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You’ve interviewed a promising nanny candidate and they seem like a perfect fit – that’s great! But before you officially hire a nanny, there’s one more critical step: the trial period. A nanny trial period is essentially a test-drive of the working relationship. It’s a short-term arrangement (usually paid days or weeks of work) that lets you and the nanny see each other in action. In this post, we’ll explain why a nanny trial period is essential, and provide tips on how to set one up for success. This is especially useful for Los Angeles families, where busy schedules and high standards mean you want to be extra sure you’ve got the right person caring for your kids.
A nanny trial period is a mutually agreed upon short period – it could be one day, a weekend, or up to a couple of weeks – where the nanny works for your family on a trial basis before any long-term commitment is made. During this time, the nanny essentially does the job as if they were hired, and you evaluate their performance and the overall fit. Likewise, the nanny evaluates if your family and the job meet their expectations. Think of it as an extended interview that takes place in the real world (your home) instead of across a table.
Why is it essential? Because resumes and interviews only show so much. Someone might interview well but the trial could reveal things like: your child doesn’t warm up to them, or they have a different approach to discipline than what they described, or maybe their energy level doesn’t match your very active toddler’s needs. Conversely, a candidate who is a bit shy in a formal interview might absolutely shine in a home setting with your kids. The trial is the proof in the pudding. It helps prevent hiring mistakes that might only become apparent weeks into the job. As one San Francisco mom put it after a bad first hire experience, she now insists on a trial with any nanny to “ensure she hired competent, loving care that suited her family’s needs”.
In practice, trials are extremely common. Many nanny agencies and veteran parents will tell you that nearly all successful nanny placements include a trial run. One placement counselor noted that about 95% of families she works with set up a trial period for their top nanny candidate. It’s beneficial for both sides – a nanny might discover in a trial that the commute to your home in Los Angeles traffic is too draining, or that your infant’s schedule doesn’t sync with the college classes she’s taking. It’s better to learn that in a 1-week trial than 2 months into the job.
1. Decide the Length and Timing: Determine what kind of trial makes sense for you. A common approach is one full week. A week gives enough time to see the nanny handle different scenarios (a Monday morning rush, a mid-week toddler meltdown, a Friday when everyone’s tired, etc.). If a week isn’t feasible, aim for at least 2-3 full days, or a couple of half-days spread over a week. Some families do a “working interview” that’s just a single day or even a few hours– this is better than nothing, though longer is preferable. Coordinate dates with the nanny candidate. If they’re currently employed elsewhere, you might do the trial over a weekend or have them come in the evenings. Ideally, though, you want to see them during normal working hours with your children.
2. Communicate Expectations Clearly: Treat this almost like drawing up a mini temporary contract. Write out the agreed schedule for the trial period (e.g., “Monday Aug 1st through Friday Aug 5th, 8am to 4pm each day”). List the main duties you’d like the nanny to perform just as if they were already hired – feeding the kids, school pick-up, nap time, a trip to the park, etc. If you have specific things you want to observe, make sure they know, for example: “On Tuesday, I’d like you to drive Sam to his 10am swim lesson using our family car.” Being clear prevents confusion. Also, discuss how you’ll handle communication during the trial – should they text you updates, or only call for emergencies?
Crucially, put it in writing that the trial is paid at the agreed rate. It’s not only the right thing to do (the nanny is working after all), in California not paying for trial work can violate labor laws. Most families pay the nanny at the end of each trial day or whatever schedule you both agree on. A pro tip from nanny agencies: “You should only trial a nanny who’s in the range of what you’re prepared to pay”. In other words, don’t do a trial with someone you know you can’t afford long-term, just to “see” – it wouldn’t be fair to either party if it works out and then you can’t hire them due to budget.
3. Prepare Your Home and Child: Before the trial starts, get your home ready as if the nanny were starting a regular job. Stock any supplies they might need (diapers, extra formula, a list of emergency contacts by the phone). If you have any house rules or routines, consider writing them down. Some parents create a brief “cheat sheet” for the nanny: the child’s schedule, favorite foods, nap routine tips, etc. Also, prepare your child by talking to them: “Miss Jessica is coming tomorrow to play with you while Mommy works. You’ll show her your toys, right?” Kids can sense new situations, so a heads-up helps. If your child is old enough, frame it positively: “We’re going to have a special helper come and we’ll see how we all like it.”
4. Treat the Nanny Professionally (but warmly): On the trial days, welcome the nanny and make them feel comfortable. Show them around the house again, point out where to find things like children’s dishes, extra wipes, first aid kit, etc. Reiterate anything important (“We keep the gate to the pool locked at all times, here’s how to open it if needed,” or “He can have up to 1 hour of screen time, but not more,” etc.). If you’re going to be working from home while they’re there, explain your plan (“I’ll be in my home office on calls. If you need me, just knock, otherwise I’ll assume you’ve got it under control.”).
Then, step back and let them do their job. It can be tempting to hover or micromanage, but remember, the point is to see how they operate when you’re not directing every move. Certainly intervene if something concerning happens, but otherwise, observe from a slight distance. Some parents literally hide in another room peeking occasionally – do what you must! If you’ve set it up such that you’re out of the house for a chunk of time, even better.
5. Simulate Realistic Scenarios: Ensure the trial includes tasks that are part of the regular job. If you need the nanny to do school pickup normally, have them accompany you once and then try doing it themselves during trial (you can follow in another car if you want to observe). If cooking for the child is part of the job, have them prepare a simple meal during the trial. Basically, don’t make the trial unrealistically easy or different from the actual job. You want to see how they truly handle things like multitasking, or calming the baby for a nap using your techniques, etc. As nanny expert Jennifer Talia says, “A nanny trial run should closely mirror actual home life.”. That means if your normal day involves a playground trip and dealing with a toddler tantrum over leaving the park, let the trial include an outing where those things could occur.
For Parents:
Keep Communication Open: Encourage the nanny to ask questions. It’s a lot to learn a new family’s way of doing things in just days. Let them know you welcome questions like “How do you usually handle it when Emily won’t eat her veggies?” In fact, a nanny who asks questions is showing engagement and a desire to do things your way, which is a good sign.
Give Feedback (Gently): If something during the trial concerns you, use the trial as a learning opportunity. For example, if you notice the nanny was on their phone a bit too much, you might say in your daily debrief, “We generally have a no-phone rule when actively watching the kids, except for urgent calls. I forgot to mention that – is that okay with you going forward?” See how they respond. Ideally, they’ll appreciate the guidance. This feedback sets expectations early. Also, acknowledge the positives you saw: “I love how you got Ethan to clean up by turning it into a game – that was great.”
Observe Child’s Reactions: After the nanny leaves each day, talk to your child (if verbal) about how the day went. Young kids might say very revealing things like “She was on the phone a lot” or “We had so much fun at the park and she read me my favorite book!” Even infants and toddlers will show you in their behavior – maybe they are happy and calm, or maybe they seem out of sorts. By the end of the trial week, a toddler might even be asking, “Is Nanny coming today?” – a sign they bonded.
For Nannies (and parents to facilitate):
Encourage them to treat it like a real job: A trial is also the nanny’s time to shine and impress. Ideally, they will arrive on time (or early), follow your instructions, and show proactiveness. Many experienced nannies treat a trial as their audition – they might bring a little activity or book for the child, which is always a bonus point. Notice if they do these extra things.
Ensure it’s paid fairly: We mentioned this, but to reiterate – pay your nanny candidate promptly for trial hours (by end of day or end of week). If you offered an hourly rate of $25 and they worked 8 hours, that’s $200 per day. Don’t shortchange under the idea of “trial” – it’s work. Showing fairness and respect will also make a good candidate more eager to join you permanently.
Lengthen the trial if unsure: If you reach the end of the planned trial and still feel like you need more time, you can ask to extend the trial period by a few days (and explain to the nanny that you just want to be sure everyone is 100% comfortable). Good nannies will usually agree to this if they don’t have other constraints. But be careful not to string someone along too much – if you can’t decide after a couple of weeks, that might be a sign in itself that it’s not the right fit.
At the end of the trial period, sit down (with your spouse or co-parent if applicable) and review everything:
If all signs point to yes, and you haven’t discovered any new concerns, then congratulations – you likely found your nanny! You can then move to the hiring paperwork and formal offer, feeling confident that you’ve seen them in real-life action. If you have reservations, weigh how serious they are. Sometimes a small issue can be addressed with further training or communication. But if there’s a fundamental mismatch (e.g., you feel they are not warm enough with your baby, or they seemed unreliable about timing), it’s perfectly acceptable to pay the trial period and not proceed with a hire. That’s the whole point of a trial – to find these things out. Just be polite and honest: you might say “Thank you so much for spending this week with us. We’ve decided to explore other candidates who might be a better fit for our needs, but we truly appreciate your time.” A professional nanny will appreciate that you gave them a trial opportunity and will move on as well.
On the other hand, if the trial went wonderfully, be sure to let the nanny know that too! Some families even know halfway through the trial and will say, “We are so happy with how things are going – if you’re still interested, we’d love to formally offer you the position at the end of the week.” That can put the nanny’s mind at ease (since they’re likely anxious whether they’re performing well). Just make sure you still complete the planned trial so there’s no feeling of cutting corners.
In summary, a nanny trial period is a smart and often necessary step to ensure a great match. It provides a safety net for both you and the nanny to back out gracefully if things aren’t working, and conversely, it often solidifies the decision when things go well. Many long-term nanny-family relationships attribute their success to those crucial first trial days where everyone established trust and understanding. As one expert said, “Trials can give the family a better idea of how the nanny might blend into their home life, how they interact with the children and how their skills harmonize with the family’s needs.”. In a city as dynamic as Los Angeles, where families are diverse and caregiver expectations are high, taking the time for a trial is practically standard practice.
By setting up a thoughtful trial period, you’re setting the stage for a transparent, communicative, and positive working relationship with your future nanny. It’s worth the extra effort upfront – your peace of mind and your children’s well-being are priceless.
