Temp Tips

1. ACCEPTING THE ASSIGNMENT

Confirm the Assignment

After we speak with you regarding a position, we will call the client to introduce you as the Nanny and confirm the details for the job. Once the details are finalized, you will receive an email appointment sheet from Town + Country.

IMPORTANT: You are NOT confirmed for an assignment until Town + Country receives an email, voice mail or live confirmation that YOU have received and reviewed the job information including any attachments. It is essential that you confirm all job information back to us. Our contact information is below.

Bring the Appointment Sheet

Print the Appointment Sheet and bring it with you the day of the job. It contains all the essential information for the job including the address and contact information, family and children’s names.

Check Your Voice Mail

Sometimes our clients will call you directly, so make sure your voice mail is professional and upbeat: no music or jokes for the time being – just a straightforward message.

Referrals

As part of your contract with T+C, you have agreed to notify us if you work any additional hours with a family for the duration of your relationship with them. If a family contacts you directly to work additional assignments, you must report it to T+C. All future assignments must be booked with full knowledge of T+C. You can do this by emailing us or leaving a voice message with the dates and hours of the assignment. It is not appropriate for you to refer clients to your friends or relatives or for clients to refer you to friends or relatives.

2. PREPARING FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

Directions. Don’t Leave Home Without Them

The day before the assignment, go to Mapquest.com to get door-to-door directions and a travel time estimate. Make sure you have a map in your car and give yourself plenty of time for traffic and parking.

Pack a Snack

The clients are not required to provide you with food during a temporary assignment. It is a good idea to pack yourself a snack or lunch.

Dress Appropriately

On a temporary assignment you should present yourself in a professional manner. Your attire should be neat, clean, professional and comfortable. Low-rise jeans, tank tops and short skirts are not appropriate. Do NOT not wear any perfume on a temporary assignment and never smoke cigarettes, even on your way to the job.

Be on Time

It is crucial that you arrive on time; being even 5 minutes late is unacceptable. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the assignment with 10-15 minutes to spare.

Emergencies

If you have an emergency and need to cancel, call the family directly. You can also leave a message for the T+C Staff at any of our office numbers:

San Francisco: 415-567-0956
Palo Alto: 650-326-8570
East Bay: 925-627-1377
Wine Country: 707-603-1169
After-hours Temp line: 415-508-TEMP (415-508-8367) (Call or text)

3. DURING THE ASSIGNMENT

Introduce Yourself

Greet the parents by name with a handshake and a smile. Be sure to refer to the children by name. Always ask to wash your hands before holding a new baby or young child.

Ask questions

1. Confirm the hours that you will be working and what time they will be home.
2. Exchange phone numbers, emergency contact numbers and confirm their plans in case you need to get in touch with them.
3. Suggest that they call your cell phone if they need to reach you or if they are going to be home later than expected.
4. Check if they have house rules regarding: TV, bedtime, food, behavior and discipline philosophy.
5. Are there any special considerations you need to be aware of, such as medical conditions, medications or food allergies?
6. What are the children’s favorite activities?

Keep the Phone Free

Keep your cell phone handy in case the family is trying to contact you. Tying up the phone line by talking with your friends while you are being paid is inappropriate. We recommend you check your messages and return urgent calls only during breaks.

Tidy Up

It is important to leave the home clean or better yet, cleaner than you found it. Always clean up any mess and dishes you and the children make during your assignment.

Debrief

It is a nice touch to give the parents a detailed account of the children’s schedule and events. Be sure to keep them updated on eating and sleeping schedules, diapers or potty, bath, activities, child’s mood, problems, boo-boos or just a cute story.

Tips for Hotel Jobs

Parking

You are responsible for your own parking. Do NOT charge parking to the family’s room.

Note: At Half Moon Bay Ritz, be sure to tell the valet that you are from Town + Country and they will direct you to the free employee parking.

Checking in

Upon arrival, go to the front desk or concierge and have them ring the family’s room.

Do Not Raid the Mini-bar

Unless the family explicitly tells you to do so, room service and mini bar items are off limits, even for the children. It is always a good idea to pack you own snack and ask the parents what to do if the children get hungry

4. AFTER THE ASSIGNMENT

Payment.

The family should pay you directly. If there is a discrepancy in pay, do not worry, call T+C during business hours and we will be sure to have you compensated appropriately.

Hours Worked

You are responsible to keep detailed records of your hours worked so we can verify hours of employment. If you worked longer than scheduled, contact T+C and let us know the exact number of hours you worked. We would prefer you send us an email or voicemail with the hours. You may reach us at temp@tandcr.com or call our offices at:

San Francisco: 415-567-0956
Palo Alto: 650-326-8570
East Bay: 925-627-1377
Wine Country: 707-603-1169
After-hours Temp line: 415-508-TEMP (415-508-8367) (Call or text)

Feedback

If you have any unusual or challenging experiences on a job it is helpful for the Temp Department to know. Please call us during business hours to share your experience.

Job Offer

If a family contacts you directly to work additional assignments, please report it to T+C. All future assignments must be booked with full knowledge of Town + Country. You can do this by emailing us or leaving a voice message with the dates and hours of the assignment.

Referrals

It is not appropriate for you to refer clients to your friends or relatives. Clients have hired you through T+C because you have been through our thorough screening process. If the client is looking to schedule more time with you or another Nanny, please suggest that they contact T+C directly.