For nannies, coming prepared to work is job No. 1. You need to keep everyone safe, comfortable, and entertained. You want to think ahead so you come ready with some first-aid basics to address any little emergencies before they happen. And bonus points if you come with a well-stocked toolkit (aka your nanny bag) that makes you the most well-loved and well-prepared childcare provider that family has ever seen.
It’s a good idea to bring a nanny bag to any job. You can fill it with both useful items and fun ones that may interest a child. Putting together a nanny bag is inexpensive—you can find most of what you need either at home or at the dollar store—and it’s also a great way to impress parents by showing them that you’re highly prepared.
Compiled with expertise from agency pros and working nannies, here’s a packing list of what to keep in your nanny bag—whether you’re travelling far with your charges or just to the neighbourhood park.
1. Change of clothes
Little kids often need frequent wardrobe changes—and so do the people who care for them. With little ones around, you never know what liquids might end up on you.
2. First-aid essentials
Small, well-outfitted first-aid kits are affordable and widely available. Make sure yours has bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic cleansing wipes, and a pair of tweezers for slivers or other mini-emergencies.
3. Cleaning essentials
Hand hygiene is more important now than ever before, and hand sanitizer is key when you’re out and can’t wash up with soap and water. Also bring other essentials for keeping tidy, like wet wipes and tissues. A stain-removal pen can also be a nice thing to have to save clothing from nasty stains and spills.
4. Utility knife
As long as you can keep it safe and out of reach of kids, you’ll find tons of unexpected uses for a utility knife’s features while on the job. A Swiss Army knife can also be a great help in a ton of different situations.
5. Snacks
Carry snacks not just for yourself but for the kids in your charge, too. And while healthy snacks are important, a little treat can go a long way in a pinch. A favourite treat can be a great motivator. When kids are doing school online, or finishing their homework, it can be helpful to reward them for their concentration with a treat, especially after a long, boring virtual class.
6. Water bottle
Always have water on hand to keep yourself and the kids hydrated. You might consider investing in lightweight, collapsible water bottles to save room in your bag (and support the environment while you’re at it).
7. Sunscreen
Nothing sabotages a sunny outing faster than realizing you came without sunscreen. For babies’ and kids’ delicate skin, pediatricians recommend sunscreens that contain mineral ingredients like zinc oxide. Bring along lip balm with SPF for added protection. (And make sure to apply liberally, even on a cloudy day.)
8. Books or educational toys
When you produce a book or toy from your bag, you can distract, entertain, and educate. And you can help soothe an anxious child, too: Sometimes, giving them a toy or book they love can help them calm down.
9. Phone charger
When your phone contains so much critical data, remember your ABCs: “Always be charging.” Make sure your bag has an extra wall charger, battery pack, or whatever backup charging essentials you rely on. And in case technology fails despite your best efforts, it’s a good idea to have an analogue backup, including a paper map and important phone numbers and addresses.
10. Planner or schedule
Make sure your bag contains the tools you need to keep your schedule on track. You may need to write something down, or keep track of scheduling changes. You can use an app on your phone, a physical planner, or even both.
11. Something (anything) new or surprising
What can you pull out of your bag in a pinch to surprise and delight your charges? If you take the time to think of a craft to do ahead of time and bring supplies, the kids will be delighted, and the parents are bound to be impressed. Nothing you bring has to be expensive or fancy; the idea is simply to have something novel and exciting that will engage the child—something that they’ll be excited to tell their parents about at the end of the day.
Having new and unexpected trinkets or activities at the ready can be a real lifesaver in a pinch and can help you bond with the children you work with.