If your baby is too young to speak, there is not a lot you can do to prepare her for a nanny. If your child is six months and older, he or she will understand at least some of what you try to explain to them.

When discussing a new nanny, always put a positive spin on things. Allow the child to have his or her feelings – even if they are negative, and answer any and all questions your child has with answers that are not too lengthy.

Tell your child that you will be having a new nanny to come every day to play with the child so that mommy or daddy can go back to work or have some grown up time.

Let the child see that you are excited about this new addition to your household.

If the child is old enough to understand more sophisticated concepts explain that you’re going back to work is going to be a good thing for the entire family.

If your child is fine with everything you’re saying, there is not much work for you to do, except to remind the child that the nanny is coming in a week (or however long it is before her first day), so he or she is not shocked when suddenly the day has arrived.

Let your child help do things to prepare for the nanny’s arrival. Take the child food shopping for food and snacks that he or she would like to eat for lunch with the nanny. You can even buy special art projects or art supplies that he can open on the nanny’s first day.

If the child is old enough to operate a camera, a Polaroid camera or a cheap digital camera that will show the photos on the computer right away, are fun ways for the child to take pictures of him and his new nanny and e-mail them to mom and dad and his friends.

On your nanny’s first day, call your child as you’re leaving the office to tell him that you’re on your way home for dinner.