Hiring a full-time nanny is one of the biggest childcare decisions you'll make—and the first week sets the tone for your entire working relationship. Those initial days are less about perfection and more about establishing routines, building trust, and identifying any gaps before they become problems.
The First Day: Logistical Setup
Your nanny will arrive with questions, and you should too. Block out at least 2–3 hours on day one for a thorough walkthrough. Show her where everything lives: emergency supplies, first-aid kit, your child's medications, snacks, clothing, and diaper supplies. Walk through your home's layout, pointing out safety features like door locks, thermostat controls, and how to operate necessary appliances.
Provide written documentation of key information: your pediatrician's contact details, emergency numbers (yours, a trusted relative, poison control), dietary restrictions, any allergies, and your Wi-Fi password. Many families create a one-page "nanny manual" with this info. It sounds formal, but it prevents miscommunication when you're not around.
Days 2–3: Establishing Your Child's Routine
This is when you'll observe how your nanny handles the actual caregiving. Does she engage warmly with your child? Does she follow your preferred nap schedule, meal timing, and discipline approach? Full-time nannies typically work 40–50 hours per week, so she'll manage multiple transitions—breakfast, playtime, meals, outings—and you need to see these firsthand.
Have a brief debrief each evening. Ask open-ended questions: "How did lunch go?" "Did she seem tired before nap time?" "Any concerns I should know about?" A nanny earning $600–$1,200 per week (typical U.S. range depending on experience and location) should be communicating proactively, not waiting for you to pull information out.
Mid-Week Check-In: Address Small Issues Early
By Thursday, you'll have spotted little friction points. Maybe she uses a different diaper-changing technique than you prefer, or your toddler cried when you left and the nanny wasn't sure how to handle it. These early days are exactly when to address them—not in a confrontational way, but as clarifications.
Have a structured 15–20 minute conversation focused on:
- Any questions she has about routines or your expectations
- How she feels your child is adjusting to her
- Whether she needs additional resources (a carrier for outings, access to certain apps, extra keys)
- Your preferred communication style (texts, a shared app like Bambini or Sunflower, daily verbal updates)
End of Week: Document What's Working
By Friday, write down what went smoothly. Did she navigate a meltdown well? Did your child laugh and engage? Did she clean up after activities without being asked? These positives matter. A full-time nanny relationship works best when both sides feel appreciated.
Also document any remaining concerns in writing—keep a simple log. If there are multiple small issues (inconsistent meal prep, arriving 10 minutes late twice), address them now rather than letting resentment build. Most nannies appreciate directness when it's respectful.
Common Week-One Challenges
Your child may cry when you leave—this is normal and typically improves within days. Your nanny may ask for clarification on things you thought were obvious (this is good; it means she cares about doing it right). She might reorganize your kitchen or suggest a different sleep schedule. Some adjustments are worth embracing; others aren't. You set the standard.
If something feels off—poor hygiene, lack of engagement with your child, dismissiveness toward your instructions—trust your gut. The first week is your window to identify true incompatibility before you're locked into a poor fit.
Moving Into Week Two and Beyond
By day eight, you should feel either confident or concerned. If confident, you're likely on solid footing. If uncertain, schedule a more formal meeting to address specifics. If deeply uncomfortable, it's better to acknowledge this week than to suffer through months of anxiety.
Platforms like Mercoly help you compare and find trusted full-time nannies in one place, making it easier to vet candidates thoroughly before hiring—which can prevent many first-week surprises altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much should I expect to pay a full-time nanny in my area? Rates typically range from $600–$1,200+ per week depending on location, experience, certifications (CPR, First Aid), and number of children; urban areas and nannies with infant experience command higher rates.
Q: Should I use a shared app to communicate with my nanny, or is texting fine? Apps like Bambini, Sunflower, or Kestly provide photo updates and activity logs, which many families value for transparency and peace of mind, though some nannies and families do fine with simple daily texts.
Q: What should I do if my child cries when I leave during the first week? This separation anxiety is normal and usually improves within 3–5 days as your child builds trust with the nanny; keep goodbye routines brief and consistent, and resist returning home unexpectedly, which can reset the adjustment process.
Start your search for the right full-time nanny today—a good fit in week one compounds into years of reliable care.