Checklist for the future Nanny

• Make sure you have all the relevant CPR training that you might need should there be an emergency with a child you are looking after.
• Get all your latest shots and vaccinations to not only protect yourself but also the children in your care. You will find that you can transmit infections and diseases quite easily over to small children and we’re sure that the parents of the children wouldn’t appreciate that one bit, so make sure you get all your relevant shots and then present the documentation to the parents on your arrival.
• If you are going overseas for a night nanny job then make sure you have all the correct visas. The last think you want is to arrive in another country and find out that you are ineligible to work there, so avoid any potential confusion and negative situations by thoroughly checking what qualifications you need for certain visas and that you have them all in place.
• If the client has requested you fill in an application form then make sure you bring it with you, signed and completed on your arrival. You won’t want to have to go through the form again as soon as you arrive, and it doesn’t show the best for you in terms of your consistency if you have already failed in bringing a simple form!
• You may need to bring some form of liability insurance to make sure you are covered in the event of an emergency. It’s always a good idea to speak this over with your insurance agent so that you know exactly what you should be covered for and what options you have in terms of getting covered. While you will obviously not go out of your way to make sure that there is an emergency situation created, it’s always important to have your bases covered in case something was to go wrong, and a simple phone call to enquire about what is available to you could definitely go a long way in making sure things are safe in the future.
• Take your resume with you on your arrival to your new job as they may want to go over some items with you.If you have any further child care training always bring along your qualification certificates to show to your clients.
• Bring with you appropriate clothes and working shoes!
• If you have any toys that you think the children might enjoy playing with, check with the parents first.
• Bring something for you to keep entertained, such as a book or your iPod. While you are obviously there to look after the children, there may be moments where you will be staying up late with the kids and they will be asleep, so if you have something with you to keep you occupied then it can make the night go by a lot faster for you and the experiences you will be having.
• Take your phone and phone charger with you! Sounds pretty simple but it’s amazing the amount of people who actually leave their chargers behind and then can’t charge their phones, leaving them uncontactable if an emergency was to occur. Always ensure that your phone is charged fully at all times so that if an emergency happens, you won’t be worried about your phone going flat if you need to be contacted. If you are unsure about the suitability of your phone or whether or not the charge will work, bring along a spare battery or even an emergency phone just in case.

Always bring with you copies of any certificates so that the parent know you are prepared for any emergency.

• a copy of the house rules
• a comprehensive list of any allergies
• keys to the house 
• Information about the house alarm
• a form stating they have your permission to take them to a medical practice should it be required.
• copies of your children’s prescriptions
• private health insurance or Medicare cards in the event of an emergency

... Just some suggestions, you are welcome to adjust this list to your needs.

• the Australian emergency number of 000
• family members
• doctors, paediatricians, dentists, hospitals
• close friends, neighbours
• school, kindergarden eg.

These are just some simple, common sense checklist items that will help you always remain prepared during each night nanny job. You may find that over time you will add your own variations to this list and make sure that you will always be prepared in all situations for your night nanny jobs. This of course is extremely important as you don’t want to in any form go into a job unprepared and have an emergency happen or something else that will leave you with egg on your face! Keep this in mind when going into your next job.