It’s 6:00 am and your nanny has messaged to say she’s unwell. You have a 9:00 am meeting, a long drive and two children who need someone now. Every family that hires a nanny will face this day.
The ones who handle it well planned for it before she started.
What a nanny actually does
A nanny is an experienced childcare professional who cares for your children as part of your household routine. She usually works consistent hours and builds a long-term relationship with the family.
Typically, she handles:
- Feeding, sleep and play routines for babies and toddlers
- School runs and after-school care
- Daily structure that keeps children calm and secure
- Communication with you about how the day went
An au pair is usually a younger, more flexible helper. A nanny brings more formal, long-term experience, which matters most with infants. You can read more about their differences here.
Why single points of failure hurt
When one person carries all your childcare, everything depends on one body being well and one car starting. That’s fine until it isn’t.
The backup-for-the-backup plan (Our Expert Framework)
The counter-intuitive idea: your childcare is only as strong as your second and third options.
- Name Backup One: A relative, friend or neighbour who can step in at short notice.
- Name Backup Two: A flexible option, such as working from home or a trusted alternative.
- Write the plan on one page, with phone numbers, and share it with your nanny.
- Agree sick-day rules: how early she tells you, and what you do.
A plan like this turns a crisis into an inconvenience. It also tells your nanny you take her health seriously, which builds loyalty.
In the interview, ask: If you wake up unwell, what’s the best way to let us know? A thoughtful answer shows she respects your planning.
What to Check Before You Say Yes
Whoever you choose, you should be able to answer yes to each of these:
- Identity and police clearance have been verified
- Experience with children has been seen in practice, not just claimed
- Sick-day and leave rules are written down
- Hours, duties, leave and house rules are written down
- Review dates are in both your diaries
At Kith, we handle the vetting, and our nannies train through the Kith Academy.
How to Brief Her in the First Week
- Walk her through the daily routine and the house rules
- Introduce the three review dates
- Agree on how you’d like to be updated
- Book a check-in at the end of week one
Frequently asked questions
Ready to Find Your Nanny
The right nanny doesn’t just cover the gaps. She gives your family a calm, predictable day. Join Kith and we’ll match you with a vetted, experienced nanny who fits your home
Want to see exactly how it works for Waterfall? Read about our Nannies in Waterfall service.
If you’d like a tutor for your child’s schoolwork or assistance with homework, our Private Tutor in waterfall: The 30 minutes rule Plan details our expert knowledge framework in this service.
