The first 90 days with a new nanny establish every pattern that will define the rest of the placement. Expect an adjustment period of two to four weeks for both your child and the nanny, some early friction as routines settle, and a gradual shift into a working rhythm. Families who communicate directly and check in at 30 days consistently report stronger long-term placements than those who wait for problems to surface.
This guide is part of our Managing Your Nanny resource for LA families.
What the First 90 Days Actually Look Like
There is no such thing as a perfect hire from day one. The nanny is learning your household. Your child is learning this person. You are figuring out how to communicate with someone new who is in your home daily. Some friction in the first few weeks is not a warning sign, it is normal calibration.
What you are watching for is the direction of travel. Things should get smoother, not harder, as the weeks progress.
Weeks 1-2: Setting the Foundation
- Walk the nanny through your household manual or written routines on day one
- Introduce them to neighbors, building staff, or anyone they may need to interact with
- Show them where everything is: medical forms, emergency contacts, car seat installation, pediatrician info
- Establish your communication expectations upfront: daily notes, texts for anything urgent, a weekly debrief
- Let them run the day, resist the urge to micromanage the first week
The most common week-one mistake is over-explaining every preference while not writing anything down. Verbal walkthroughs disappear. Written routines stay.
Weeks 3-4: The Calibration Phase
By week three, patterns are emerging. You can see how they handle unstructured time, how they communicate, how they respond to your children’s moods. This is when small corrections are both easiest and most valuable.
If something is not working, say so plainly and immediately. “I noticed the kitchen was left a bit unsettled, that is something I care about. Can we make it part of the end-of-day routine?” Direct, low-stakes, framed as information. This is the window where course corrections are easy. Let it go until month four and the pattern is entrenched.
The 30-Day Check-In
Schedule this before the start date. A 30-day check-in is not a performance review. It is a two-way conversation: what is working, what could be clearer, any logistics to sort out. Nannies who receive a structured check-in at 30 days report higher job satisfaction and stay longer. Families who hold them surface small problems before they compound.
Keep it to 20-30 minutes. Come with two or three specific observations, positive and constructive. Ask for their perspective. Write down any changes you both agree on.
Weeks 5-12: Finding the Rhythm
By the end of the first 90 days, most placements have found their stride. Communication is habitual, routines are established, and your children are comfortable. The nanny understands your household priorities without needing to be reminded of them.
If you are not there by day 90, if things are still feeling uncertain or effortful, it is worth an honest assessment. Is it a communication problem (fixable)? A skill gap (trainable)? A values or personality mismatch (harder to fix)? A 90-day placement that is still uncomfortable is often a better candidate for an honest conversation than another 90 days of hope.
A Typical LA Scenario
A family in Los Feliz hired a full-time nanny for their 18-month-old. Days one through five: some tears at the nanny’s arrival, normal adjustment. Week two: the parent noticed the nanny was waiting for instructions rather than taking initiative during free time. The 30-day check-in surfaced it: the nanny had worked for a family that micromanaged every hour and was waiting for direction out of habit. The parent gave explicit permission for creative, unstructured play. By week six, the nanny was thriving and the child was clearly attached. Day 90: one of the best placements they had ever made.
What to Have Ready Before Day One
- Written household manual (routines, food preferences, emergency contacts, medical info)
- Nanny agreement signed by both parties
- Payroll setup complete (GTM, HomeWork Solutions, or equivalent)
- Car seat installed and demonstrated if driving is part of the role
- 30-day check-in already calendared
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a great nanny long-term?
Competitive pay, consistent communication, clear boundaries, and genuine appreciation are the biggest factors. Annual raises (3 to 5% is standard), acknowledging milestones, and giving adequate notice of schedule changes all contribute to long-term retention.
How often should I give my nanny a raise?
Annual raises are standard. In Los Angeles, experienced nannies typically receive $1 to $2 per hour annually or 3 to 5% of their current rate. If their pay has fallen below market rate, a one-time adjustment to market followed by annual increments is appropriate.
What is the most common reason nannies leave?
Pay that has not kept pace with market rates, scope creep without compensation adjustment, consistent boundary violations like routine overtime or last-minute schedule changes, and feeling that their work is not acknowledged. Most of these are preventable.
How do I handle a disagreement with my nanny?
Address it directly and privately, as soon as possible. Be specific about the behavior you observed, not a character judgment. Most nannies respond well to direct, respectful feedback. Letting issues build without addressing them is the most common source of sudden resignations.
Should I give my nanny paid vacation?
California requires a minimum of 5 paid sick days per year. Paid vacation is not legally required but is standard for long-term placements in Los Angeles. Most families offer one to two weeks of paid vacation after one year. Accrued vacation must be paid out upon termination.
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Los Angeles Nannies places vetted, professional nannies with families across LA. Most placements complete within 30 days.