Nanny&Me

1.     Make a sign. Whether it’s at the airport (if coming from overseas), on the front porch, or in the living room, what better way to offer a warm welcome than hanging a crafty welcome sign. If you want to get creative, you could even make a custom clothing welcome sign on your child's onesie or t-shirt with a Sharpie...and don't forget to offer a warm hug along with the sign!   

2.     Make a welcome basket. This is my favorite because you can really get creative. Here are some suggestions for what might be included in a welcome basket, you can pick and choose items that are a good fit for your family, your taste, and your budget:

o   Long distance phone card

o   A map of the area with all of the best eats and activities marked

3.     Put up some photos and place a fresh vase of flowers on their dresser. Moving into a new home is a big transition so having a familiar sight is comforting. Ask your nanny to send a few photos of their family and friends to print and put up in their bedroom. You could put a nice frame on their nightstand, or even print a nice photo on canvas. 

4.     Enjoy a nice meal together. When your nanny first arrives, take him/her out for dinner or cook a nice meal for them at home. Spend some time getting to know them and have fun.

5.     Go for a drive (or walk) around the neighborhood. Show your nanny around their new area. Point out favorite coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants.

6.     Foster a sense of community. If you live in an area with other nannies, then check in with neighbours and friends ahead of time to arrange for the nannies to meet. Also do some research (if they are religious) about local church communities etc.

7.     Make an orientation binder. One of the most stressful aspects for a nanny moving into a new home is the uncertainty around tasks and expectations. Create a binder of information on household tasks, family members, and expectations.

8.     Offer some down time. Moving to a new place with new people is very overwhelming, give your new nanny some time to acclimate to their new environment by offering down time before they start their childcare role (based on my own live-in caregiver experience, I recommend 2-4 days)

9.     Go shopping. Take your nanny to the grocery store and let them pick out their favourite foods. If there is a grocery store that is culturally relevant, take them there so that they can pick out some familiar comfort foods. 

10. Provide a shadowing opportunity. If possible, have the nanny spend time with you and your child(ren) before you go back to work, just ‘being’ and observing how you parent and operate as a family. Nanny&Me readers have recommended anywhere from 5 days to three weeks of overlap.