Families trust you with what matters most to them. Professional habits show them every day that their trust is in the right place.
Be reliable
- Arrive on time, every time. If you are going to be late, tell the parents as early as possible.
- Give notice for days off well in advance.
- Follow the schedule and the routines the family set: meals, naps, screens, bedtime.
Communicate clearly
- Give a short update at the end of every day: what the children ate, how they slept, what you did, anything unusual.
- Tell parents about injuries, even small ones, the same day.
- When you disagree with a rule, talk about it privately and calmly, never in front of the children.
Respect the family's privacy
- Never post photos or details of the children or the home on social media without the parents' written permission.
- What you see and hear in the home stays there. Many families ask you to sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Don't invite visitors or bring the children to other people's homes without permission.
Keep the children safe
- Put your phone away while you are caring for the children, unless you need it for the job.
- Know where the first aid kit, the emergency numbers and the exits are.
- Never leave a child alone near water, in a car, or with someone the parents haven't approved.
Take care of the work relationship
- Agree on pay, hours and duties in writing.
- Keep the house the way you found it (or better) after meals and play.
- Keep learning: renew your CPR, take courses, and ask the family what they'd like you to work on with their children.