Returning to work after having your first baby can be a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, you may be looking forward to returning to your career and a job you find fulfilling and satisfying. But you might also find the idea of leaving your baby in someone else's care very hard. Perhaps you're worrying about being away from your baby and missing out on their developmental milestones. Will you find the right person to look after your precious child? Can you truly trust 'a stranger'?
While these feelings are completely normal, it's important you feel supported in this time of transition. When you choose to work with us to find the perfect nanny for your child, we can make this time easier on you - practically, logistically, and emotionally.
Addressing your feelings
At Homebodies, we recognise how difficult it might be for a new parent to return to work after having a baby. The guilt and worry about leaving your child in someone else's care can weigh heavily on your heart. And this can make the transition back to the workplace challenging. Adjusting to being away from your baby can also stir up feelings of sadness and longing.
Not to mention the overwhelm that comes from the thought and the practicalities of balancing work and family responsibilities. It's a new way of doing things as you're learning to navigate the demands of both worlds (work and parenthood) simultaneously. At first, and without the right support, this can lead to stress and anxiety too.
Having concerns about leaving your child in someone else's care is to be expected. It's completely normal for questions such as these to play on your mind:
Will the nanny be able to provide the same level of love and attention that my baby would receive if I were looking after them myself?
How can I still be involved when I’m not physically there?
How will my professional relationship with the nanny work?
How will I know if the nanny is right for my child and my family?
What will my work-life balance look like now?
'Holding your hand' throughout the nanny hiring process
Our experienced nanny agency understands the challenges and emotions that come with finding the ideal nanny for your child and your family. We are here to listen to you, help address your concerns, reassure you, and give you peace of mind throughout the whole process - from start to finish.
With our expertise and support, you'll find a nanny who will not only care for your child with love and attention but also fit seamlessly into your family dynamic. We can help you navigate the transition back to work and create a balanced work-life routine that works for you and your little one.
Addressing your specific requirements
If you're looking for a nanny for your child for when you return to work, we recommend you get in touch at least 6-8 weeks in advance. While nannies are generally available throughout the year, we find that more nannies are looking for opportunities at peak times, such as the summer months and after any holiday periods (Easter, Christmas, etc). To find out more about this, head over to the post When is the Best Time to Look for a Nanny: Tips and Advice.
Once you decide to work with us, we carry out an initial consultation either in person or via video call, at a time that's convenient for you. This is crucial to help you put your mind at ease that you're taking all the necessary steps to give yourself and your family a chance to find the best professional to take care of your child's needs.
We'll help you find someone who will slot seamlessly into your family dynamic. And we say this confidently because we've seen it work with countless families we've helped. Plus, our process has been trialed and tested over the years - we know it works!
Our initial consultation
During the initial consultation, we take the time to understand your situation and childcare requirements. For example:
Do you need a live-out or live-in nanny? What is your work schedule going to be? What type of nanny would work best for you, based on your needs (for example, full-time nanny, Nanny/PA, Nanny Governess, a nanny with specific qualifications, etc.)?
What duties do you expect your nanny to carry out and what days/hours would you like her to work for you?
Would you like your nanny to have any specific qualifications (Chiltern, Norland, etc.) or follow a particular method, such as Montessori or Wardolf, Steiner, etc?
Do you have any specific requirements regarding your child and their routines that you would like your nanny to accommodate?
What type of nanny would you like? Someone who is more outdoorsy or someone with a greater focus on education, for example?
Will you work from home some of the time? If so, how will you share your space with the nanny?
Will your nanny be expected to drive? Will you be providing her with one?
These are just some of the questions we might discuss during the consultation. We dive deep into your lifestyle as a family, your parenting style, your children's needs, and your preferences for a nanny. Sharing this information with us puts your mind at ease and reassures you that we'll be looking for someone right for you. And it also gives us what we need to tailor the search for a nanny who aligns with your values and requirements.
Interviewing nannies who 'meet the brief'
Because we carry out the work upfront asking the right questions and making sure we fully understand your needs and preferences, we put forward a shortlist of 3-5 candidates that we have hand-picked for you. We understand the last thing you need when you're planning to return to work is to waste time interviewing nannies that turn out to be the wrong fit for you!
The nannies we put in front of you have already been interviewed and vetted by us. We check their qualifications and their right to work in whatever country you're in, and we directly contact previous employers to check references. We do this to make sure they meet the criteria you specified. And if they don't, we will continue to look for the highest calibre, best-suited nannies with outstanding references.
We understand you may have not interviewed a nanny before, so before your first meeting, we provide all the advice and support you need so the experience can be as stress-free and easy for you. The interview and trial stages of the hiring process will help you build rapport with potential nannies and observe how they interact with your child. That way, you can feel confident the person you hire is the best fit for your child and your family.
For more information, head over to How We Interview and Select the Ideal Nanny for Your Family and Putting Trust to the Test - The Value of Paid Nanny Trials for Families.
Helping you to legally employ your nanny
When it comes to legally employing a nanny, we work alongside you through the negotiation process. We understand discussing salary and benefits can be a daunting task and not something you have experience with, which is why we assist in agreeing on fair compensation based on industry standards and the nanny's experience level, hours worked, and duties required.
We help you outline responsibilities and schedules so that both you and the nanny have a clear understanding of expectations from the start. All that information gets included in the draft contract, and we make sure both you and the nanny are happy that everything is covered. We'll also refer you to Nanny Tax, who will help with everything you need to set yourself up as an employer and legally pay taxes to your nanny.
Transitioning back to work
Contrary to how other nanny agencies operate, our professional relationship with you doesn't stop when the nanny starts working with you. We continue to work closely with both your family and the nanny to provide support and resources and ensure a smooth adjustment and a seamless transition. For example, you may be experiencing 'teething issues' working with a professional in your own home. While this may not always happen, it's completely normal, and we'll help you navigate the situation.
We'll check in with both you and the nanny regularly to ensure expectations are clear, so we can address any concerns promptly. Our check-ins ensure the communication channels remain open, so you and the nanny are on the same page. We aim for a smooth and effective integration of the nanny into your family's routine. So we'll discuss updates, concerns, or changes in the child's routine, and down the line, we can also help you with bonuses or pay raises, if you wish. Thanks to our thorough and proactive approach, we address any issues that might arise. That way, you can focus on your career, knowing that your child is in safe and capable hands.
Would you like our help?
Hiring a nanny when you return to work after your maternity leave can be a daunting process filled with mixed emotions. It's completely normal to feel guilt, worry, and stress during this time of transition. However, with the right support and guidance, you can make this time easier for yourself and your family.
If you're feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to start with hiring a nanny, we can help you navigate the transition. We'll find the perfect nanny for your child so you can focus on your career with peace of mind. We'll listen to you, address your concerns, find the right candidate, and support you throughout the hiring process and beyond. When you're ready, contact us for an informal chat.
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