What Does a Nanny Look for in a Family? – Insights from Sommet Nannies

Finding the right nanny has always been a challenging experience for many families. It’s not because there’s a shortage of nannies – the problem is that the good ones are almost always employed. While families have their preferences for nannies, nannies also have their own set of criteria when looking for their potential employers.

If you're in search of a nanny, it's essential to understand what qualities they seek in a family to ensure you will get along well with them and have a good working relationship. In this article, we’ll learn more about the perspective of nannies and find out about some of the characteristics they typically look for when considering a family to work with.

Compatibility with Parenting Style

It’s incredibly important for nannies to have compatible parenting styles with the host family. Nannies often seek families whose values and disciplinary methods do not differ from their own. This helps both the nanny and family to have smoother communication and consistency in caregiving—which ultimately benefits your children.

Respect and Appreciation

Nannies want to work in homes where their skills and contributions are valued and appreciated. Families who believe that nannies are an integral part of their children’s lives and respect their expertise are more likely to foster a positive working relationship.

Clear Communication

Another important thing to consider is open and transparent communication. Nannies want families who are upfront with everything including their expectations, schedules, and any specific needs or preferences regarding childcare. When nannies know what they’re expected to do, they’ll feel more confident and happier with their jobs.

Fair Compensation and Benefits

Hiring a nanny is like bringing in an additional caregiver for your children. They will invest their time, energy, and knowledge to ensure your children are cared for. To attract the best nannies,  families must be ready to provide fair compensation in return. These compensations should also align with the nanny’s skill set, experience, and qualifications.

Work-Life Balance

Respect your nannies' agreed-upon working hours. This means no setting overtime demands or abrupt schedule changes. Flexibility should be reserved only for emergencies, and you have to make sure this won’t cause stress or inconvenience to the nanny. Consideration of the nanny’s commitments after work is also important. Nannies are also like us who have hobbies and relationships outside work.

Safe and Supportive Environment

Nannies like families to provide a nurturing environment both physically and emotionally. Homes should have baby safety gates, covered electrical outputs, and smoke detectors. Aside from physical safety, nannies also appreciate families who show warmth and affection in child-rearing. Comforting children through hugs and providing positive reinforcement should be the normal parent-child bond.

 

Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.