I'm having a Nanny for two days - can you tell me what I should do??

[moaningpaper]

I'm having a Nanny via an agency for 2 days from 10-5 because my back is v. bad.

I've not met her so I know nothing about her.

What are the rules? Do I need to give her a lunchbreak etc.? I am paying £8 per hour to her agency.

Never done it before - not sure what to expect or do.

Hi moaningpaper....sorry to hear about your back . Nannies as a rule don't have any breaks but if your children sleep in the day let her have a break while they are sleeping. It is usual for families to provide food for the nanny and if she is living with you for the 2 days why not leave her a 'welcome tray' in her room of biscuits, crisps, penguin-type biscuit bars and a bottle of juice. Just run over any ground rules and the general routine of your children including any likes/dislikes and your discipline methods and i'm sure it will go fab

So so so sorry, lol a lot at welcome tray with penguins on. Sorry, I have no useful advice whatsoever. Sorry

a welcome tray with penguins on?

I've done this before.

I have to say that most of my emergency nannies turn up with packed lunch, but I've had a couple who haven't, so think through food for lunch tomorrow. I write out a list of what a typical routine is for whatever day indicating what is compulsary, and what is optional. I also make it clear as to what my boundaries are - eg whether I'm working in study and could be disturbed, or if I'm on a conference call and can't be.

You needn't give your nanny a total break at any point, though dpending on ages of children there is sometimes a lull anyway. If the nanny is a stranger then I tend to allow more television than normal .

I've done this before from the nannies point of view - was also for someone who had hurt their back.

As a nanny I expect to be fed while on duty, typically I eat with the children (it's a social event). Therefore provide food, such as lunch, but don't go to any trouble. Nannies should know how to cook, so perhaps give suggestion for what could be made for child/children and nanny.

If you are paying the agency, then the agency are employing the nanny. The agency should therefore be able to tell you any rules they may have regarding what the nanny will and won't do.

I would expect nanny to:
Prepare any meals for child and themself (though of course if you have things pre-made use that).
Entertain the child age appropriately.
Take child out at some point during the day for physical exercise, seeing world around them etc.
If child sleeps in day, put child to bed following as best as possible any existing routine.
Bathing the child, if so desired (as that can be tricky if you've hurt your back).

Hope that helps a bit.

This is brilliant, thank you so much.

I'm quite EXCITED!

The baby sleeps for 20 minutes at lunchtime and the 4 year old will sit still and not breathe if I put a Famous Five tape on, so I shall arrange that for a little break. I'll mostly be pottering around the house and trying to get a spot of work done.

I think it's going to be a bit like taking heroin... not that I've taken heroin of course, I've just read Trainspotting