Who gets the best nannies?

[Anonymous]

Is it the highest bidder, or the nicest, or the best perks?

Or a combination of all of the above?

[Anonymous]

I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think that?

[Anonymous]

8:21 makes no sense. It makes me think of how crappy people usually attract other crappy people. Logic would have it that the nicest families would most often attract the better nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

I kind of agree with this ... I know that the first couple of times we were hiring, I had such a hard time saying "no" that I hired someone just because I felt kind of bad that she'd come all the way to the interview, and I'd checked her references, etc., even though it was clear from the get-go that she wasn't exactly right for us.

I've gotten better about this now that I know how much harder it is to 1) keep paying someone whose work you don't think is good, and 2) have to fire someone.

[Anonymous]

The inherant problem here is that there is no one universal definition of "best" nanny. Or "best" MB/DB for that matter.

If you want the best nanny FOR YOUR FAMILY, then the key is at least reasonable pay, being clear and assertive in your communication about expectations/boundaries, and be appreciative (verbally or otherwise) of the traits you hope to see more of.

[Anonymous]

The families who make their childcare, including the person providing it, a priority. If its not important, you will not find the best. And if you do not treat them like they are valued, you will not keep the best.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want the best nanny FOR YOUR FAMILY, then the key is at least reasonable pay, being clear and assertive in your communication about expectations/boundaries, and be appreciative (verbally or otherwise) of the traits you hope to see more of.

+1

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ PPs re the combination of reasonable pay, clear communication, appreciation, etc...

I also think you need to be ready to be somewhat flexible w/ your parenting "rules". If you're very rigid in your approach, not open to suggestion or other ideas/methods, an experienced nanny may be turned off - they want to be treated and valued as professionals and that means respecting their knowledge and skills, even if their approach is sometimes different than yours.

Also, good working conditions are important - physical working conditions as well as pay and benefits.

As an employer you also need to be able to act professionally - you're hiring someone, not doing them a favor or choosing someone you feel sorry for. You are hiring a professional and you need to manage the relationship professionally - have a contract, set hours, vacation time, be respectful of the nanny as a peer, etc... I think far too many people hire nannies and behave totally differently than they would ever behave in their own professional environment. The nanny relationship is an unusually personal employment situation but it's still an employee/boss relationship and, IMO, it works better when that mindset is kept. It helps protect the employer and employee in the long run.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The families who make their childcare, including the person providing it, a priority. If its not important, you will not find the best. And if you do not treat them like they are valued, you will not keep the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

+1

I've always paid well and been super flexible, yet end up with flakes.
It just blows my mind what some of the nannies here put up with in their jobs, I can't understand how crappy employers manage to land good nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

+1

I've always paid well and been super flexible, yet end up with flakes.
It just blows my mind what some of the nannies here put up with in their jobs, I can't understand how crappy employers manage to land good nannies.

Then something is "off". What's your job description and what payrate do you offer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

+1

I've always paid well and been super flexible, yet end up with flakes.
It just blows my mind what some of the nannies here put up with in their jobs, I can't understand how crappy employers manage to land good nannies.

Then something is "off". What's your job description and what payrate do you offer?

None of your business. You're obviously one of the shitty nannies who like to bully around kind employers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the nicest people get the crappiest nannies and nice versa. No clue how it always shakes out that way.

+1

I've always paid well and been super flexible, yet end up with flakes.
It just blows my mind what some of the nannies here put up with in their jobs, I can't understand how crappy employers manage to land good nannies.

Then something is "off". What's your job description and what payrate do you offer?

None of your business. You're obviously one of the shitty nannies who like to bully around kind employers

Thank you. Your response when someone tries to help you, explains your problem perfectly. I'm also a parent, btw.