Whether it’s due to relocation, change in work arrangements or that elusive spot opening up in daycare, telling your Nanny that you no longer require her services is tough for all involved. She adores your children, your children adore her, and you’ll be sad to see her go!
This is a conversation you need to prepare for; begin by looking at your Nanny-Family work agreement for notice and severance pay minimums. Make a decision on whether to increase or maintain the previous arrangement and put it into writing to hand to the Nanny during the conversation. Most families offer at least 2 weeks’ notice and/or 2 weeks’ severance pay to a long-term Nanny; adding an extra week for each year of employment over year one (e.g. a nanny who has been with the family 3 years would receive 4-6 weeks’ notice+severance). Also, remember to write your Nanny a letter of recommendation.
Arrange a meeting with the Nanny at a time when the children are otherwise occupied and she can go home afterwards to process. Tell her all the positives of your experience with her and how valued she is as part of your childcare “community”. The conversation will likely come as a shock to her, so keep it relatively short and sweet, and organize a time for a follow up conversation a couple of days later.
The next step is to let your children know – it’s best to tell them the truth and do it when the Nanny is present. Make sure the children know that it isn’t their fault that the Nanny is leaving, and that you will stay in contact. Giving the children ample time to adjust and ask questions is the key to success here. Presuming the nanny has taken the news gracefully, these last few weeks can be filled with special activities together and provide lots of lovely memories.
Allowing your Nanny time to job search is also extremely important – work together to find time for your Nanny to update her resume, attend interviews and have trial days with a new family.
If you need more support on ending your Nanny’s employment, please contact a Placement Director today. We are here to help!
