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Original poster

Does this sound like a reasonable job description?

37 replies

TerrysNo3 · 18/11/2015 10:15

Hi all

We are looking to get a nanny from September next year when I go back to work. We had a nanny once before and although she was very good, there were some issues as I do not think her role/our expectations were fully defined. To avoid this I wanted to make a very clear description of the hours/responsibilities expected.

I would appreciate your thoughts on whether this is reasonable and anything else I should add to the list.

Also what would you assume the net hourly pay would be, we are in Buckinghamshire (near Aylesbury). Thanks!

Nanny Job Specification

Full time (across 4 days), Live out nanny for three children aged 1, 4 and 7

Hours
Monday, Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday: 7.30am – 7pm
Plus babysitting one night a week until 11pm, day to be agreed at least a week in advance.
40 hour working week spread across the above hours, actual hours worked may be different each week. Any hours above 40 will be paid on a hourly basis each month.
Usual week will probably be: Monday & Tuesday: 8am – 6.30pm, Wednesday 8am – 10pm, Thursday: 9.30am – 3pm

Duties
• Follow the childrens routines. For the younger one this would include:
o Taking to suitable activities – soft play, farm trips, children’s centre etc
o Putting down for naps
o Getting dressed / changing nappies

• For the older two this would be:
o School runs
o Taking to after school activities
o Having other children over for playdates
o Helping with homework / reading
o Take responsibility for school requirements and discussing with us as necessary – forms / trips etc

• General duties include:
o Bathtime / bedtime routine.
o Keeping communal areas tidy.
o Some cleaning duties if required to maintain house (we have a weekly cleaner) – hoovering, wiping table / counters, dishwasher duties etc
o Taking responsibility for keeping children’s bedrooms and playroom tidy (although making the older children tidy/be responsible for their rooms/mess they make)
o Preparing healthy meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
o Doing kids washing and ironing and putting their clothes away

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Cindy34 · 18/11/2015 13:19

Mileage payments vary. Saw a graph that NannyPaye published last week, will see if I can find it.

Cars use different amount of fuel and have differing fixed costs - business use insurance for a young driver can be very high. The smaller the number of miles per week, the most it costs. Some nannies may want 45p per mile which is the maximum payable before it is a taxable benefit, which you would have to weigh up against the cost of providing a car.

Cindy34 · 18/11/2015 13:16

Babysitting would be an issue that I can see, that would not be included usually for a live out position.
Where it is included it would have to be very clearly defined, such as only being on an evening where the nanny has already worked that day, so it is more like overtime. Arranging it in advance and being mutually convenient - could the nanny say no? No rolling over if it was not used.

I would not include it at all but just ask your nanny on an as and when needed basis if they are able to work overtime on a particular evening.

Original poster
TerrysNo3 · 18/11/2015 12:59

I would expect to pay for petrol in our car or a mileage allowance in their own car (40p per mile). Isn't that usual??

What do you think the normal range for pay is? I've seen £9-10 per hour net in other local ads, does that sound right?

OP posts:
VulcanWoman · 18/11/2015 12:56

I think you should at least pay petrol money too, most younger people would probably not have a car. Do you want to say what the salary would be. I think that's what it will boil down to, because the job sounds pretty full on.

Original poster
TerrysNo3 · 18/11/2015 12:47

Thanks for the feedback everyone, it is really helpful. Here are some responses:

The minimum and maximum hours would be 40 over those times mentioned (and anything above would be totally at the nanny's option) and they would be paid a salary for 40 hours. We would like to have as standard one later evening (due to busy jobs) but the day may change on a weekly basis. I was thinking this flexibility might suit someone and in return we can be quite flexible too as although we have demanding jobs we can work flexibly sometimes. I thought we could agree the exact hours for each week on the previous Friday. The issues with our last nanny had nothing to do with hours, she had the same defined hours every week and we didn't really ask her to work outside them but from experience it would have been helpful to have this. For example some evenings we could say leave at 5 but others ask the nanny to come for 7.30.

In terms of household duties, the youngest should sleep for 2/3 hours each afternoon and in essence apart from doing the kids laundry I'm only asking her to tidy up after herself as I'd expect her to get the older kids to tidy up after themselves.

Yes they could use our car but it would probably be easier if they had their own too for some days.

Does this make it sound more reasonable, sorry if my first post wasn't clear!

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 18/11/2015 11:03

When will the employee get to know what the hours will be on any one day? Can you offer any flexibility in return? Will the employee ever be able to plan to some something within those hours, or do they always have to protect them, incase you need them to be working? If there anything to prevent you mandating work for 50 hours each and every week? What is the premium for overtime?

Is it possible that this was the cause of the mismatched expectations which did not suit you before?

Would you consider defining the minimum hours which will always be required and then additional hours which might be required and agree how far in advance these will be confirmed?

I don't know what the market for Nannies is like around your part of the world, is it very much in your favour? The impression this requirement gives me is of a very tight agreement entirely in your favour. Fair enough if that is accurate, I wonder what choice of candidates you will have.

Artandco · 18/11/2015 10:56

Advert isn't clear. You say hrs are mon-thurs 7am-7.30pm. Then you go on to say hrs are actually all different with different times.

I would t think many will like as you have a 10pm finish one day and 11pm another day

For those late hrs and random times you will
Be looking to pay a premium

Btw live out nannies don't usually do a babysit weekly as part of contract, only live in nannies. Live out will do on an as available basis and for per hr extra

VulcanWoman · 18/11/2015 10:46

I worked it out to 40 and a half basic hours.

ThatsNotMyHouseItIsTooClean · 18/11/2015 10:43

So you want them to be available for 50 hours a week (7.30 - 7.00 on three days & 7.30 - 11.00 on a fourth day) but will only pay them for 40 hours? As a potential employee, I would have an issue with that but you may find someone flexible who is willing to do it in exchange for the odd early finish.
I think the job description needs a bit of work. I think a nanny would expect to change nappies without it actually being part of the job description!
Also, think about what you can achieve when at home with a 1yo. It is fine if they nap for a couple of hours whilst the others are at school giving the nanny a change to do the nursery duties but, if they don't, it will be pretty full on.

VulcanWoman · 18/11/2015 10:37

For the children's journeys.

VulcanWoman · 18/11/2015 10:35

Sorry, just read you're still deciding this. Well they'll have their work cut out but Fri, Sat, Sun free. Will they be using your car?

VulcanWoman · 18/11/2015 10:33

What would the hourly rate be and the overtime rate?