Smart Sitting Caregiver Policies: Things to Remember! (Part 2)
We’re back with more of our caregiver policies! We want to ensure we standardize our quality of care throughout our entire network, and one way that we accomplish this is by maintaining our caregiver policies. Last week, we touched on some of our policies regarding communication, sick policy, and cancellations. Read that post here!
Today, we’ll be reviewing technology policies, as well as our expectations for caregivers to go above and beyond!
SMILE, YOU'RE (PROBABLY) ON NANNY CAM!
It's legal for a household employer to install a hidden camera in their home and to record audio. It's illegal to place a nanny cam in a private area (like a bathroom). Since nanny cams are legal and popular (and not always disclosed to us), SmartSitters should only accept jobs through Smart Sitting if they are comfortable in homes with nanny cams.
CELL PHONE PLACEMENT & USE
Keep your phone accessible so you can communicate with the family for whom you are babysitting. Do not use your phone for any other purpose during your booking. Do not let the kids watch anything on your phone and refrain from playing music from your phone.
SCREEN TIME
TVs are robot babysitters for moms and dads to use when there isn't a SmartSitter there to engage with their kiddos. Avoid screens unless specifically directed by parents. Never ask parents if the kids can watch TV (even if they bug you about it!) Be firm. Your role is to engage the kids in conversation, imaginative play, reading, story telling, art projects, outdoor activities, sports, and more. If there is a designated screen time, spend time cleaning, tidying, and doing light housework that helps the family overall.
DOWN TIME
During naps, evening babysitting, or even moments of independent reading or play, you may find yourself with a few extra moments on your hands. This is your time to SHINE. Put away toys, clean dishes, wipe down counters, fold clean laundry, tidy the couch up, and if you’ve got more than a few moments, go ahead and reach out to the parents to let them know you have some down time and you’d like to know if there is anything you can do.
TIDY UP
Always leave the home cleaner than when you arrived. This includes (but is not limited to) all toys (whether you got them out or not), dishes, table tops and counters, kids clothes, throw pillows and blankets, and anything else that can be tied in the main spaces. The easiest way to go above and beyond is to help with any extra dishes in the sink, or loading and unloading the dishwasher.