Top Ten Tips to Hire (and Keep!) a Great Nanny
1. Pay market rate - Currently around $35/hr take home for one child, and $38-40/hr for two. Be wary of hiring for less... nannies chat with other nannies at the playground, so the best way to keep your nanny long term is to pay competitively. Set up a free intro call with Bay Super Nannies and learn the best pay rates for your particular situation, and if rates have recently changed or not!
2. Holiday bonuses - end of the calendar year bonuses can range from a few hundred dollars to a week's pay. It may depend on the length the nanny has worked for you... Bay Super Nannies is always here as a resource for clients and previous clients, for questions like these, even after hiring!
3. Raise/performance review after 1 year - $1/hr is the typical raise
4. Guaranteed pay - this is a big one! If families go on vacation and don't pay their nanny, their nanny may look for another job! Just like you need to count on a steady paycheck to support you and your family - nannies do too.
5. Sick days - over the years, this has become standard... most families offer 3-5 sick days, that are use it or lose it. Be sure to define in the Work Agreement if these are for actual illness, or personal days (BSN provides clients with a Work Agreement to edit as needed)... Referrals to top Nanny Tax companies (with discounts) are available to BSN clients who can share more info with families directly!
6. Do a work agreement - whether written, or gone over together in person, its an important way to prevent miscommunications later - like what will be paid holidays (BSN provides a sample nanny work agreement, and guidance as needed, to clients!)
7. Define their duties clearly - tidying is generally kept to baby or child related tidying! Cleaning up their own dishes and children's dishes, baby's bottles, organizing child's things, cleaning up toys, children's laundry, food for the kids... and wiping up kitchen counters and unloading dishwasher usually included. Clearly communicate and define tasks if you plan to ask for family laundry, family meal prep, or other tasks such as errands, groceries, or additional cleaning or organizing that isn't child related (the sample Work Agreement BSN provides clients is a great duty discussion jump off point!)
8. Respect the nanny's space while working! That adorable 3 month old baby that seems happy no matter who is around? Will hit a stage where they may see the parent and want to go to them and cry... nannies know this stage is coming, so working with families that are also aware of the changing stages so family and nanny can collaboratively make a plan together, will help nannies know your job will be great long term!
9. Clearly communicate your preferences around activities, foods, and any discipline or boundary styles that you'd like to mirror your own! Good nannies want to collaborate and follow the parents preferences...clear communication will enable the nanny to plan the day and make choices that they know are within what the family wants.
10. Show your appreciation - like all relationships, the family-nanny relationship thrives on positivity! Welcoming a great nanny will, over time, be like adding another member to your family - someone who loves your children and cares for them as you would. For every "would you please do x," be sure to call out and thank your nanny for several of the things you DO like and appreciate - from being on time each morning, to making your baby or children smile, to making healthy food choices, to reading books and helping their development with singing, playing, talking, laughing and love.
Need help finding a great nanny in San Francisco, and nearby areas?
You can meet great nannies for less than $350, and hire your perfect nanny for under $5K (including all background checks, plus vaccines, CPR, etc) by mentioning the 10 Tips extra 20% off placement fee! How much is YOUR time worth? Call or email today and get ready for a great nanny to change your life!