By: Greta Schraer
National Nanny Recognition Week (iNNRW) is a time each year, specifically the end of September, to celebrate nannies! This includes the nanny industry honoring the career as a whole, peers celebrating in their local communities, and employers taking the time to thank their nannies for the investment they’re making in the home.
Many employers are just hearing about NNRW and may be curious about how to celebrate. Today, we will look at some ways to celebrate your nanny!
In Cincinnati, since 2009, we have been celebrating this within our local nanny community with an event each year. I recently polled some of our career nannies; 72 took part in the poll. I was curious to know how they most receive love and appreciation, when given the options of the 5 Love Languages (Acts of Service, Gifts, Touch, Quality Time & Words of Affirmation). In this poll, 42% responded to Words of Affirmation and 24% responded to Acts of Service. I admit that I was surprised that Gifts was not ranked higher than 3rd place at 13%. What this poll told me is that simple words and deeds can communicate appreciation and honor to most nannies. Even in the examples of gifts, nannies often mentioned the careful thought and deliberate choosing behind the gift… “I saw this and thought of you!” or “You have been working so hard, 2 days off is just what you need.”
Every employer and employee relationship is unique; some have only been working together short-term while others span decades of connection. Wherever you are, small gestures of kindness toward your nanny are a great idea! Every nanny wants to know that their work is meaningful. As our poll showed, think beyond the monetary to the way your nanny may most appreciate receiving love.
Ideas to celebrate your nanny:
- Decorate like a party & have cake with the kids for breakfast
- Write a letter of appreciation
- Frame a picture from the kids
- Pick out a gift that you are sure the nanny will love
- Pay for them to go to their local nanny event
- Give a day off along with a movie or spa gift card
- Bring home their favorite coffee, snack or ice cream
- Say meaningful words aloud, “you are doing an amazing job!”
- List “10 Reasons we Celebrate You”, let the kids help
- Create a scavenger hunt for the kids to do with nanny
- Send a text each day of the week
- Pay for them to go out to a special lunch with the kids
- Give a friendly hug, look them in the eye and say “thank you”, “I appreciate you” or “your care in our home is meaningful”.
This year National Nanny Recognition Week is Sept. 20-26, 2020. Join us as we celebrate nannies!
Greta Schaer – Faithfully serving in the childcare industry for over 20 years, Greta has worked as a professional nanny, youth minister, nanny community director and nanny placement agency owner. In 2009, after being introduced to the ‘nanny world’ at her first INA conference, Greta began gathering professional, career nannies together in Cincinnati for the first time. Offering training, playdates and peer support CincyNanny began as a nanny community. In 2015, Greta founded CincyNanny LLC, an elite placement agency. She expanded beyond supporting community and training to also connect families and career nannies for employment. Greta lives her core values of integrity, loyalty, innovation, collaboration & purpose through her work. Tangibly, this looks like requiring legal pay and thorough screening, sharing strong communication and efficient processes, providing excellent training, creative events, mentoring leaders and sharing her unique voice and purpose within the nanny industry. Greta has served a cumulative 7 years on the INA Board and was awarded the INA Nanny of the Year Award in 2010. Leading with integrity, locally and nationally, Greta has a heart to elevate the nanny industry overall, while empowering all women in the workforce. Providing excellent jobs for nannies, excellent support for mothers managing both family and career and ultimately enriching the lives of children.
* THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHORS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OFFICIAL POLICY OR POSITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL NANNY ASSOCIATION. THE CONTENTS OF THIS BLOG POST ARE INTENDED TO CONVEY GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR OPINIONS. THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS, AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE IN ANY PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE OR FACT SITUATION. THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS POST MAY NOT REFLECT THE MOST CURRENT LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS. NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN IN RELIANCE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS POST THE INA DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY IN RESPECT TO ACTIONS TAKEN OR NOT TAKEN BASED ON ANY OR ALL OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS POST TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. THE INTERNATIONAL NANNY ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS THAT AN ATTORNEY SHOULD BE CONTACTED FOR ADVICE ON SPECIFIC LEGAL ISSUES.