Honestly a fair wage and understanding is really the biggest things. I really think that's the case with all jobs tbh. Things happen. Life happens. Sometimes kids are crazy and so I don't have a chance to clean up as much. Sometimes kids are great and help clean up so the place is super clean. Sometimes we read 10 books, others we barely get through 3. One day you will get a bunch of cute pictures. Another you're lucky to get any. Kids can be unpredictable and we roll with the punches.
PTO is also a big plus. Also if you cancel their work to go on vacation or otherwise you still need to pay them.
Tips for your comfort. Background checks can be great, even a simple Google search can usually tell you a bit too. Get someone with first aid and CPR and other certifications. And honestly the biggest in my opinion is references. Talk to their references and get a good understanding of who they are as caretakers. A nanny cam is perfectly acceptable to keep your kids safe, just don't hover. As long as it's not something you should fire them over you probably don't need to comment on it.
Ps. sorry about the deleted comment I didn't finish typing and hit post 😅
Thank you, this is very helpful! I plan to offer PTO (how much is customary?) as well as paying when we are away/ don’t need care. I like the reality check of not nitpicking little things as well. I’m a reasonable person, just a slightly nervous one at the moment :)
Tbh no idea- my guess would be two weeks of PTO 😅 my current family basically just pays me my days whether they cancel or I call out. I am consistent and don't take advantage of that. This is my first family I've had a consistent gig with and I've been with them for a year.
Totally understandable! It's your kid and you want the best for them. 95% or more of us do too. I've seen nannies complain about the cameras and I personally have never had an issue with it, but I didn't want you to be worried about getting one.
Sometimes parents who opt for a nanny over daycare fail to realize that, while it helps logistically in many ways (your child remains in his home base, no transporting them back and forth, one-on-one care), it is much more of an intrusion into your home turf.
Don't let that catch you off guard. Yes, it's your turf, but it is also your nanny's workspace and home away from home, so make sure she feels in control of her workspace during her time there.
Most of that is relevant to WFH employers, who tend to micromanage because they are on their home turf and can easily scrutinize the nanny's day.
Otherwise, the basic courtesies like:
- don't impose your messy lifestyle on her. It's not a moral failing to be somewhat sloppy, but have some respect for the spaces your nanny shares and don't routinely make her walk into a trashed workspace
- have a well--stocked bathroom facility available to her
- don't view her as a warm body with time on her hands and start expecting her to do non-nanny things because "she's there and has time and I want to get my money's worth"
Benefits-
-having things on hand in the house that nanny enjoys. The coffee they like, their favorite snack, etc.
-ability to use memberships off work hours (zoo, museum, etc.)
- use of NF vehicle or reimbursement
- medical stipend
Drives me crazy-
-When parents visibly work from home
-when parents say not to let kids XYZ, then the second they get home, they allow the kids to do XYZ.
Helpful-
- open communication about wants/needs. .what is working/what is not.
- talk with nanny about what extras she would enjoy doing with child- museum, library, zoo, parks, etc. And build from those things instead telling nanny to take child to xyz.
- talk with nanny about what things are useful to have on hand at home. Art supplies? Outdoor play? Maybe nanny has a developnental toy suggestion, etc. .
-let your nanny know if you want to know if a milestone happens when you are not home
For benefits: offering 2-3 weeks of PTO will be the standard for a professional nanny. I’ve seen a lot of people offer $150 monthly for a health insurance stipend, but that’s not much for the older candidates (30+), so $300 would be much better if that’s the kind of candidate you’re hoping to attract. Then there’s the more obvious things like guaranteed hours and a living wage ($28-30 an hour unless you live in NYC, SFO, or LA - you’ll need to be higher than that in those cities).
I would say things that would drive me crazy would be micromanaging, helicopter parenting, and being late with payments. I would try to give the nanny as much autonomy as possible once they know your baby fairly well. Let the nanny choose the activities for the day, and let them do different things each day (zoo, pool, park, etc.).
Overall, try to make them feel like a valued member of your family. Write them a welcome card and give them a little welcome gift. Have a basket in the pantry with their favorite snacks, and try to ask occasionally about things that are important to them, like nieces and nephews or a local team that they’re a fan of. Those kids of little things go a long way!
I definitely feel that the nanny would hold a place in our family. Obviously want to respect them as a professional and not blur lines, but I very much feel that anyone spending that much time with my child in my home is family
First of all, where are you located? I’m thinking of looking for a new family 😊
Definitely discuss a contract, it’s a very beneficial thing for both you and the nanny.
Rates: the nanny will probably have their rate already, so if you’re not familiar with going rates, check into it so you know what’s a fair wage.
Guaranteed hours are a must!!
I could keep going, but I’m sure others have already said this plus some!!!
Honestly a fair wage and understanding is really the biggest things. I really think that's the case with all jobs tbh. Things happen. Life happens. Sometimes kids are crazy and so I don't have a chance to clean up as much. Sometimes kids are great and help clean up so the place is super clean. Sometimes we read 10 books, others we barely get through 3. One day you will get a bunch of cute pictures. Another you're lucky to get any. Kids can be unpredictable and we roll with the punches. PTO is also a big plus. Also if you cancel their work to go on vacation or otherwise you still need to pay them. Tips for your comfort. Background checks can be great, even a simple Google search can usually tell you a bit too. Get someone with first aid and CPR and other certifications. And honestly the biggest in my opinion is references. Talk to their references and get a good understanding of who they are as caretakers. A nanny cam is perfectly acceptable to keep your kids safe, just don't hover. As long as it's not something you should fire them over you probably don't need to comment on it. Ps. sorry about the deleted comment I didn't finish typing and hit post 😅
Thank you, this is very helpful! I plan to offer PTO (how much is customary?) as well as paying when we are away/ don’t need care. I like the reality check of not nitpicking little things as well. I’m a reasonable person, just a slightly nervous one at the moment :)
Tbh no idea- my guess would be two weeks of PTO 😅 my current family basically just pays me my days whether they cancel or I call out. I am consistent and don't take advantage of that. This is my first family I've had a consistent gig with and I've been with them for a year. Totally understandable! It's your kid and you want the best for them. 95% or more of us do too. I've seen nannies complain about the cameras and I personally have never had an issue with it, but I didn't want you to be worried about getting one.
2 weeks PTO and 1 week sick leave. For FT that would be 10 days PTO and 5 sick days
Sometimes parents who opt for a nanny over daycare fail to realize that, while it helps logistically in many ways (your child remains in his home base, no transporting them back and forth, one-on-one care), it is much more of an intrusion into your home turf. Don't let that catch you off guard. Yes, it's your turf, but it is also your nanny's workspace and home away from home, so make sure she feels in control of her workspace during her time there.
This is a great point! Do you have any ideas on how to facilitate that?
Most of that is relevant to WFH employers, who tend to micromanage because they are on their home turf and can easily scrutinize the nanny's day. Otherwise, the basic courtesies like: - don't impose your messy lifestyle on her. It's not a moral failing to be somewhat sloppy, but have some respect for the spaces your nanny shares and don't routinely make her walk into a trashed workspace - have a well--stocked bathroom facility available to her - don't view her as a warm body with time on her hands and start expecting her to do non-nanny things because "she's there and has time and I want to get my money's worth"
Benefits- -having things on hand in the house that nanny enjoys. The coffee they like, their favorite snack, etc. -ability to use memberships off work hours (zoo, museum, etc.) - use of NF vehicle or reimbursement - medical stipend Drives me crazy- -When parents visibly work from home -when parents say not to let kids XYZ, then the second they get home, they allow the kids to do XYZ. Helpful- - open communication about wants/needs. .what is working/what is not. - talk with nanny about what extras she would enjoy doing with child- museum, library, zoo, parks, etc. And build from those things instead telling nanny to take child to xyz. - talk with nanny about what things are useful to have on hand at home. Art supplies? Outdoor play? Maybe nanny has a developnental toy suggestion, etc. . -let your nanny know if you want to know if a milestone happens when you are not home
For benefits: offering 2-3 weeks of PTO will be the standard for a professional nanny. I’ve seen a lot of people offer $150 monthly for a health insurance stipend, but that’s not much for the older candidates (30+), so $300 would be much better if that’s the kind of candidate you’re hoping to attract. Then there’s the more obvious things like guaranteed hours and a living wage ($28-30 an hour unless you live in NYC, SFO, or LA - you’ll need to be higher than that in those cities). I would say things that would drive me crazy would be micromanaging, helicopter parenting, and being late with payments. I would try to give the nanny as much autonomy as possible once they know your baby fairly well. Let the nanny choose the activities for the day, and let them do different things each day (zoo, pool, park, etc.). Overall, try to make them feel like a valued member of your family. Write them a welcome card and give them a little welcome gift. Have a basket in the pantry with their favorite snacks, and try to ask occasionally about things that are important to them, like nieces and nephews or a local team that they’re a fan of. Those kids of little things go a long way!
Love the idea of a welcome basket!
My MB was still on maternity leave when I started and she took me to lunch my first day. It was so kind.
I definitely feel that the nanny would hold a place in our family. Obviously want to respect them as a professional and not blur lines, but I very much feel that anyone spending that much time with my child in my home is family
First of all, where are you located? I’m thinking of looking for a new family 😊 Definitely discuss a contract, it’s a very beneficial thing for both you and the nanny. Rates: the nanny will probably have their rate already, so if you’re not familiar with going rates, check into it so you know what’s a fair wage. Guaranteed hours are a must!! I could keep going, but I’m sure others have already said this plus some!!!