Your nanny is an integral part of your family’s fabric and plays a key role in it. Ensuring your family assistant or nanny is recognized and appreciated for their contributions not only encourages them to keep up the good work but also helps establish loyalty and job satisfaction. There are a variety of various meaningful and sincere methods to show appreciation for your nanny’s dedication.
Verbal Kudos:
A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes a long way. So, make a point to verbally express your gratitude on a regular basis. Whether that’s every day at the end of your nanny’s shift, at the end of the work week, or throughout the day, letting your employee know that you appreciate them is necessary.
Get the Kids Involved:
Have the children write a thank you card, color a picture for them with a note of thanks or have them create a special craft like a picture frame with the nanny and kids. Involving children in your efforts of gratitude are meaningful and can truly warm your nanny’s heart. If you choose to write a thank you note, mention some specific moments or a time that stood out to you that made a difference in your child’s life or in your family unit. Try to illustrate why your nanny is such an important part of your family.
Monetary Gifts or Gift Cards:
Get to know your nanny and their interests or preferences. For example, if you know they love traveling, provide a gift card for their preferred airline or hotel, or provide a cash bonus that they can put toward a trip. If you know they live away from family and miss them, consider providing a cash bonus for them to go visit, as well as an extra day or week of paid time off that gives them the chance to plan a visit.
Invest in their Professional Development:
Your nanny isn’t just a babysitter – they are professional childcare providers that have chosen to make nannying their career. Show that you are committed to their professional development by paying for industry-related conferences, certifications, or memberships. For example, give an International Nanny Association membership, or subscription to an industry-related magazine that could help bolster their skills and expertise.
Regular Bonuses and Reviews:
As a household employer, it’s important to provide regular reviews and bonuses for your household employee. This gives you the opportunity to sit down and discuss their role in detail – including job duty descriptions, wages and benefits, and job performance. If your employee is doing a great job, reward them with a bonus. In addition, build in regular pay increases to ensure their wages are competitive and are fair for their qualifications and experience level.
Give the Gift of Time:
In addition to their wages and benefits, consider surprising your nanny with some unexpected paid time off that they can use for a mental health day, a day at the spa, or just time to catch up on personal errands or rest. Time is our most asset and chances are, your nanny will appreciate having more of it!
Your nanny doesn’t just invest their time to your family, but they invest much of their heart and talents, too. So, celebrate them by sharing a heartfelt thanks or some tangible gifts from time to time. This provides affirmation of their job well done and keeps their ‘tank’ fueled and ready to continue serving.