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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

What exactly is it that nannies do - I need to know!

33 replies

clutteredup · 22/04/2007 21:08

I have a student placement nanny from our local college coming Monday's and Friday's from 9.45 till 5.15. Cool, I'm excited but when I asked what she would do the college told me,'anything you would expect a Nanny to do'. Great! It's just I haven't a clue what I would expect a nanny to do - never had one before! Can anyone advise?

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em28677 · 22/04/2007 21:39

Nick How many duties that a nanny ends up doing are 'nanny duties' At least I could pretend to be to weak to do getting things out of loft etc still had to bully the husband to do it though cos that was added to my list. Her husband was my 4th child!!!

Original poster
clutteredup · 22/04/2007 21:36

Sounds good to me about the kids room - what things might help her get more experience generally - DD1 comes home from pre school after lunch and then we go to toddlers with a frind's DS. Then school pick up at 3.20 for DS.

OP posts:
nannynick · 22/04/2007 21:35

As first day, just ask her to entertain DD3. Will give her some experience of crawling around the floor and clearing up baby sick!

em - I could add more to my list, such as plumbing in dishwasher, washing machine, getting things from the loft (did that this week), unblocking drain, but those are not typical nanny duties.

em28677 · 22/04/2007 21:34

Get her to help clean kids rooms or play with baby. Dont suppose she can go for a walk with the baby if not allowed sole charge or that wouldve been a good solution.

Original poster
clutteredup · 22/04/2007 21:28

Thanks for the information - I'm not allowed to give her sole charge - I think for insurance reasons- but I'd also like to help her get as much experience as possible as well - I want to get the house clean tomorrow morning while DS and DD1 are at school and pre-school, DD2 is 3 months - any ideas as to what to ask her to do with her while I'm cleaning - I normally leave her under the baby gym (DD not the nanny!)and she's quite happy.

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em28677 · 22/04/2007 21:26

Nick you sound like you have had similar experiences tome I could also add Help run family business and Clean their empire of property when it comes up for rent renewal!!!

nannynick · 22/04/2007 21:24

As a nanny I do almost anything really.

Let me see if I can start to make a list:

Preparing meals including scrubing vegetables.
Washing up.
Putting laundry in the washing machine.
Putting laundry on the washing line.
Feeding the cat, chickens, other animals.
Running the vacuum cleaner around the house.
Getting painting things ready, clearing up the mess.
Reading stories to the children.
Playing games with the children.
Taking the children out for a walk.
Taking children to toddler group, music group, swimming etc.
Getting tykes out of the shed/garage, putting them away again.
Trying to get 4 year old to ride bike without stabilizers.
Water the plants.
Supervise getting dressed.
Changing nappies.
Giving bottle feeds.
Collecting children from school.
Helping with homework.

Is that enough to get you started?

em28677 · 22/04/2007 21:17

Hi I was a nanny for the same family for 10 years and I did everything!!! It really varies on the family some people only want nannies for the sole point of looking after the children, whereas others would expect their nanny to do all cooking, cleaning and laundry related to the children. Other families expect you to do the lot and be general dogs body forever!! If you want to leave her with thechildren but dont want to give her sole charge straight away why not try giving her a little bit of child related chores to do so she is not with them all the time. Good Luck