CONGRATULATIONS!
You have hired a nanny. The selection process is complete.
You now need to focus on communicating your expectations
and establishing the proper framework for addressing
questions or concerns - right from the beginning ...
Before
Your Nanny Arrives Often
there will be a 1 week to 1 month period between when
you hire your nanny and when they begin to work for
you.
If
your new employee is local, you may want to schedule
a visit or two prior to their first day, in order to
get to know them a little better and under circumstances
less stressful than the interview. An invitation to
a cookout or evening dinner, to the park or the pool
can be an ideal setting for this.
For
out of town nannies, a letter from you with information
about the area, perhaps brochures of local attractions
can help the individual become less anxious and more
confident that they made the correct decision to become
a "part" of your family. Letters or drawings from your
children, photos of your family and your home, their
room, the neighborhood, etc. will also help them (and
their family!) feel more comfortable about the relocation
decision.
For
first time employers, this time period should also be used to get
set up as a household employer; by contacting the various tax assistance
services (we recommend HomeWork
Solutions) or dialing the various government 800 numbers if
you decide to do it on your own. Use this time to address the issue
of health insurance for your nanny, assuming that you are including
this as a benefit in your Work Agreement. These processes will take
some time and with respect to the latter, will require input from
your new employee, so it is advisable to get started as soon as
possible.
For
families hiring a live-in nanny, you may want to make
any adjustments to their quarters prior to their arrival
(assuming the room is not currently occupied). It is
much easier to paint a room which has no personal belongings
in it then to wait until the nanny has moved in. A freshly
painted/decorated room will also speak volumes about
your regard for this person's comfort and well-being.
Checklist
for Live In Nanny Accommodations
- Closet
empty and clean. New hangers are nice.
- Dresser/bureau
empty/clean
- Telephone
installed
- Cable/satellite
feed for TV (if applicable)
- Bed
with fresh linens (including extra blankets/pillows)
- Waste
basket
- Desk
or table with comfortable chair (recommended)
Orientation/Helping
Your Nanny Get Settled In
The day your nanny arrives is an important one. Depending
on where the individual is coming from, this day may
be the first day your child sees him or her. As much
as you need to go over information with the nanny, remember
to give your child an opportunity to have the nanny's
"undivided" attention at some point during the first
day.
Considerations
for Live Out Nannies
If your nanny will not be living with you, try to arrange
to be at home with the individual for a day or more
before he or she is expected to care for the children
alone. If you have a previous caregiver, one alternative
is to have that individual spend the few days together
with the new caregiver and your children. This will
give that person the opportunity to observe how you
like to have certain tasks accomplished and how the
children interact amongst themselves and their parent(s).
Considerations
for Live In Nannies
For a live in nanny, try to schedule the nanny's arrival
when you will be available to spend at least two days
with the nanny before he or she is expected to care
for the children for a full day. A longer orientation
is suggested for a live in nanny, as they will be acclimating
themselves to a new home (not just a new work environment),
and if they are coming from another part of the state
or country, a new community.
When
the nanny has traveled a long distance (usually a live
in nanny), try not to overwhelm him or her during their
first few hours in your home. They are beginning a new
job, in a new community, living in a new place among
unfamiliar people - a lot to adjust to all at once.
If they seem a little disoriented, don't panic, but
rather try to give the nanny some time to settle in
and unpack some personal belongings and perhaps family
pictures and momentos. A welcoming "goodie bag" from
your family can let your new employee (especially a
live in nanny) know that you are glad they will be caring
for your children. A sweet treat, movie coupons, a magazine,
a "coupon" for $10.00 in long distance phone calls,
perhaps a key chain with their new keys on it, some
writing paper and stamps are just some examples of items
which may be appreciated.
© 1998-2003, 4nannies.com Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
RESOURCE
BOX |
| FAMILIES |
NANNIES |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|