1-day temp nanny, cooking/activities?

[starberries]

Think I may have a 1-day temp job tomorrow just to cover a nanny's sickness. Sole charge, baby and toddler. Is it okay to use a lunch/dinner frozen by their regular nanny or would you expect a temp to cook their own? (Obviously no problem to make breakfast as normal.)

Also, would you keep to the children's immediate surroundings or I had thought of taking them on a nice playdate with a friend of mine (who they don't know) - what do you think?

I would certainly use food prepared for them as at least then you know it is something they normally eat.

Dependent on regular routine, but if possible it would be nice for them to get out and meeting a new person

As a fellow nanny - I'd stick to usual surroundings definitely! You don't know how they will react to the other children etc - I would defiantly stay around home, make your own life and the children's easier and less stressful..

I think I'd plan to do something like spaghetti with Neapolitan sauce - easy / high probability they'll like it and you won't muck up the other nanny's weekly food plans!

Good luck

Wow.. I cross posted but what polar opposite opinions we have MNP

Prepared food = fine, or pasta and tomato sauce/something else dead quick and easy.
Would stick to routine as much as poss so not playdate far away/new people - won't hurt you to have an easy day with a craft activity and a trip to the park and they'll probably feel easier about things.

Depending on age of toddler (2 year olds often like cooking I find) I would cook something with the toddler. Could be kept quite simple such as their favourite pasta (get them to choose the packet - 2 year old I care for likes Noodles at the moment) with veg sauce, or veg and meat sauce. Pudding could be fruit, yog etc. You could bake sponge fingers, small iced cakes, biscuits in the afternoon whilst baby naps (well with luck).

I would try to stick to any routine that may exist. I would not suggest meeting up with someone unknown. Do try to get out of the house though at some point (morning probably better) so toddler gets some time to run about. Walk to the local park perhaps.

i often do 1 or 2 day temps if nanny is ill

it varies on familys what i do

some are happy for mt to take children out to see friend/park

others want me to stay in

obv if have activites then stick to those as parent has paid for them

i am happy to do either

i would use food thats either in freezer or check with parents and ask if there is any food that children dislike/allergies then cook fresh

Thanks all for your opinions - think we'll get out to the park/playground in the morning for a run around and some fresh air, maybe meet up with someone in the park rather than a playdate as such.

Then hopefully easy afternoon at home, some painting/sticking or cooking - fairy cakes are always lovely and fun (thanks nick, sounds a great idea).

Hope tomorrow runs smoothly Starberries.

Indeed we do Lilly that is what makes us special

hope today goes well