How to Make Your Nanny Happy
The happiest nanny is the one that is being paid for being more than just a babysitter if she is also a chef, personal shopper, ESL teacher and janitor. Compensate your nanny fairly and she will stay a good long time. It is also important to pay your nanny on time. Make sure that you clarify the terms of payment in any contract and stick to your agreement. Making your nanny wait to be paid is a very bad idea.
The happiest nanny is one that feels she can still have a life of her own while at the same time feeling wanted and appreciated by your family. Make sure that you praise your nanny often, especially if she is a very young girl. The younger your nanny is the more she will be prey to low self esteem and sensitive to criticism. If your nanny is older be sure to treat her with the respect that she deserves. No matter what the age of your nanny be sure that she is treated kindly and spoken to in a civil and courteous manner.
The happiest nanny is one that also has her own living quarters preferably with a hot plate and small bar fridge. This way she is not always stuck eating the family’s food. She is also better off with her own bathroom. The same goes for a live in domestic couple. In fact a home with a finished basement or in law suit is best of all for either type of helper.
Your nanny is also appreciative a bonus every now and then, especially if it happens to be his or her birthday. If your nanny is from a foreign country go to a little effort to understand her culture or make her feel happy, You can have foods she is familiar with on hand or you can learn a bit of the language. The personal and considerate touch can go a long way towards keeping your nanny with you.
It is always a big mistake to yell at a nanny or criticize her in front of others. Instead pull the nanny aside and have a private talk with her if you have a problem. Realize that she is human and that everybody makes mistakes now and then.
Finally make sure that the nanny has a bit of privacy. Allow her to have her own life, opinions and taste. This is the best way to make sure that she will stay with you a long time and also remain very loyal to you.