Working as a nanny can be isolating, to get through 50 hours a
week of BUT WHY ? MUM SAID .....; I DON"T WANT TO;
YOU'RE NOT MY MOTHER; I DON"T FEEL WELL; etc etc.
Sometimes you need to be with others who are going through
the same thing. Learn some new tricks of the trade from
experienced nannies - or pass some on to the younger
generation and learn theirs!
Just when you feel a fresh approach is needed -
who can you turn to, to talk it out? Another nanny.
Who can be discreet, practical and understanding?
Another nanny.
Where can you find them?
At a playgroup. If you can't find one - start one.
It's not hard to start a playgroup.
Firstly talk to your employers about your plans and why you
would like to do this. Ensure you have a mobile or use an
answering machine at your home to use as a contact for the
nannies . DO NOT USE THE FAMILY'S PHONE NO.
Choose a local playground and a way the nannies can spot
you in a crowd. (Balloons, coloured T-Shirts on the kids,
bright table cloth etc).
Choose a day and time which suits you (usually 10am - 12pm).
Check this day and time with the children's parents to ensure they
haven't organised anything else for the children.
Give at least two weeks notice, four is better.
Place signs at the local library, community notice board (post office,
community center, shop windows etc) - anywhere you think a nanny may go.
To help ensure you don't have every man and his dog at the playgroup -
just state
NANNY PLAYGROUPS ~ TUESDAY MORNINGS ~ PHONE 0428 888 888
You could also consider putting an ad in the 'Sydney's / Melbourne's
etc Child' Classifieds.
When nannies contact you, give them the date, time, location and
idea of how to find you once they are there; also an alternative
meeting place in case it rains.(e.g. library)
Suggest they bring morning tea and drinks for the children.
Sometimes it can be beneficial to have a chat first to ensure it is a nanny
you are speaking to. Talk about caring for kids, what you do, ask them
how they spend their time, why do they want to go to a playgroup etc.
If anyone sounds suspicious, take their number and call back later and
let them know the playgroup is not going ahead. If you meet in a park
and find out they are legitimate, you can always claim to have lost
their number. I do not usually condone lying, but if it means the children
are protected, it's worth it.
Be prepared on the day to approach any lost looking nannies,
just waltz up to them and ask - 'Are you here for the nanny playgroup?"
you will soon find out!
Some safe guards you must keep in mind ~
- Do not hand out the family's phone no.
- Do not invite anyone back to the family home for at least
three to four meetings and only if you are comfortable with them. - If it rains on your designated day, meet in a public place -
not the family's home. - NEVER leave your charges with nannies who are not
already in the 'family friendship circle' - those who already
come to the family home and who you have a relative level
of trust with - and most importantly - who the parents approve of. - Whatever information shared at a nanny playgroup must be
treated with the same confidentiality and respect you would
show to your the family you work for. Nannying can produce
stressful situations, sometimes details are unintentionally shared,
a good nanny does not gossip or 'tell tales' out of the playgroup. - Be aware it is an offence to smoke within the confines of a playground,
ask smoking nannies to move away from the group, or put it out.
Yes this may ostracise some nannies - if they are offended,
they are probably better off out of the group anyway.
Always put the kids first.
FIND THE PLAYGROUP WHICH SUITS YOU AND THE KIDS ~
Some nannies/kids just don't suit a particular group.
I have been to a few playgroups over the years,
where I have left early, never to return!
I remember one playgroup, where a nanny friend and I decided to try -
but the group of nannies were very clique, didn't do anything with the kids,
smoked around the kids and fed them up on sugar for morning tea.
I was not comfortable about having the two year old I was
responsible for in that environment.
The following week I went to a group where the nannies organised
craft activities, sang songs, read stories - a group where they met
for the benefit of the children - not primarily for the nannies.
The children in your care will either blossom at playgroup -
or they'll hate it!
If you have older children (4-6 years) present at the groups,
make sure you have something interesting for them to do.
Cater to their individual needs and interests. (reptile, fairies etc)
Playgroups can be a wonderful base to develop a child's social
skills and an opportunity to be involved in group events.
Traditionally, the nannies in the group take turns in providing
an activity, craft, stories and nannies morning tea.
The children's morning tea should be organised by their individual
nanny, unless all food requirements are catered to,
avoiding side effects from allergies, etc.
Take a chance and visit a group - or organise one yourself.
If you are organising a playgroup for your area, please let
TACON know if you would like some extra promotion.
Please don't feel let down if you do not have a quick response,
nannies sometimes take time to approach someone or go to a new location.
So, get yourself to a nanny playgroup and have some fun!
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