We have a nanny contract.
The nanny handbook is more info about the kids/house/pets.
Dr info, which hospitals to use, alarm codes, good/bad playgrounds, which foods to give the kids, which foods the nanny should eat, etc. I update it as things change - the kids clothing sizes, their likes/dislikes, all that.

I'd do a handbook-type thing both for important infant info (he really needs to sleep at 9am, or the rest of the day is a disaster - or remember the sound machine or she wont' sleep at all type things).

You'll train her re: how to do bottles, how many/what times/how often baby eats, whether you swaddle or not, use a pacifier or not, want her to take baby out for walks or not, what parameters there are for that, etc. So yes, I'd write that stuff down if it's not too much or I'd tell her those things.

For your older kids, if you have house rules, you need to tell/train her IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN) so they know she knows, and it would be great if you also wrote those down. Ex: kids can't eat anywhere but at the kitchen table. Or, they may eat on the sofa in family room but must use covered cups or whatever the rule is. When they get home, they have a snack, play outside for 30 minutes, then tackle their homework. Whatever the rules are, because the older children may try to "shine one on" the nanny at the beginning "Mom always lets us play outside until 6pm, don't worry, she wants us to do our homework after dinner" Or whatever. Also find out rule about having friends over to play - perhaps you want to wait for a month or so before that's allowed so you can get to know the older kids before you also have to deal with friends visiting (which can make everyone's behavior more difficult)

And any lessons or activities need to be written down so she gets them there on time.

I have a binder that has phone numbers of friends/neighbors in case of an emergency, the work contact info for DH and I, a medical authorization form, and contact info for the dentist and pediatrician.

For the summer, when the schedule is a little off, I print out a list of important dates for camps and vacations.

I don't have family rules that really need to be followed (there aren't any forbidden rooms or 'no eating on the couch' rules or anything) and nanny and I discussed discipline before she started. We also discussed nap times and the rough schedule for the kids.

I never discussed meal prep (no allergies) or laundry, other than to show her the washer/dryer and where the detergent was kept. She can use her own discretion to make whatever lunches she wants for the kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First of all, hopefully you have documented/agreed upon the non nanny tasks already (laundry) so that there are no surprises.

Yes, I think it is helpful. Just don't make it too long or you might scare her off.

Of what you listed, there are two key things that we have on our refrigerator/bulletin board: (1) list of key contacts, including neighbors; and (2) suggested snacks/prohibited snacks/mealtime. With regard to food, our kids have food allergies, so it isn't always easy to come up with healthful on-the-go snacks, so we have a list not only of snacks that our kids will eat but also a list of commercial "safe" items/restaurants/etc. In terms of mealtime, it's helpful to tell your nanny what time you eat dinner.

Here here!

I agree that a nanny is responsible for caring for the children in the home only. Not as their laundress as well.

Caring for the children involves doing their laundry.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First of all, hopefully you have documented/agreed upon the non nanny tasks already (laundry) so that there are no surprises.

Yes, I think it is helpful. Just don't make it too long or you might scare her off.

Of what you listed, there are two key things that we have on our refrigerator/bulletin board: (1) list of key contacts, including neighbors; and (2) suggested snacks/prohibited snacks/mealtime. With regard to food, our kids have food allergies, so it isn't always easy to come up with healthful on-the-go snacks, so we have a list not only of snacks that our kids will eat but also a list of commercial "safe" items/restaurants/etc. In terms of mealtime, it's helpful to tell your nanny what time you eat dinner.

Here here!

I agree that a nanny is responsible for caring for the children in the home only. Not as their laundress as well.

Laundry for the children. Why must you always immediately think the worst of someone?

Anonymous wrote:First of all, hopefully you have documented/agreed upon the non nanny tasks already (laundry) so that there are no surprises.

Yes, I think it is helpful. Just don't make it too long or you might scare her off.

Of what you listed, there are two key things that we have on our refrigerator/bulletin board: (1) list of key contacts, including neighbors; and (2) suggested snacks/prohibited snacks/mealtime. With regard to food, our kids have food allergies, so it isn't always easy to come up with healthful on-the-go snacks, so we have a list not only of snacks that our kids will eat but also a list of commercial "safe" items/restaurants/etc. In terms of mealtime, it's helpful to tell your nanny what time you eat dinner.

Here here!

I agree that a nanny is responsible for caring for the children in the home only. Not as their laundress as well.

First of all, hopefully you have documented/agreed upon the non nanny tasks already (laundry) so that there are no surprises.

Yes, I think it is helpful. Just don't make it too long or you might scare her off.

Of what you listed, there are two key things that we have on our refrigerator/bulletin board: (1) list of key contacts, including neighbors; and (2) suggested snacks/prohibited snacks/mealtime. With regard to food, our kids have food allergies, so it isn't always easy to come up with healthful on-the-go snacks, so we have a list not only of snacks that our kids will eat but also a list of commercial "safe" items/restaurants/etc. In terms of mealtime, it's helpful to tell your nanny what time you eat dinner.

Nanny here and I would love if families would provide something like this. I find it extremely helpful and keeps me from having to ask you a million questions. A lot of families don't provide me with anything so I have to get all the information myself.

We have a nanny starting soon and I was wondering if anyone created a nanny handbook - important phone numbers, family rules, kids schedules, meal prep for kids, laundry duties, etc. I've never had a nanny and now she will be watching my newborn as well as my 7 and 5 year DD. Want to be sure that I provide her with the appropriate information for our family/household.