Families often decide to put their children into daycare or school in the toddler and preschool years, and I believe that what they are seeking is enrichment, consistency, and connection for their little ones. I have a strong sense that when nannies are structured, intentional, and education-focused, families will see the extra value that the children gain by being with a nanny.
Structure is the first step, and it serves multiple purposes: you won’t have decision fatigue and parents can see the visible value. You’ll go from surviving the day to leading it.
Choose a Weekly Theme
Weekly themes get your creative juices flowing so you preplan books, crafts, snacks, and more around a concept. We provide weekly themed curriculum packets to our placed nannies to save you time. Here are some examples:
Block Out Your Day
Group the day into energy blocks:
- Mornings have the highest energy, so use this window after breakfast for the most educational or complex activities. This is also a great time for field trips.
- Afternoons are best for quiet, lower-stimulation activities, and taking care of household management duties.
- Meals deserve their own focused time. Don’t try to layer in activities. Just be present for the meal.
- Before lunch or naps, build in a 15-minute reset to shift the energy. This might look like cleaning up toys together, doing a short breathing exercise, or reading a calming book.
Getting Out of the House
Socialization, fresh air, and new environments are core to healthy development. Parks, walks, library story time, museums, nature centers, and drop-in play spaces are all great options to rotate through. When you can, tie outings back to your weekly theme to make them feel intentional rather than just a change of scenery. We know that every family has a different comfort level with outings, and we want to respect that. If they are unsure, here are some benefits you can share.
Organizing an Infant/Baby Day
For little ones 0-12 months,shorter, repetitive loops work better than a weekly theme. The Eat-Play-Sleep cycle is the most common go-to. Within the play time, plan specific blocks for tummy time, sensory tracking, and narrated walks. Most importantly, track the bottles, diapers, milestones to show parents the success of an infant’s day.
Communication and Planning
- Mondays: Send a quick text or have a 2-minute touch-base with parents: “This week we’re focusing on [Theme/Milestone]. I’m planning to take them to [Library/Park] on Wednesday.”
- Thursdays: Create a plan for the following week and check for any needed supplies.
- Fridays:
- Check the fridge for expiring kid food and scan supplies like diapers and wipes. Giving parents a heads-up before their weekend grocery run is a small thing that makes a big difference.
- Choose one or two wins from the week to share with parents. A quick highlight showing what the kids learned or experienced is a great reminder of the value structure brings to everyone’s week.
Structure is a guideline, not a rulebook. It’s there to support you, and the best nannies know when to set the plan aside and follow the moment. Build your framework, then hold it loosely.
Please reach out to Melanie if you have any other questions about structuring your day.