Does anyone else what have to wait in for parcels?!

I'm a nanny and have never been told it's part of my job. Maybe because I've only worked for "normal" families and not treated like a staff member. So understand if we have plans we have plans. Only if it was something really important maybe been asked to stay in a handful of times but that's literally if there is a timeframe and not yodel for example which can come at anytime or not come at all. But usually my bosses just get stuff delivered to their work.

I've never considered it part of our FT nanny's job. If she happens to be in when a parcel arrives, then fine but I don't think I've ever asked her to wait in specially. I also wouldn't expect her to sort out re-delivery/collection etc if she was out when a parcel was delivered.

It's not in my contract! I don't consider it part of my job either. of course I'm a nice person so if asked nicely I will wait in, if I've nothing planned with the children.

We're about to start looking for a nanny and tbh if I was expecting something important or very large, I would hope that the nanny would stay in but clearly not if she needed to go and collect the dcs. Small/unimportant parcels I can generally get delivered to DH'd work or not fussed about getting immediately. At the moment, I pay the extra and get 4/5 things delivered on the same day and that way it makes it easier and I would probably try and do the same next Xmas and ask if the nanny can stay in for that day.

I think it would be unreasonable to ask a nanny to stay in 3/4 days of a week for parcels and I'm paying her to look after my children, the odd signed for parcel is a bonus.

Yep. It's in my contract too. Something along the lines of managing the other staff (Obviously not as blunt as that!) So I have to wait in for cleaners, workmen, food shop, important deliveries, etc. But I work for lovely people who treat me well, so these instances are rarely more than once a week, and are scheduled to fit around nap / meal times when I would usually be home anyway.
Definitely worth mentioning to your bosses if you think it's getting in the way of children's development. Not so much of an issue for the employers that you don't get to talk to anyone, so wouldn't lead with that. Maybe drop in that you're not enjoying the job as much when you're stuck in, that might make them think twice!

Can they not set up a safe place / deliver to neighbour scheme? Most of the houses I have nannied in have been in nice areas & parcels are usually left hidden if no one is in.

I don't think I've ever been sat down and told it was my job either, but I just kind of knew it was . I'm pretty sure there is something in my contract about 'occasional errands' or something along those lines. I work in an area full of nannies and I've honestly never, ever met one who would consider waiting in for an occasional parcel beyond the scope of normal nanny duties. Waiting in for a parcel doesn't change your 'main priority' btw. All the nannies I know can both wait for a parcel AND concentrate on the children.

Really? In every single one of my nanny jobs I have never been told it was my job to wait for parcels. My main priority was the children.
Doing the odd extra chore is fine to help out but a professionally trained nanny is there for the children not to act as a PA.

'How is it the nanny's job to stay in and wait for parcel deliveries?'

It just is. It will normally be specified in the contract. Nannies are there to provide childcare, but also to make life easier for working parents. They're not housekeepers, but tasks like picking up the dry cleaning/waiting for a repairman/collecting a parcel/walking the dog etc. are all within the normal remit of a nanny job.

How is it the nanny's job to stay in and wait for parcel deliveries? A nanny is there to provide in home child care. If the nanny is home and a parcel arrives then great but if they are not home it is re-delivered or collected later. Unless waiting for deliveries is stated as a set duty then it's a favour and nothing more.

Being stuck indoors with no social or educations activities is detrimental to the child/ren and nanny.

If they want someone to wait for parcels then hire a PA.

'But yes, I can entertain a toddler in the house or garden if there is one and surely that's part of a nanny's skills?'

I didn't say can you, I said would it not bother you even slightly to be stuck in for weeks on end? That's two different things. I'm sure the OP can entertain the toddler in the house (she has been doing), but she doesn't want to. If you can't understand the difference between these two things then I don't think I can help you understand what the issue is. Everyone else seems to understand ok, so I don't think it's that complex. I guess if you're happy to stay in for weeks on end it wouldn't be a problem for you, but I think most of us like to get out/plan things/see people etc.

Sorry delivered almost daily - first line should read!

Family I work for have couriers and parcels delivered. If I miss a parcel I can collect when convenient from the local sorting office. Couriers usually call back/phones or leaves with a neighbour (one parent has an office from home but sometimes in court or meetings aswell during the day so not there to sign themselves,). Parents never have a problem if I'm out with the kids.

I've been asked occasionally to stay in for workmen calling but as not a regular thing do not find it irritating.

If on a school run what do they expect you to do? Also seems too regular. How can meet the child's physical and social developmental needs if staying around the house so often?

I'm happy to wait for parcels. But wouldn't be if it was every day.
And complaining about missing parcels when on school run is madness.
Why can't the parents have the parcels deliver to their work place?
Those posters saying the nanny should do whatever jobs employer tells her are wrong. As a professional nanny I do childcare and child related household chores. It is stated in my contract. Yes I'm flexible and empty dishwasher in the morning, sort recycling, walk the grandmas dog when he visits. I wouldn't be told to wait in for workmen etc. if I was asked and it was occasionally fair enough. If you treat you nanny with disrespect she will leave.

It's frustrating if you have planned a nice day with the children. A lot of the time I will have told the child about tomorrow's plans the day before, so they have something to wake up to iyswim. So it would then be me being the bad guy telling them it isn't happening. A lot of nannies will plan the week in advance.
Luckily my boss just says if she's expecting a parcel, but says 'but don't worry if you're out' - if I come home to a slip I will just collect parcel the next day. I would happily stay in for furniture etc arriving on the occasional day and stay in for food shop.

I suppose I assumed that nearly every day for the past few months is an exaggeration, who can have that many parcels? But yes, I can entertain a toddler in the house or garden if there is one and surely that's part of a nanny's skills? Presumably some of these parcels come in the morning so you can get out in the afternoon.

I take parcel almost everyday for my bosses. I don't care as I'm there. I have been asked two or three times in 15 months to stay home just to open the door to some men who came to repair something. It's part of the job.

The only thing that is wrong, is that they are upset at you if yo are not there to get the delivery. That's insane.

Waiting in for things is part of the job but doing so most days for many weeks seems a bit much.

Have a chat. Say it does cause inconvenience and could parcels be delivered on one particular day, delivered elsewhere/collected.

When our Nanny was FT, I would occasionally ask her to stay in for deliveries, especially if it were an important one for whatever reason. Certainly, this time last year, there would have been several occasions.
I do think it is in the jobs remit. As most of the parcels were for the DC, you could argue it was for their benefit anyway.
Howeve, if it is genuinely everyday, then YANBU to be annoyed about it.

If it was nearly every day for the past few months that will be something like 60 parcels...

Is it really that often?

Loving the difference of opinion between Green and apotato btw . From 'I don't understand the issue' to 'tell them to stick it' in one post. That's why mumsnet is great!

Greenfizzy It's been nearly every day for the past few months according to the OP. You wouldn't be even slightly bothered about being stuck in all day with a toddler....for a few months? I don't understand why you can't understand why that's annoying

apotato actually it's well within the role of a nanny to wait in for parcels/run errands/deal with workmen etc. Obviously that needs to be within reason i.e. not every day for a few months!

I find this ridiculous, its not part of your job to manage their home.
You are there to manage the children and part of this is getting them out and about.
I would refuse to do it and tell them its not your job, some people just take the piss.

I honestly don't understand the issue. I work - if my employer said to me one day, I don't want you to do (normal job) I'd like you to do (something else) today, as long as I'm capable of it then I would do it. So if the Mum asks you to stay in with the toddler rather than going to the park, until the parcel has arrived, what is the big deal? Not being stroppy, genuinely don't understand and interested to know what the issue is.

Waiting in for parcels/workmen/the online shop is definitely within a nanny's job, but everyday for months is ridiculous! I would have a word with them.