The perfect nanny can sometimes feel like a mythical creature, especially when you’re just beginning your nanny search. However, we can assure you—that nanny does exist! Nanny agencies such as the Nanny Authority work with a variety of candidates in order to guarantee that we can provide the best nanny for each unique family situation. Once you meet your ideal nanny, there are ways to tailor your offer to ensure that she will be equally excited to work with your family.
While you always want to make your offer financially appealing, salary isn’t always a nanny’s highest priority. Many nannies are equally interested in finding the ideal family and work environment. What does the perfect work situation look like? Often, it has more to do with expectations and duties than the income on its own. A nanny wants to work in a setting where she feels comfortable and is able to maintain a good work-life balance.
Try to keep your expectations reasonable. If your family’s schedule is such that the nanny would need to work extremely long hours every week, consider hiring two nannies and splitting the time between them. On the other hand, if you don’t have enough hours to make a position full-time but you want your nanny to commit long-term, there are ways to give her the hours she needs. For example, if you have school-age children, it’s easy to make a maybe I can find part-time job a full-time one by giving the nanny family assistant duties, such as laundry or personal errands, while the kids are at school.
However, if you have infants or toddlers, expecting the nanny to perform additional familial duties in addition to providing full-time childcare is not necessarily advisable or reasonable. You want to ensure that the responsibilities assigned to your nanny are realistic. After all, the children are always a nanny’s first priority.
Communication Is Key: Start Off Right
Great nannies also want to work with families who prioritize their children and keep the lines of communication open. This begins during the interview process. Be sure to be completely honest about what the job will entail and what you expect of your nanny.
Will the nanny need to provide transportation for the children or cook family meals? Do you want a nanny who becomes part of the family or remains strictly an employee? What is your parenting style, and how much autonomy will your nanny have with your children? For example, will she be free to buy toys or sign them up for classes, or will she need parental approval? This kind of open communication will benefit both your family and the nanny you’re interviewing. If you ask the right questions, it will quickly become clear if she is the right fit for you.
Though salary is likely not the nanny’s only priority, you want your offer to be financially competitive so she is happy and stays in the position. Every nanny has her own financial responsibilities that affect which positions she is able to take. Be sure that your offer is reasonable for the hours and duties the job requires; your offer will automatically be more competitive if you can provide benefits such as health insurance. Ultimately, the nanny needs to trust that she will be treated well in your home and respected as an expert caregiver.
Most importantly—when you find your perfect nanny, do not hesitate! Put in an offer as soon as you know she’s the one. Too often, families get their hearts set on a nanny but fail to make an offer quickly enough, and the nanny takes a job with another family. Remember, a reputable agency never wants to see a client miss out on his or her perfect candidate; we always keep your best interests in mind. We want you to have the ideal nanny for your children, and we want our nannies to work for their ideal families!