When emergencies strike, from a toddler choking to a burst water main in the street, your nanny needs to be able to act swiftly and confidently. Here’s how to prepare comprehensive emergency protocols to protect your children when you can’t be there.
Essential Documentation
Medical Authorisations
Prepare an emergency medical form that authorises your nanny to seek treatment for your child. Include your child’s full medical history, GP details, and known allergies. Keep copies in your emergency folder and ensure your nanny has digital versions on their phone.
Emergency Contacts
Create a clear chain of command for emergencies. List who your nanny should contact if you’re unreachable, and include all possible numbers – work, mobile, and alternative contacts. Remember to update these regularly as numbers change.
Access and Authority
Approved Pick-up List
Protect your children by creating a detailed list of who can collect them. Include photos where possible – even the most convincing stranger could pose a risk. Make it clear that your nanny must never release the children to anyone not on this list, regardless of their claims.
Emergency Meeting Points
Designate safe locations where your nanny should take your children during emergencies like fires or gas leaks. This might be your office, a neighbour’s home, or the local library. Establish backup communication methods – remind your nanny that texts often work when calls fail during widespread emergencies.
Health and Safety Protocols
Medication Management
If your child requires medication, provide crystal-clear instructions about dosage and timing. Document any allergies prominently in your emergency folder, and ensure your nanny feels confident administering necessary medications.
Illness Recognition
Create a simple checklist of symptoms that warrant immediate contact with you or medical services. Include your preferences for common situations like high temperatures or falls.
Supporting Your Nanny
Nanny’s Emergency Information
Make sure you gather essential details about your nanny’s own health needs, just in case:
• Their emergency contacts
• Any medical conditions
• Allergies or medications.
Professional Requirements
Check your nanny’s first aid and CPR certifications are current. Consider providing a first aid app on their phone for quick reference in emergencies, because we call all forget how to do things in a pressured situation.
Safety Equipment
First Aid Supplies
Maintain well-stocked first aid kits in key locations:
• Kitchen or main living area
• Changing bag
• Car
• Bathroom
•
Remember to re-stock at least once a year. Don’t rely on a pre-filled kit, for example, most don’t include burn gel packs, but these can be invaluable in the kitchen and only cost a few pennies.
Digital Safety
Online Guidelines
Document your family’s rules about screen time and internet usage. Ensure parental controls are active on all devices and provide clear guidelines about permitted online activities.
Confidence not Control
Work through these protocols regularly with your nanny, ensuring they feel confident managing any situation that might arise and taking on board any suggestions they have. After all, they talk to other nannies who’ve dealt with problems and might have excellent ideas. Everybody hopes these measures never prove necessary, but thorough preparation allows both parents and caregivers to feel confident in any situation that might arise.
Photo creds: Ron Lach @ Pexels