To Our Sitters…
(Written by Emily Thomas)
Here at Napp we confidently staff the best sitters our area can provide. This community of caregivers is the livelihood of our company and we will forever stand by you through support and advocacy. By representing Napp and providing impeccable care for our families and their children - you are able to be the constant and the security families need while juggling the many tasks of life.
Last month we released a blog post geared towards our families encouraging them to view childcare not only as a chance to grab a well deserved date night but also as an opportunity of enrichment for their children. Providing them with the knowledge that our educated and experienced sitters know that building routines and maintaining reliable relationships with our families is imperative. There is always room to grow in the field of childcare. This month we bring to you tools and opportunities for continued education and growth in this line of work.
All in the Details: Check out our blog post, The Ins + Outs of Sitter Profiles for prompts on how to make the most of your profile. This is the very first impression you are able to give to families - be sure to have a friendly photo posted and that your profile reads well, along with your ratings.
Waiting in the Wings: Did you know you are able to list your availability and be on the ready to take gigs? Take the opportunity to post your availability so that when families are searching for care you are one of the first sitters they will come across.
Be Creative: We all know that our Napp sitters are able to view their childcare work as an opportunity to win over the hearts of our families and their children. Go the extra mile - it will never go unappreciated! Sitters who have experience in household management or as a family assistant is an awesome bonus! There is always the opportunity to add these skills to your repertoire as a childcare provider. Parents will be eternally grateful for the extra care you take in running an errand, doing the dishes or sorting the laundry. Maintaining professionalism and respect for the members of the household and their home alongside organizational skills is highly sought after. A combination of strong written, verbal and nonverbal communication skills is also essential to be sure that everyone is on the same page about the details of a gig.
Creative Thinking, decision making and problem solving also play a huge part in connecting with families and their children. Your ability to make sound choices and analyze different aspects of decision making can impact the trust you build with a family. Your main job as a sitter is to keep the children safe, engaged and loved all while having fun doing it! Finding ways to develop your creative thinking and apply it to the role can help you succeed.
Room to Grow: Growth is the nature of childcare and education - for children and their caregivers alike. It is important to familiarize and educate yourself about up-to-date issues and safety precautions that would be important for families.
This is investment in your career! From CPR/First Aid Certifications to Food Allergy Protocol - we are here to provide support for this. Check your local fire station, hospital or YMCA to see if they offer first aid and CPR/AED courses. Courses are also available through a national organization like American Red Cross Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED Online and American Heart Association. To expand your babysitter training you can also complete courses such as American Red Cross Babysitting and Child Care Training or Safe Sitter. Another important factor that is becoming much more prevalent is Food Allergies, through FARE Preschool and Early Child Care Food Allergy Training you can access webinars and workshops to expand your knowledge on this important topic as well.
SafetyPIN 101: Napp sitters are criminally, financially, and behaviorally screened to ensure a safe, reliable, and trustworthy relationship with the communities and families we serve. SafetyPIN is like a seal of approval for the internet age and an imperative step for working in the childcare field. SafetyPIN uses a 4-pronged process that goes beyond the standard background check that other companies offer. In addition to completing a traditional background check, they also screen criminal, financial, and personal history. The company takes all of that information combined and creates a behavioral profile. If the sitter meets their criteria, they are awarded a unique SafetyPIN and able to work with our company.
Sitter/Family Ratings and Resolving Issues: If any issues arise involving the family you have worked for that would result in a less than average rating please reach out to us prior to rating them in the app. We strive to meet the needs of our sitters and families alike and are always available to handle the matter in question. Once discussed, you are free to move forward with rating the family. We apply this same policy to our families.
Friendly Reminder: Please don’t steal our families! All relationships made through Napp are to stay within the network and MUST be booked within the app. Should you wish to move forward with a family for a more permanent placement please contact us at info@nappnetwork.com. Any jobs booked outside of the network are subject to a fee to be charged to both family and sitter and removal from the network. Visit our User Agreement for more information.
Questions, comments or concerns? We love hearing from our sitters!
Please send us an email or schedule a phone call to chat with us.
Your friends,
Claire & Katie, Co-Founders, Napp
info@nappnetwork.com