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How to Keep Your Nanny Happy

Being a Great Employer to Your Caregiver

Jun 22, 2008

You've hired the perfect nanny and look forward to having her with your children for years ahead. As the employer, what can you offer to keep your nanny happily employed?

The Nanny’s Salary

Salary is likely close to the top of the list of a content nanny. Be sure to understand what the going rate is for the workload you expect and the number of children in your nanny’s care. Ask friends and co-workers what they pay their nanny, and more importantly ask nannies you meet at lessons or playgroups what the going rate is. Know the protocol for giving your nanny a raise – when and how much?

Job Expectations of Your Nanny

Be clear on expectations of your nanny right from the start and throughout her employment. Extra duties being piled on over time, without discussion, can cause resentment in your nanny. Don’t allow a “one time favour” to become a silent expectation. Your nanny will often happily say yes to running an extra errand or two, but when it becomes a daily norm, it can become frustrating.

Job Perks for Nanny

What can you provide as a job perk for your nanny?

Can you help out with some educational courses?
Is there a car that is rarely used by your family that your nanny can use, even on her own time?
How many weeks of paid vacation will you be offering?
Will your nanny accompany you on a family trip with pay and time off to explore on her own?
Can you provide health benefits?

Nanny Incentives Don't Have to Cost Much

Remember, too, an incentive doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a lot of money. If you can fly your nanny to Hawaii with you on points or airmiles, your nanny earns a trip and you haven’t really paid the air fare. Don’t overlook other things airmiles can buy as well. Movie or Gap certificates tucked into a nanny’s pay cheque every few months is a nice way of saying thank you, and essentially it didn’t cost you a thing. Similarly, can you offer your nanny a discount at your or a friend’s work place?

Showing Your Nanny Appreciation

Show your nanny you value her by asking how her day was, not just your child's. Regularly make time for mini reviews. What is your nanny enjoying about the job? Where could she use some help? What is she finding frustrating?

Share your own frustrations about raising your children. Letting your nanny know that the behavior challenges happen on your watch as well can give your nanny peace of mind, and often just airing grievances can go a long way in releasing tensions.

Try small tokens of appreciation sporadically throughout the month such as a fresh loaf of bread and yummy cheese for your nanny to take home on the weekend, or picking up her favourite treat. Little things can go a long way in saying “Thank you”.

Finally, examine what keeps you happy in your job and pass that experience on as an employer to your nanny. Your nanny is working hard helping you raise your children - you know what a frustrating job that can be! Showing your nanny that you value her role as your children's caregiver goes a long way in keeping your nanny happily employed - and a happy nanny is bound to stick around for many years.

Are you considering hiring a nanny for the hours you work from home? Read Working From Home With a Nanny for tips on making it work!

The copyright of the article How to Keep Your Nanny Happy in Working Mothers is owned by Siobhan Keely. Permission to republish How to Keep Your Nanny Happy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.