Evaluating your new nanny’s job performance

When you employ a new nanny there is a lot of trust that you place in them to care for your children.

It is imperative you are comfortable and confident with your choice as they will have sole responsibility of the care of your child.

Establishing if they are doing a good job generally takes a little time. You both need to develop a relationship with each other and the nanny with your children as well as master the routine, etc.

It can be difficult to know how things are going with your nanny when you’re not there to observe. But while you may not be there to physically see their every move (and nor should you be- that would be defeatist) it is key that you have guidelines, expectations and fundamentals in place and have clearly communicated them to your new nanny prior to their commencement.

Generally you should be able to determine the fit of the nanny for your family from your child relatively quickly.

The evidence will become clear through your interactions with the nanny, their interactions and relationship with your child, the level of workmanship in other tasks and so on.

Having everything clear at the outset will provide further reassurance and enable you to evaluate your nanny’s performance as there will be a benchmark to go by.

Firstly, it is important to decide on the fundamentals such as the characteristics you envisage your new nanny as having. This may include elements such as caring, reliability, safety in terms of how would they react to various situations.

Included in the on-boarding of your new nanny should be information that provides direction and understanding for the nanny in her tasks, responsibilities, your expectations and so on.

This should be completed even if you have sourced your nanny via an agency as the information you are sharing at the commencement of their employment is not only specific to your family and requirements but it will set the overall guidelines for the nanny and ultimately a successful employment arrangement.

This should include things like where to access information (phone numbers, contact information for both parties), best point of /preferred contact for yourself as well as contact details for the Dr, emergency contacts, etc.

Initially you should go over again the contract which outlines the agreed-upon pay, days and hours for work and any extra things, such as agreed-upon housework, cooking, etc.

It provides the opportunity for questions and open communication right from the start as to the expectations and everything prior to alleviate any confusion. It will include any house rules, sharing of passwords, entry cards to places, etc.

Having clarity in terms of the role, the responsibilities and overall expectations will enable you a benchmark to evaluate your new nanny’s job performance, although it does also go deeper than the essentials.

It also provides for you to be able to share exact requirements on things such as nappy change routines, cooking rules, or anything that would potentially pose a concern and/or issue if not done to your specifications. Having a written routine of what the children do currently as a reference point for the new nanny is a great starting point. They can then refer to this should they need to and it allows you to discuss your level of flexibility on this routine and your wishes.

As much as it is important that your children like their new nanny it is just as important the relationship the nanny has with your children.

Providing time for everyone to adjust and build relationships is necessary, although sometimes it is clearer sooner that a nanny may not be the right fit for your family.

Evaluating a nanny’s performance is key to piece of mind as well as a successful partnership. This can be done formally where you have determined with the nanny at commencement a date when you would discuss their new employment or it can be done informally whereby you casually observe and make note of their performance.

Observing their interactions, asking yourself questions is a primary way to establish their relationship is a positive and solid forming one and they are the right fit for your family.

Questions such as:

• How do your children interact and talk about the nanny?
• How does your nanny interact and talk to your children?
• Are your children happy to see her?
• Do your children talk to her in a comfortable, natural manner?
• Do they talk non-stop about the nanny? (in a positive manner)
• Do they show off projects, new games or songs they worked on with the nanny?
• Do the children appear well cared for?
• Are they clean and well fed?
• Is the new nanny fulfilling all their required tasks within the role?
• Does your nanny communicate openly with you?
• How do they manage disciplinary issues with your children?
• Is the nanny open in terms of sharing key events of the day including any problems big or small as they arise?

• Your child can’t wait to see the nanny again, visibly looking forward to it and they can’t stop talking about them and the things they do. Also constantly asking after them when they are not there as to when they are back.
• Your nanny will greet the child (and yourselves) happily and with genuine interest.  A nanny’s enthusiasm will shine through.
• They are warm, caring and patient.
• Your child’s room is clean, and all other tasks are completed and they are well organised and efficient in their role.
• Your child seems well cared for and happy.
• But most importantly your child and the new nanny should develop a close bond.