How to write a nanny or babysitter incident report
By the NannyLog team · Updated
In short
A nanny incident report records, as soon as possible after an incident, the date, time and place, exactly what happened, any injury, the first aid or action taken, how the child was afterwards and when the parents were told. It should be factual, not defensive, and acknowledged by a parent.
In an emergency, call your local emergency number first, then the parents. Write the report afterwards.
When to write an incident report
- Any injury, even a small bump to the head
- Falls, bites, burns, or anything that needed first aid
- A suspected allergic reaction or sudden illness
- Behavior that worried you or put a child at risk
- Anything you would want written down if asked about it next week
Incident report template
Child: ___ · Date and time: ___ · Location: ___ What happened (facts only): ___ Injury (if any): ___ Action taken / first aid: ___ How the child was afterwards: ___ Parent informed: when and how ___ Severity: minor / moderate / serious Photos attached: yes / no
Example
“At 10:40 at the park, Emma tripped on the path and scraped her left knee. No other injury. I cleaned the scrape with water and put on a bandage. She was upset for about five minutes, then played normally. I messaged her mom at 10:50.”
What not to write
- Guesses or blame (“the other child pushed her on purpose”)
- Minimising (“it was nothing”)
- Medical diagnoses you are not qualified to make
Incident reports in NannyLog
NannyLog has a dedicated incident report with severity, notes and photos. The parents are notified, and only a parent can acknowledge it, giving both of you a dated record that the incident was reported and seen.
Frequently asked questions
Do babysitters need to write incident reports?
Yes, for anything beyond the most trivial bump. A short written record protects the child, the family and the sitter.
