Welcoming A New Nanny Into Your Home

Welcoming a new nanny is written in collaboration with Laura Green, a career nanny with over 30 years’ experience caring for more than 47 children worldwide.

The first few weeks with a new nanny set the tone for everything that follows. Get them right, and you’ll have a settled child, a confident nanny, and a working relationship you can rely on for years. Get them wrong, and you’re often left patching things up later — or starting the search all over again.

The good news is that a smooth start isn’t down to luck. It comes from a clear, well-run process: one that helps you choose the right person in the first place, and then brings them into your home in a way that works for everyone.

Below is the process we recommend to every family we work with — nine steps, from first interview to settled-in nanny.

Why It’s Worth Doing Properly

Hiring a nanny is not like filling most other roles. This person will spend their days caring for your children, often with more one-on-one time than you get during the week. That deserves real time and thought — not just a single interview and a handshake.

Families who invest properly at this stage consistently end up with stronger, longer-lasting placements. The steps below take some effort, but each one exists to save you a much bigger headache later.

Consider this framework a starting point that you can adapt to suit your family situation.  

The Nine Steps to Welcoming a New Nanny

1. The First Interview

Think of this as a friendly conversation, not an interrogation. Read through the nanny’s CV beforehand and prepare a few questions — some standard, some specific to your family — so you go in ready rather than winging it.

A few things make a real difference here:

• Take notes as you go. Impressions fade fast, and after several interviews they blur together. Jot things down while they’re fresh.
• Break the ice. Share a bit about yourself and your family before diving into questions. It’s easier to get an honest, relaxed conversation once both sides feel comfortable.
• Make it two-way. A good nanny will have questions of their own — encourage them.
• Ask about next steps. Before you finish, ask directly whether they’d like to move forward. It saves everyone time.

2. Check References Thoroughly

Ask for two written references from the nanny’s previous employers, and — if you can — two from the family’s own former nannies as well. When you pass these on, leave out personal contact details at first. It’s a small step that prevents unwanted direct contact before you’re ready for it.

3. The Second Interview

Only your strongest candidates should make it this far, so use the time well.

This is where you go deeper: talk through expectations on both sides, introduce the nanny to other adults in the household (if you’re a couple, make sure you’re both genuinely comfortable with them), and — if this is the first time they’re meeting your child — watch how they interact together.

Good to know: Plan for both parents (if applicable), the child, and 30–60 minutes at home.

Don’t skip this: If you’re hiring in the UK, this is the point to check the candidate’s right to work. It’s a legal requirement, and the fines for getting it wrong are steep.

4. The Paid Trial

Before anyone commits, a half-day paid trial lets you both see how it actually feels in practice — not just on paper.

Resist the urge to hover. Give the nanny and your child space to interact naturally; that’s the whole point of the exercise. Save your questions for a proper chat at the end of the day, once you’ve both had a chance to see how things went.

5. Connect the Old and New Nanny

If your child already has a nanny who’s moving on, a short call between the outgoing and incoming nanny is one of the most valuable — and most overlooked — steps in this whole process. It’s a chance to hand over routines, preferences, and the small details that make a child feel secure through the transition.

6. Make the Offer

Once you’ve found the right person, put it in writing — and make it warm, not just formal. Tell them you’re delighted, then cover the essentials clearly: start date, working hours, gross hourly rate, workplace address, and a summary of the role. Leave the door open for any questions before they accept.

7. Get the Contract Right

A proper contract protects both sides, so don’t just adapt a generic template and call it done.

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.

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8. Handover and Probation

Think of this as a gradual handoff rather than a single start date. Begin with the new nanny observing, let them take on more responsibility as confidence builds, and work toward them being fully in charge.

This slower ramp-up helps your nanny learn your family’s rhythms properly — and helps your child adjust without feeling like everything changed overnight.

9. Settling In

Once the role is filled, the work isn’t quite finished. Walk your new nanny through the house, show them where things are, and make sure they know it’s genuinely fine to take proper breaks.

Set up a short, informal check-in once a week for the first month or two — it’s a simple habit that catches small concerns before they become bigger ones.

Ready to Get Started?

Download our Checklist for Appointing a New Nanny to keep this process at your fingertips, or sign up as a family today to start meeting trusted, vetted nannies through Army of Nannies.

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.

Looking for your next family instead? Sign up as a nanny to find a role that’s the right fit for you.