The annual performance review can sometimes feel intimidating, but for professional nannies, it’s your chance to celebrate successes, get clear on goals, and most importantly, advocate for your professional worth. Think of your review not as a test, but as a constructive, two-way conversation.
Document Your Wins (Create a Brag Sheet)
Employers are busy and may forget all the wonderful things you handled over the last year. It’s up to you to remind them! Before your meeting, create a simple list of your key accomplishments.
- Go Beyond the Basics: Don’t just list daily duties. Focus on moments where you went above and beyond. Examples: Did you successfully potty train the toddler? Did you manage complex travel logistics? Did you implement a new homework routine that improved the older child’s grades?
- Show Initiative: Note any time you handled a crisis or solved a problem without being asked (e.g., managing a sick day, coordinating a home repair, finding a new extracurricular activity).
Review Your Agreement and Scope
Pull out your contract and any formal job description as a foundation.
- Are you still fulfilling all the core responsibilities outlined?
- Have your duties expanded significantly since the agreement was signed? For example, are you now running more household errands, managing extra schedules, or cooking for the parents? Documenting these added tasks is vital, especially if you plan to discuss a raise.
Define Goals and Areas for Growth
A performance review is also about looking forward. Showing that you are committed to professional development demonstrates your seriousness as a career nanny.
- Personal Growth: Identify skills you want to enhance (e.g., learning a new developmental technique, focusing on executive function skills, learning about Montessori principles, attending Mom’s Best Friend’s annual Nanny Training Day in April). Are there courses, workshops, or training sessions you’d like the employer to support or cover the cost of? This shows investment in your long-term value to their family.
- Child Development Goals: Bring specific goals you have for the children. This shows your dedication and foresight, and will go a long way with your employers. These should be realistic, measurable ideas for the upcoming year. Examples would be: Developing a structured literacy time for the preschooler; introducing a new sport or enrichment activity; or implementing a collaborative plan to help the children manage screen time.
Prepare Your Compensation Request
This is often the most nerve-wracking part, but it should be based on data and confidence.
- Research: Know the current market rate for nannies with your experience level and responsibilities in your specific area. Factor in things like cost of living increases and inflation.
- Justify: Base your request on your original job description plus any added responsibilities (scope creep) and your exceptional performance.
- Be Specific: Instead of asking for “a raise,” ask for a specific, researched rate (e.g., “Based on my added X duties and current market rates, I am requesting an increase to $X/hour, which represents a X% raise.”)
Be Present and Open to Feedback
Run through your talking points so you sound articulate and confident, not defensive or anxious.
- Let Them Lead: Remember this is the employer’s opportunity to formally share their perspective. Allow them to lead the structure of the meeting and present their feedback first.
- Listen Actively: Make sure you are not so focused on your own points that you are not fully present and listening to your employer’s feedback. Accept feedback graciously, even if it’s constructive criticism. Avoid becoming defensive; instead, ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand their expectations for the future.
- Set the Tone: Open the meeting by thanking your employer. Be sure to highlight a few of your most meaningful achievements from the year.
- Maintain Professionalism: Keep your approach mindful, calm, and deliberate. Frame any challenges as learning opportunities and requests as investments in the partnership.
With preparation, you can transform the annual review from a potential source of stress into a valuable opportunity to affirm your professional worth and strengthen the partnership with your employers.
Please reach out to our Staffing Specialist, and former nanny, Melanie, if you have any questions or need any advice.