Starting Off on the Right Foot – For Families
You have invested a lot of time and energy in your search, and have hired the right nanny for your family! With the goal of building both a strong foundation and a lasting relationship, we have compiled a list of suggestions to consider during your first few months.
Establish Yourself as the Employer
The personal aspect of your relationship will develop best when it happens naturally, and as an offshoot of the strong foundation you are yet to build. While wearing a “business hat” at home may feel unnatural, it is critical for the nanny to see that you take your role as the employer seriously. So handle payroll and tax filings promptly and be as present as possible in these early days.
Communicate Your Expectations
Make NO assumptions and communicate everything. It is important for you to explain what you expect and how you would like the nanny to perform her duties. Once you are sure that the nanny has mastered a task, show your appreciation by handing her the reins.
Provide Timely Feedback
We recommend scheduled “check-ins” daily for the first week or so. This is a 10 to 15-minute chat when you and the nanny will compare notes from the day (e.g. what didn’t work out? What worked out well?). This is the most open and stress-free method of providing feedback during the initial transition period. Once you and the nanny are in sync, reduce these check-ins to once or twice a week, and then once a month. Eventually the communication flow on a day-to-day basis will be second nature, and you will be able to let go of the formal check-ins entirely!
Reinforce a Team Approach
Your children need to see that you (both parents) and the nanny stand as a united front; this will help the nanny to establish authority in your absence and provide security and consistency for the children. Consider the nanny to be an indispensable member of your parenting team. When providing her with constructive input or feedback, the children should not be present.
A few more words of advice for your first 90 days…
- Avoid travel with the nanny – this can be a fast track to disaster
- Always pay on time, as agreed (NO exceptions!)
- Provide feedback in a timely manner
- NEVER sweep issues under the rug, as they grow into monsters under there!
Stanford Park Nannies has been helping nannies and families build strong working relationships since 1990. We hope you find this information helpful and we wish you all the best with your new nanny!
