What would an inexperienced nanny need to know?

[tokengirl]

Hi,

I'm considering employing a nanny who has only nursery experience. What would a more experienced nanny 'know' that I'm suddenly going to find the less experienced one wouldn't? I'm thinking about how I need to 'train' them, (sorry that sounds really patronising, and I don't mean it like that, but I just want this to work), what their expectations might be, that I won't know need fulfilling, and just generally how to make sure it works out. Any advice from nannies who moved across from nursery very much appreciated.

I'm assuming we need a few days together getting used to the job and the kids, but other than that? Possibly putting together some form of 'routine' together so that there is some structure, and making sure there is a lot of getting out to baby groups, and generally getting out and about.

Thanks - advice really appreciated.

I would like to say a word in defence of "inexperienced nannies". Our nanny is a former nursery nurse. She is not only a fantastic childcare provider but is also more than capable of doing all the things that people on this thread seem to think she might struggle with, and a whole lot more besides - finding car parking spaces, working out how long it will take to leave the house, calling a plumber if there's a problem and she can't get hold of us, knowing when to call me because a child is sick and when to leave me a voicemail and take him straight to the hospital without waiting for me to come home (probably saving his life in the process). We interviewed lots of people, including many with considerably more nannying experience but she stood out as having brains and common sense in abundance.

I would say that I think she found it hard being the only adult around, but I introduced her to some other local nannies and she soon made her own friends as well.

She's amazing, and we'd be lost without her.

Snickersnack, well yes of coure, its a matter of personality too & initiative one is willing to show etc. However, by hiring a highly experienced/ 'professional' nanny chances are these things will be present anyway, while by hiring someone who is not a nanny by profession you're taking a chance. But I wholeheartedly agree with you, its a matter of character too, I'm sure there are excellent new nannies out there who can learn loads on the job.

We have faced this issue and Would add a other to frakkins great list- timekeeping and reliability. Painful tho it may be at nursery to make up numbers it's not the same impact thta you have if nanny is late or unreliable. Saw someone who was also wanting to make transition and biggest no no for me was that her last reference referred to her less than great timekeeping record.