Welcoming new international nanny

[Anonymous]

We are lucky enough to be able to bring a great nanny from my home countriy to care for our 3.5 y.o. and hopefully a baby (on the way). She speaks English but could use lessons, so I'm planning to offer to sign her up for some. Other than this, what else would be helpful to make her feel at home more quickly in a new country? She will be welcome to eat breakfast and dinner with us most work nights and of course we can advise her as things come up but I'm trying to think of what else would be helpful.

Also, I'm looking for tips on affordable but clean and safe buildings in /near Adams Morgan/Dupont/Kalorama/West End/Woodley, as well as tips on shopping that may not be obvious to her (she can come to Costco with us but I'm not sure how much time she'll want to spend with us outside of work!! I think I would want privacy / a rest, no matter who my employers were).

[Anonymous]

Affordable in those areas? Not going to happen especially depending on what you pay her.

[Anonymous]

Clean and safe buildings for what?

[Anonymous]

If your new nanny is from your home country, you would know better than we would what would welcome her! We don’t even know what country she is from or what language she speaks!!

[Anonymous]

Wow, ok... so much for nanny solidarity. We paying a competitive wage and she's aware of housing costs; I've also pointed out much more affordable areas but she's choosing to live closer and can afford it.

I'd still be grateful for well meaning tips, especially from nannies who came here from abroad. I'm an immigrant myself so I do have lots of tips but an "exact match" demographically is always better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, ok... so much for nanny solidarity. We paying a competitive wage and she's aware of housing costs; I've also pointed out much more affordable areas but she's choosing to live closer and can afford it.

I'd still be grateful for well meaning tips, especially from nannies who came here from abroad. I'm an immigrant myself so I do have lots of tips but an "exact match" demographically is always better!

You're not going to find many people who came here from abroad to be nannies. Only diplomats can do this legally (hire someone from their home country). Everyone else would have come here some other way, likely with family, and then found a job as a nanny.

Maybe post on the au pair board, although those women live with their host families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, ok... so much for nanny solidarity. We paying a competitive wage and she's aware of housing costs; I've also pointed out much more affordable areas but she's choosing to live closer and can afford it.

I'd still be grateful for well meaning tips, especially from nannies who came here from abroad. I'm an immigrant myself so I do have lots of tips but an "exact match" demographically is always better!

So you want us to give you tips on how to welcome a NANNY only? And from what country?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, ok... so much for nanny solidarity. We paying a competitive wage and she's aware of housing costs; I've also pointed out much more affordable areas but she's choosing to live closer and can afford it.

I'd still be grateful for well meaning tips, especially from nannies who came here from abroad. I'm an immigrant myself so I do have lots of tips but an "exact match" demographically is always better!

You're not going to find many people who came here from abroad to be nannies. Only diplomats can do this legally (hire someone from their home country). Everyone else would have come here some other way, likely with family, and then found a job as a nanny.

Maybe post on the au pair board, although those women live with their host families.

Ok, thanks for the tip. I was under the impression that plenty of legal nannies are immigrants. Our previous nanny was a green card holder who moved back to her country to take care of her parents. She's given me a few great tips already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, ok... so much for nanny solidarity. We paying a competitive wage and she's aware of housing costs; I've also pointed out much more affordable areas but she's choosing to live closer and can afford it.

I'd still be grateful for well meaning tips, especially from nannies who came here from abroad. I'm an immigrant myself so I do have lots of tips but an "exact match" demographically is always better!

So you want us to give you tips on how to welcome a NANNY only? And from what country?!

These are american nanies that are trying to protect their job.

[Anonymous]

I would welcome her just like you would anyone from another country.

Put together a welcome basket for her home (apartment/room in your home/etc). Have treats from her country as well as treats from here. Add an important numbers list like your contact, 911, etc. maybe a phone card so she can call home?? Plus other home gifts like flowers, bath soap, face masks.

Find local nanny groups, yes they are out there, especially on Facebook. Look on meetup for groups she maybe interested in.

In the beginning offer to take her on tons of touristy stuff.

Depending on her age, she may get homesick or overwhelmed, just let her know you are available to chat if need be

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PP, these are great ideas!!

[Anonymous]

Don't let these people bother you on this board. Many of these nannies are afraid they will lose their job as more and cheaper competition heads to the country. Welcome here by doing things native to her culture.

Anonymous wrote:We are lucky enough to be able to bring a great nanny from my home country to care for our 3.5 y.o. and hopefully a baby (on the way). She speaks English but could use lessons, so I'm planning to offer to sign her up for some. Other than this, what else would be helpful to make her feel at home more quickly in a new country? She will be welcome to eat breakfast and dinner with us most work nights and of course we can advise her as things come up but I'm trying to think of what else would be helpful.

Also, I'm looking for tips on affordable but clean and safe buildings in /near Adams Morgan/Dupont/Kalorama/West End/Woodley, as well as tips on shopping that may not be obvious to her (she can come to Costco with us but I'm not sure how much time she'll want to spend with us outside of work!! I think I would want privacy / a rest, no matter who my employers were).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't let these people bother you on this board. Many of these nannies are afraid they will lose their job as more and cheaper competition heads to the country. Welcome here by doing things native to her culture.

Anonymous wrote:We are lucky enough to be able to bring a great nanny from my home country to care for our 3.5 y.o. and hopefully a baby (on the way). She speaks English but could use lessons, so I'm planning to offer to sign her up for some. Other than this, what else would be helpful to make her feel at home more quickly in a new country? She will be welcome to eat breakfast and dinner with us most work nights and of course we can advise her as things come up but I'm trying to think of what else would be helpful.

Also, I'm looking for tips on affordable but clean and safe buildings in /near Adams Morgan/Dupont/Kalorama/West End/Woodley, as well as tips on shopping that may not be obvious to her (she can come to Costco with us but I'm not sure how much time she'll want to spend with us outside of work!! I think I would want privacy / a rest, no matter who my employers were).

This view is actually correct. You are able to bring a foreign worker into the states, that DIRECTLY competes with many of these nannies in this country. They are just afraid they will lose their job, if this becomes a common trend.

Do you by chance have a number for these foreign nannies. I am sure many people on here would love to have alternative options than paying these insanely high nanny prices.