Leaving a position isn’t easy, especially when you’ve built a close bond with your nanny kids and nanny family. But when the time comes, and when done right, it can leave everyone feeling respected and appreciated.
Here are three essential tips for giving notice to your nanny family the right way, so you can leave on a positive note and protect those important relationships.
1) Why How You Give Notice to Nanny Family Matters
When it’s time to move on, giving notice to your nanny family with grace is key. Not only does it protect your reputation as a professional, but it also shows respect for the family who trusted you with their most precious little ones.
When a family relies on nannies, a sudden departure can leave them scrambling. By approaching giving notice to your nanny family thoughtfully, you help ease the transition for both the parents and the children, and you leave the door open for glowing references in the future, which is a crucial necessity i the industry that can help support your career.
2) Tip 1: Give Plenty of Notice
One of the golden rules of giving notice to your nanny family is to give as much notice as possible, ideally at least two to four weeks. Check your contract or work agreement to see what’s required, but even if there’s no formal rule, more notice is always appreciated.
Giving ample time allows the family to start looking for a replacement, to adjust schedules if needed, or to make other childcare arrangements. It also shows that you respect their needs and want to leave them in a good place.
3) Tip 2: Be Honest, But Keep It Positive
When giving notice to your nanny family, honesty is important, but so is kindness. A simple explanation like “I’ve accepted a new opportunity that’s a great fit for my career goals/growth” or “I need to make a schedule change for personal reasons” is sufficient. That said, if you feel comfortable sharing more (while keeping the integrity of your professional relationship in mind), feel free.
Keep the conversation positive and express gratitude for the time you’ve spent with the family. Share how much you’ve enjoyed working with the kids, and highlight the positive experiences you’ve had. Now is the time to let them know what this experience has meant to you!
4) Tip 3: Offer to Help with the Transition
One of the most appreciated gestures when giving notice to your nanny family is offering to help with the transition. You might offer to help find/train their next nanny, to create a handover guide with daily routines and preferences, or, if your schedule allows, to make yourself available for questions even after you’ve left.
You can also chat with the family about helping prepare the children by talking about the change in a gentle, age-appropriate way. Helping kids adjust emotionally shows the family you care, and it can make a world of difference in how smoothly the transition goes. Take the family’s lead, and make a game plan together.
Giving notice to your nanny family with professionalism, honesty, and care ensures you leave on the best possible terms. By giving plenty of notice, communicating kindly, and helping with the transition, you not only protect your reputation but also honor the relationships you’ve built.