Posts Tagged ‘nanny contracts’
An Annual Nanny Review
It’s been a year since you found your nanny and it’s time to hold an annual review. When you’re preparing for your annual review with your childcare provider, these are a few of the things that you’ll want to make a point of addressing.
Compensation Changes
If your nanny has requested a raise or a cost-of-living wage increase, it’s essential that you address that request as part of your annual review. Whether you plan to grant the increase or can’t find room in the budget, you shouldn’t neglect to mention the subject. It’s also wise to broach the subject if your nanny hasn’t mentioned a raise, as it’s likely the first thing on her mind when the time for a review rolls around. Establishing whether or not there will be a change in her current compensation package early in the review gets the subject out of the way, making room for other productive conversations without keeping her on tenterhooks regarding her salary.
Change of Duty Agreements
Typically, a nanny is responsible only for household chores related directly to the care of your children. In some situations, your nanny may be willing to perform other tasks if she’s compensated accordingly, but it’s important to ensure that those duties are outlined in her nanny contract. The relationship between a nanny and her employer is an ever-evolving thing, so there will almost certainly be changes in the way that your nanny works over the course of a year. If her hours will be decreasing due to a child’s enrollment in preschool, increasing because you’re expecting another child or you’re interested in expanding her role into a household manager capacity, the annual review is an ideal time to discuss the subject.
Performance Evaluation
Even if you’re happy with the way that your nanny cares for your children and maintains the household while you’re away, there are probably areas in which you feel that she could use some improvement. If not, you certainly should be telling her that she’s doing an outstanding job and reiterating how important she is to your family. One of the primary purposes of an annual review is to discuss her performance, so make a point of including your observations.
Nanny Log Review
If your nanny keeps a written log or documents major milestones, this is a great time to talk about the difference she’s made in your kids’ lives and their leaps and bounds in development under her care. You can also address negative situations or events, and talk about ways that they could be handled differently in the future.
Her Expectations and Observations
Your nanny may have questions or situations that she’d like to address, or changing expectations as her position evolves and your children get older. Make sure that you set aside a bit of time to listen to your nanny’s thoughts, what she expects going into the year ahead and any grievances she may have. Your nanny needs to feel free to discuss things that she sees or how she feels without fear of repercussion, so make your annual review a safe, judgment-free zone in which she can do just that.
Projected View of the Upcoming Year
When you go into your annual review, it’s wise to have a mental overview of what you expect from the year to come. While it’s not possible to accurately predict every change in a busy family’s routine a year in advance, you should be able to make a few guesses. An impending new addition to the family, the beginning of a preschool or kindergarten routine, an upcoming promotion that will require you to be away from home more or any other major lifestyle change that affects your nanny should be discussed. The review is a great time to get on the same page about the year ahead and to prepare to face the challenges and excitement that is sure to follow together.
If you have any questions about a nanny performance review please contact TLC For Kids Nanny Placement Counselor Jessica Friedman at Jessica@tlcforkids.com
Nanny Tips
Regarding Nannies has a great website for nannies. Recently they did an interesting blog post with tips from some of their most successful nannies. We wanted to share one with you. Whether you are a nanny looking for a nanny job or you are a currently employed nanny I think you will enjoy reading this.
Karen Y. shares …
The 5 Best Practices for a nanny I recommend are as follows, with four under the category Document!! One, Document your day!! Most jobs ask the nanny to keep a log book of the day’s activities or milestones. What a great way to showcase the growth and changes of your charge/es while you are their nanny! Parent’s love to see what happened while they were gone during the day. With technology today, you can also take a cell phone picture and down load to a flash drive for a daily record of that job.
Secondly, I suggest documents in your car or nanny car. I have copies of my charges health insurance cards, dental insurance cards and parent information located in the folder with the car registration. If I was knocked unconscious in an accident, the police would be able to contact someone on that list. Thank to Mary Ann X. Meddish, I have tie-on ICE cards that are attached to infant and toddler car seats where that information can also be reached.
Third, I recommend having a document, preferably a contract in place. It protects you and the family when all information pertaining to the job is written down. For busy parents and nannies, having it on paper helps the communication and keeps all parties with in the job description.
Fourth, keep your resume updated at all times! Many nannies I know have recently lost their positions thru no fault of their own. Downsizing, parents deciding to stay home or job relocation for parents mean that keeping your resume updated will only benefit you! Always include copies of trainings, certifications, and conference attendance forms. Parents like to know that you are constantly educated and know your business!
Lastly, Be sure that you land in a job where you are happy and where your communication with your employers is great. Because if the nanny is not happy, it will trickle down in to the family dynamics. Be pro-active in talking about issues or concerns to keep a smile on your face! Why spend your days not doing something you love?
Nanny Contracts
Congratulations! You’ve found a great nanny. And nannies congratulations on your new job! This transition can be a little stressful and nerve wrecking. Don’t worry TLC is here to help.
First, let’s review a few things you should do before starting. Prior to a nanny position starting both parties (kids included)should meet in the home. Employers should go through the house with the nanny. It is always helpful to learn as much about the position as possible.
After making sure this is a good fit you are ready to negotiate a contract. TLC For Kids requires that every nanny position have an agreed upon contract signed prior to the start date. Having a contract is great way to open the lines of communication and with a contract in hand there will be no surprises down the road.
Nannies DON’T be afraid when the family asks for you to sign the contract- look at it as your friend and ally. If the family doesn’t have a contract you should ask them to provide one.
Families DON”T think that asking the nanny to sign a contract will scare her off. A contract is the best way to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Contracts should be review periodically throughout the year. A midyear and end of the year review is recommended as well as an immediate review if circumstances change (for example the parents separate or a new arrival).
If you have any other questions on contracts or if you need a sample contract please contact our Placement Coordinator Jessica at Jessica@tlcforkids.com.
TLC For Kids, Inc has been St. Louis’ premiere nanny and babysitting agency for over 25 years. TLC For Kids dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutor’s, newborn care specialists, sitters and more. Reach us at info@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660.