Helpful Tips

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT

* Be open and CANDID but REALISTIC about all of your job expectations, keeping in mind the terms and conditions of our Employment Agreement.

Avoid surprises!

* Provide a warm, friendly and SUPPORTIVE CLIMATE in your home.
* BE SPECIFIC about what your requirements are and how they are to be done.
* GIVE GUIDELINES for dealing with your children, remembering to observe them yourself.
* Set REGULAR TIMES TO DISCUSS how the job is going thereby providing an opportunity
for both compliments and concerns about what is happening in your home.
* Be FAIR and COURTEOUS even when you have had a difficult day.
* Be a PROBLEM SOLVER when differences arise.

** GOOD PLACEMENTS DON’T JUST HAPPEN**

REMEMBER:

Coming together is a beginning
Staying together is a process
WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS!

COMMUNICATE

“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

AVOID MISUNDERSTANDING, CONFUSION AND HURT FEELINGS

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:

1. TAKE TIME TO FAMILIARIZE YOUR NANNY WITH YOUR HOME.
2. GIVE GUIDANCE on how you expect your children to be stimulated and disciplined.
Clarify this person’s role in the family as the caregiver and with the family.
3. PLAN to have the Nanny begin a few days before you need care on a full time basis to allow some transition time while the Nanny and your children get to know each other, and while the Nanny becomes familiar with your household routines.
4. SCHEDULE WEEKLY TIMES TO REVIEW how things are going in your home. This will prevent a build up of unexpressed feelings that can undermine a healthy working relationship that you want to establish. The responsibility is greater on the Employer to initiate discussion than the Nanny. VERBALIZE THE POSITIVES. Areas requiring change can best be approached with a problem solving attitude of “let’s talk about how we can do …. differently”.
5. KEEP EMERGENCIES TO A MINIMUM. Most Nannies understand that in-home employment can involve an occasional unexpected extra hour of work., but unplanned overtime is frequently the cause of job breakdown. Remember your Nanny has every right to make plans for her free time and can be justifiably upset when asked to change them. Make every effort to discuss ahead how emergencies are to be handled so that bad feelings do not develop.
6. DISCUSS how termination of the contract will be handled in the unlikely situation of the position being terminated early or the Nanny leaving. What notice are you prepared to give and / or expect of the Nanny?
7. AGREE UPON “HOUSE RULES” for things such as entertaining of friends, informing you about staying out late or staying over with a friend ( stress the safety factor in this ) and personal use of the car.
8. RECOGNIZE that Nanny work can be isolating. Encourage participation in such activities as library “Story Times” and Nanny organized play times, as well as evening courses, sport activities and fitness. Encourage your Nanny to participate in activities outside the home.