You found a nanny job and a family you love. Congrats! Now, how do you become the best nanny you can be? We have some nanny tips to help you understand how to be a good nanny.
- Be on time!
Your employer is counting on you, and so are your new favorite kiddos! Learning how to manage your time is crucial especially when you just started with a new family. Keep your calendar updated or invest in a planner. Before beginning a new week, take some time to sit down and prioritize daily activities, meal plans or nap times for the kids. Not only does it help keep you organized, but your day goes a lot smoother when you have a timely game plan. Give it a try!
- Give 100% effort.
For those first few hours of the day, this family is counting on you. We know it can feel like a lot of pressure, but giving 100% of your effort will feel more rewarding for you in the long run. Don’t leave dirty snack dishes in the sink!
- Anticipate and communicate.
Running low on diapers? Used up the last of the milk? Let your boss know. Need to schedule a routine doctor’s appointment? Ask your employer BEFORE you schedule if there are times that might work better for them. Having an open and honest line of communication will benefit you both.
- Be positive!
“I will” is a much more positive message than “I’ll try.” A bright smile and cheery attitude is contagious. It’s important to remember that every job comes with challenges. Before bringing a problem to your boss, consider possible solutions. Propose the solution that you feel works best – and be open to your employer’s point of view. Make sure you take time after your job is done, to somehow vent or decompress. A journal is a healthy option, or simply having a night out with friends!
- Be trustworthy.
The biggest part of being a rockstar nanny is becoming a moving part in a family that trusts you with their home, and children. You work in a private home, may genuinely love your charges and be quite fond of your employer. That is all well and good. It is important to remember, however, that you are NOT a member of the family, that this is your job. Behaviors, attitudes and issues appropriate for discussion in YOUR private home with your family need to stay there. There are multiple ways you can establish trust in a home and having a genuine attitude and understanding boundaries is a huge part of that.
- Recognize opportunities to help
Take initiative! Take a minute to look around and seek areas where you think your family may need assistance. Maybe it’s keeping the kids’ playroom tidy after a play session. Perhaps it is keeping the kitchen sink clean on time for dinner. Your efforts won’t go unnoticed. It’s better to be mindful than absent.
These tips are just the surface of what it takes to be the best nanny you can be. Being a nanny is more than just a job. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it, but you also get to build a special bond with the kids you work with. Once a child has that trust in you, you gain a very important role in his or her life, especially when the parent is not around. And it’s really nice to be able to fill in for parents and have them be comfortable that their kids are being taken care of. It’s what makes being a nanny such a unique job. It can be tough being the only employee and having the parents count on you to show up every day so they can go to work. You can’t just wake up in the morning and decide to call in an hour before your shift, because it affects not just your day but the days of the family you work for. Talk about pressure!
It’s important to take a step back a few hours before your work day and take some time to do something you love. Read a book, meditate, get your exercise in and mentally prepare for your busy day. What does your preparation look like for the day?