How to Care for Your Nanny

A good relationship with your nanny is important and requires cooperation and communication. With a live-in nanny, each party must learn to share a closeness while respecting each other's privacy. Live-out nannies do not need as much privacy, but they still need to be taken care of.

Always be prompt with your nanny's wages and fees as soon as they are due. Your nanny is providing an extremely important service for you and your family. It is crucial that you value her service and pay her on time. Raises and bonuses should be considered and given based on your nanny's performance. Reward your nanny often to show her how much you appreciate what she does. Offer your nanny something extra every now and then, such as an afternoon off, a dinner, a souvenier when you have been on a business trip or a visit to the salon for some pampering. Pay your nanny a little more than the going rate to keep her and get extras in return. Be liberal with your praise and don't forget to say thank you for what your nanny does for your family.

Be fair with your nanny. All duties and responsibilities should be arranged during the hiring interview. Of course, new situations can arise that require additional duties. If you must add on additional responsibilities, make sure to compensate your nanny fairly. A nanny that is treated fairly will be more likely to accept additional duties when needed. Your child's needs will change as they grow, and so will your nanny's responsibilities. Stay flexible and open to new ways of doing things.

Always be on time or call if you are delayed. Live-in caregivers often have activities planned after working hours. Many live-out nannies have families of their own. If you are late, offer to pay your nanny overtime fees. Make sure that your nanny has all promised time off and hire a baby-sitter or substitue caregiver if needed.

If you have a live-in nanny, make sure that her living arrangements are comfortable. She should have a comfortable and attractive room of her own. You might choose to supply her with a separate telephone line and a TV of her own. If at all possible, provide her with a separate bathroom of her own as well. Be sure to keep some of her favorite foods in the pantry and when planning meals for the family, keep her in mind. Encourage your nanny to meet other people her age or with similar interests in your neighborhood. Always tell your nanny when you are expecting guests and let her know in advance of any vacations or business trips.

Be respectful of your nanny and respect your differences. You should show confidence in her judgement and although her way may not be your way, don't interfere unless you feel that your child's well-being is compromised. Do not undermine her authority with your child and try to think of the nanny as your partner in childcare. Schedule conferences a few times a year to talk about any issues, your child's development and resolve any differences. Offer helpful critiques of her perfomance in private away from your child.

Although you do need to be respectful of your nanny, you should also be clear. Tell your nanny from the start what you expect from them. Tell your nanny how you discipline your child and what the household rules are. Plan your child's day together and ask her to leep a log of the day's activities. Allow your nanny to air her concerns and be sure to address any problems that she is having with your child. Ask questions about your child's day and allow communication to stay open and comfortable. Be honest and direct, but never accusatory.