Leaving your children in the care of someone you barely know is often a source of anxiety for many parents. The new TV series All Her Fault has reignited this fear by showing the dangers of neglecting basic precautions when hiring a nanny. In the story, starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning, a mother arrives to pick up her son after a supposed children’s reunion and discovers that he has been kidnapped by the family caregiver.
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Although such cases are rare, incidents involving nannies and caregivers do happen — and can be avoided with simple measures. This is explained by professional Monique Dupre, known online as Miss Monique, who has worked in this field for more than 25 years.
In an interview with the Today programme, she highlighted the most common – and potentially dangerous – mistakes parents make when hiring someone to care for their children.
The first mistake, according to Monique, is lack of information. Many guardians give instructions in a vague manner and fail to provide basic details about the child’s routine, schedules, food, house rules and habits.
“Parents and caregivers need to communicate. Mom and Dad know what’s best,” he said. “It’s important to detail meal times, screen limits, and activities allowed.”
She points out another common mistake, which is assuming that the nanny will know how to handle the equipment or accessories necessary for children’s daily lives. Before leaving, Monique says, it’s important to show them how items like a bottle warmer, a stroller, a white noise machine — and even complex house locks — work.
You should also be aware of where first aid kits are located and provide a list of emergency contacts. The earlier guidance is given, the better, explains the specialist. Monique adds that parents need to take a few extra minutes to explain which medications a child should take, including times and doses.
The last point you raise relates to the caregiver’s own well-being – something that many families ignore.
“If the nanny goes by car, check later if she got home safely. If she goes on foot or by public transport, offer her a ride or pay for the car via the app,” he advised.
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