Post on 11-Sep-2020
Dear Parent:
The decision to hire someone to care for the most important person in your life, is both a meaningful one and a difficult one. It is meaningful because a relationship eventually develops between your child and the nanny, and you want to ensure it’s a good one. It is difficult because the market for nannies is unregulated, and you want to ensure you know what to expect from a nanny candidate; before, during and after the entire hiring process.
I would be delighted to talk with you about your childcare needs and am committed to providing you with the highest level of support, guidance and direction in choosing a trustworthy nanny for your child/children.
Many parents are surprised by the complexities of choosing a nanny. Chirp (formerly Alyce Desrosiers & Associates) brings more than twenty-five years experience to choosing a caregiver and will work closely with you, in the comfort of your home, to insure that we match your family’s needs with the wide range of skills and experiences available in the pool of available child care support. Our work with parents is personalized and comprehensive. You can trust Chirp to be with you throughout the entire process including interviewing, background checks and weaving our way through the subtle nuances of finding someone that is the “best fit” for your family. We will also facilitate the contract negotiation process.
Our studies show that parents feel they are better able to trust their nanny, make their initial separation from their child and communicate better with their nanny as a result of our work together. In fact, over 80% of the time, Chirp’s placements remain with their families for 12 months or longer.
Attached are a few sample worksheets to assist you through the hiring process, and to show you the kind of in-depth analysis we do before finding you the absolute best support, tailored for your family’s individual needs. You may also find it helpful to supplement these forms with my book: Nannies for Modern Moms (which is available on amazon.com).
We look forward to working with you on this most important decision!
Sincerely,
Alyce Desrosiers, LCSW
c h i l d c a r e s p e c i a l i s tf o u n de r o f c h i r p / a u t h o r o f n a n n i e s f o r m o de r n m o m s
j o b b a s i c s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )
Job Title
Nanny
Mother’s helper
Family assistant
Au pair
Doula
House cleaner
Baby-sitter
Special needs therapist
Tutor
Nanny Arrangement
Live out
Live-in
Share care
Co-op
Staffed household
Schedule
Flexible hours and days �
Changing schedule
Travel
Overnight care
Documentation
Department of Homeland Security
Internal Revenue Service �
DMV (driver’s license/id)
Workers Compensation
Compensation
Salary Range ______________ wk/mos
Taxable income
Non taxable income
Partial taxes
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 1 > j o b de s c r i p t i o n
r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )
Childcare
Feeding
Changing
Bathing
Providing safe, developmentally appropriate activities
Meal preparation
Tutoring
Transporting child to school �
Transporting child to activities �
Collaboration with teachers,therapists, other professionals
Maintains daily journal
Housework
Child’s room kept clean �
Toys clean and put away �
Bed linens clean and put away �
Child’s laundry washed, dried,folded and put away
Family laundry
Family meal preparation �
Cleans up after herself �
Straightens up main living areas
Errands
Grocery shopping, as needed
Dry cleaning
Post office or FedEx/UPS
Family assistance
Animal care
Available to be at home for house cleaner, gardener, contractor, etc.
m i s c e l l a n e o u s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )
Benefits
Vacation and/or Holidays
Sick Pay or Paid Time Off (PTO) �
Nanny car
Room and Board:
Separate entrance
Separate floor from family �
Cooking facilities
Private or shared bath
Phone/internet connection
Cell phone provided
Medical/Dental insurance stipend:
Full coverage
Partial coverage
Retirement Contribution:
IRA or 401(k)
Travel
Vacation travel
Business travel
Domestic travel
International travel
Extended travel
Education/Training
Early Childhood Education �
Elementary School Teaching Credential
Special Needs Training
Health & Safety
CPR/First Aid training
TB testing
Background Check
Criminal
TrustLine
PFC information:
National criminal check
Social Security verification
Driving record
Childcare Experience
Amount of experience with children:
Minimum # years ___________
Minimum # of families ___________
Type of experience with children:
Infant/toddler
Preschool
Elementary age
Adolescent
More than one child
Special needs: ________________
Multiples
Languages
Spanish French German
Chinese Other: _________________
Family Style
Divorced/Separated
GLBT
Single parent
Blended Family
Age Range
Younger than parents
Contemporary to parents
Older than parents
Culture/Race/Ethnicity
American
Caucasian
Latino
African American
Western European
Asian
Middle Eastern
Pacific Islander
Other: _________________________
Religion
Catholic Protestant Mormon
Jewish Buddhist Muslim
Other: _________________________
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 1 > j o b de s c r i p t i o n c o n t ’ d
d o c u m e n t a t i o n ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )
Nanny Employment Documentation
Application form
References
Certificates of education �
Cpr/first aid certificate
TB screening
California driver’s license �
California driving record �
Auto insurance policy (limits of liability)
Criminal background(national)
Trustline registry
Social security verification orResidency/work visa
Working agreement
Documentation Pertaining to Nanny Employment
IRS W-4
INS I-9
Worker’s compensation �
Emergency medical treatmentauthorization form
Auto insurance policy(limits of liability and second driver)
Authorization to drive
How to make a 911 call
Disaster kit
Important phone numbers
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 2 > n a n n y d o c u m e n t c h e c k l i s t
s a m p l e j o b a n n o u n c e m e n t
We are a family currently living in ________________________________ with a now______________year old ____________, and
are looking for a ________________________________ to provide childcare M T W TH F from ___________ am to
___________pm, including as-needed care on evenings and weekends, travel for ______________________ , and overnight
care on occasion. Responsibilities include childcare, light housecleaning, running errands and ___________________
for the family. We are looking for someone for a minimum of ___________ months and our ideal candidate would be
______________________________, ______________________________, and ______________________________.
Additional Requirements:
Documentation to work
Taxable income
English language proficiency (_____________________________is a plus!)
Car
Early Childhood Education
________________ minimum years experience working with ________________age children
CPR/First Aid training
TB testing
TrustLine Registry
Clean driving record
Social Security verification
We are compensating a professional salary, including benefits.
Start date: _____________________________.
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 3 > s a m p l e j o b a n n o u n c e m e n t
c a n d i d a t e n o t e s
Basic Information
n a m e :
a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :
h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -
e m a i l :
e n g l i s h p r o f i c i e n c y : y / n o t h e r l a n g u a g e s s p o k e n :
Experience
c u r r e n t / m o s t r e c e n t e m p l o y e r :
n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n : 1 2 3 + a g e ( s ) : m o s / y r s m o s / y r s m o s / y r s
d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t: f t / p t / t e m p
r e a s o n f o r l e av i n g :
e m p l o y e r c o n t a c t i n f o :
m a y w e c o n t a c t t h i s p e r s o n ?
p r e v i o u s e m p l o y e r :
n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n : 1 2 3 + a g e ( s ) : m o s / y r s m o s / y r s m o s / y r s
d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t: f t / p t / t e m p
r e a s o n f o r l e av i n g :
e m p l o y e r c o n t a c t i n f o :
m a y w e c o n t a c t t h i s p e r s o n ?
Other
d o c u m e n t a t i o n : c a dr i v e r ’ s l i c e n s e # :
c a r ( m a k e / m o de l / y e a r ) :
s w i m m i n g s k i l l s : y / n c p r / f i r s t a i d : y / n t b t e s t i n g : y / n t r u s t l i n e : y / n
s i n g l e m a r r i e d d i v o r c e d i h av e c h i l dr e n o f m y o w n / a g e ( s ) :
Referencesn a m e : k n o w n f o r : y e a r s
c o n t a c t i n f o :
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 4 > p r e s c r e e n i n g c a n d i d a t e s
r e f e r e n c e q u e s t i o n s w h e r e r e l e va n t, a l wa y s a s k f o r a n e x a m p l e t o s u p p o r t a r e f e r e n c e ’ s c o m m e n t s
v e r i f y d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t, a g e s a n d n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n s h e c a r e d f o r , i n a dd i t i o n
t o d u t i e s a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .
h o w w o u l d y o u de s c r i b e h e r c h a r a c t e r ?
d i d t h e c h i l dr e n l i k e h e r ? w h a t i s i t a b o u t h e r t h e c h i l dr e n l i k e d s o m u c h ?
wa s s h e r e l i a b l e ? wa s s h e o n t i m e ? o u t s i c k o f t e n ?
wa s s h e r e s p o n s i b l e ?
a dd i t i o n a l c o m m e n t s :
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 4 > p r e s c r e e n i n g c a n d i d a t e s c o n t ’ d
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 5 > i n t e r v i e w q u e s t i o n s
Can you tell me about the children you have cared for? What were their personalities? How did you get to know them?
Among the children you have cared for, who was the most challenging? What was it about this child that was particularly challenging for you?
Imagine you are home alone with our baby all day. It’s raining and impossible to go outside. How would you spend your time with her?
What do you expect a newborn to be learning about their world? What about a five month old?
How do you help children keep predictable routines of eating, sleeping, playing, etc.? What has been your experience with different children doing this? What has been your experience with different families?
If you had a child-rearing philosophy that best defines your way of understanding and caring for a child, what would that be?
Discipline – or setting reasonable limits – is important for our family. What are some ways to help preschool children learn what these are and how would you handle those situations when our son doesn’t want to do what is expected?
Imagine you are home alone with our daughter. She is eating her snack and suddenly chokes on her food. What would you do?
Experience with Children
Why do you want to be a nanny?
Look forward five years - someone is talking about you! - what would you want them to say about you and what you are doing?
How would you describe your style when you care for children?
What are your spiritual beliefs? Please describe the most meaningful aspects of your beliefs.
If you trusted us enough as your employer to know how to manage you most effectively, what tips would you give us about how you are best managed?
Please tell us what special requests you have. For example, do you have any dietary restrictions? Are there religious holidays you want to observe? Do you have vacation or travel plans?
What should we know about you to make sure you are comfortable in our home?
In Nannies’ relationships with parents there are inevitably difficult situations that come up which can be hard to talk about. Can you tell me about those you have experienced? How did you talk about them and how were they resolved?
Nanny Personality, Character and Relationships
Can you tell me about your background? Where were you raised? What are your parents’ occupations? Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Can you tell me one piece of advice that was handed down to you by your parents that reflects a value that is important to you?
We all learn from the culture we grew up in what is important in life. How is it different growing up in your culture than here inthe U.S.?
Family and Personal Value
n a n n y e va l u a t i o n ( o n a s c a l e o f 1 t o 1 0 , w h e r e 1 i s t h e l e a s t a n d 1 0 i s t h e m o s t )
Personal Characteristics
wa r m
n u r t u r i n g
e m p a t h i c
t r u s t w o r t h y a n d l o y a l
r e a l l y l o v e s c h i l dr e n
s h a r e s i de a s a n d o p i n i o n s
s t r o n g w o r k e t h i c
m a t u r e
h a s g o o d j u d g m e n t
g o o d s e n s e o f h u m o r
b r i g h t a n d s m a r t
c a l m
d i r e c t
p u n c t u a l a n d r e l i a b l e
f l e x i b l e
r e s p e c t f u l o f p r i va c y
Communication
c o m m u n i c a t i o n
o p e n a n d d i r e c t
e a s y t o u n de r s t a n d
e a s y t o b e w i t h
v e r b a l
Ethicsh o n e s t
r e s p e c t f u l
i n t e g r i t y
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 6 > e va l u a t i o n s
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
n a n n y e va l u a t i o n ( o n a s c a l e o f 1 t o 1 0 , w h e r e 1 i s t h e l e a s t a n d 1 0 i s t h e m o s t )
Childcare Orientation and Skills
e x p e r i e n c e w i t h n e w b o r n c a r e
u n de r s t a n d s c h i l d de v e l o p m e n t
s k i l l e d i n h a n dl i n g d i f f e r e n t
de v e l o p m e n t a l c h a l l e n g e s
( f o r e x a m p l e , t a n t r u m s ,
t o i l e t t r a i n i n g , s l e e p / f e e d i n g
r o u t i n e s , e t c . )
r e c o g n i z e s d i f f e r e n c e s
fa m i l i a r w i t h d a i l y r o u t i n e s
c r e a t i v e
c a p a b l e o f o r g a n i z i n g
c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d , a g e - a p p r o p r i a t e
a c t i v i t i e s f o r c h i l dr e n
h a s g o o d r e p e r t o i r e w i t h
d i s c i p l i n e i s s u e s
k n o w l e d g e a b l e o f n u t r i t i o n
f o r c h i l dr e n
Household Assistance
c l e a n a n d n e a t
o r g a n i z e d
t a k e s i n i t i a t i v e
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 6 > e va l u a t i o n s c o n t ’ d
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
General Duties:
Nanny will provide childcare for children and will:
-Keep children safe, happy and clean.
-Be sweet, gentle and loving to children.
-Treat children with kindness, patience and respect.
-Be calm and cheerful with children.
Daily Activities & Responsibilities:
Nanny’s daily activities may include:
-Get children dressed in the morning.
-Take children to school or other activities.
-Maintain a regular schedule, approved by parents,
for feeding/meals, naps and activities.
-Keep a daily journal of children’s activities, meals, etc.
-Prepare children’s meals/bottles and feed children.
-Clean up after meals/bottles.
-Play with children at home, read them books.
-Talk and sing to children, teach them things.
-If the weather is good, take children outside.
-If parents request, give children a bath.
-Tell parents if we need to buy any food, supplies, toys
or anything else for children.
-Communicate with parents about children, including
health, problems, well-being and discipline.
Other Duties:
Nanny’s additional duties include:
-Pick up and organize toys and books.
-Keep children’s rooms, toys and other personal
items clean.
-Do children’s laundry.
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t
Employer
n a m e :
a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :
h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -
s i g n a t u r e / d a t e :
Employeen a m e :
a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :
h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -
e m p l o y m e n t s t a r t d a t e : p o s i t i o n : f t / p t / t e m p
t o b e c a r i n g f o r :
s i g n a t u r e / d a t e :
Perform errands for the household and light
household chores.
-Assist during emergencies and other unusual
circumstances.
House Rules:
Nanny agrees to abide by all “house rules” during
working hours, including but not limited to the
following:
-No visitors at the house, unless parents have approved.
-Food is allowed in the kitchen and dining room only.
-Cleanup is expected after food preparation.
-No smoking, drinking or drug use.
-Do not open the door to anyone unless the person
identifies him/herself and parents have given nanny
prior notice and approval of his/her admittance to the
house.
-Limit personal phone calls to what is absolutely
necessary.
-No television for children, unless parents approve.
-No physical discipline or yelling.
-Nanny must be available to parents by cell phone at all
times.
-Contact parents immediately about any problems with
the house.
Health and Safety:
Nanny agrees to abide by the following health and
safety rules when caring for the children:
-Watch children at all times. Do not leave them alone.
Do not leave them with any other person.
-Remove any toys that are broken or unsafe
-Do not take children in any car, taxi or bus unless
parents have given prior approval.
-Use of car seats for children is required at all times.
-Do not eat, drink or use cell phone while
driving children in any vehicle.
-Keep children away from dogs and other animals.
-Contact parents immediately about any problems with
children, such as sickness or injury.
-Wash hands upon arriving at house each day, after
using the restroom and whenever they are dirty. Wash
children’s hands before and after meals, and whenever
they are dirty.
-Use cold tap water only for children’s food and drinks.
Do not give children warm or hot tap water.
-Keep children away from painted surfaces, peeling
paint and paint chips.
-Do not give children any medicine unless
parents request.
-Nanny must carry “Emergency Medical Treatment
Authorization” for children at all times and know
where to locate the copy in the home.
-At parents’ expense, Nanny will take an annual
re-certification Infant/Child CPR First aid training
course at a location approved by parents.
-Nanny will be familiar with the location, use and
operation of any and all emergency equipment at
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d
parents’ residence.
-Nanny will be familiar with parents’ emergency
procedures, such as medical, fire and disaster
preparedness and carry out these procedures in a
timely, efficient manner when necessary.
-Notify parents immediately in the event that nanny is
sick or injured in any way.
-Provide to parents the name, address and telephone
number of two relatives/friends to contact in the event
of an emergency.
Hours:
Nanny will work from _________a.m. to _________p.m.,
Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work alternative
or additional hours (including overnight care and/or
travel with the family) as may be requested by parents
and agreed by Nanny.
Pay:
Parents will pay nanny $_________ per hour.
All applicable Federal and State taxes will be deducted
from nanny’s salary. Salary will be paid weekly.
Should nanny provide overnight care and/or travel
with the family, nanny will be paid for her time as
agreed by parents and nanny.
Stipend for Health Insurance:
Parents will pay nanny a stipend of $_________ per
month, which nanny will apply toward her health
insurance premium.
Vacation:
Nanny will be entitled to two weeks paid vacation per
year. Per mutual consent one week of which to be
taken at the same time the family takes their vacation.
Sick Days:
Nanny will be entitled to five paid sick days per year.
If nanny is feeling sick, nanny should call parents
before deciding whether or not to come to work.
Paid Holidays:
Nanny will be entitled to the following seven paid
holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving
and Christmas
Car:
Nanny will use her own car and/or have use of a
designated car as needed to carry out her duties. If
nanny uses her own car to carry out her duties,
parents will reimburse nanny for gas costs. Nanny is
responsible for maintaining her own car insurance
and paying her own commuting costs.
Confidentiality:
Nanny agrees that all personal, family or other
information with respect to parents and/or their
family, friends and associates is confidential.
Nanny will keep such information confidential and
will not disclose it to anyone at any time, unless
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d
parents have given prior written consent. This
obligation will continue to apply even after the
nanny’s position with the parents has ended.
At-Will Employment:
Nanny’s employment is solely on an at-will basis,
terminable by either nanny or parents for any reason
at any time, with or without cause. Nothing in this
Employment Agreement, or in the prior or subsequent
course of conduct between the parties, shall be
construed to create a contract for a term of years,
a contract terminable only for good cause, or any
relationship between the parties other than one of
at will employment.
Termination of Employment:
Nanny is free to leave her job and terminate this
Employment Agreement at any time for any reason.
Similarly, parents are free to end nanny’s employment
and terminate this Employment Agreement at any
time for any reason. If either party does so terminate
following the first ninety days of employment (the
probationary period), a thirty day notice will be given.
Alternatively the parents can provide thirty days
salary. Parents will pay nanny any earned but unpaid
wages (subject to withholding for any applicable
federal or state taxes) and the parties will return to
each other any personal property of the other.
Other Legal Provisions:
This Employment Agreement contains the entire
agreement between nanny and parents regarding
nanny’s employment and supersedes any other
agreements, representations, promises, or
understandings, whether oral, written or implied,
alleged to exist. No agreement, promise or
representation not contained in this Agreement shall
be binding on either party. This Employment
Agreement is entered into in the State of California,
and shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with California law.
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d
n a n n y p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w1 = d o e s n o t m e e t s t a n d a r d s > 3 = m e e t s s t a n d a r d s > 5 = e x c e e d s s t a n d a r d s
p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w f o r :
p r o v i de d b y :
d a t e :
a dd i t i o n a l n o t e s :
c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 8 > p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w
Job Performancep u n c t u a l
r e l i a b l e
f l e x i b l e
t a k e s i n i t i a t i v e
u s e s g o o d j u d g e m e n t
Professional Ethicsh o n e s t
p e r s o n a l i n t e g r i t y
r e s p e c t f u l
m a i n t a i n s
c o n f i de n t i a l i t y
Communication: Written & Verbal o p e n a n d d i r e c t
r e c e p t i v e
u t l i z e s f e e db a c k
Responsibilitiesa t t e n t i v e t o s a f e t y
m a i n t a i n s h y g i e n e
m a k e s n u t r i t i o u s m e a l s
a t t e n t i v e o f c h i l d
r e s p o n d s a p p r o p r i a t e l y
t o c h i l d
c o n s i s t e n t i n r e s p o n s e s
c o l l a b o r a t e s w i t h p a r e n t s
p l a n s a p p r o p r i a t e
a c t i v i t i e s f o r c h i l d
i m p l e m e n t s a c t i v i t i e s
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1 2 3 4 5
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