A great placement can stumble on a chaotic first week. The families with the smoothest transitions all do the same thing: they prepare the home, the information, and the children before day one.
Write the house guide
Create a simple binder or shared doc: Wi-Fi, alarm codes, appliance quirks, cleaning expectations, screen-time rules, discipline approach, and the daily rhythm (nap times, meals, activities). EGN provides a template with every placement — most families complete it in under an hour.
Make safety visible
Post emergency numbers on the fridge: pediatrician, poison control (1-800-222-1222), preferred hospital, and two backup contacts. Walk your nanny through fire exits, the first-aid kit, EpiPen or medication storage, and any household hazards on day one.
Prepare the kids
Talk about the new nanny positively and concretely: show a photo, explain the schedule, and plan a welcome activity. For toddlers, overlap with a parent for the first day or two. Expect some testing of boundaries in week two — it's normal, and your EGN recruiter checks in at 30/60/90 days to help smooth any bumps.
EGN Family Advisory Team
The EGN team supports NJ families and caregivers from our Branchburg headquarters. (908) 505-5484
