How do I know if I made the right decision ?

How do I train my nanny ?

Where can I find other mom's with nannies to talk to?

Is it wrong to "spy" on my nanny ?

What age should my nanny be?

Do I need Workers Compensation Insurance for my nanny?

What other insurance should I have?

How do I know if I made the right decision?

The recurring theme when discussing almost every issue concerning you and your nanny seems to be when you hire a nanny to care for your child trust your gut instinct. If you have checked her references thoroughly, done a comprehensive background check, had her over to do a trial- run baby-sit, and generally feel you both "click" then it's probably safe to say that you have made the right decision. Relax a little.  Do some spot checking the first week or two and keep those lines of communication open at all times.  Get feedback, hear about her day, and show appreciation for a job well done.

If, on the other hand, your gut is telling you something else, talk to your new nanny about your feelings.  If things do not change in a short period of time, begin looking for a new nanny. 

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How do I train my Nanny?

The amount of training a Nanny requires obviously depends on the amount of experience she has.  If your nanny has never taken care of an infant and you have a three month old, you've got a lot of training to do.  My guess is you probably wouldn't hire someone that inexperienced.

I think that it is very important for your nanny and for you to have a few days together at first to get to know each other. Spend some time the first day, if you can, showing her where everything is and just talking to her and getting to know her better. She will need to know all the little things around the house like how the microwave works and where you keep the extra TP.  A "Nanny Journal" is a great way to put everything your Nanny will need to know in one three ring binder for her reference.  

Make sure you run by all the "safety issues" in and around your house.  Again, a seasoned, experienced Nanny should already know to put sunscreen on the kids before they go out and to never leave them alone around a pool, etc. but it doesn't hurt to make a list of things that you are concerned about and go over them with her during the first days.  Add the list to your Nanny Journal.

Another suggestion is to invite her to stay for dinner one evening. Glenda Propst, Co-Founder and Co-President of the National Association of Nannies, puts it this way  "The two families that I have nannied for ( I stayed 8 years with the first and have been with my current one almost 6 years) always treated me with respect, and when I was off duty, in their home, they treated me like family. In the first months of getting to know them, I had dinner with them quite a few times. I think that this helped us all get a better feeling for each other."

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Where can I find other Moms with Nannies to talk to?

Finding other moms who share your brand of childcare is a wonderful way to gain support and advice.  If you went through a Nanny placement agency you may be able to ask the owner if they could give you the name and phone numbers of some other moms in your area.  If they refuse, which some may,  the internet is a great place to look.   Take a look at the email discussion groups available through www.YahooGroups.com.  Parents With Nannies happens to be a favorite of ours. :)

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Is it wrong to "spy"?

If by "spying" you mean stopping in unexpectedly to check on things, then no there is nothing wrong with "spot checking" as some call it.  Leaving for the day only to return 10 minutes later for that "forgotten" file is a way of checking to see how the kids are adjusting and what's going on in the house.  Of course, seasoned Nannies will come to expect this.

You can also get a lot of information just by calling.   Listen to the sounds in the background.  Is the TV on every time you call?   Where are the children in relation to Nanny's location? (i.e., out by the pool while she's in the house answering the phone.)  How does the Nanny sound when she answers the phone, tired, bored, annoyed?

Sending friends or family by when you are away is a good idea too. Especially if your children have a real hard time separating from you when you walk out the door.  They will be less upset when your neighbor comes in and out.  Make sure your Nanny is introduced to your "spy" ahead of time so she will open the door. (See Answering Door Safety tips on this matter.)

Just a note:  "spying"  should not include going through Nanny's personal living quarters or listening in on phone conversations.  She is entitled to her privacy and deserves to be respected in this regard.

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What age should my nanny be?

There is no "perfect" age for a nanny.  This is all up to you.  If you feel more comfortable with a grandmotherly figure, than go for someone that reminds you of grandma.  On the other hand, if you need someone who is younger than you to make you feel comfortable as a boss or you just like the idea of a young nanny to keep up with your children, then there are plenty of 20 somethings out there to fill the space.