Walk through the space before the routine
Go room by room with the eventual toddler-minder present: stair gates, socket covers, cornered furniture, cupboard locks, and anything within reach of a climbing child. Point out what is already secured and what still needs it, rather than assuming the helper will notice gaps on their own.
Cover outdoor and shared spaces too if the household has a garden, balcony or pool nearby. A toddler's danger zone extends past the living room, and a supervision plan that stops at the front door leaves a real gap.
- Stair and door gates, plus which are always kept shut
- Furniture anchoring and sharp-corner guards
- Choking hazards: small objects, coins, button batteries
- Water: bathtubs, pools, ponds within reach
Set the routine and the response to tantrums
Write down wake time, naps, meals and any wind-down ritual before bed. A toddler thrives on repetition, and a helper working from a clear routine avoids the guesswork that leads to overtired or overstimulated afternoons.
Tantrums and mealtime refusals are ordinary at this age, not a sign anything has gone wrong. Agree on one calm, consistent response (what to say, when to step back, when to call a parent) so the child hears the same message from you and from the helper.
Handle potty training as a joint approach
If the child is at the stage of learning to use the toilet, share the exact method and cue words the family already uses, along with how accidents should be handled without shaming the child. A helper working from a different method than the parents confuses the process rather than speeding it up.
Keep spare clothing, cleaning supplies and a simple accident routine ready and explained, so a setback during the day is handled calmly rather than becoming a source of stress for the child or the helper.