Policies and Procedures
1. Choosing a Start Date:
The best way to choose the beginning of a contract is to take the due date and add 2 days for a vaginal delivery and 4 days for a C-section. If you are having twins, the due date will range from 36-38 weeks and triplets 32-36 weeks. This must be taken into consideration, as the NCS will need to have more time available at the start of a multiples contract to account for any early arrivals.
2. Responsibilities:
The NCS’ main responsibility is the care of your newborn, including:
Bathing
Feeding
Diaper Changing
Dressing
Cleaning bottles and preparing new ones
Maintaining nightly logs to track feeding, sleep and diaper changes
Informing and educating parents as needed
Developing a schedule to suit the needs of the newborn
3. Communication:
Honest, effective communication between the Client and the NCS is paramount. Discussions regarding the newborn will occur at the start of each workday. Any matters of urgency or emergency should be discussed as soon as they occur. If an emergency arises, the NCS will require both Clients to be present.
4. Confidentiality:
The Clients home is a safe place and any private information gleaned by the NCS will stay safe and confidential. This includes but is not limited to, financial, household, marital and career related information. However, the NCS is not bound (or protected) by privilege and therefore must abide by the laws of California and local ordinances. If the newborn’s safety is at stake, the NCS must report it properly.
5. General:
a. Medical release forms will be necessary if the NCS is to administer any medication to the newborn, including homeopathic remedies (e.g., gripe water, colic calm, teething tablets). A detailed log will be kept of administered medications to assure the safety of the baby.
b. Itsy Bitsy Childcare LLC reaffirms the NCS providing care is not an RN or LPN, unless otherwise specifically stated. An NCS is a highly skilled, experienced professional, trained to care for newborn babies and inform parents. The NCS has over 10,000 hours of newborn care experience and is CACHE certified. The NCS will ease the transition of welcoming home a new baby with confidence and calm.
c. . While on the premises, the NCS is considered on the clock. As these are routinely nighttime positions, the NCS will sleep when the newborn is sleeping. To obtain Awake Care (requiring the NCS to be awake the entire shift) please contact us
d. The NCS is required to give the Client two weeks’ notice for a requested night off, other than in cases of emergency or illness. The NCS is not required to work the following holidays; New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, or Memorial Day. If the Client requests the NCS to work any of those days, it is up to the discretion of the NCS, and will be charged at time and a half (150% of the hourly rate).
e. The NCS must be reimbursed for any expenses incurred pertaining to the Client, such as diapers, breast shields, etc. These monies are separate and are not to be included in the NCS’ invoice. Reimbursement is due within 48 hours after notice, or by the next shift, if later. The NCS will provide a receipt for all expenditures. The NCS is not required to obtain items for the Client but may do so at her discretion.
f. The NCS will not be required to care for any animals in the household. If at any point the NCS feels the animals are jeopardizing her safety or the safety of the newborn, she may request the animal be sequestered. Failure to comply with this request will be grounds for immediate termination of the contract and forfeiture of the retainer. The NCS’ unwavering focus is the care and safety of the newborn, and any threats to that safety cannot be ignored.
g. Traveling with the Client is not a requirement for the NCS, but such service may be offered. A Travel Rider will be provided for details. If the Client does travel during the contracted time with the newborn, two weeks’ notice should be given to the NCS. If notice is not given, the Client is responsible for payment for time previously scheduled.
h. If there is an additional child in the home, the Client is responsible for the care of that child.
i. The NCS is not responsible for any household duties that do not pertain to the baby. However, she will clean up after herself and restore the nursery to its original condition at the end of each shift.
j. The NCS is responsible for her own taxes but will require insurance coverage on any travel job. Please contact us for specifics.
6. References:
The NCS relies on recommendations to promote her career. Please consider writing a recommendation letter or filling out the survey submitted upon completion of the contract.
The NCS relies on recommendations to promote her career. Please consider writing a review or give us a shout on social media.
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