9 Ways to Build a Great Relationship with Your Nanny
Finding the perfect nanny is a huge relief. Here’s how to make sure you build a strong, lasting, and happy relationship with them.
You’ve done it. After all the searching, interviews, and recommendations, you’ve finally found someone you trust to care for your children and found the right nanny for you and your family. But now that you’ve hired your nanny, how can you ensure you build a solid and lasting relationship with them?
A good relationship is key to making sure your nanny feels valued, respected, and happy in their role – after all, happy nanny, happy family, right? At Hummingbird Home Staff, as one of the leading nanny agencies, we’ve put together some top tips to help you create a wonderful working relationship with your new nanny.
So, whether it’s your first time employing a nanny or you’ve been down this road before, these simple steps will go a long way!
9 Proven Way to Build a Great Relationship with Your Nanny
1. Start with Clear Expectations
From day one, clear communication is a must. Be open and honest about your expectations. Have a sit-down chat (or two!) to discuss what’s important to you, from daily routines and parenting styles to general house rules. This might include things like how much screen time is allowed, what kind of meals you want your children to have, or bedtimes.
Setting these clear expectations right from the get-go ensures everyone is on the same page, making for a smooth transition. Not only that, but it also helps your nanny feel confident in their role, because they will know exactly what is expected right from the beginning.
2. Treat Them Like Part of the Family
A nanny is not just another employee – they’re going to be part of your family’s daily life. So, it goes without saying that it’s super important to make them feel welcome! Small gestures, like inviting them to join family meals every now and then, can go a long way in helping them feel appreciated.
Plus, a nanny who feels like part of the family is more likely to be happy in their role, which ultimately benefits your children too. Happy home, happy nanny, happy kids!
3. Open Communication is Key
The best relationships are built on good communication, and your relationship with your nanny is no exception. Encourage them to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or thoughts they have, and make sure you’re doing the same.
Whether it’s about the kids’ behaviour, changes in the routine, or something they might need to do their job better, regular check-ins are important. Also, don’t forget to praise them when they’ve done a great job! A little "thank you" can mean a lot, and positive feedback will go a long way in boosting morale.
4. Respect Their Time Off
Nannies work incredibly hard, and like any professional, they need time to relax and recharge. It’s important to respect their time off - don’t expect them to always be ‘on call’ or available at a moment’s notice. This is especially true if you decide to hire a live-in nanny.
While there might be occasional emergencies, try to plan ahead and give them as much notice as possible for any extra hours you might need them to work. Giving them space to recharge will mean they return to work energised and ready to give their best to you and your family.
5. Be Flexible and Understanding
Life can be unpredictable, especially when you have children - and your nanny understands this better than anyone. If there are last-minute changes to your schedule, try to be understanding if your nanny needs a bit of flexibility, too.
Whether it's adjusting hours or being understanding when they’re running a few minutes late, this mutual respect will strengthen your working relationship. Remember, flexibility goes both ways!
6. Provide Feedback
If there’s something you’d like done differently, it’s important to communicate it - but make sure you do so in a gentle, respectful way. Don’t wait until little frustrations build up; instead, have an honest conversation and frame your feedback in a constructive way.
For example, instead of saying, “You’re always late with bedtime,” you might say, “We’ve noticed bedtime is running a bit late - maybe we could try a slightly different approach and perhaps start things off a bit earlier?” It’s all about tone and keeping things positive.
7. Show Appreciation
Everyone loves to feel appreciated, and your nanny is no different. Whether it’s a birthday card, a small token on a special occasion, or just a heartfelt thank you, showing your appreciation goes a long way in building a strong, lasting relationship.
Even just saying, "I really appreciate how you handled things today" will make your nanny feel valued and motivated to continue providing excellent care.
8. Involve Them in Important Conversations
As someone who spends so much time with your children, your nanny will have a unique perspective on their development, behaviour, and needs. Involving them in important discussions, such as meal plans, activities, or school choices, will make them feel valued and part of the decision-making process.
Plus, it’s always helpful to have another pair of eyes and ears when navigating parenting challenges!
9. Remember They’re Human Too
At the end of the day, your nanny is human, just like the rest of us! They’ll have good days and bad days, and they may make mistakes every now and then. Being understanding and forgiving when things don’t go perfectly will help you maintain a positive and supportive relationship.
A little kindness and patience go a long way in fostering trust and mutual respect - and trust us, when you’ve found the right nanny for you and your family, it’s more than worth the effort.
How Hummingbird Can Help Find the Right Nanny for You
To sum up, when it comes to hiring a nanny, there’s lots to think about. But the good news is, building a strong relationship with your nanny isn’t rocket science - instead, it’s all about good communication, mutual respect, and making them feel like part of your family.
Treat them with the same kindness, patience, and appreciation you’d expect in any relationship, and you’ll create a happy, supportive environment where both your nanny and children can thrive.
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect nanny or need more advice on managing your nanny relationship, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Hummingbird. With more than 25 years experience helping families find their perfect nanny and as one of the top nanny agencies in the UK, there’s nothing we don’t know about the nanny recruitment process.
We’re always here to help - so get in touch with our team today and start taking steps towards finding the right childcare support for you and your family.
