Hiring a Live-In Nanny

The hiring of a nanny takes time and special care to find the right match for your family. But if you’re looking for a live-in nanny, the search becomes tougher and the review process essential.

Your live-in nanny will become a day-to-day part of your household, a role model for your children, and indeed, a part of the family. For that reason, you must determine exactly what you’re looking for well before your first nanny interview ever happens.

If it sounds like serious business, it is. But consider the brighter side as well. A live-in nanny also brings great value and joy to your family, when the fit is right.

Indeed, many live-in nannies are talented professionals devoted to caring for and enriching the lives of the children in their care. Some are retired educators. Others have expertise in the medical field. And, of course, each potential live-in nanny comes with his or her own unique background and experience level.

So, what does your family need?

Seeking the right live-in nanny

There are all kinds of nannies for all kinds of families. When conducting your search for a live-in nanny, you should consider the role you will expect them to play within the fabric of your family.

Here are some things to consider:

• Will your nanny’s duties be explicitly related to childcare, or do you need assistance with household chores as well? (Examples include cooking and/or meal preparation.) If the latter, you may be looking for a Nanny Housekeeper, which you should specify in your search.

• Is this the first time your family has hired a live-in nanny? If so, consider how this will impact your family’s day-to-day experience and prepare for it.

• Have you prepared appropriate accommodations for your live-in nanny? In her off hours, your nanny should be able to enjoy a reasonable level of privacy, even within the home.

• What kind of hours will you need from your nanny, and what wages are appropriate given your expectations?

• Task-wise, what do you expect from your live-in nanny on a day-to-day basis?

• Should your nanny have a particular educational background or level of experience?

• What do you hope your nanny will bring to your child’s life?

When you’ve thought about the above questions, you’ll be in a much better position to evaluate candidates for your live-in nanny position. Again, this is a case where the right fit is of great importance. Although it happens from time to time (and is sometimes beyond your control), you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your nanny hire does not work out and you have to begin the search process all over again.

The Live-In Nanny Work Week

One of the greatest benefits of hiring a live-in nanny is that she can become such an integral part of your child’s day-to-day life. That being said, your nanny needs some time off, just like any other employee! Be a good employer, and remember to respect your nanny’s boundaries as much as you will expect them to respect yours.

Minimize obligations which will conflict with nanny’s day off. Pay extra for overtime hours. Most importantly, be respectful and award your live-in nanny for a job well done. As an employee that becomes an integrated part of the employer household, it’s easy to forget that your nanny has a life outside of your home.

The golden rule for live-in nannies

Above all else, keep an open line of communication with your live-in nanny. Provide feedback and encouragement. Encourage your nanny to be candid about her observations, questions, and even frustrations.

Just as you want your live-in nanny to be honest with you, be honest in return. It’s a surefire way to develop a positive environment for you, your family, and your live-in nanny.

Since many Live-in Nannies are willing to relocate for the right position, NannyClassifieds.com is the perfect place to conduct your search on a national level. Click here to search the nanny database and place your free ad.

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