Onboarding a nanny in a nanny share when you're not the host

[Anonymous]

We're starting off a new nanny share. The other family seems great, the nanny is fabulous (many great references, excellent interview). The other family is hosting. What's the best way to onboard the nanny in this kind of situation? What did you do? What worked and didn't work? What do you wish you'd done differently?

The children are older (almost two).

[Anonymous]

Get a great contract in place addressing sick policy, overtime hours for one family, aligning PTO, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a great contract in place addressing sick policy, overtime hours for one family, aligning PTO, etc.

Yes, we have all that. I’m more thinking about getting the nanny up to speed on our child’s routines and getting my son comfortable.

[Anonymous]

When DD was in a nannyshare at another family’s home we had the nanny do some 1:1 weekend babysitting with her before the official start date (actually now that I recall we needed to start a week earlier than the other family, so our nanny worked a whole week just for us at our home). That way DD had some familiarity with our nanny ahead of time and we got to get to know our nanny better as well. We also eased into things, so I picked DD up early the first week so she could nap at home. Then once she seemed comfortable at the host house (within about a week) we started having her take afternoon nap there. I also spent some time over at the host house the first few days (like a half hour or so in the morning), so I wasn’t just dropping and leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a great contract in place addressing sick policy, overtime hours for one family, aligning PTO, etc.

Yes, we have all that. I’m more thinking about getting the nanny up to speed on our child’s routines and getting my son comfortable.

Honestly, the nanny will establish a routine for the kids. She won't do nap time exactly like you do, but it won't matter, the kids will do just fine and understand their nanny routine vs their mommy routine. A big part of a nanny share is blending two family's preferences, schedules, routines together into one cohesive daily routine and environment for the kids. If she's a career nanny, just let her do her thing and all will be fine. If they're almost two they're likely fall into a pattern like breakfast, play at home, snack, outing, home for lunch and nap, in home craft/activity/backyard play, snack, done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a great contract in place addressing sick policy, overtime hours for one family, aligning PTO, etc.

Yes, we have all that. I’m more thinking about getting the nanny up to speed on our child’s routines and getting my son comfortable.

You are going to drive her crazy. Give it time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a great contract in place addressing sick policy, overtime hours for one family, aligning PTO, etc.

Yes, we have all that. I’m more thinking about getting the nanny up to speed on our child’s routines and getting my son comfortable.

Unless your child has separation anxiety or behavioral issues, you don’t. The nanny sets the routine that works for all the kids. Your child will be fine.

Part days and adjustment time is for the parent, not the child.

[Anonymous]

When you have a nanny share and you are not the host, you kind of have to think of this more like an in home daycare. Drop your kid off, provide a little info and then the nanny will handle it from there.