What makes a good nanny boss?

[kandydulwich]

We're 9 months into our first ever nanny share.
It is going well generally and DD is v happy.

I manage people in my role at work, but I feel like a total novice at managing our nanny.
Just wondering if the nannies here could advise on their top dos and don't as far as being a good (or bad) boss. What makes a good nanny boss? What helps make a happy and respectful nanny/family relationship?

Thankss

I love my boss (most of the time)

After listening to other nannies and also knowing what I want in a boss I would suggest:

Being home on time or letting the nanny know asap if you will be late
Thanking the nannying and noting/recognition how beneficial having a nanny is to your circumstances (Sometimes just a thank you is just what we want)
Remember your home is our workplace so please leave it as you would want us to leave it - ie tidy/clean
Let the nanny leave early if you come back early, don't make the nanny owe hours, just because you didn''t need them. By offering this we don't mind helping you out when you're running late etc.
Smile, chat and be friendly
Don't tell the children youre upset with the nanny or moan about the nanny to the children - we do hear!
Ask us to do something instead of writing of notes -understand that looking after 4 children and running 100 different errands isn't always easy

Always back up and support your nanny - NEVER undermine

Come home on time - if you know you need to leave office at 5pm to get home dont be there afterwards without a phone all and say sorry - because we HAVE to stay till you are home - can hardly leave dc Alone

Pay on time

As Mogs said - keep house tidy ish and if home
Early dont sit outside in car till finishing time

Don't arrange for her to wait in for parcels - ask her to arrange a convenient time for her

Make sure there is enough kitty money and of you owe her money for whatever reason pay it the next day

Say odd thank you

Respect her

Basically treat your nanny as you would want your employer to treat you :)

Agree about the undermining - my charge knows that if he doesn't get what he wants from me he can ask his parents who give in. Thankfully after a long time my boss is finally on the same page as me and will say "what did mog say" or will keep out of the firing line.

Remember her birthday particularly if she makes the effort to make cards/presents with your children for birthdays, mother's day etc

Allow enough time for a handover within her working hours at the end of the day - walking through the door at her finish time of 6pm and then spending the next 20 minutes talking to her about what the children have done that day or are going to be doing the next day is not on.

If she offers you flexibility by starting early/finishing late/doing extra days, offer her the same flexibility back if she has the occasional need to ask for it.

If she does something outside of her normal duties - hangs out or irons your washing/waits in for the washing machine repairman/cooks extra dinner so that there is some for you and your dh - make sure you say thank you or she won't feel like doing it again.

If you know that your children are whiney and difficult when they haven't had enough sleep make sure you stick to normal bedtime rather than keep them up late because you haven't seen them all day. We know you've missed them but we have to deal with the fallout the next day.

Agree with what everyone has said so far. The most important one for me though is a flexible/easy-going work environment. Don't micro manage. I know they're your children and the most important things in your world, but you have employed someone qualified/experienced trust they know what they're doing. Trust your nanny to organise activites suitable for your child, to arrange playdates and take them on trips that they will enjoy. It may not be with friends you've pre-approved, it may be somewhere that you wouldn't have thought to take you child, but try to TRUST that your nanny is making the right choices.

I know this trust won't come immediately, but do try in the long run.

Agree with everything others have said
My boss is brilliant. During the holidays, she leaves the calendar clear for me to arrange outing/activities/playdates, if an activity comes up that her daughter wants to do (such as trampolining course) she always checks with me first before booking it.
Also I was ill with flu earlier this year when I phoned her she just asked to be kept in the loop because she needed to organise childcare, and not to come back to work until I felt ready "as flu wipes you out" I know of other nannies whose employers guilt trip them back to work (having a childcare headache) NOT ON really