Coronavirus: A Guide for Nanny & Family

This is quite an unusual time for the world. There is certainly a lot of social, personal and economic anxiety related to COVID-19, the Coronavirus. It’s normal to feel this way in a time where a lot of things feel out of our control.

Nannies and families have the fortunate opportunity to approach the Coronavirus together as a unified team.

Things We Can Control:

1)    Discussing specifics of protective measures and action plans so everyone is on the same page.

2)    The most important goals for everyone involved is the health and safety of the child/children.

3)    Keeping in mind that nannies and family members are all people dealing with the challenges differently. We will likely all need some added support from each other during this time. 

4)    Remember to practice some self-care to help with the added stress. 

a.     Eat regularly and focus on healthful foods.

b.     Prioritize adequate sleep.

c.     Stay hydrated.

d.     Take advantage of downtime to rest, even if it’s only for a short period of time.

e.     If one is experiencing Anxiety, remember you are not alone. Talk with friends, family, or seek professional assistance if necessary. 

Before we get into the comprehensive guide for discussion of the COVID-19 between families and their nanny, let’s cover a bit about what we know so far about this new virus: 

1)    Most infected people experience only mild symptoms. Some show no symptoms. 

2)    The ones most at risk for complications from the virus are the elderly, very young children, and people with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, cancer, etc.) that renders a person immunocompromised. 

3)    It’s currently believed that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted through droplets (e.g. coughs, sneezes, etc.) and these can travel between people as far as ~6 feet apart or on surfaces.

4)    It’s currently believed that the virus can incubate for 2-14 days.

5)    It’s currently unknown how long the virus stays alive on surfaces. It can be as little as 2 hours to 2 days.

6)    Taking necessary precautions can dramatically and positively affect how many people get ill and how taxed our health system is during this time.

7)    Helpful links can be found at the bottom of the discussion guide below.

Let’s get into it, team!

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Discussion & Action PlanS for FT/PT Nannies & Their Families

1)    Prevention

a) Discuss Preventative Measures

i) Suggestions:

(1)  Regularly wash hands with soap & water for 20 secs and dry with clean towel.

(2)  Avoid touching your face & remind children to avoid touching their faces.

(3)  Practice social distancing. Whenever possible, especially in public, try to sit 6 ft away from another person. Encourage games with kids that allow more distance (e.g. puzzles instead of wrestling, blowing kisses, etc.).

(4) Wash hands/use sanitizer every time any person enters the house.

(5)  Hand sanitize/use hand wipes children in car when picking up from school or classes.

(6)  Wipe down steering wheel with antibacterial wipes after being in public.

(7)  Any pacifiers that hit the ground are immediately put in wash.

(8)  Give teething children a pacifier to use in classes so they aren’t encouraged to put their fingers or toys in their mouths.

(9)  Label cups so children don’t share them. Avoid sharing food with each other.

ii)  Rate of washing/sanitizing items:

(10) Rate of using Lysol on handles, doors, light switches of the household. ___x/wk.

(11) Switch out towels in Kitchen ___x/wk. Switch bathroom hand towels ___x/wk.

(12) How often should cell phones be sanitized? ___x/wk.

(13) If a special toy goes to school/out in public with a young child every day, how many times a week should we wash the toy? ___x/wk or daily?

(14) Regularly discuss new preventative measures, if needed.

2)    Immediate Communication Discussion

a)  Get on the same page about what applicable things to immediately communicate within the group:

i)  Suggestions:

(1) Cases at school.

(2) Cases at work.

(3) Contact with people ill (or who could be carrying the virus, e.g. someone who just traveled).

(4) TRAVEL of any party, especially to high-risk areas.

(5) Any onset of symptoms in child(ren), parents or nanny (common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath).

(6) If parent or nanny actively sees someone sneeze or cough on child/children.

(7) If someone near sneezes or coughs on a parent or nanny.

(8) Any onset of symptoms in someone who has recently (within 2 weeks) been in contact with any member of the party.

  ii)  Notify all other babysitters and visiting guests about the house expectations around prevention and communication ahead of their arrival.

iii)  Make sure the family/nanny is signed up for emergency notifications and school news/closures on their phones.

iv)  Discuss between family and nanny about general health of all people in the party. Is anyone at higher risk for having complications from the virus if contracted? 

(1)  For example:

(a)  Does anyone have chronic health conditions that render a person in the party immunocompromised? (One doesn’t have to go into detail here for privacy reasons, unless the person with the issue wishes to be more specific with his/her needs).

(b)  Does the nanny have children of her own, care for an elderly relative or regularly care for a person at higher risk? 

(c)  Is anyone in the family regularly caring for elderly relative or people at higher risk for complications? 

3)    Action Plans

**In an rare epidemic situation like this, it is customary that family offer nanny more paid sick time, within reason. If the family is asking the nanny not to come in when she has only mild symptoms, it’s customary for the family to pay the nanny her guaranteed weekly pay until the agreed upon days of quarantine are complete.**

a)  Nanny Starts Experiencing Symptoms

i)  Does the family want a sick nanny (experiencing mild symptoms) to continue working if no one else in household is experiencing symptoms? Y / N

ii)  If the nanny is immunocompromised, or cares for someone who is, is the nanny comfortable coming to work while ill?

iii)   Does the family want the sick nanny to continue working only if other members in the household are infected too?

(1)   If family wants nanny to continue working with mild symptoms: 

(a)   Will the nanny be provided masks to wear to help prevent spreading to others?

(b)  Are there duties (e.g. cooking for children, grocery handling, etc.) that family wants to handle while nanny is sick?

(c)   Are there additional areas of the house that family would like nanny/kids to avoid? (e.g. Master bedroom) 

(d)  If only nanny is sick, are parents comfortable with nanny being out in public with the children (school transport, library, etc). If yes, will family be providing a mask for nanny to wear while out with the kids?

iv)   If someone in the nanny’s household is sick but nanny is not showing symptoms, will the nanny be asked to continue working or stay home?

b)    Nanny Starts Experiencing Severe Symptoms or Asked Not to Work While Mildly Ill

i)  If nanny is severely ill, how many extra days of PTO will the family provide her?

ii)  If nanny is severely ill and exhausts the extra PTO, may she use any unused vacation days? 

iii)  If the severely ill nanny goes over the extra allowed days (and if it applies, vacation days), will additional days be paid ½ her guaranteed daily rate? 

iv)  If the nanny exhausted all the days (within reason-to be agreed upon by the family and the nanny), how long would a nanny’s position be saved for her before family starts seeking a permanent replacement? 

v)  Family should start thinking about back-up care ASAP should the need arise. Are their relatives or friends near? Would the parent be able to take time off work? Is there a date night sitter that could be asked? Should the family look into a back-up care agency?

c)     Nanny is Part-Time & Family Needs More Childcare Hours

i)  Is the PT nanny available and willing to add extra hours during this time?

ii)     If the nanny is available and willing, please discuss specific hours she/he will be asked to set aside as soon as possible, as that is easier for everyone to plan for.

d)    Child Gets Sick or Exposed 

i)  Does the nanny and family want the nanny to try to keep the children apart if only one is sick? Or will she be caring for both/all children with extra precautions?

(1)   If family wants to try and keep the children apart, can the parents provide some extra coverage with nanny to make that more manageable?

ii)     Are there any additional areas of the house family wants nanny/children to stay out of while ill?

e)    Parent Gets Sick

i)   If a parent has symptoms (or is staying home after being exposed), will they be quarantining themselves in a part of the house?

ii)  Are there any additional duties for nanny while parent is sick? For example:

(1)   Prepping meals for parent so they don’t have to be in kitchen?

(2)   Extra help with laundry?

(3)   Extra pet care?

f)     School Closure

i)      In the Event of a School Closure, Where the Child is Not Showing Symptoms:

(1)   Is the child allowed to socialize with other classmates (e.g. playdates)?

(2)   Is the child allowed to ride public transportation?

(3)   Is the child allowed to attend classes with younger sibling’s classes or public places like swimming class, music class, etc.?

(4)   If the family preference is to NOT have the child attend classes, have playdates, be in closed public spaces:

(a)   How much daily outside time should the nanny try to provide (depending on weather)? 

(b)  Are short walks and outdoor parks (without playing on play equipment) ok?

(c)   Are typical limits on screen time or reading time relaxed? If so, how much is allowed until activities return to normal?

(d)  Please share any additional wants/preferences if we are limited to the home so all can start preparing as soon as possible.

ii)    If School Moves to Tele-Learning:

*If nanny is expected to add tutoring a child to her duties, please talk about compensation for additional duties*

(1)   Will Nanny be doing the extra tutoring during the school closure?

(2)   Are there any additional duties for nanny while school is out?

4)    Chicago Goes into Quarantine 

a)  All parties should try and prepare their food supplies for the possibility of quarantine.

b)  If family has pets, buy extra pet food and supplies (e.g. cat litter) to have on standby.

c)  Buy extra cold medicines to have on hand (e.g. Tylenol, Dayquil, Pedialyte, Saltines etc.)

d)  Remember that this time is unusual and likely stressful for everyone and try to allow for approaching the challenge as a team.

5)    Helpful Links:

a)  CDC Coronavirus Facts & FAQs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

b)  Harvard Health COVID-19 FAQs: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center