Nannies are a valuable part of many families, especially as parents struggle to balance a demanding workload with raising kids. (Because why do school schedules and work schedules never line up?!) But if they see red flags while working for you, then they will move on faster than Mary Poppins with her umbrella.Although a client’s and a nanny’s expectations and duties should be discussed in advance, sometimes problems don’t show up until after the nanny’s first day. Career nannies have experience spotting red flags in your home quickly after starting a new job. Since a nanny works so closely with a family, it’s important that one is a good fit for the other.HuffPost spoke with child caregivers nationwide to learn what they view as warning signals — and which issues are big enough for them to sever their contracts. Some full names have been excluded to give the nannies privacy to talk about their jobs.1. Safety IssuesSafety is a top concern for nannies (and that’s a good thing)!“A significant red flag is a home that is not childproofed,” Renata Calarcon, a career nanny and infant and toddler specialist, told HuffPost. “Safety always comes first.”This isn’t a matter of whether your home is clean enough; rather, if it’s appropriately set up to prevent dangerous accidents. This tells a nanny right away if you prioritize your children’s safety and well-being.“Immediate red flags include unsafe sleep environments, unsecured firearms or medications, significant safety hazards, and homes where chaos appears to be the norm rather than the exception,” Kim M., a newborn care specialist and professional nanny with more than 25 years of experience, told HuffPost.2. A Lack Of Open CommunicationMost nannies agree: If families don’t openly communicate with them, their working relationship is not going to be successful.“Transparency is key,” Kim M. said. “Families should be upfront about schedules, compensation, duties, pets, travel expectations, household dynamics and any challenges they may be facing.”“The biggest indicator of a successful working relationship is not how spotless a home is, but how transparent and respectful the family is,” Kim M. continued, adding, “Professionalism goes both ways.”3. Disparaging Former NanniesParents shouldn’t gossip about previous nannies.“The way an employer talks about a past caregiver reflects the kind of person they are,” said Autumn A., a nanny and newborn care specialist. “I will not work for a family that talks poorly about previous employees — it shows a lack of respect or unrealistic expectations about what a nanny does.”4. Unrealistic Expectations And A Lack Of BoundariesAnother big problem is clients who have unrealistic expectations for their nannies or who dismiss their personal boundaries.In action, this might look like a parent dismissing the nanny’s concerns, not answering their direct questions, and assuming housekeeping duties will be part of their role without discussing (and properly compensating) the nanny for it.“If it appears that one caregiver is expected to manage childcare, housekeeping, pet care, household management and personal assistant duties without clear discussion [in advance], that often signals potential boundary issues,” Kim M. said.5. No Dedicated Spaces For The NannyIf you don’t set aside space for your nanny, how can you expect them to do their job well? This includes a place to park every day.“In cities where parking is limited and a family denies providing a parking permit, that signals they are not thinking about the nanny as a valued professional,” Calcaron said.And for live-in nannies or nannies who work long hours at a time, you should have “a proper space for the nanny to recharge,” Calarcon explained, whether it’s a dedicated living room or nanny quarters. They will also notice if you don’t provide the basic setup needed to care for the kids.“A home set up for the nanny’s success has a changing station on both floors (if there are two), a designated play area for infants and toddlers, and an eating area that is child-friendly and comfortable for nanny and child to sit together,” Calarcon added.Some nannies prefer age-appropriate, non-electronic toys the kids can play with, and keeping pets in a separate area of the house. “When I walk into a home and see these things, I know those parents did their homework and are genuinely appreciative of having a nanny,” Calarcon said.6. No Systems Or Schedules In PlaceAgain, a messy or cluttered home isn’t necessarily a cause for concern for nannies, as they know you have kids! But one thing nannies do pay attention to? A lack of schedule.“A messy home doesn’t automatically indicate a disorganized family — especially with a newborn or young children,” Kim M. said. “What I look for instead are patterns. Is the home functional? Are there systems in place? Do the parents seem aware of their child’s needs and developmental stage?”If a nanny shows up to work and is expected to create their own systems, routines and ways to meet your children’s needs, it probably isn’t going to work out. It’s a parent’s job to have systems in place, and the nanny simply helps enforce them.7. Not Respecting Or Trusting The Nanny“The work of a nanny should never be underestimated. … it is both physically and mentally demanding,” professional nanny Shirlene S. told HuffPost. She added that nannying “is a skilled profession that carries significant responsibility and deserves the same respect as any other career dedicated to the well-being and development of others.”“Families who trust me to work independently create the best environment,” Shirlene S. says. “A relationship built on mutual trust and open communication creates a much more positive experience for both the nanny and the family.”Autumn A. agreed. “I believe parents letting nannies set boundaries with the children is a major green flag. If a parent backs the nanny’s decision by saying something like, ‘Nanny said not right now, so you wait,’ that teaches the child that the nanny’s rules matter, too. That makes our job possible.”DGLimages via Getty ImagesNannies don’t care if your house is messy, but they do care if it’s not childproofed.What Nannies Might Do If They See Red FlagsStephanie Fornaro, founder and CEO of the staffing and placement agency Hello Nanny!, said nannies at their organization are encouraged to look for red flags and respond if they notice any.Fornaro recommended nannies “ask the parent for a private meeting prior to or after their shift where they can review the working agreement and reset expectations.”“This ensures that the agreement is upheld so that the nanny can continue in the role,” she added.Tips For A Successful Nanny ExperienceIf you don’t want to waste your time when hiring a nanny, follow these expert tips to make the experience smoother.1. Don’t be flaky on the schedule. “Guaranteed hours are the industry standard for professional nanny positions,” Nicole W., a professional nanny. “When a nanny reserves time for a family, they are turning down other work opportunities during those hours.”She added, “A nanny’s income should be predictable and reliable, just as families expect reliable childcare.” That means no canceling last-minute, switching things up week to week or otherwise being wishy-washy.2. Research industry standard pay in your area.Every nanny may charge a different fee to care for your kids, but you should also research ahead of time to keep up with industry standards in your area, said Jennifer D., a professional nanny with 15 years of experience.3. Keep expectations clear. The last thing you want to do is have a mismatch in expectations, which is why you should be totally open with any potential nanny about what type of work you expect.“Scope creep is real,” Autumn A. said. “If you hire a nanny at a specific rate to care for your children and then expect laundry, dishes and household tasks to be added without additional compensation — that is a red flag about you as an employer.”4. Be authentic.Don’t hide behind a fake persona. If you aren’t honest up front, then you won’t truly know if your nanny is the right one. “Families should be themselves,” Calarcon said. “Each nanny has different needs and expectations, and the right fit depends on authentic communication from the very first conversation.”And if you and your nanny aren’t a great fit, it’s OK to go your separate ways.“At the end of the day, I believe this is a professional relationship and just a job,” Calarcon said. “Not every nanny will be the right fit for every family, and not every family will be the right fit for every nanny.”