Importance of Communication Between Nanny and Family

Every parent when they begin the task of looking for the perfect caregiver for their child, they have dreams of finding the “perfect” fit. They want to be free of worry and know that their child is being cared for exactly as they wish. And that is a good thing to want. But in reality, you may not find the “perfect” fit right off. You as the parent/guardian will need to put in some work to help pave the way for a smooth parent-nanny relationship.

But how do you start off right, and make things go as smoothly as desired? 

You need to communicate, communicate, communicate.

One of the most common problems experienced between nannies and parents is the lack of clear expectations. From the very beginning of the relationship, when you first begin to interview potential nannies, you will need to be clear and concise in your expectations. From daily tasks to discipline, it’s important to be open, honest, and thorough in what you expect of your nanny.

We even asked some of our professional nannies their advice on communication with their families and here is what they said:

• They wish their bosses were super clear and honest about hours, working from home, and scheduled time off.
• They wish families understood why guaranteed hours are important to any professional nanny.
• They wish families would discuss with them exactly how they want conflicts/difficult discussions handled or how to best approach them about things that need to be addressed because every family is different in this regard.
• Above all else they want families to be clear, honest, and super detailed upfront so they can perform their jobs exactly as the family needs/desires, but they need to know those details first. (Which is sometimes hard for families to address upfront)

We are here to help you in preventing communication problems and offering you some common areas you should be aware of, even at the very first meeting with a potential nanny.

Daily Tasks- Will you expect your nanny to perform housework, cooking, playdates, and errand running?

Let your nanny know exactly what you expect done daily. And if your needs change down the road, meet with your nanny, talk with them about those needs and talk about compensation for your new needs.

They need to know exactly what to expect so they can meet those expectations but they also need clear and concise communication if things arise.

Hours Worked- Here’s some questions you should consider:

How many hours do you expect your nanny to work a week?

Will those hours be firmly set?

Or will they alter?

Will you need the nanny to be flexible?

How will you handle for scheduled time off?

Be very clear about how many hours you need your nanny to work. And remember the importance of guaranteeing your nanny a certain number of hours. This is their job and their livelihood. Respecting their time will create a healthy work environment.

Discipline/ Difficult Behaviors- How do you want your nanny to handle discipline issues that arise in children?

Consider weekly sit-down meetings without the children near. Allow the nanny opportunity to relay over any issues that have arisen that week. Let them share any new or reoccurring difficult behaviors. Relay exactly how you want those behaviors handled. Make it a time where you can connect with the nanny, so you can both be on the same page.

Above all else, you need to be clear, honest, and super detailed upfront so your nanny can perform their jobs exactly as you the family needs/desires. But your nanny will not know what those needs and desires are unless you tell them. It may be difficult, to begin with, but as with any working relationship, you need to be thorough and concise in what you need and want.

Honesty is the key. Tell the nanny if you will be super involved or if you prefer to be hands-off and let the nanny do what needs to be done.

Don’t tell your nanny what you think they want to hear. Tell them EXACTLY what the job will look like and do that from the very beginning. Remember to continuously communicate if changes need to happen.

And soon, you will be on the path to a smooth relationship with the right caregiver for your child.

Here at All About Nannies we are here to help you all along the way of interviewing and hiring the perfect nanny. We also set up a specific and curated family profile on your exact needs and only send nanny applications that match those standards which is only the best! You’ll also be able to interview the nanny candidate and get a taste of their communication skills before hiring. We are here to help you find your nanny, household manager, newborn care specialist, or private educator today. Click here for more information and get started today!

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