Caring for a child who has allergies can be a scary and frustrating experience. There is a lot to know and understand about childhood allergies in order to provide preventative care, ongoing support, and emergency treatment when necessary. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies affect approximately 40 percent of children in the U.S. This means that it is very likely for a nanny to work in the home of a child that is allergic to certain foods, medications, insects, latex, or environmental factors.
One of the most significant benefits of hiring a nanny through a trusted source, like Household Staffing International, is having peace of mind that your child is being well cared for all day long. If your child suffers from allergies of any kind, it is crucial to hire a nanny that understands how to prevent allergic reactions and treat them if they occur.
Here we describe the training that HSINY nannies receive and the skills and expertise they possess before becoming eligible for employment in a family’s home.
The Many To-Dos in a Private Nanny Job Description
Nannies are private caregivers or nurses for children, and there are three main types of nannies that work in the home. Custodial care nannies aim to meet the physical and emotional needs of children. Coordinated care nannies are parenting partners that are more involved in day-to-day decision-making about a child’s activities. And finally, surrogate care nannies assume the role of primary caregiver for a child.
The following tasks are common ones found in a private nanny job description:
- Managing feeding, diapering, and nap times
- Cooking for children
- Bathing and dressing children
- Driving children to activities or school
- Reading books and doing craft projects
- Assisting children with homework
- Taking children on activities, like to a park or museum
- Organizing play dates
- Cleaning up after children
Allergy-Specific Training and Expertise for Nannies
Some of the common tasks that nannies perform on a regular basis include preparing snacks and lunches, supervising outdoor playtime, and providing basic first-aid care. For a child that has allergies, a nanny must be trained to identify allergy-causing foods, prevent environmental allergen contact, and use an epi pen.
Other allergy-specific training that HSINY nannies receive includes what to do after an epi-pen is used, administering insulin, and providing medication in oral, topical, and injectable form. Nannies must understand who to call in case of an allergy outbreak and be able to effectively communicate with the child’s doctor as necessary.
Nannies can benefit greatly from taking an allergy training course to better serve the needs of their client families. In-person and online training courses are available to help nannies be prepared to care for all types of children and make them more professionally attractive to potential employers.
What to Look for in a Nanny
There are many factors to consider when choosing a nanny to care for your child. Not only should a nanny be prepared for allergy-related issues but also oversee daily activities in way that you see fit.
As you think about what to look for in a nanny, remember these favorable characteristics to help guide your decision:
- Extensive experience working with children
- Creativity in providing fun experiences
- Enthusiasm for spending time with children
- Punctual for work days and meetings
- Trustworthy with sensitive information
- Flexibility with scheduling
- Excellent communication skills
- Trained in safety and health procedures
- Self-motivated without being micromanaged
- Level-headed to handle emergencies
- Ability to keep reports of child’s behavior, health issues, and progress
To help you choose a highly trained and experienced nanny who understands the complicated nature of pediatric allergies, contact Household Staffing International at 212-683-7722. We look forward to helping you find a nanny you can trust and rely on.