Nanny Notebook

Do you keep a nanny binder or notebook? What do I mean? 

Well as I attend classes, workshops and read articles, I find that I want to save some of those materials for further reference and study. I used to keep a binder or file in a filing cabinet. These days my “notebook” is more a list of links and some folders on my computer, but it serves the same purposes. 

Why should we keep a notebook? 

Well, there are many reasons! 

Nannies work with many different age levels. At one point in your career you may have toddlers, another teens. It is almost impossible for one person to know all you need to know about each age group at all times. Keeping a notebook lets you reference back to milestones, activity ideas or other information about each age and stage. 

Nannies need inspiration. The days are long and we work with no other adults. It is part of our job to inspire the kids- but who or what inspires us? In my notebook I have a running list of ideas and techniques that will inspire me. 

Nannies are professionals- and professionals research their areas of expertise. Part of being a professional is keeping up to date on all the latest and greatest information out there. You need to know so much to take care of kids and it is always changing. Keeping track of it all can be a challenge so keeping a notebook lets you ad information to refer to when needed. 

Nannies need backup. Sometimes you don’t know what to do. Sometimes parents will ask you for advice. When I am faced with a problem, I know I can go to my notebook and pull out advice from a forgotten workshop, an article from a journal or website. I can share this with parents to back up my own personal thoughts and beliefs. 

What should you be looking for when collecting data for your own nanny notebook? 

   *articles from parenting magazines

    *inspirational stories 

     *thought provoking tidbits you come across

     *ideas for crafts, activities and other kinds of day to day useful items

     *articles and papers from scholarly journals and childcare professional publications

    *listings of books (with notes if possible) that you have read

    *listings of links that you can refer to over and over

                        American Medical Association

                        NAEYC

                        Zero to Three

    *notes/handouts from workshops attended at Nannypalooza and other conferences

    *important information about YOU as a nanny professional including info on taxes, building a portfolio, negotiating and interviewing with families, etc..


I will be posting info on Wednesdays for you to consider adding to your own notebook. Hopefully this will help you build your own library. And if you have a suggestion for others to add let me know! I will share it! 

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