Advice wanted - handover period for nanny

[MumToHenry]

Our new nanny starts in a couple of weeks for a 2 week handover before I return to work in February. She will have sole charge of my 6 month old son 3 days a week .
I was just wondering whether anyone had any inspiration/checklists/words from the wise about

• what sort of things I should be covering in the handover
• what sort of boundaries/expectations I should remember to set
• any other general advice for helping her to settle in and making the handover as smooth as possible
• and, perhaps most importantly, any tips on making this as easy as possible for my son!

Any and all advice gratefully received and maybe in months to come I will be able to return the favour to someone else when I am a seasoned pro in the world of employing a nanny

I tend to get flung in at the deepend when starting a new nanny job. However, I do try to meet the family several times before starting officially, so that the children do not see me as being a complete stranger! So, I feel it is great that you are having a handover period.

For the first few days, I'd say just to let your new nanny interact with your son as much as possible. The more he gets used to the nanny, the easier it will be when you are not around. Start with playing. Then move on to nappy changes and bathing. From watching your new nanny interact with your son, you will also feel much happier at leaving him.

Try to go out yourself for short periods, such as popping to the local shop for a pint of milk (or whatever). Just quick outings at first, then increase to longer periods - such as visiting a friend for coffee, getting your hair done etc.

Go through any routines you have in place, it may help to write them down at first. Show nanny where everything is kept, food, bedding, clothes, how to use appliances, which key does what. If nanny is not local, then go for walks, bus trips, car journeys, taking your son with you of course - helps nanny practice getting him on and off forms of transport, so that your nanny gets to know more about the local area. Take nanny along to any groups you attend, toddlers, music group, NCT group that sort of thing.

Give her a welcome pack. If she is new to the area, include things like a local A to Z, travel information. If she has internet access, a list of useful websites (like TFL.gov.uk if she'll be on transport in London, etc). Put some flowers in the room. If you have friends with nannies nvite them round for tea one day so she can meet another nanny. Go out with her and show her where the various activies are, where the doctor is, where the hospital is, etc. If you prefer a particular hospital in the case of emergency, show her where it is and what it's called. For example we live near St. Peter's hospital and my nanny has been given strict instruction to never go there, but rather to head for Kingston Hospital. You might also put in a list of "House Rules".

Off Topic - uwila, haden't realised you were in my neck of the woods. Being more to the other side of St Peters, I tend to head for Frimley Park.

Good point about Docs and Hospitals. May be worth taking nanny along to Well Baby Clinic, so she gets to meet health visitor.

Where are you located MumToHenry?

Oh no. You aren't going to stalk me now, are you???

Actually, I think you know my nanny -- or at least have met her at a nannyjob meet-up or two.

Thank you very much for all the tips.

(And Jura, I agree that 2 weeks is probably an overly lengthy handover but I thought that as this is the first one I've done, it would be better to be safe than sorry!)

Thanks all...