Stay on Pavements: If Pavements are available, use them. If you’re in an area without sidewalks, walk on the far edge of the road, facing traffic.
Avoid Distracted Walking: Remind children not to use their phones or other distractions while crossing the street or walking in busy areas.

4. Inspect Treats Before Eating

After trick-or-treating, it’s tempting to dive into the candy stash, but it’s essential to inspect treats first:

Check for Tampering: Look for any unusual wrapping or packaging before letting children eat their treats. Discard anything that appears opened, homemade (if it’s from an unknown source), or suspicious.
Consider Food Allergies: If your child has food allergies, check labels carefully to ensure treats are safe to eat.
Moderation is Key: Halloween candy is exciting, but encourage kids to enjoy their treats in moderation to avoid sugar overload!

5. Safe Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating

For families who prefer to avoid traditional trick-or-treating, there are plenty of fun alternatives:

Host a Halloween Party: Create a safe, festive environment at home with Halloween games, treats, and a costume contest.
Trunk-or-Treat Events: Many communities host trunk-or-treat events in parking lots, where families can collect treats from decorated car trunks in a controlled environment.
Movie Night or Scavenger Hunt: Organize a Halloween-themed movie marathon or a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or backyard.

6. Decorate Safely at Home

Halloween decorations are fun, but it’s essential to keep safety in mind, especially if you have young children or pets:

Avoid Real Candles: Use battery-operated candles in jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations instead of real flames to reduce the risk of fire.
Keep Paths Clear: Make sure walkways are clear of obstacles to prevent trips and falls for trick-or-treaters.
Secure Decorations: If you have hanging or inflatable decorations, ensure they’re securely fastened, especially if it’s windy.

7. Keep Pets Safe

Halloween can be overwhelming for pets, so it’s essential to ensure their safety too:

Secure Pets Indoors: The excitement of Halloween can stress out pets, so it’s best to keep them indoors, away from the door and trick-or-treaters.
Keep Treats Out of Reach: Halloween candy, especially chocolate and artificial sweeteners, can be harmful to pets. Keep all treats safely out of their reach.

Conclusion

Halloween is a night of imagination and fun, and with a little planning, it can be safe and enjoyable for everyone. By taking precautions with costumes, trick-or-treating, and home decorations, you can ensure your family has a spooky yet safe Halloween. Enjoy the festivities, stay safe, and have a hauntingly good time!

World Environment Day

World Environment Day: Reimagine, Recreate, Restore

World Environment Day is celebrated each year to encourage worldwide awareness and action for environmental protection. This year’s theme invites us to reimagine the way we interact with our environments, recreate sustainable solutions, and restore damaged ecosystems.

Why We Need to Act Now

With rising pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss, it is more important than ever to adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment.

How to Get Involved

Participate in local clean-up drives or tree planting events.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle in your daily life to minimize waste.
Support policies and leaders who prioritize environmental sustainability.

Conclusion

World Environment Day is a call to protect our natural world for future generations. Every small change contributes to a larger impact when it comes to environmental protection.

How to Parent a Strong-Willed Child Without Breaking Their Spirit

As parents, we often celebrate the unique qualities of our children that make them who they are. However, when it comes to raising a strong-willed child, we may face some challenges in balancing their determination with the need for discipline and guidance. In this article, we will explore how to parent a strong-willed child without breaking their spirit, empowering them to become resilient, independent adults.

Respect their autonomy: Strong-willed children crave autonomy and control over their lives. Instead of fighting them on every decision, try to provide options and allow them to make choices within a set framework. This shows that you respect their independence while still maintaining boundaries.

Choose your battles: It’s essential to prioritize what’s worth fighting for and what’s not. Focus on issues that impact their safety, health, or morals, and let go of smaller conflicts.

Positive reinforcement: Praise your child’s good behaviour and acknowledge their efforts, even if they don’t always succeed. This encourages them to continue making positive choices.

Set clear expectations and consequences: Establish boundaries and make sure your child knows what is expected of them. Consistently enforce consequences when boundaries are crossed, but also be open to discussion and negotiation when appropriate.

Stay calm and composed: Strong-willed children can often push our buttons, but it’s important to remain calm during conflicts. By staying composed, you model appropriate behaviour and prevent the situation from escalating further.

Encourage problem-solving: Teach your child to analyse situations and produce their own solutions. This not only empowers them but also helps develop critical thinking skills.

Be a good listener: Take the time to genuinely listen to your child’s thoughts and feelings. This builds trust and opens the door for more effective communication.

Display empathy: Show your child that you understand their feelings and emotions, even if you don’t always agree with their actions. This fosters a stronger parent-child bond and makes them more receptive to your guidance.

Be consistent: Consistency in enforcing rules and consequences is crucial when parenting a strong-willed child. This helps them understand the limits and expectations set forth.

Model appropriate behaviour: As a parent, it’s essential to model the behaviour you want to see in your child. They will look to you as an example of how to handle various situations.

Raising a strong-willed child can be challenging, but with patience, understanding, and the right strategies, you can help them grow into confident, responsible adults without breaking their spirit.

World Book Day 2023

Engagement with books can start very early, especially if there are pictures. Babies can be encouraged to hold board or cloth books, experiment with turning the page, focus on pictures and listen to simple stories. Toddlers are often able to recite parts of the narrative, turn the page at appropriate moments and point to the pictures. When their language skills are more developed you can talk about the pictures and what they show about the characters and what they’re feeling.

To celebrate World Book Day this post is all about books and imagination.

How can I make story time fun and encourage children to engage with books?

A story sack associated with a book gets children to anticipate what happens next by providing visual cues. For familiar stories this jogs the memory and for new books it encourages them to let their imagination fill in the blanks before you read on.

Many children enjoy the process of learning to read, engaging with letter recognition and decoding, although it can also be frustrating. Keeping children focused on the story and what the words are communicating rather than the shape of the words themselves means reading doesn’t become a chore, but a way of accessing meaning.

Communication and reading together is important long after a child can read unaided. Children learn enthusiasm for suspense, the pleasure of unexpected twists in the tale and how to respond emotionally to stories by talking about them with others. By reading together children can access books which are beyond their reading level but within their intellectual capacity and this extends their language skills.

We don’t have many books

Whether it’s cost or space holding you back, you don’t have to own books to enjoy them. Find out where your nearest library is here (if you live in England) and join up to borrow books for free. If you don’t have a library, see whether anyone in your circle of friends would be interested in book swaps. Toddler groups and activity centres often also have a collection of books so make a beeline for them and make time to sit for five minutes and enjoy a book together. School aged children may be able to borrow books from the school if you have a quiet word with the teacher.

If you find a really great book, keep it in mind for a birthday or Christmas present. It’s worth owning books you will read time and again, even if you have to sacrifice some space to do so. Also it’s not necessarily the number of books that matters as recent research shows reading the same books over and over may in fact be beneficial for toddlers to expand their vocabulary. Even if the same word appears in many different books it may not be picked up as toddlers focus on other details. Familiarity with the story means it’s likely they can pay attention to the vocabulary and absorb it.

What can I do with books that isn’t just reading?

If you feel you lack imagination to move beyond what is written on the page, you aren’t alone. Start by using visual supports, such as puppets, to act out parts of the story or encourage children to incorporate actions such as wading through the grass or splashing in the river in ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’. You can then use the start of the story when playing with the puppets and ask children to continue with their own version or pick up on the actions to create your own hunting story. When playing with toys, suggest that you act out the story together, for example a tea set can easily be used as props to act The Tiger Who Came To Tea.

Stories can be incorporated into art and craft activities too. Children’s own artwork can be used to inspire a story, or books can provide inspiration. Why not use fingerpaint to make a Hungry Caterpillar eating his way through the week? Or if you’re feeling ambitious try it in 3D with papier mâché! How about making a woodland scene using natural materials complete with a Gruffalo or making the animals in their crates from Dear Zoo?

Let your imagination run wild!

Friendship Day

It’s National Friendship Day on Sunday, taking time to show our friends how important they are to us is a good lesson to teach our little ones, recognising and appreciating good friendships is critical in this current world and knowing who you can love, and trust is a great skill to learn from an early age.

National Friendship Day offers a special opportunity to go beyond the normal, everyday appreciation of friends.

So, what can we do to show our appreciation and what can out little ones do for their friends?

Spend Time with a Friend

Beyond cards or gifts, truly the best way to show a person how much their friendship means is by spending quality time with them. Offer to take them for a cup of coffee, have a chat over an ice cream cone, or even just go for a walk in the park. Practice being a good listener and be an encouragement for whatever is going on in your friend’s life.

Create and Send a Card to a Friend

You don’t have to spend a lot on a card, handmade, personal cards will show how much you care even more and so will the words you put inside. Your little ones will love making cards for their friends too!

Get creative with drawing, stamping, painting, or cutting out pictures to make a collage. It might even be fun to get super crafty and make handmade paper to write the note on. Grab an envelope, put it in the mail, and let that friend know how much they are appreciated on National Friendship Day!

Friendship Bracelets.

How about making a friendship bracelet with your older children? For over 50 years friendship bracelets have been given as a sign of love and affection between friends. These handmade tokens can be large or small, intricate, or simple, but what is most important is that they are made with love! A quick search of the internet will soon show you how to make them!

Bake Friendship Bread

Your little ones will love doing this and what a super gift to give to those special people in their lives!

A tradition started by Amish people; friendship bread is made from a sourdough starter that is often given by a friend. Each time a loaf is made, a small portion of the starter is kept aside for the next loaf, which is perfect for National Friendship Day.

Because it contains yeast, the friendship bread starter is placed in a warm area where it is stirred daily and can “grow.” Keeping the starter alive means adding a few ingredients on certain days, like flour, sugar, and milk. It usually takes about ten days for the starter to be ready to make another loaf.

Once a person has the starter (or has patiently made one from scratch), this is a delicious bread that is easy to make, including ingredients like flour, eggs, baking soda and cinnamon. Because it uses a lot of sugar to make the yeast grow, Amish Friendship bread has a delightfully sweet flavour to it, suitable for toasting or simply eating slathered with butter.

New Job, New Family

Starting a new job is always nerve wracking but when there are children, parents and possibly animals involved it can be doubly so! But remember the family are probably as nervous as you are….

Starting a new job is always nerve wracking but when there are children, parents and possibly animals involved it can be doubly so! But remember the family are probably as nervous as you are, they may never have had a nanny before or their previous one was well loved and in their minds difficult to replace or maybe they have had a nightmare with childcare previously and they are worried this won’t work out either. So going in with an open mind and a friendly, respectful attitude will almost certainly get you off to a good start and have the children and therefore Mum and Dad loving you within days!

Preparation for those first few days is key and we have some top tips on how to get the foundations of a good working relationship off to a good start.

1. Once you have been offered the job try and spend some time with the previous nanny while they are still with the family or arrange a day with the family so that you can all get to know one another a bit better. Expectations and requirements should all have been discussed prior to accepting the job and should all be stated in a formal contract, for example are you responsible for just watching over the children and keeping them entertained or are you also expected to cook and clean up after them. Do you have regular days off or is it on a week-by-week basis and if the parents are in the house who has responsibility for bedtimes etc all these are important factors to discuss prior to starting work. But getting to know the family and all the personalities that go with it takes much longer and spending time with them before you start may help that first week go more easily.

2. If they family have had a nanny previously it may be a good idea to discuss the routine they had with that nanny and what worked for them and what they would like to see done differently, remember that it’s possible that the children may have had the nanny from a young age and that routines and house rules need to be changed to consider the more grown-up child. Check that you have been fully informed about allergies, medications, disabilities, or anything that may make the child particularly anxious. Having a better understanding of the children you are in charge off means you can often exceed expectations and avoid the need to constantly be referring to Mum and Dad with questions they might expect you to already know. Having all the specifics of how they would like things done from what time mealtimes are to when they should go to bed means that you can structure the day and make sure that the children are happy, healthy, and having fun!

3. Make sure the first week or two with a new family are full of activities, days out and plenty of getting to know you time. It’s important that you bond with the children quickly and that they are comfortable around you. The parents will love to see happy, smiley faces and hear about all the thoughtful and well structed activities their youngsters have had. Parents like nothing more than to see that their children are learning and having fun. Hands on activities help children bond with strangers and get them chatting without feeling self-conscious around new people and try and find time to do something with each child individually and find out what they like and dislike. Gaining their trust and confidence is imperative in the early days and will make for excellent solid foundations if a bit if time and effort is put into this.

4 Plan for things to go wrong, make sure you know where the first aid kit is, how the doctor or dentists are and do a quick trip around the house to identify a hazard (you’d be amazed how many families forget to mention they have a pond (or even a swimming pool!). Check you have all the necessary contact telephone numbers and

5 Most Nannies now use their mobiles to pop a photo or message about how the day is going but it is also a useful tool to debrief parents each day about what has gone on and what the highs and lows of the day have been. It’s also great to look back if there are any issues further down the road to see if there is a pattern in a child’s behaviour or to clarify a situation. Mum and Dad love to hear about their children’s day and being involved in this way, being asked questions, or letting them know about some of the positives and negatives of the day helps them to feel involved.

6 And finally, have some little treats planned for yourself throughout the first week. Starting a new job is hard work and when working with children there definitely isn’t a minute to yourself during the day. So, arrange to meet friends, go for a massage, or visit the cinema, it will help you relax and switch off and you will go into work feeling refreshed and ready to face the new day.

Small Employer Relief

Our partners at www.PayrollForNannies.co.uk provide payroll advice for parents and nannies and have provided this content. For more advice and support please get in touch with them.

In order to qualify for small employer relief, your liability for national insurance for the last complete tax year needs to be £45,000 or less.

An employer hiring a nanny will often meet the criteria of small employer relief.

This means that for statutory payments such as maternity pay, paternity pay, shared parental pay and adoption pay, you can reclaim 100% of these payments plus an additional 3% to help towards the cost of your employers NI.

It is important that this is noted in the payroll software, so if you ever have statutory payments, they will get deducted off your tax and national insurance liability each quarter.

Employers with a liability of more than £45,000.00 in last complete tax year can only claim back 92% of the above statutory payments.