Best practices- communication

[Anonymous]

Hi! We are changing from daycare to a nanny share. It is very exciting and we are ready for the change. I know that communication is key to a good working partnership-so I am searching for advice from folks who have/had great communication practices with their nannies.

[Anonymous]

We have a great nanny. She insists on a short debriefing every evening to tell us what DC did that day and any issues she might be having. All duties are clearly outlined and we never ask her for more than the occasional emergency "favor".

Let your nanny (or any employee) know that you respect him/her and be generous with gratitude for a job well-done and compliments.

Be in communication with the other family in the share and make sure you are all on the same page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a great nanny. She insists on a short debriefing every evening to tell us what DC did that day and any issues she might be having. All duties are clearly outlined and we never ask her for more than the occasional emergency "favor".

Let your nanny (or any employee) know that you respect him/her and be generous with gratitude for a job well-done and compliments.

Be in communication with the other family in the share and make sure you are all on the same page.

AND give a few months for things to settle in. Do not make rash judgements if things are not perfect in the first few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Our nanny comes with the kids to meet me near work for lunch once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our nanny comes with the kids to meet me near work for lunch once a week.

Not OP but NICE IDEA!!! Thanks! Easily something I could do with our nanny as we live close to my work.

[Anonymous]

If you find that you need to leave right when the nanny arrives and aren't getting home until exactly when her shift is over, consider asking for a (paid) extra 15 minutes twice a week, so you have time to check in. (I used to get to work 15 minutes early for that reason, but you can't expect that of someone if they aren't being compensated.)

[Anonymous]

In a share, you need to build in a "review" early on with all three parties (both families and the nanny) to work out anything that isn't working. Otherwise, the nanny may feel pulled in two directions at once by the two families and not know how to resolve it without a lot of back and forth (for example, you want her to bring DC to lunch, family B doesn't want their DC to eat whatever it is or miss her nap).

[Anonymous]

The nanny should meet with each set of parents at least once a month.