nannylife – Nannyjob blog

How sick is too sick

Following our blog post on sickness etiquette there’s been a bit of a debate about how sick is to sick to work?

Sickness and diarrhoea: You must stay off work until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Stomach bugs are highly contagious, so it’s doubly important if you use public transport.

Colds and flu: Unless you have a high temperature or feel achey it’s probably just a cold and there’s no reason not to work if you feel up to it. Flu, however, can be dangerous for small children so it’s worth asking your GP for a vaccination.

Chest infection: You’re unlikely to infect your charges but if your chest infection is bad enough to be treated with antibiotics it’s probably best to take a couple of days for your long term health. No sleep from coughing and being unable to run around without gasping for air don’t mix well with small children.

Broken bones: Generally it’s not a good idea to work while you’re in plaster but this will depend on the demands of your job. You may be able to cope with older charges, and they can generally be trusted not to knock your cast.

Chickenpox and other childhood illnesses: Even if it’s highly likely that your charges will get these at the same time you should observe standard quarantines.

Cold sore: You don’t need to take sick leave with an active cold sore but you should take extra hygiene precautions and avoid kissing your charges.

Hand, foot and mouth: Although this is very contagious it can be prevented by following good hygiene protocols, so as long as you feel well enough and your employers are happy for you to go in you should be able to work although you should avoid going to toddler groups and other activities.

Slapped cheek: Another highly contagious, and very common, childhood disease this can also be prevented by good hygiene measures. It’s likely that you were already contagious before the symptoms appeared and may have passed the virus to your charge. Once again you should check with your employer whether they are happy for you to work, and if you do then avoid toddler groups etc.

Striking the Balance: The Key to Nannies’ Well-being

In the dynamic and demanding world of childcare, nannies often find themselves juggling between their professional and personal lives. Just like any other professional, it’s critical that nannies too, maintain a healthy work-life balance to thrive and excel in their role.

Establishing clear boundaries between work hours and personal time is crucial. Just because your workplace may be a home environment doesn’t mean you’re always on the clock. Remember, your personal time is invaluable for your mental and emotional rejuvenation.

Furthermore, it’s vital to practice regular self-care and stress management. This could be through activities you love – reading, painting, running, yoga or anything else that helps you relax and unwind.

In addition, finding time for your hobbies or for relaxation is key to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy perspective towards work. Remember, you can take care of others better when you take care of yourself first.

Striking a balance isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary for long-term job satisfaction and personal fulfillment. What’s your secret to maintaining work-life balance as a nanny? Share in the comments.

Tips and Advice for First Time Live-In Nannies

The prospect of starting a new job is sometimes nerve-wracking. For those of you about to start your first job as a live-in nanny, it can be downright terrifying, as you must learn to work and live with the family hiring you.

That’s why we’ve put together our top tips to help you feel more comfortable and at ease when moving in with a new family:

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Travelling Tips for Nannies

With holidays soon to be allowed and the summer, not far behind, many nannies might be preparing for a trip with their nanny family.

Whilst a sunny break away from everyday life might sound like a fantastic escape, it’s important to remember that you’ll still be working and that your job might become a bit more difficult when faced with new challenges and unfamiliar surroundings.

We’ve put together our top tips to help you make a success of any trip with your nanny family:

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How Can Nannies Help Breastfeeding Mothers

If you’re nanny to a new-born baby or infant who’s still being breastfed, you can help make things much easier for mum, especially if she’s already started back at work and needs to continue breastfeeding.

To help both mum and baby, follow these simple tips:

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A sticky end

One of our lovely Nannies messaged over the weekend to tell us how she has been getting on!

I’ve been an au pair with a family in France who since the beginning of September.

This afternoon, my host mother left me with 2 children for an hour and a half after school. The 3 yr. old wanted to have one of his chocolates but instead of just taking one from his sweet bowl, he brought the whole bowl into the living room.

He ate his chocolate and then I popped him in front of Sesame Street (I have about 75 episodes of this on my laptop and he loves it!) while I went to make dinner in the next room, which isn’t even a separate room as there’s just an archway.

I also had the baby girl who has finally learnt to crawl and is now getting into everything, so I was back and forth every few minutes to check she hadn’t found wires or got stuck under a chair (both have happened). Because there isn’t a door it’s hard to keep her contained! I then went back into the kitchen to serve up their dinner and was not out of the living room for any more than 3 minutes! I came back in to tell them that it was time to come and sit up to the table and heard the baby scrunching some plastic. She had her back to me, but when she turned round, I realised what she’d got: a plastic bag that (had) contained some of the chocolates and sweets from the sweet bowl that he had left on the table. I then noticed there was no chocolate in the bag, and that instead, it was all over her face, hands, and clothes. She’d even managed to get it on the bottom of her feet! She was really pleased with herself!

I took the empty sweets packet away (there were just some of the sweets left, one of which she’d clearly chewed on and decided she didn’t like…) and tried to clean up the sticky baby! She’d managed to get it everywhere, including on the glass table and the carpe

I was mid-stripping her clothes off and trying to keep the 3-year-old, who was attempting to hit his little thieving sister, at a distance, when the mother came back. I was there with a semi-naked baby who still had chocolate all around her mouth on my lap and a 3-year-old having a tantrum.

Not the ‘calm and well-organised scene with children happily eating dinner up to the table’ I was aiming for! So embarrassing!

Oops, Kate! We bet you won’t make that mistake again.

Organisation tips for busy nannies

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Organising your time and your working environment effectively means you will feel less stressed, more in control and able to focus on the things you love rather than chores you hate.

Have a diary

If you and your nanny family don’t already have a diary, ideally a page per day, then invest in one. Write down your menu plans, shopping lists, any appointments, groups, playdates or changes to the usual routine. Remind your bosses to fill things in as well and check a couple of weeks ahead or before planning anything on a specific date in case there’s something already there. Don’t be afraid to put your plans in, particularly if they involve you leaving right on time or mean you’re unable to babysit. Don’t like a paper diary? Share a Google calendar with your boss!

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Keeping fit as a nanny

Working 8-6 leaves little time and energy for going to the gym but it’s important to take care of yourself so here are 7 steps to better fitness during your work hours!

1. Walk: Get that buggy, or that sling, out and go for a long walk. Don’t just amble round the park, take it up a level. If you have toddler or preschool aged charges get them to scoot or bike. We can guarantee that you’ll be running to keep up.

2. Skip: You probably haven’t used a skipping rope since primary school but it’s an amazing cardiac workout. Teach children from about the age of 4, and challenge each other to skip for a set length of time or learn new tricks.

3. Plank: Got a baby charge? Plank while they’re doing tummy time and chat away. Nearly crawling? You’re down on their level, cheering along? Toddler or older? Get them to do it alongside you, or let them use you as a climbing frame!

4. Squat and lunge: Squats are great while winding or soothing a cranky baby, and you can lunge your way round the kitchen while you cook.

5. Work your abs: Sit your charge on your tummy and do some crunches, or play peekaboo by placing them in front of your feet and appearing from behind your knees.

6. Yoga: Even preschoolers can do some basic yoga poses – just look at Waybuloo. The tree pose is a fun challenge for everyone, and what child doesn’t love being upside down in downwards facing dog? Make triangles with your body, practice your archery in the warrior pose and twinkle like a star.

7. Dance: Put some funky music on and get moving! Shake your head, your hips, your arms and your legs. Do some ballet to classical music. Jump up and down. Go wild.

How to Combat the Post-School Meltdown

How many times have you picked your little one up from school, watched them wave goodbye to their teachers and friends with happy, smiling faces, only to turn to you with furrowed brows, crossed arms and a sullen temper?

If this is you, you’re not alone.

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Nanny Week

Everyone as a nanny horror story. It’s like pregnancy, labour, bringing up a baby, a toddler, a child. People are only too happy to share the bad with you. Careless nannies, thriving nannies, entitled nannies, grumpy nannies, late nannies, vanishing nannies, everyone knows at least one.

But what about all the wonderful nannies out there? Because they do exist. Selfless nannies, loving nannies, dedicated nannies, energetic nannie, professional nannies. We should all know at least one of them too. The job of a nanny has changed massively in the last 23 years since www.nannyjob.co.uk was created in 1999. Modern nannies are expected to have a dazzling array of skills – just keeping children safe and happy isn’t cutting it these days – and a professional outlook. They invest their own time and money in CPD and training and see each nanny as an important ambassador for the profession.

Nanny week celebrates these nannies. It recognises the work they do. It’s a virtual pat on the back from the world to a bunch of caring men and women who thoroughly deserve it. Here’s to you, nannies!