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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

How did you settle your nanny in?

21 replies

rubyslippers · 29/01/2010 08:17

I have hopefully recruited a nanny for my return to work in a few months

DS went to nursery so we had a few settling sessions, but am wondering what and how to settle our nanny in

was thinking of working part time for the first week or so, in order that i can be around more

what did/does everyone else do?

TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Lifeinagoldfishbowl · 29/01/2010 08:22

I just started work and that was that!!! lol

I had come for lunch and a play a couple of times before I started (3 times) but I started work and mb went to work.

frakkinaround · 29/01/2010 08:25

Your nanny may have ideas on this so I suggest you talk to her.

As a nanny I've often worked a handover week where the parent has been around full time for a couple of days and we've gone round the house, the local area, through the children's routine, discussed things like meal preferences, found which shops to use eg. if you have a particular butcher you like to go to which isn't the one down the road, been shown how they like things cleaned and been shown how to set all the appliances and fix any common problems. Then we progress (at the parent's pace) to them going out for a bit maybe at first out with friends or shopping or doing 'return to work' settling in if you need to do that. That said I sometimes get thrown in at the deep end with a morning of handover and that's that.

Some nannies like long handovers. I personally wouldn't want more than a week and ideally only half a week but I do feel much better if I have at least 1 full day with the parent to be shown how they like things done. Prevents misunderstanding further down the line!

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/01/2010 12:47

same as lifeinagfb - i just start

i dont expect/need to have a parent around showing me stuff, if they want to leave a few notes on stuff then fine but happy to be thrown in the deep end

juneybean · 29/01/2010 12:49

I just started, I came one evening to watch her evening routine but then they just left me to it.

They asked me to meet them at work for lunch once or twice in the first few weeks.

frakkinaround · 29/01/2010 12:55

blondes you've clearly never had a strange kettle that you can't for the life of you work out how to switch on....longest day of my life!

nbee84 · 29/01/2010 12:59

I think it depends on how experienced your nanny is. If it is her 1st job then a full week with you at home - popping out for longer lengths of time as the week goes on - is probably the best option.

For a nanny with several jobs under her belt then a couple of hours is fine.

You obviously need to bear in mind your child, so if you are doing a very short handover then it's obviously wise to have met the nanny a couple of times prior to her starting - usually at a 2nd interview and maybe again when you get together to hand over/sort out her contract. An experienced nanny will be able to handle the childs needs and emotions well and a short handover can work out better than a protracted one.

frakkinaround · 29/01/2010 13:05

Depends how experienced the parents are as well. Less likely to pop off and leave a PFB with their first nanny. IME 1st time parents, and I love being the 1st nanny for 1st parents, want to take things slower.

OP if you're relaxed about it then be guided by your nanny but it's equally important that you don't feel rushed.

Strix · 29/01/2010 14:13

I would take one day off to show her around. Things like where the school is, where the doctor is, the gym, where to get a bus pass, etc. If she is local and live-out then obviously this wouldn't be necessary.

I think one day is plenty, then drop her in it.

Original poster

rubyslippers · 29/01/2010 14:16

thanks very much for the feedback

It is her first nanny job but she is an experienced childcare worker

I think i will chat with her and come to a workable arrangment

it wouldn't be possible for me to nip home at lunch as i work an hour or so away

OP posts:

CarrieHeffernan · 29/01/2010 14:18

Had a day with us all together. Did school run with her, showed her where everything was in the house, talked through our routines and just chatted loads and got to know each other a bit more. Then we had 3 or 4 days with me in the house but getting on with stuff, or close to home and on hand, so that she could bond with the kids and start getting her own routine together. She started the following week properly, on a one month trial.

starberries · 29/01/2010 18:36

I'm about to start a new nannyshare. The family with older children - I'm only having one afternoon (3-ish hours) of handover, then the next day starting without Mum.

The second family (PFB baby) I will have a full week. Frak hit it on the head saying that first nanny employers will want to take longer.

I personally prefer 1-2 days, definitely 1 full day to know how all the appliances work, children's preferences, comforting techniques, but then I like to be left to it as I've done this for 6 years.

Shelley33 · 30/01/2010 16:01

FWIW, in one of my previous jobs, the mum was home for the first few days. On the very first day we went out to a theme park! Was a fab start to a fab job!

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/01/2010 16:40

If your child is at school or nursery it is good to go their with mum so the staff can see you and is handy for when you want to pick up Johnny...

Original poster

rubyslippers · 30/01/2010 19:14

thanks for the tips especillay abot the school stuff

OP posts:

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 30/01/2010 19:36

Gah - go there, I was wanting to type to go there with their mum and it went wrong!

SuperDuperJezebel · 31/01/2010 09:56

I am doing two handover days before I start my new position, which is a nanny share - one with each child, with their mums. This way they can show me round the house, show me their baby's routine, where everything is, without the distraction of the other baby around! On my first day though I will have both of them together on my own. Ive taken two days off from my current job to do the handover (my employer doesnt work fridays and as I have been made redudant she has been v generous and flexible with letting me take this time off to do some settling in), as I was not able to start as early as needed and both mums NEED to be at work on my first day.

Hope your settling in period goes well and your new nanny is just what you hope for!

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/01/2010 10:08

frakkinaround - blondes can always find a way to have a cuppa,boil water in saucepan, microwave water in cup, and worst case if desperate, run tap till get hot water and use

frakkinaround · 31/01/2010 13:03

Lol! I had a screamy baby who didn't want to be put down and wasn't going to use a pan although I did consider it. Definitely wouldn't go as far as hot water-that's just ick! The cuppa I had when I got home was the best of my life...

frakkinaround · 31/01/2010 13:05

Note to OP

At least ensure nanny knows how to use the kettle and where teabags/coffee is.

Original poster

rubyslippers · 31/01/2010 13:30

tea is very important - noted!

NANNIES - how are you with clingy, breastfed babies?!

OP posts:

nannynick · 31/01/2010 14:11

A sling can come in very handy. Try to get you baby to accept breastmilk in a bottle. Don't panic too much the first few days, when your baby may take very little in feeds from your nanny. Be prepared to instantly BF upon your arrival home.

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