Funny Nanny and Sitter

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Experience is key. Can the provider show that they have successfully provided quality childcare over a lengthy span of time? For instance, I've worked in early childhood education and childcare for over 30 years and have a picture album to show it. I can show myself teaching and working with children in different scenarios, and at different work sites throughout the years. Also, what is included with my album, are reference letters from fellow teachers, parents and directors...as well as thank-you notes and greeting cards written by children and parents themselves.

I think what also is important is the provider being able to communicate well to you even when it is uncomfortable to do so...as well as you being able to ask the provider anything pertaining to the service they are providing you.

And when it comes right down to it, that they can readily put into words the reason why they have taken any action with your children...or while with your children. Essentially, that they are always deliberate and know what they are doing.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. The biggest thing I wish parents knew about, when we come into their home and take care of their children...is that we are also at their mercy, so to speak. When the children are left with us, and the parents walk out that door, then hours later come back home a myriad of things could have happened that day...just like when the parents themselves are home with their children. Therefore, it is important to not walk in the door and jump to conclusions...for instance if one of your children is crying...or if one of your children is eating a cracker when you originally said that you would like the kids to only have snacks in the morning.

Let the caregiver clarify. There was a family that I began doing childcare for. There was a 4 year old and an infant. The parents told me that the 4 year old was still jealous of the infant and at any opportunity would pounce or grab or push. So, I found that the best way to handle this, especially at the beginning to make sure everyone stayed safe, was to always keep the 4 yr old engaged doing something she really liked (in this instance - her favorite cartoon) when I needed to put the infant down for a few minutes, perhaps to fix a bottle or cereal, lunch for the 4 yr old or clean-up. More then once during these times one of the parents walked in and I didn't think anything of it, as I clearly had said at the onset of this position how important communication was to me.

I also had, already in that short time, (about 3 weeks) taught the infant how to clap (which they were surprised at) and had gotten some head-way with the 4 yr old as I was trying different things to make things better.

However, when I came back the next scheduled day, the mother told me that they would not need me anymore as her parents had decided to be more involved and help out again. (Although she hired me because she said her parents were getting older and it was just too tiring for them).

Later on at home I wrote her an email just because I wanted to make sure everything was ok, as I just felt funny about it. She wrote back saying that I had let her 4 yr old watch way too much TV and had the infant in her busy-chair too much.

When I, as a caregiver, walk into your home I also trust you, the family, as well. This family I just spoke of could have potentially hurt my reputation because they jumped to conlusions without speaking to me first.

Please do not jump to conclusions.