Nanny's first day

[rockybalboa]

Our first ever nanny starts soon and I'm just wondering whether nannies could share with me what level of employer-hanging-around-ness you would typically expect on a first day? Obviously I'll need to show her the ropes with the school run, explain where the baby's clothes/nappies/food etc and show her where anything else in the house she might want to use is but do you think I should make plans to be out of the house for the middle part of the day between school runs so she can settle in? I was thinking of asking my sister over but I don't know whether that seems a bit rude and like I am just dumping the baby on her and abandoning her? Or would she say "but that's my job!". He's a pretty easy baby and I wouldn't go far.

Views on what a normal first day might involve would be gratefully received.

PS Do nannies tend to bring their own lunch to work or do I need to make sure we have stuff in for her?

I'm an experienced nanny, and besides showing me around the house so I have a good idea where everything is, I would far prefer just to be left to it. I don't work with babies anymore, but find that older children behave differently if mum or dad is around. My current boss gave me a tour on my first day, showed me how to use the (very swish) cooker, showed me nappies/wipes/clothes, and then went to work upstairs. After two hours he came back down and told me that he had to head to the office, and would be back in a few hours. I thought that was perfect.

That said, I also know in advance if they expect me to bring my own lunch (as it's usually stated in the contract), and have exchanged a few emails asking about daytime routine, meals for the kids, bedtime routine etc. I know some families who have a "Family Welcome Pack" which includes important addresses, people, phone numbers etc.

Hope that helps :)

Prefer to be left to it. Children can be rather clingy if parents are around. Split the day up so you have some time together to start with, then some time when you leave and do something out of the house, so they have time alone with your children.

Food should have been discussed already to be honest. As per a recent thread on here, food can get expensive. I feel it is common for nannies to be provided with all food/drink whilst on duty. Eating with the children, same as the children where possible.

I would put a welcome pack together:

Child's details
medical history
dob
address
Parents mobiles and work phone numbers
Emergency contact details
doctors details

Routine
likes and dislikes
comforters
where things are kept

etc etc

Your nanny may have the equivalent of a welcome pack - MM, BAPN and poss PACEY all have paperwork that covers settling in.

I would just ask if she's okay for you to pop out in the middle of the day. Chances are it'll be fine.

If it is just the baby at home then I am happy for MB to be around as babies are a lot less fussy about strangers! My new MB goes back to work in 2 weeks, 10 weeks after I started work! The first week we spent a lot of time together, showing me around, meeting her mum friends who I will carry on meeting up with, getting baby into a routine (wasn't sleeping well at night so settled baby into a routine) now she goes out 2-3 days a week, catches up with new work things a lot and basically leaves me to it but also gives me a lot of time off, if she is home, she has the baby and I can do my own thing.

Older children is a whole other kettle of fish! I would prefer to be dropped into the deep end and spend an hour getting to know the house, activities, where school/nursery is and then left to get on with it.

used to be dumped in the deep end and left to it

dont think i have ever had a book/Manuel telling me info

nice to show around the kitchen etc but generally i just rummage no secrets once you have a nanny lol

All of the above. and put your full address and postcode by the phone in case of emergencies. I would prefer to be left to it. And Blondes is so right....but I have never rummaged in their bedroom or office!!!

Mine went to work on the first day they left me! It worked much better for me

I meant Rummaging in the kitchen to find stuff / not bedroom etc :)

Thanks all, that's really helpful. Good idea about the welcome pack/info sheet too. I will check what the contract says about food, hadn't occurred to me it would be in there.

Forgot to mention food. I always have in my contract I can eat at work

Most nannies will eat whatever is in your fridge

Have known the odd family who want the nanny to bring lunch in - would never agree to this

I eat what the kids do so good for them to see us eating the same and sitting down together

Ha ha ha. We had 2 weeks of handover! First couple of days we did it all together (ds 11 months and never left with anyone other than me, dh and dm). Then I just started going out more and more during the day and leaving the to it or was doing stuff upstairs while they got on with it.

I went back to work at the end of the second week.

we also had two weeks of hand over, but this was for a baby who was just going through stranger danger. baby has also got special needs so i needed to train up the nanny. x