If you’re hiring a nanny for the first time or transitioning to a new nanny, the first few days and weeks of employment are critical to a successful employer-employee relationship.
Take advantage of this time so you and your nanny to get to know each other and begin to establish trust. Your nanny will become acquainted with your family and household, and should become familiar with your preferences in caring for your children, their schedules, your family routines, and more.
Plan to spend some extra time with your new nanny during the first week to help with the transition. The effort and preparation you put in now now will help pave the way for a successful working relationship and make your nanny feel more confident and comfortable in their role. Below are 10 ways to make your first week together go smoothly.
Introduce your nanny to the members of your household. In particular, take whatever time is necessary for you to encourage your children to become familiar with their new nanny.
Familiarize your nanny to your community. Introduce them to your neighbors and make a list of local grocery stores, pharmacies, parks, playgrounds, libraries, urgent care centers, your pediatrician’s office, and more. These are the places your nanny may need to take your children while on the job.
Make sure your nanny’s name is listed as an authorized person to pick up your children from school and extracurricular activities. Submit any forms or documentation ahead of time. You may even want to introduce them to your children’s teachers and/or coaches.
If your nanny will be using your car, spend some time reviewing the vehicle. Make sure they are comfortable driving your car before they start transporting your children. Let them practice driving (with you as the passenger) any frequent routes they’ll take like home to school and back. Make sure they are familiar with your child’s car seat and know how to use it properly.
Review all household rules in your contract / work agreement. Make sure there is a clear understanding of these policies. Also, go over the job responsibilities as they were detailed in the job description.
Go over all safety procedures, first aid kits, alarms systems, and emergency contact information. Important phone numbers should be entered into your nanny’s mobile phone and posted in a designated area in your home.
If your nanny is expected to cook meals, clean, do laundry, or other tasks, show them how to operate your appliances such as a stove, washer, dryer, and other equipment.
When your nanny is on their own, check in with a quick call or text to see how things are going.
Ask your nanny to start a daily log for important events, questions that arise, and food or supplies that need to be replenished. You should review the log with your nanny at the end of each workday.
At the end of your nanny’s first week, take some time to discuss how it went. What is going well? What could have gone better? Are there questions or concerns? This will help clear up any issues early on and reduce issues in the future.