How to prepare for your yearly nanny review
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE JUST A FEW MONTHS AWAY FROM YOUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH YOUR NANNY!
I used to send this email out at the one-year mark but I realized that a year end review is something you need to start thinking about now and if you are like most of the families I work with, you are juggling more than your fair share and it’s easy for this milestone to come and go without notice.
That being said here is why it’s important to stop and plan for this upcoming anniversary. Hopefully this person has become like a part of the family and is a quintessential person in your life.
Just like a marriage, this is a partnership that takes some proactive thoughtfulness.
I like to call it “The 3 R’s”. Review, Recognize and Raise!
STEP 1: REVIEW
An annual review is a great way to check in with your nanny. Doing an annual review is important because it lets your employee know how she is doing, where her strengths are and where she can improve.
It also gives you both a chance to reflect on the previous first year together and recognize that the job she was originally hired for may have changed. The kids are older and onto new stages of development and may need different care. Maybe there is an additional child, baby on the way or pet or added responsibilities your nanny has taken on that weren’t originally discussed when she took the position.
All these factors play into the bigger picture when thinking about renewing a contract with your nanny and if things have been going swimmingly from your end it’s good practice to make sure your “other half” feels the same way.
Not only is it a good idea to review their performance but also check in on their commitment moving forward. By avoiding the question you really don’t know if there will be a next anniversary. That is why this conversation is so important.
Many family’s just assume their nanny is staying along for the ride but in fact is she may have other plans setting into motion.
Travel, a move or even a new position could be on her mind and just as family life changes from season to season there is no better way to stabilize future plans with your nanny then having an open, honest conversation.
STEP 2: RECOGNIZE
Just as important as an annual review to make sure you are in the same page with your caregiver is to recognize her hard work and devotion to your family.
Often times than not we get caught up in the everyday busyness and we forget to tell the people in our lives how much we appreciate them. That goes for your caregiver too! They make it possible for you to be your best and this is the perfect time to make sure you let them know how much you appreciate them.
Verbal acknowledgment goes a long way. We all need to hear from our boss that we are doing a good job and are making a positive impact.
Most likely your nanny needs to hear those words, being a nanny can sometimes be a lonely career, you don’t have co-workers to commiserate with and after all I think we all. An agreed that taking care of little people is one of the most important jobs out there!
You can use our link to our Holiday Bonus blog to get some ideas on a small gift of gratitude but keep in mind that this is a thoughtful way to let your nanny know how much he or she means to you.
STEP 3: RAISE
Finally the raise. Families often reach out to me to ask how they should compensate their nanny at their one year mark. This brings me back to why we are taking about this at month 9 rather than 12.
This is a part of the “Three R’s” that thinking about early really comes in handy. A raise may be something your family needs to plan for and build into your budget for the coming year with your nanny.
Typically an annual raise is anywhere from $1-5 per hour depending on the situation. You will want to take into consideration if there are any added responsibilities like a new baby, pet or increased household duties.
Also if your caregiver has gotten extra training or a certification that is great news and she can pass on the benefits to your family but education is expensive and with a new degree or certification it’s a good idea to give them a bump in salary.
I know you are thinking that you are already stretched to the max but just remember that your nanny feels the same stressors as you do and living in the Bay Area is expensive for them as well. Things like gas, commuting tolls and wear and tear on their own vehicle add up.
INVEST IN THE RELATIONSHIP
Mutual respect and appreciation goes a long way but if your nanny is not making market rate for their commitment and hard work it may become a dealbreaker.
Often times a year can go by and if there hasn’t been a conversation around all the above it can mean you lose your nanny and for that there is a greater expense in finding his or her replacement.
More importantly someone who has grown with your family and formed bonds with your children are worth their weight in gold and that last a lifetime.
And so my advice is make sure to do all of “The three R’s” for a happy, healthy, thriving partnership. It will not always be perfect but getting ahead on putting these into practice will surely set you up for success!