Bringing a new nanny into your home is an exciting milestone. But the transition can come with some nerves, especially in the first few days. Whether you’re a first-time nanny employer or welcoming a new caregiver into an already well-established routine, how you approach the first week with your new nanny sets the tone for everything that follows.

At Westside Nannies, we’ve helped hundreds of families navigate the delicate start of this new working relationship. Here’s how to create a welcoming environment, establish strong communication, and lay the foundation for a lasting partnership during those all-important first few days.

1) Be Prepared Before Day One

A smooth first week with your new nanny actually starts before they walk through the door.

Take time to prepare:

• Write out your kids’ daily schedule. Include wake-up times, meals, nap schedules, school pickups, activities, any appointments, and anything else that tells the nanny what a typical day on the job should look like.
• List important contacts. Emergency numbers, pediatrician info, and nearby family or neighbors should all be easy to find.
• Share house rules and values. Let your nanny know what matters to you, from screen time boundaries to preferred parenting philosophies.
• Stock the home. Make sure your nanny has everything they need to succeed, like diapers, wipes, snacks, car seats, strollers, and activity supplies. Even if they will be helping restock the home in the future, having a fully stocked home from the start also helps them learn how and what you prefer.

Prepping for their role shows your nanny that you respect their support and want them to succeed.

2) Schedule a Thoughtful Orientation

Your nanny’s first week shouldn’t feel like a test. It should feel like a warm, collaborative onboarding process.

Set aside at least the first one or two days to shadow and train your nanny. Or, if you already have a trusted caregiver in place, try to overlap their schedules so that your new nanny may learn the ropes. Walk them through your routines step-by-step, introduce them to your children gradually, and allow space for questions.

If possible:

• Spend a full day together at the start so your nanny can observe the rhythm of your household.
• Introduce key people in your child’s life, like teachers, tutors, neighbors, or grandparents.
• Practice transitions, like school drop-offs or bottle prep, together before expecting them to handle it solo (this helps the kids with the transition, too!).

3) Communicate Early and Often

Clear communication is the secret to a healthy working relationship, especially during the first week with your new nanny.

Create a habit of check-ins:

• Short debriefs at the end of each day help you both stay aligned and address small things before they become big things.
• Ask for feedback. How did the day go? Were there any challenges? What does your nanny need to do their job to the best of their ability?
• Share feedback gently. If something needs to shift, approach it collaboratively: “I noticed the kids were a bit off their routine today. Do you think it’s the schedule, or something else? How can we make sure we stay on routine tomorrow?”

Nannies are professionals, but they’re also human. Just like you, they’re adjusting to new routines and relationships. Lead with grace during this transition period.

4) Focus on Building Trust with the Kids

The first week with your new nanny is also a major transition for your children. Even the most confident kids can struggle with new caregivers, and that’s completely normal.

Help build trust by:

• Staying present for early transitions. If your child is resistant, spend a bit of time with both your nanny and child together to create a sense of safety.
• Keep goodbyes short and confident. Lingering can increase anxiety. A calm, reassuring goodbye sends the message: “I trust this person. You’re in good hands.”
• Talk positively about your nanny. Reinforce your child’s trust by talking about fun plans and showing excitement about their time together.

Bumps in the first few days are totally normal, but with consistency and positivity, most kids adjust quickly.

5) Set Expectations and Boundaries Clearly

A nanny is a professional part of your parenting team, but they’re also a household employee. Setting expectations early prevents miscommunication and ensures everyone feels respected.

During the first week:

• Clarify working hours, break times, and responsibilities to help them build their own personal routine within the role.
• Talk about communication style. Do you prefer texts throughout the day or a verbal end-of-day report?
• Discuss privacy and boundaries. Every home has its own rhythms and expectations. What might be second nature to you might be brand new to them. Talk about things like personal device use, fridge access, or guest policies if relevant.

The more you clarify early, the fewer misunderstandings you’ll have later.

6) Show Appreciation

It’s easy to focus on logistics during the first week, but don’t forget the human side of the relationship. A warm, welcoming environment goes a long way.

Small gestures that help:

• Leave a note or treat on the first day to say “welcome.”
• Ask how your nanny is feeling about their new role.
• Say thank you often.

When caregivers feel seen and valued, they’re more likely to go above and beyond, not just during week one, but for the long haul.

The first week with your new nanny is more than just a transition. It’s the foundation for a meaningful, long-term relationship. By preparing ahead of time, staying open and communicative, and showing mutual respect, you create an environment where your nanny (and your kids!) can thrive.

At Westside Nannies, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re hiring your very first nanny or welcoming a new member into your caregiving team, we’ll help you build a partnership grounded in professionalism, trust, and genuine care.