Cubby for nannies and helpers: a better handover than pen and paper
Most families with a nanny or helper have worked out some version of the same system: a sheet of paper on the kitchen counter, a WhatsApp thread that runs all day, or a verbal handover when the parents get home. These systems work, until they do not. The sheet gets wet. The message gets buried. The handover at the door happens while someone is carrying shopping and a baby, and half the important detail gets lost.
Cubby is not a revolutionary idea. It is a shared log that everyone who cares for the baby can see and add to in real time. But for families with a nanny or helper, that simple thing changes the whole handover problem.
The handover note problem
The piece of paper on the counter is a sincere attempt at coordination. It lists the last feed time, the nappy situation, when baby woke up, what medicine was given and when. On a good day it works. On a bad day, the note is out of date by the time the nanny arrives because the baby fed again at 7:15 and the note says 6:45. Or the nanny updates the note through the day but her handwriting is hard to read and the parent squints at it under a tired kitchen light at 6pm and still does not know exactly when the afternoon feed happened.
Cubby replaces the note with a log that updates in real time. The parent logs the 6:45 feed before they leave. The baby feeds again at 7:15 and the nanny logs that too. When the parent checks from the office at noon, they see both entries, with the times and amounts, and everything in between.
The WhatsApp problem
Some families prefer WhatsApp. The nanny sends a message when the baby feeds, when they nap, when a nappy is changed. The parent replies. It feels more personal. It is also a thread that grows through the day and buries things. If the parent needs to check when the paracetamol was given, they scroll back through messages about what baby ate for lunch and a photo of baby in the garden. The information is in there somewhere.
A shared log puts everything in one structured place. You do not scroll. You open the log and the entries are in order, timestamped, organised by type. The medicine entry is a medicine entry, not a line in a chat thread.
The nanny starts the day informed
When a nanny is added to the Cubby family circle, they open the app at the start of their shift and see exactly where things stand. When baby last fed and how much. When the last nappy was. What the morning routine has looked like. They do not need a briefing call from the parent. They do not need to wait for the handover note to be written. The log is the briefing.
This matters most on the days when handover is rushed, which is many days. A parent running to a meeting, a baby who did not follow the usual schedule, a morning that went differently than planned. The nanny opens Cubby and the picture is there.
The nanny logs too — and you see it in real time
Every feed the nanny gives, every nap, every nappy change, every medicine dose goes into the same log. The parent can see the workday from their phone without having to ask. When they get home, they already know what happened. They are not guessing, and they are not relying on the nanny's memory of what time exactly the lunchtime feed was.
For medicines in particular, this matters. If baby needs paracetamol at 2pm and the nanny logs the dose and time, the parent can see it before they get home. There is no chance of a second dose being given an hour later by someone who did not know the first one had been given. The log is the safeguard.
Trust, without surveillance
A shared log changes the dynamic between parents and a nanny in a way that is worth naming. When a parent can see what happened during the day, they feel more confident. When the nanny knows the log speaks for itself, they feel less like they are under suspicion. What was given, when it was given, how long baby slept. It is all documented. Nobody has to rely on memory and nobody has to justify themselves.
This is not surveillance. The Cubby log does not tell you where the nanny was or what they were doing between entries. It tells you what happened to the baby. That is the shared interest, and having a clear record of it is good for everyone.
Practical details
Cubby works on any phone in any browser. There is no app to download from an app store. The nanny does not need their own account; you add them to your family circle and they get access from there. Logging a feed or a nappy takes a few taps and a number — most helpers are comfortable with it in a few minutes. If the nanny leaves, you remove them from the circle. The log stays with you.
Frequently asked questions
Does my nanny need their own Cubby account?
No. You add your nanny to your family circle. They do not create their own account. You control who is in the circle, and you can remove someone any time.
Can I see what the nanny logged while I was at work?
Yes. Everything your nanny logs appears in your shared Cubby log in real time. You can check from your phone during the day, or review everything when you get home. The log is always there — no summary required.
What if my nanny makes a mistake in the log?
Entries can be edited. If an amount or time is wrong, it can be corrected. The goal is an accurate record. Mistakes happen and the important thing is that the log reflects what actually happened.
Will the nanny be able to see my private notes or messages?
Circle members share the care log: feeds, nappies, naps, medicines, weight and milestones. Private notes you keep for yourself are not visible to other circle members.
Is Cubby simple enough for a nanny who isn't very tech-savvy?
Yes. The core actions are large buttons and short number inputs. Most nannies and helpers find it straightforward within a few minutes. There is no app store install, no account to create, and no complicated setup.