You’ve signed a contract and agreed on a start date—exciting! You may feel like you’re all set for the first day of work, but are you? The answer depends on whether you’ve had a thorough discussion about the practical details of the job. If you haven’t, you should definitely do so in order to make the transition smoother. Here’s what you should be talking about before the first day of the job.
First-Day Preparation Checklist
1. Children’s Routines & Preferences
☐ Daily schedules, including meals, naps, and activities
☐ Food preferences, restrictions, and allergies
☐ Favorite activities, comfort items, and soothing techniques
☐ Individual needs and developmental considerations
2. Safety & Emergency Procedures
☐ Emergency contacts
☐ Medical conditions, medications, and emergency instructions
☐ Location of first-aid supplies and safety equipment
☐ What to do if a child becomes sick or injured
☐ Authorized pickup persons, if applicable
3. Household Logistics
☐ Home access, including keys or entry codes
☐ Parking arrangements
☐ Locations of childcare supplies
☐ Household rules and relevant expectations
4. Communication
☐ Preferred communication methods
☐ Frequency and types of updates
☐ How concerns or unexpected situations should be communicated
Worried about forgetting something important? Keep everything organized with these Supporting Documents!
Create a detailed reference for each child’s everyday care. Record routines, meals, sleep, personal care, screen-time rules, activities, communication needs, sensory preferences, behavior supports, and other information that helps the nanny provide safe, consistent, individualized care.
9 pages.
Delivered via download link after purchase.
Keep essential emergency and health information organized in one place. This detailed form records parent/employer and emergency contacts, healthcare providers, insurance information, allergies, medications, medical conditions, and other information the nanny may need to provide safe care.
12 pages.
Delivered via download link after purchase.
Attorney-Reviewed*
Document significant injuries, accidents, medical events, behavioral incidents, safety concerns, medication-related incidents, property damage, and other unusual events. Provides space for objective incident details, immediate responses, notifications, follow-up, and acknowledgment by the nanny and employer.
4 pages.
Delivered via download link after purchase.
NOTE: Attorney review does not constitute legal advice or guarantee compliance with the laws of your jurisdiction. Templates must be customized to the user's circumstances and applicable law.
