How to Handle Emergencies - Including Bad Weather
Emergencies can happen at any time, whether you’re on your way to a babysitting appointment, or even during a babysitting appointment itself.
In case of an emergency, the Nannies on Call Team will always support you in any way possible. Nevertheless, our expectation is that you will endeavour to honour your appointments and arrive at the client’s home safely and promptly.
How to handle emergencies that happen BEFORE you arrive at the client’s home
If you’re en route to a babysitting appointment and you have a car-related emergency, transit delay, or bad weather-related issue (e.g. snow event):
- Your first action should be to contact the client to let them know the situation and provide them with your estimated time of arrival. [See: How to Contact the Client Before or During Your Appointment]
- If you’re unsure as to what to do, email us at support@nanniesoncall.com and we’d be happy to give you a call or guide you as to the next steps by email. [Note: Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 7AM to 5PM PT.]
- Most families will understand if you’re delayed due to traffic or transit delays, provided that you communicate with them to give them advanced warning.
- If can no longer go to the client’s home due to the nature of your emergency or weather-related event, again contact the client to let them know and apologize for the inconvenience. You will also need to cancel the appointment on the platform, and email support@nanniesoncall.com to let us know of the situation.
REMEMBER: Families are counting on you to honour your appointments and arrive at their homes to care for their little ones so they can in turn also honour their own commitments. We, therefore, appreciate you making every effort to honour your babysitting commitments as confirmed.
How to handle emergencies that happen DURING a babysitting appointment
Emergencies during babysitting appointments happen very infrequently, but you should know what to do and what your options are just in case.
If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable with any person or situation while at a client’s home:
- Be assertive! Let the client know why you’re uncomfortable and leave.
- When you get home, email support@nanniesoncall.com so we're aware of the situation and we’ll follow up with the client accordingly.