Hiring a nanny is like hiring an employee. You need to find the best one so she can be an asset to your family, and when you find the perfect one, make sure you do everything to keep her. Below are some do’s and don’ts you should keep in mind.

Do’s

Establish The Basics

First, you have to come up with a contract for your nanny. The basics of a nanny contract include – hours of work (if she is willing to stay past her working hours), salary, sick and vacation pay, the nanny’s tasks and responsibilities (whether or not she is willing to do household chores), the nanny’s limits, back-up options, when the nanny can take a vacation and when the contract will end.  Having a contract is one way to establish a smooth and problem-free relationship with your toddler’s child care provider since both parties know what to expect from the start of the relationship.

Set Up Regular Performance Reviews

Nannies, even if they stay at home, are also professionals. Having a performance review annually or biannually is a great idea. This will make your nanny feel appreciated and assured that she is taken seriously. Plus, it allows you to point out your observations or opinions you may have about the quality of her work, which helps establish an open line of communication.

Allow The Nanny To Do Her Job

While it is your obligation to inform your nanny about your house and parenting rules (e.g. your toddler’s bath time, playtime and daily activities, the foods he can and cannot eat, etc.), do keep in mind that nannies have been in the business for quite some time, so they know what they are doing. As much as possible, let your nanny perform her duties without you breathing down her neck every second.

Give Praise

Being a nanny is not an easy job. Provide some encouragement every now and then to remind her that you are very grateful for her service or that your life will not run as smoothly without her. Offering a small token of appreciation would be nice as well. You can buy her groceries, pay her bills or her upcoming trip or treat your nanny to a classy restaurant on her birthday.

Don’ts

Expect Your Nanny To Be Wonder Woman

Sure, your nanny is paid to do a job. But, you need to remember to keep your expectations reasonable. Do not expect her to be calm when your toddler has been unceasingly screaming in her ear the whole day or expect her to clean your living room while she is playing with your little one at the same time. Blow-ups are bound to happen. They are normal. After all, your nanny is a human being.

Pay Your Nanny Late

When you say you are going to pay her every 15^th of the month, make sure you do that. If you are on a budget, never cut your nanny’s salary. Do not skimp on the Christmas bonus. Make sure you follow everything that is in the contract, especially when it comes to money.

Sweat The Small Stuff

Every relationship has its own ups and downs. In order to have a successful one with your nanny, make sure you fix any petty argument before it becomes into one, big disaster. Talk about it. Say what you want to say and listen to what your nanny has to say. This will help you deal with your issues in a civil and mature manner.

A good working relationship with your nanny is important. The only way you can achieve that is if you follow the simple rules mentioned above.

A caregiver plays a significant role in a child’s upbringing. There are different types of childcare, but nanny care stands out the most. Want to know why? Read below.

Life Is Less Stressful

Admit it. As much as you want to spend time with your child, there are days in your life when you just want to take a break from your parent duties. Hiring a nanny can considerably reduce the stress of parents, especially those with careers. You do not have to prepare your toddler’s breakfast, ensure he has taken a bath before going to work or worry if he has eaten his dinner when you need to stay in the office and finish your proposal. Because you have do not have to dash around your home, you are able to have some free time to sit down, eat and talk with your toddler before you go.

In addition, you have the luxury to pamper yourself again or go on a date with your spouse. Also, if an emergency arises (e.g. you need to visit a sick relative, go to the hospital or go out of town) you can remain confident that the nanny will take good care of your toddler.

Undivided Attention

Unlike daycare centers where 1 caregiver looks after 3 to 5 kids at the same time, having a nanny assures you that your toddler will be given one-on-one attention. The nanny is able to care for your toddler attentively and look after your child’s needs, mimicking the care your toddler gets from you and your husband.

Skilled

Nannies have been administering their services for many years, are required to undergo nanny training and other child care courses such as child CPR and are qualified child care providers, making them the best in the field. Because a nanny is experienced, she is capable of helping your little one develop age-appropriate skills and filling your child’s schedule with educational activities that will nurture your toddler’s overall development.

Familiar Environment

With nanny care, your toddler can stay in a familiar surrounding all day. He can eat, take a nap and play without disrupting his daily routine. Plus, your toddler gets less exposure to germs and other viruses, decreasing his chances of getting sick.

Cost Effective

A lot of parents believe that nanny care is expensive than day care centers. But, when you look at the bigger picture, the latter is more expensive. A nanny can look after your toddler and your older child at the same time, perform household chores such as cooking meals, doing the laundry or cleaning your house and can look after your toddler at a moment’s notice without asking for extra charges.

Lasting Relationship

Lots of nannies who have worked for many years with a family become a part of the family unit that even if their duties as caregivers are finished, they still continue to visit the child as he grows and remain in contact with their previous employers.

Nanny care is one of the best and most qualified options for child care. Not only is it a great choice for children, but for parents as well.

Hiring a nanny is tough enough. Evaluating each candidate is even harder. To help you with your search, here is a list of qualities a great nanny should have.

Genuine Interest In Children

A good nanny is warm and loving. She will show interest in getting to know her potential ward. She will be concerned about making sure that your toddler will be at ease with her. A good nanny is full of life and maintains fun and bubbly interaction with your little one to keep him in a good mood. Thus, both you and your toddler feel comfortable and happy in her company. A nanny can do everything well, but if she is truly interested in children, her love will shine through and your toddler will know it.

Punctual

A good nanny should arrive on time. She should inform you ahead of time if she is going to be late or is not able to look after your toddler on a particular day (with a valid reason for her absence) and even help you find a substitute caregiver. She should also be prompt in implementing the activities you set such as feeding time, naptime and other daily routines of your toddler.

Respectful

A good nanny respects your childcare philosophies. She will want to find out what your childcare beliefs are and even though you have different parenting views, she will still respect them. This is very important especially since your toddler will be with the nanny for long periods of time so you have to ensure that she will follow the rules even when you are not around.

Capable

When hiring a nanny, it is essential that she is competent enough to look after your precious one. A nanny with training or one who has attended seminars and other classes about childcare shows that she is skilled. She should also know how to perform CPR and basic first-aid and handle emergencies (e.g. injuries, fever, seizure, etc.) to ensure the safety of your toddler. Aside from that, a good nanny should know what to do when your toddler cries, throws a tantrum as well as give adequate disciplinary measures. She should also provide stimulation by preparing a list of fun activities your toddler can do that will benefit your toddler’s development and help him thrive.

Patient

A nanny should not lose her temper easily. Your toddler, being naturally hyper and curious will ask lots of questions so the nanny should be ready to deal with your toddler and answer his queries without getting annoyed. In addition, she should remain calm even when your toddler causes mischief instead of shouting, spanking and hitting your child.

Communicative

A great nanny will strive to maintain a good relationship with you. She will keep you up to date of the daily activities by writing a daily report or by talking to you at the end of the day so you know how your toddler is doing and if there are any problems. She should also be open to discuss to you certain matters and at the same time be willing to listen to your concerns so the two of you can resolve any issues right away in order to establish a strong caregiver-parent relationship.

Hygienic

A great nanny prioritizes your toddler’s health and hygiene. She should ensure that your toddler is clean as well as keep his area (especially his bedroom) tidy at all times to ensure germs, viruses and other elements that can risk your toddler’s well-being are at bay.

When looking for a nanny, make sure to keep these qualities in mind so you can hire your very own Mary Poppins.