Your ‘Nanny First Day’ Checklist

Bringing a new nanny into your household is an exciting time for any family. Whether you are hiring a live-in or live-out nanny, those first hours and days set the tone for everything that follows. Preparing well means more than ticking a few boxes - it is about making sure everyone, from your children to your household staff, feels confident and comfortable.

This comprehensive nanny first day checklist will help you organise everything in advance, welcome your new nanny properly and establish the foundation for a calm, professional and respectful working relationship.

Interested to see how other families have approached this transition? Take a look at our client testimonials.

The week before

There is a lot you can do before your nanny’s first day to make the transition feel smooth and professional. Start by confirming that all of the documentation is ready. This includes signed copies of a finalised nanny contract, up-to-date emergency contact information and clear written guidance on the daily routine, medical care and access requirements. If you have not done so already, make sure any necessary background checks are completed.

Walk through the following practical areas:

• Work schedule, including start and end times, breaks and any regular exceptions.

• Expectations around light housework, pet care or any extra duties beyond childcare.

• Kitchen rules, including use of specific equipment or dietary considerations.

• Screen time rules and limits.

• Social media guidelines and phone use.

• Emergency protocols and safety concerns, including first aid supplies and evacuation plans.

Organise practical access: spare keys, alarm codes, parking instructions, and relevant house passwords should all be ready. Prepare a short written protocol if needed - even experienced nannies appreciate clarity when entering a new household. If there are other household staff, notify them of the new start and arrange introductions in advance. For live-in placements, the nanny’s bedroom and shared spaces should be clean, furnished and welcoming.

Consider creating a group chat with you, your partner and the nanny if that suits your communication style. It can help to keep everyone on the same page, especially in the first week.

When you work with Nannies Matter to source a nanny, many of these steps will already have been discussed or handled as part of our matching and onboarding process. We understand your time is valuable and your standards are high, so our role is to absorb as much of the administrative weight as possible. From setting expectations to confirming access and paperwork, we will make sure your new nanny is well prepared, understands your family’s preferences and has everything they need to step confidently into their new role.

The day before

Print or save digital copies of the documents your nanny will need. Leave out anything they should review first thing - such as the daily routine, specific rules and contact information.

If your children are old enough, let them know how the first day will work. Explain that their new nanny is there to help them and make things easier, and give them something small to look forward to - a walk, a story, or a visit to a favourite place.

Make sure important numbers are clearly displayed and easily accessible - this includes contact details for both parents, your child’s school, medical care providers, and any other relevant household staff. A calm, clean, and well-prepared home not only shows respect for the nanny’s new role but also helps your children feel at ease. First impressions matter - they lay the groundwork for how the nanny perceives your household and how your children begin to build trust.

The first day

Start with a full, unrushed comprehensive tour of the house. Show the nanny where essential items are stored, how appliances work and any areas that are off-limits. Explain household operations clearly, from bin days to laundry rotation.

Introduce the children gently and allow time for them to feel comfortable. A nanny shadow period can help here - let them observe routines before taking the lead. Walk through:

• Daily routine and child’s school drop-offs or collections.

• Extracurricular activities, homework time and bedtime rituals.

• Screen time rules and their purpose.

• Social media guidelines, especially in homes with older children.

• Kitchen rules and food expectations.

• Pet care routines, if applicable.

• Safety concerns and how to handle minor incidents.

• Emergency contact information and emergency protocols.

• Expected visitors or deliveries in the first few days.

For example, if your child is shy, you might invite the nanny to sit in during breakfast before taking over the school run by midweek. This kind of phased introduction allows trust to build naturally.

Make sure your new nanny has necessary access: keys, codes, parking or alarm instructions. Discuss how you would like to be contacted during the day and explain what kind of updates you prefer - whether that is daily logs, a quick call or a message summary.

Settling in a new nanny can feel like a big adjustment, especially if it is your first time welcoming professional childcare into your home. That feeling is completely natural. At Nannies Matter, we are here to ease that transition. We will handle much of the groundwork on your behalf and match you with someone experienced enough to lead the process in a way that helps both you and your children feel at ease.

Top tips for those first few days:

• Start with lighter responsibilities to allow your new nanny to adjust to energy levels, personality dynamics and household rhythms.

• Let the children take the lead in small interactions to help build trust.

• Avoid overwhelming your nanny’s first day with too many instructions - allow them to absorb.

• Observe as needed, but do not hover - confidence grows through autonomy.

• Keep communication simple and regular, and create a structure that helps everyone feel supported.

• Use helpful reminders or examples to reinforce your house rules and approach.

What to do next

With over two decades of experience helping families settle new nannies into their homes, we know that those early days really matter. But this is not a science, and ultimately this list is a guide, not a set of strict rules. Generally, if you do your best to create a welcoming environment, show respect and set out clear and fair rules, you will create the right circumstances for your nanny to flourish. This allows your new nanny to do what really matters - make meaningful connections with your children.

Need a nanny you can rely on from day one? Get in touch with Nannies Matter to speak to our team about finding the right fit for your family. We will take care of the details - so you can focus on what matters most.

If you are a nanny looking for your next placement and want to work with a family who respects your role from day one, you can learn more about what we look for here.