Extra duties for nanny, what is reasonable?

I worked as a nanny for a family with no extra needs. One child was at school in the mornings and the other did a morning at nursery once a week. My jobs included receiving the online shop and putting it away, doing a top up shop for any missed items, sorting the dishwasher, hoovering the lounge, cooking batch meals, doing the children's washing/ironing, keeping the children's rooms tidy and doing bed sheet changes.

I did this 6 years ago for £6 per hour gross in Surrey.

So no, it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask her for some extra 'help' as I'd always assumed these were a nanny's role anyway.

Your nanny sounds rubbish, tbh. She isn't fulfilling even quite basic nanny duties. Why don't you get rid of her and get a new nanny?

oh, and picking up meds on the way to pick up your dd does not sound as though it would take a lot of effort.

really, I would hope that a person employed by you, in a relationship which has so far been harmonious, would actually offer to do some of this.

x-posts.

yes, imo top up shops acceptable as a nanny duty (have always asked ours to do it - she is the one using it daily, and in need of it more often than me, after all. she uses kitty money to do so).

receiving/putting away an internet shop not a big deal either, imo - surely whoever is around when it arrives deals with it?

the ironing is already in the nanny's contract, though, and she is not fulfilling her duties. as is tidying (and, I would argue, hoovering the living room if it is in need because they have been in there all day - cleaning common areas after use is always in my contracts)

the nanny is there to make your life easier, not harder, OP. as you say, if she does not front up with at least the duties as set out in her contract, then she may well be out of a job.

asking for a little extra, when you are clearly under huge pressure, is not a big ask, imo. surely give and take is part of the job?

you could try to talk with her, and ask if she would take on the extra duties under set circumstances (ie when your ds is ill, and you are all run ragged). but be sure to remind her to actually do what she is employed to do as well.

I think you should let up on some of the housework if you are in such a stressful situation.
The important things are food and medicine.
Slightly less important: dishes, tidying and laundry.
Unimportant: hoovering.
Profoundly unimportant: ironing for children.

I am so, so sorry that you are struggling with illness, and possibly needing to give up a job. I just think this is a good time to cut some slack with the housework.
I think the nanny should help you when she has time, especially as you sound like really considerate and appreciative employers, who are going through a difficult time. I would ask her to help with the most important things: making healthy food and necessary medicine always available, and keeping the house liveable. I would forget about anything inessential.

All duties relating to children, especially ones in her contract are fair game.

I would hope that, in your circumstances, the nanny would not mind filling/emptying dishwasher or pushing the hoover round.

cook extra meals not too arduous a task - she could double whatever she is doing, and freeze half (assuming you are not asking for specific gourmet meals to be frozen).

The only sticking point imo would be the picking up meds, but she must have to be in town to eg pick up top up milk/bread etc at some point, so could easily combine.

I hope your ds gets better soon