Welcoming A New Nanny Into Your Home
Welcoming a new nanny into your home the right way can make a big difference to a child’s well-being and happiness. And it can also help to quickly establish a solid working relationship on which you’ll come to depend.
We developed this post in partnership with brilliant Nanny Laura.
A career nanny with over 30 years of worldwide experience, working with many fantastic families and supporting over 47 babies and children (at her last count!).
Our steps to welcoming a new nanny
Here, we offer some simple steps and processes to follow—from the first interview to three months in—that can make a difference. This is equally true for first-time appointments and families that need to replace a nanny who has left their role.
Investing time and effort – it’s worth it!
From the outset, finding a new nanny – or a nanny finding a new family – is a project in itself. Whether using nanny agencies or online search tools, it takes time and effort. And so it should!
Given the role is looking after the most precious family members, it stands to reason that you should put time and effort into welcoming the new nanny into your family.
Building and sharing your onboarding plan
Building an onboarding plan helps ensure a good fit and a strong appointment. Also, by sharing the plan with prospective nannies, they know you recognise the importance of the role.
The Rolls-Royce Approach
At first glance, this seems over-engineered. But if you think about what you’ll expect from the role and the duties of a nanny, it’s not!
Consider this framework a starting point that you can adapt to suit your family situation.
Top tip: When you’ve designed your onboarding plan, write it up and give it to any nannies you intend to interview. If you do this, both parties will know what to expect and enter the process fully informed. And nannies will appreciate your taking it seriously.
1. Welcoming a new nanny: The first interview
To get to this point, you’ve likely seen the CV and decided that this nanny is worth a further look. Perhaps you’ve even had a telephone call or exchanged emails to arrange the first interview.
Do some prep: This is your chance to meet the nanny face-to-face and to ask some initial questions. Make sure you have a list of standard questions and some specific to the nanny you are meeting.
Take notes: If you see several nannies, take some notes on them right away. That way, there’s no confusion when considering who is right for your family.
Be friendly: The first interview is often about the family and child. Of course, this is of vital importance and relevance! However, as this is an early chance to get a personal first impression, it’s equally important for the parent to say (with a big smile!): ‘Tell me a little about yourself. What sort of things do you like doing in your spare time?’ The parent can and should then provide similar information to the nanny. Ice broken.
Invite questions: Remember, this must be a two-way conversation. So make sure that there are questions from both sides!
Discuss the next steps: Towards the end of the interview, don’t be afraid to ask if they’re interested in moving on to the next stage. Asking a straightforward question at this stage could save you a great deal of time later.
Top Tip: Try to make this a 1-2-1 meeting so you can get to know each other and explore the working fit. However, sometimes little ones also attend because the family doesn’t have childcare – hence they need a nanny.
Attending: Ideally, the nanny and one parent.
Interview duration: Around 45 minutes (unless a non-starter!).
Pick a good time and stick to it: Try not to conduct this interview at the end of a long day, as neither party will get the most out of it.
Where to host it: Depending on who attends, a cafe is suitable for one-on-one meetings, and a home setting is preferable if the child and the other parent are present.2. Reference checking
At the end of the first interview—either right at the end or by email after you’ve made your top selections—is a great time to request and provide written references.
Ideally, two from a prospective nanny’s previous employer(s). And also, if you can, two from the family’s previous nannies. These should be available from when previous employers’ references are available. This makes the process more equal and reassuring to both parties.
They should be without personal details attached as the process is just beginning, and previous employers and nannies do not want to be bombarded with calls!
Our checklist for families appointing a new nanny is a handy resource that can help you review everything you need to do before making an appointment.
3. Welcoming a new nanny and the second interview
Both parties should be feeling optimistic and maybe even excited by this stage!
The bigger picture: Only a couple of nannies will likely make the second interview. If you don’t want surprises in the first few weeks of working together, here’s the time to cover and explore the broader expectations of the role and how you would like to work together.
Meet the family: This is also a time to introduce other adult family members. For couples, it’s vital that a new nanny gels with both parents.
If this is the first time a nanny meets the child, as possibly their nanny, observe how they interact with each other. Even at this stage, the visible chemistry between the nanny and the child is essential.
NB: Following up on references. It is at this stage that the personal details of certainly the last two references should be made available to both parties. That is previous employers and of course nannies!
Attending: The nanny and, if a couple, both parents and the little one(s) for sure!
Duration: Around half an hour to an hour (unless a non-starter!)
Where to host: This is best approached at home, as it will give the nanny a view of her potential workplace. This is especially important for live-in nannies.
Remember the UK Right to work checks
Employing a nanny comes with responsibilities. And one of those is checking their right to work in the UK. We can either advise a service or you can follow the governments advice by clicking on the image below. Failure to do this can result in a significant fine, so please don’t forget to check!
4. The paid trial
You’ve likely whittled it down to one, checked their right to work and documents, and are now ready to invest a little money to see if this is THE ONE. And, just like the first interview, this is the nanny’s chance to conduct a final half-day (or thereabouts) check to ensure that this family will be her new workplace.
Give the nanny space: The paid trial (yes, paid!) is all about the chemistry between the nanny and her charge(s). By all means, check in occasionally to see how it’s going. But try to avoid being a constant shadow, as this will pressure the dynamic and likely won’t give a fair reflection of how things will be.
After all, if a candidate has made it this far, they need to be given the benefit of the doubt that they are good at their job!
Close with a chat: Towards the end of the day, have an open chat to address any final questions. Fingers crossed, your journey to finding a new nanny is near complete.
Attending: The nanny, her prospective charge(s) and a parent
Duration: Half a day (paid)
Where to host it: At home
5. Meet the current nanny
For some families, this doesn’t feel like a comfortable stage. But for nannies, it’s gold.
It gives them a head start on what to expect and helps to ensure that any hints and tips are passed on. In turn, this supports all-important continuity for the child and the family.
And don’t worry! Nannies are childcare professionals. Their most significant focus is the well-being of the children they care for.
Top tip: Let the nannies sort this out together. In most instances, it will be a telephone call.
Top tip: Let the nannies sort this out together. In most instances, it will be a telephone call.
Attending: The nanny that’s leaving and, for larger households, other nannies that are in the role Duration: Leave that to the Nannies to arrange
6. Welcoming a new nanny: The formal job offer
All being wonderful and right for all, the new prospective employer will provide a formal written ‘Offer of Employment’.
This should include a friendly appreciation of the chosen candidate. Words like ‘thrilled!’ and ‘delighted!’. This is a welcome, after all!
Followed by formal stuff:
- Start date
- Hours of work and the hourly rate in gross terms, so it allows for tax and National Insurance
- Address of the place of work
- Description of role
- Invitation for the nanny to ask any questions or voice any concerns before a contract is drawn up
7. The contract
Typically, this is a generic document that can be modified as needed, provided it is mutually agreeable. You can find examples of these online from various nanny organisations.
Recommendation: Do consider using a nanny PAYE specialist. We exclusively recommend NannyPaye – a 5-star Trustpilot business.
A quick call with them will help you understand what you need to do as an employer and how they can help you with a lot of the responsibilities you now have to manage.
All parties concerned must go through the contract with a fine-tooth comb. This will avoid any regrets down the line. Although the process will have been very relaxed and friendly up to this point, this is a job, and there must be rules and understandings in writing for everyone’s peace of mind.
Top Tip: Be mindful that this contract has to work for both parties. Presenting a contract that’s too one-sided could lead to difficult conversations early on!
Once read through (a good couple of times!), both parties sign and date it. All the information within the Offer of Employment will be set within the contract (start date, salary, etc.). Signing and dating can be done electronically.
NB: If required, we have a contact template that parents can request and modify to fit their needs.
8. The probation period and the handover
The handover should be a great and worthwhile experience.
It’s an opportunity for the leaving nanny or parent to showcase the role. Equally, it is the new nanny’s chance to shine! It’s a time of learning everyone’s ways (particularly the little ones).
Baby steps: The beginning is about observing and not treading on any toes. Then, gradually become more active if guidance is required.
Handing over the reins: The new nanny must be allowed to take on their new role. This may mean ‘alone time’ with the child. Often, this makes their life easier and less confusing for the child. Too many cooks and all that! This should be a relaxed and smooth process.
The idea is that bit by bit, the new nanny takes full charge by the end of the handover. Making whoever was in charge at the start… no longer in charge!
Handover complete.
9. Position FILLED! 🎉
You’ve done it! You’ve found the one. And now it’s time to let your new nanny, nanny!
Welcoming a new nanny your way
They will need guidance on where things are in the home that are relevant to their workspace and duties, and be made to feel relaxed enough to make a cup of tea during the day and have lunch and a break.
It may sound obvious, but it’s often overlooked!
Like any professional position, it’s essential to create moments when the family or the nanny can bring up something that doesn’t feel right.
Early on, it may be a good idea to schedule a weekly moment to ask how it’s going. This is best kept as an informal chat rather than a formal meeting with notes. Both parties are likely to be more relaxed and open that way.
Addressing problems early on and adapting is a far better solution than letting issues accumulate. So do try to create an environment where the nanny and the family can give feedback without fear of a frosty reception!
Find a nanny with our nanny-finding platform
Finally, good luck with your search and selection.
We hope we can play an active role in helping you find an excellent nanny for your family.
