Dear Parent:

The decision to hire someone to care for the most important person in your life, is both a meaningful one and a difficult one. It is meaningful because a relationship eventually develops between your child and the nanny, and you want to ensure it’s a good one. It is difficult because the market for nannies is unregulated, and you want to ensure you know what to expect from a nanny candidate; before, during and after the entire hiring process.

I would be delighted to talk with you about your childcare needs and am committed to providing you with the highest level of support, guidance and direction in choosing a trustworthy nanny for your child/children.

Many parents are surprised by the complexities of choosing a nanny. Chirp (formerly Alyce Desrosiers & Associates) brings more than twenty-five years experience to choosing a caregiver and will work closely with you, in the comfort of your home, to insure that we match your family’s needs with the wide range of skills and experiences available in the pool of available child care support. Our work with parents is personalized and comprehensive. You can trust Chirp to be with you throughout the entire process including interviewing, background checks and weaving our way through the subtle nuances of finding someone that is the “best fit” for your family. We will also facilitate the contract negotiation process.

Our studies show that parents feel they are better able to trust their nanny, make their initial separation from their child and communicate better with their nanny as a result of our work together. In fact, over 80% of the time, Chirp’s placements remain with their families for 12 months or longer.

Attached are a few sample worksheets to assist you through the hiring process, and to show you the kind of in-depth analysis we do before finding you the absolute best support, tailored for your family’s individual needs. You may also find it helpful to supplement these forms with my book: Nannies for Modern Moms (which is available on amazon.com).

We look forward to working with you on this most important decision!

Sincerely,

Alyce Desrosiers, LCSW

c h i l d c a r e s p e c i a l i s tf o u n de r o f c h i r p / a u t h o r o f n a n n i e s f o r m o de r n m o m s

j o b b a s i c s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )

Job Title

Nanny

Mother’s helper

Family assistant

Au pair

Doula

House cleaner

Baby-sitter

Special needs therapist

Tutor

Nanny Arrangement

Live out

Live-in

Share care

Co-op

Staffed household

Schedule

Flexible hours and days �

Changing schedule

Travel

Overnight care

Documentation

Department of Homeland Security

Internal Revenue Service �

DMV (driver’s license/id)

Workers Compensation

Compensation

Salary Range ______________ wk/mos

Taxable income

Non taxable income

Partial taxes

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 1 > j o b de s c r i p t i o n

r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )

Childcare

Feeding

Changing

Bathing

Providing safe, developmentally appropriate activities

Meal preparation

Tutoring

Transporting child to school �

Transporting child to activities �

Collaboration with teachers,therapists, other professionals

Maintains daily journal

Housework

Child’s room kept clean �

Toys clean and put away �

Bed linens clean and put away �

Child’s laundry washed, dried,folded and put away

Family laundry

Family meal preparation �

Cleans up after herself �

Straightens up main living areas

Errands

Grocery shopping, as needed

Dry cleaning

Post office or FedEx/UPS

Family assistance

Animal care

Available to be at home for house cleaner, gardener, contractor, etc.

m i s c e l l a n e o u s ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )

Benefits

Vacation and/or Holidays

Sick Pay or Paid Time Off (PTO) �

Nanny car

Room and Board:

Separate entrance

Separate floor from family �

Cooking facilities

Private or shared bath

Phone/internet connection

Cell phone provided

Medical/Dental insurance stipend:

Full coverage

Partial coverage

Retirement Contribution:

IRA or 401(k)

Travel

Vacation travel

Business travel

Domestic travel

International travel

Extended travel

Education/Training

Early Childhood Education �

Elementary School Teaching Credential

Special Needs Training

Health & Safety

CPR/First Aid training

TB testing

Background Check

Criminal

TrustLine

PFC information:

National criminal check

Social Security verification

Driving record

Childcare Experience

Amount of experience with children:

Minimum # years ___________

Minimum # of families ___________

Type of experience with children:

Infant/toddler

Preschool

Elementary age

Adolescent

More than one child

Special needs: ________________

Multiples

Languages

Spanish French German

Chinese Other: _________________

Family Style

Divorced/Separated

GLBT

Single parent

Blended Family

Age Range

Younger than parents

Contemporary to parents

Older than parents

Culture/Race/Ethnicity

American

Caucasian

Latino

African American

Western European

Asian

Middle Eastern

Pacific Islander

Other: _________________________

Religion

Catholic Protestant Mormon

Jewish Buddhist Muslim

Other: _________________________

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 1 > j o b de s c r i p t i o n c o n t ’ d

d o c u m e n t a t i o n ( c i r c l e a l l t h a t a p p l y )

Nanny Employment Documentation

Application form

References

Certificates of education �

Cpr/first aid certificate

TB screening

California driver’s license �

California driving record �

Auto insurance policy (limits of liability)

Criminal background(national)

Trustline registry

Social security verification orResidency/work visa

Working agreement

Documentation Pertaining to Nanny Employment

IRS W-4

INS I-9

Worker’s compensation �

Emergency medical treatmentauthorization form

Auto insurance policy(limits of liability and second driver)

Authorization to drive

How to make a 911 call

Disaster kit

Important phone numbers

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 2 > n a n n y d o c u m e n t c h e c k l i s t

s a m p l e j o b a n n o u n c e m e n t

We are a family currently living in ________________________________ with a now______________year old ____________, and

are looking for a ________________________________ to provide childcare M T W TH F from ___________ am to

___________pm, including as-needed care on evenings and weekends, travel for ______________________ , and overnight

care on occasion. Responsibilities include childcare, light housecleaning, running errands and ___________________

for the family. We are looking for someone for a minimum of ___________ months and our ideal candidate would be

______________________________, ______________________________, and ______________________________.

Additional Requirements:

Documentation to work

Taxable income

English language proficiency (_____________________________is a plus!)

Car

Early Childhood Education

________________ minimum years experience working with ________________age children

CPR/First Aid training

TB testing

TrustLine Registry

Clean driving record

Social Security verification

We are compensating a professional salary, including benefits.

Start date: _____________________________.

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 3 > s a m p l e j o b a n n o u n c e m e n t

c a n d i d a t e n o t e s

Basic Information

n a m e :

a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :

h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -

e m a i l :

e n g l i s h p r o f i c i e n c y : y / n o t h e r l a n g u a g e s s p o k e n :

Experience

c u r r e n t / m o s t r e c e n t e m p l o y e r :

n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n : 1 2 3 + a g e ( s ) : m o s / y r s m o s / y r s m o s / y r s

d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t: f t / p t / t e m p

r e a s o n f o r l e av i n g :

e m p l o y e r c o n t a c t i n f o :

m a y w e c o n t a c t t h i s p e r s o n ?

p r e v i o u s e m p l o y e r :

n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n : 1 2 3 + a g e ( s ) : m o s / y r s m o s / y r s m o s / y r s

d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t: f t / p t / t e m p

r e a s o n f o r l e av i n g :

e m p l o y e r c o n t a c t i n f o :

m a y w e c o n t a c t t h i s p e r s o n ?

Other

d o c u m e n t a t i o n : c a dr i v e r ’ s l i c e n s e # :

c a r ( m a k e / m o de l / y e a r ) :

s w i m m i n g s k i l l s : y / n c p r / f i r s t a i d : y / n t b t e s t i n g : y / n t r u s t l i n e : y / n

s i n g l e m a r r i e d d i v o r c e d i h av e c h i l dr e n o f m y o w n / a g e ( s ) :

Referencesn a m e : k n o w n f o r : y e a r s

c o n t a c t i n f o :

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 4 > p r e s c r e e n i n g c a n d i d a t e s

r e f e r e n c e q u e s t i o n s w h e r e r e l e va n t, a l wa y s a s k f o r a n e x a m p l e t o s u p p o r t a r e f e r e n c e ’ s c o m m e n t s

v e r i f y d a t e s o f e m p l o y m e n t, a g e s a n d n u m b e r o f c h i l dr e n s h e c a r e d f o r , i n a dd i t i o n

t o d u t i e s a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s .

h o w w o u l d y o u de s c r i b e h e r c h a r a c t e r ?

d i d t h e c h i l dr e n l i k e h e r ? w h a t i s i t a b o u t h e r t h e c h i l dr e n l i k e d s o m u c h ?

wa s s h e r e l i a b l e ? wa s s h e o n t i m e ? o u t s i c k o f t e n ?

wa s s h e r e s p o n s i b l e ?

a dd i t i o n a l c o m m e n t s :

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 4 > p r e s c r e e n i n g c a n d i d a t e s c o n t ’ d

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 5 > i n t e r v i e w q u e s t i o n s

Can you tell me about the children you have cared for? What were their personalities? How did you get to know them?

Among the children you have cared for, who was the most challenging? What was it about this child that was particularly challenging for you?

Imagine you are home alone with our baby all day. It’s raining and impossible to go outside. How would you spend your time with her?

What do you expect a newborn to be learning about their world? What about a five month old?

How do you help children keep predictable routines of eating, sleeping, playing, etc.? What has been your experience with different children doing this? What has been your experience with different families?

If you had a child-rearing philosophy that best defines your way of understanding and caring for a child, what would that be?

Discipline – or setting reasonable limits – is important for our family. What are some ways to help preschool children learn what these are and how would you handle those situations when our son doesn’t want to do what is expected?

Imagine you are home alone with our daughter. She is eating her snack and suddenly chokes on her food. What would you do?

Experience with Children

Why do you want to be a nanny?

Look forward five years - someone is talking about you! - what would you want them to say about you and what you are doing?

How would you describe your style when you care for children?

What are your spiritual beliefs? Please describe the most meaningful aspects of your beliefs.

If you trusted us enough as your employer to know how to manage you most effectively, what tips would you give us about how you are best managed?

Please tell us what special requests you have. For example, do you have any dietary restrictions? Are there religious holidays you want to observe? Do you have vacation or travel plans?

What should we know about you to make sure you are comfortable in our home?

In Nannies’ relationships with parents there are inevitably difficult situations that come up which can be hard to talk about. Can you tell me about those you have experienced? How did you talk about them and how were they resolved?

Nanny Personality, Character and Relationships

Can you tell me about your background? Where were you raised? What are your parents’ occupations? Do you have any brothers and sisters?

Can you tell me one piece of advice that was handed down to you by your parents that reflects a value that is important to you?

We all learn from the culture we grew up in what is important in life. How is it different growing up in your culture than here inthe U.S.?

Family and Personal Value

n a n n y e va l u a t i o n ( o n a s c a l e o f 1 t o 1 0 , w h e r e 1 i s t h e l e a s t a n d 1 0 i s t h e m o s t )

Personal Characteristics

wa r m

n u r t u r i n g

e m p a t h i c

t r u s t w o r t h y a n d l o y a l

r e a l l y l o v e s c h i l dr e n

s h a r e s i de a s a n d o p i n i o n s

s t r o n g w o r k e t h i c

m a t u r e

h a s g o o d j u d g m e n t

g o o d s e n s e o f h u m o r

b r i g h t a n d s m a r t

c a l m

d i r e c t

p u n c t u a l a n d r e l i a b l e

f l e x i b l e

r e s p e c t f u l o f p r i va c y

Communication

c o m m u n i c a t i o n

o p e n a n d d i r e c t

e a s y t o u n de r s t a n d

e a s y t o b e w i t h

v e r b a l

Ethicsh o n e s t

r e s p e c t f u l

i n t e g r i t y

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 6 > e va l u a t i o n s

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

n a n n y e va l u a t i o n ( o n a s c a l e o f 1 t o 1 0 , w h e r e 1 i s t h e l e a s t a n d 1 0 i s t h e m o s t )

Childcare Orientation and Skills

e x p e r i e n c e w i t h n e w b o r n c a r e

u n de r s t a n d s c h i l d de v e l o p m e n t

s k i l l e d i n h a n dl i n g d i f f e r e n t

de v e l o p m e n t a l c h a l l e n g e s

( f o r e x a m p l e , t a n t r u m s ,

t o i l e t t r a i n i n g , s l e e p / f e e d i n g

r o u t i n e s , e t c . )

r e c o g n i z e s d i f f e r e n c e s

fa m i l i a r w i t h d a i l y r o u t i n e s

c r e a t i v e

c a p a b l e o f o r g a n i z i n g

c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d , a g e - a p p r o p r i a t e

a c t i v i t i e s f o r c h i l dr e n

h a s g o o d r e p e r t o i r e w i t h

d i s c i p l i n e i s s u e s

k n o w l e d g e a b l e o f n u t r i t i o n

f o r c h i l dr e n

Household Assistance

c l e a n a n d n e a t

o r g a n i z e d

t a k e s i n i t i a t i v e

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 6 > e va l u a t i o n s c o n t ’ d

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

General Duties:

Nanny will provide childcare for children and will:

-Keep children safe, happy and clean.

-Be sweet, gentle and loving to children.

-Treat children with kindness, patience and respect.

-Be calm and cheerful with children.

Daily Activities & Responsibilities:

Nanny’s daily activities may include:

-Get children dressed in the morning.

-Take children to school or other activities.

-Maintain a regular schedule, approved by parents,

for feeding/meals, naps and activities.

-Keep a daily journal of children’s activities, meals, etc.

-Prepare children’s meals/bottles and feed children.

-Clean up after meals/bottles.

-Play with children at home, read them books.

-Talk and sing to children, teach them things.

-If the weather is good, take children outside.

-If parents request, give children a bath.

-Tell parents if we need to buy any food, supplies, toys

or anything else for children.

-Communicate with parents about children, including

health, problems, well-being and discipline.

Other Duties:

Nanny’s additional duties include:

-Pick up and organize toys and books.

-Keep children’s rooms, toys and other personal

items clean.

-Do children’s laundry.

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t

Employer

n a m e :

a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :

h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -

s i g n a t u r e / d a t e :

Employeen a m e :

a ddr e s s : c i t y / s t a t e : z i p :

h o m e p h o n e : ( ) - c e l l p h o n e : ( ) -

e m p l o y m e n t s t a r t d a t e : p o s i t i o n : f t / p t / t e m p

t o b e c a r i n g f o r :

s i g n a t u r e / d a t e :

Perform errands for the household and light

household chores.

-Assist during emergencies and other unusual

circumstances.

House Rules:

Nanny agrees to abide by all “house rules” during

working hours, including but not limited to the

following:

-No visitors at the house, unless parents have approved.

-Food is allowed in the kitchen and dining room only.

-Cleanup is expected after food preparation.

-No smoking, drinking or drug use.

-Do not open the door to anyone unless the person

identifies him/herself and parents have given nanny

prior notice and approval of his/her admittance to the

house.

-Limit personal phone calls to what is absolutely

necessary.

-No television for children, unless parents approve.

-No physical discipline or yelling.

-Nanny must be available to parents by cell phone at all

times.

-Contact parents immediately about any problems with

the house.

Health and Safety:

Nanny agrees to abide by the following health and

safety rules when caring for the children:

-Watch children at all times. Do not leave them alone.

Do not leave them with any other person.

-Remove any toys that are broken or unsafe

-Do not take children in any car, taxi or bus unless

parents have given prior approval.

-Use of car seats for children is required at all times.

-Do not eat, drink or use cell phone while

driving children in any vehicle.

-Keep children away from dogs and other animals.

-Contact parents immediately about any problems with

children, such as sickness or injury.

-Wash hands upon arriving at house each day, after

using the restroom and whenever they are dirty. Wash

children’s hands before and after meals, and whenever

they are dirty.

-Use cold tap water only for children’s food and drinks.

Do not give children warm or hot tap water.

-Keep children away from painted surfaces, peeling

paint and paint chips.

-Do not give children any medicine unless

parents request.

-Nanny must carry “Emergency Medical Treatment

Authorization” for children at all times and know

where to locate the copy in the home.

-At parents’ expense, Nanny will take an annual

re-certification Infant/Child CPR First aid training

course at a location approved by parents.

-Nanny will be familiar with the location, use and

operation of any and all emergency equipment at

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d

parents’ residence.

-Nanny will be familiar with parents’ emergency

procedures, such as medical, fire and disaster

preparedness and carry out these procedures in a

timely, efficient manner when necessary.

-Notify parents immediately in the event that nanny is

sick or injured in any way.

-Provide to parents the name, address and telephone

number of two relatives/friends to contact in the event

of an emergency.

Hours:

Nanny will work from _________a.m. to _________p.m.,

Monday to Friday, with flexibility to work alternative

or additional hours (including overnight care and/or

travel with the family) as may be requested by parents

and agreed by Nanny.

Pay:

Parents will pay nanny $_________ per hour.

All applicable Federal and State taxes will be deducted

from nanny’s salary. Salary will be paid weekly.

Should nanny provide overnight care and/or travel

with the family, nanny will be paid for her time as

agreed by parents and nanny.

Stipend for Health Insurance:

Parents will pay nanny a stipend of $_________ per

month, which nanny will apply toward her health

insurance premium.

Vacation:

Nanny will be entitled to two weeks paid vacation per

year. Per mutual consent one week of which to be

taken at the same time the family takes their vacation.

Sick Days:

Nanny will be entitled to five paid sick days per year.

If nanny is feeling sick, nanny should call parents

before deciding whether or not to come to work.

Paid Holidays:

Nanny will be entitled to the following seven paid

holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence

Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving

and Christmas

Car:

Nanny will use her own car and/or have use of a

designated car as needed to carry out her duties. If

nanny uses her own car to carry out her duties,

parents will reimburse nanny for gas costs. Nanny is

responsible for maintaining her own car insurance

and paying her own commuting costs.

Confidentiality:

Nanny agrees that all personal, family or other

information with respect to parents and/or their

family, friends and associates is confidential.

Nanny will keep such information confidential and

will not disclose it to anyone at any time, unless

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d

parents have given prior written consent. This

obligation will continue to apply even after the

nanny’s position with the parents has ended.

At-Will Employment:

Nanny’s employment is solely on an at-will basis,

terminable by either nanny or parents for any reason

at any time, with or without cause. Nothing in this

Employment Agreement, or in the prior or subsequent

course of conduct between the parties, shall be

construed to create a contract for a term of years,

a contract terminable only for good cause, or any

relationship between the parties other than one of

at will employment.

Termination of Employment:

Nanny is free to leave her job and terminate this

Employment Agreement at any time for any reason.

Similarly, parents are free to end nanny’s employment

and terminate this Employment Agreement at any

time for any reason. If either party does so terminate

following the first ninety days of employment (the

probationary period), a thirty day notice will be given.

Alternatively the parents can provide thirty days

salary. Parents will pay nanny any earned but unpaid

wages (subject to withholding for any applicable

federal or state taxes) and the parties will return to

each other any personal property of the other.

Other Legal Provisions:

This Employment Agreement contains the entire

agreement between nanny and parents regarding

nanny’s employment and supersedes any other

agreements, representations, promises, or

understandings, whether oral, written or implied,

alleged to exist. No agreement, promise or

representation not contained in this Agreement shall

be binding on either party. This Employment

Agreement is entered into in the State of California,

and shall be governed by and construed in accordance

with California law.

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 7 > s a m p l e e m p l o y m e n t a g r e e m e n t c o n t ’ d

n a n n y p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w1 = d o e s n o t m e e t s t a n d a r d s > 3 = m e e t s s t a n d a r d s > 5 = e x c e e d s s t a n d a r d s

p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w f o r :

p r o v i de d b y :

d a t e :

a dd i t i o n a l n o t e s :

c h i r p w o r k s h e e t n o . 8 > p e r f o r m a n c e r e v i e w

Job Performancep u n c t u a l

r e l i a b l e

f l e x i b l e

t a k e s i n i t i a t i v e

u s e s g o o d j u d g e m e n t

Professional Ethicsh o n e s t

p e r s o n a l i n t e g r i t y

r e s p e c t f u l

m a i n t a i n s

c o n f i de n t i a l i t y

Communication: Written & Verbal o p e n a n d d i r e c t

r e c e p t i v e

u t l i z e s f e e db a c k

Responsibilitiesa t t e n t i v e t o s a f e t y

m a i n t a i n s h y g i e n e

m a k e s n u t r i t i o u s m e a l s

a t t e n t i v e o f c h i l d

r e s p o n d s a p p r o p r i a t e l y

t o c h i l d

c o n s i s t e n t i n r e s p o n s e s

c o l l a b o r a t e s w i t h p a r e n t s

p l a n s a p p r o p r i a t e

a c t i v i t i e s f o r c h i l d

i m p l e m e n t s a c t i v i t i e s

Household Assistancek e e p s c h i l d ’ s r o o m c l e a n

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