Nanny Hired! Wrapping It Up
Excerpted from NannyQuest
© 1997 Ruth F. Riley
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, emails 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 Googling/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/Internet 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 phone card, 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.
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