Give me a list of things your superstar nanny does? Or if they are not a superstar what would you like them to be doing? |
Do a search. |
I didn't mean a high end nanny.
You can make $10 an hour and still be a great nanny. I meant what do you love most about your nanny that she does with your child/for you? What makes a parent say " damn, I am so glad I have this nanny. I feel bad for other ppl who have crappy nannies" (in their heads) |
I'm sure there is a not too old thread on this you could find.
Most important, non-negotiable in a nanny, and what I value most in our otherwise far from perfect nanny, is unquestioned trust in the safety of my kids when in her care. |
The things I love most about our amazing nanny is that I come home to a clean, vacuumed house, dishes put away, sink empty, dinner prepped or cooked, clothes folded, etc.
Funny thing about it all is this nanny was cheaper than my previous nanny PLUS my kids are learning spanish for free. We truly have the best nanny. |
I guess that the expected things are that nanny is dependable, arrives on time, and truly cares about my children. If those things are met, I can forgive almost anything else. If those aren't met, then I am probably looking for someone else.
After that, I think a nanny can excel in three areas: a) housework. the above vaccuming, cooking, general tidying of the house. Also, being kind of a manager of the house, and being able to be there and tell the plumber what the problem is when he arrives, point out the stains when we get the carpets cleaned, etc. b) playing with the kids. Doing crafts, making up fun games, teaching the kids their colors and numbers or math. Playing dress up, practicing for the school play or getting that t-ball hit just right, being right on with when to discipline and when a kid is just having a rough day. c) managing the kids schedules. Knowing when the school/preschool Christmas and Valentine's day parties are and getting the kids ready, making sure that they eat early on Wednesday nights because they have football, knowing when the try-outs are for baseball, writing down when we are out of things like diapers/wipes or laundry detergent or peanut-butter. |
Is her name Alice? Btw, she's a housekeeper, keeping an eye on your kid as she's scrubbing your filth. Your friends must envy your basement bargain, don't they? |
Is you Nanny legal to work? |
The trouble is that often people expect 1, 2 and 3 for the price of #2. #2 is a nanny's job, for kids under 5. #2 + #3 is a Nanny Manager's job for kids 5 - 12+. All 3 job subtypes put together are a Household Manager's job, with kids who need after-school care and vacation care, and parents who need help keeping their home running. Expecting 1 + 2 + 3 from a nanny being paid only nanny rates who is wrangling multiple kids under 5 50+ hours a week is a great way to burn nanny out completely. |
I don't think that anyone can do 1, 2, and 3. I just think you should pick one of those areas to do well, and you will be a superstar (at least in my book). |
I would honestly fire my nanny is she did any housework beyond child-related. I am dead serious about that. I hired a college graduate with a degree in education to to a teacher to my child -- I do not want or hire a housekeeper/maid.
DS's nanny is brilliant. She always has his best interest at heart. She seeks out places and classes to take him. And she is funny, kind and very imaginative. She is also never late, never in a bad mood, never uses her cell phone for personal calls, insisted that we get nanny cams, and is pretty much loved by everyone. When I am walkng with my son on weekend, strangers have come up to me to tell me what an amazing nanny we have (first they assume she is our son's grandmother - when I tell them she is his nanny they are shocked). My son's face lights up when she arrives in the morning. I have a Super Nanny. The care and education of my child comes is more important to me than loading a dishwasher. |
~ Arrives on time or a little earlier. Never have to worry about coming in late to work because of a bad start w/a nanny who isn't punctual. ~ Someone who has an excellent work ethic. Someone who takes her job seriously and is very dependable + responsible at the same time. ~ One who is an excellent communicator both w/the child and the child's parents. Huge. ~ Someone who has a kid-friendly personality. This isn't something that can be taught in a college or nanny school. Either someone has it or they don't. Simple as that. |
Well said, thank you, but the cam thing is new to me. |
Only pay her $10/hr, live in and on 24/7, refused OT, illegal, cooks. Cleans. Bows and walks backward when I'm presence of MB. |
WOW! You have a Stepford Nanny. |