Childminding in dirty house

[Notmyjob007]

Recently started a job as a nanny for two children, one toddler and one school age. I've noticed that each week the home especially the kitchen is getting dirtier. This morning I had to clean down counters, sweep floors and steam clean the floors as they were scruffy. When I started I was told they had mice but were on top of it and house seemed cleaned enough. I don't know if they realise the house is not clean or they are just chancing their arm and know I will clean up.

Is cleaning part of your job?

Do they not employ a cleaner?

Surely as a nanny an element of cleaning will be involved in your job?

I’d raise this as a concern, unless cleaning is in your contract that is

Is it in your contract to clean

Cleaning is not part of my job. Obviously I tidy away children's toys, wash up any plates, cutlery they use etc. It's getting to the stage where I have to clean the kitchen every morning as it's too dirty to cook it and quite frankly grim. They don't employ a cleaner.

The house is cleaner when they arrive home everyday than when they left in the morning but they don't mention the state of the house whether it's clean or not.

Every morning?! So they’re using the kitchen in the evenings and doing nothing to tidy up after themselves?! I think that is worth mentioning: it’s not on and you aren’t there to do general cleaning, as you say.

Tell them you are not paid to steam clean their floors.

Not very nice for the toddler either especially if theyre crawling or walking in the kitchrn, have you asked them why they just leave it to you to clean up after them, the more you do the more they will expect.

The breakfast items are not put away or cleaned up. Counters with bowls, cups, crumbs etc. The floors are always dirty. No hoover, so I sweep everything and there's coffee and tea stains on the floor and on the cupboards. I make sure everything is clean before I leave every evening. Toys are put away, children are fed, homework done and anything we use is cleaned and put away as well as obviously giving the place a quick sweep.

They are taking the piss

YANBU Now you have started they will expect it and think you believe it is part of your job description. I could not work for a family like this.

But is it unsanitary clean, like they never clean up and bit rank.

Or is it they are off to work at 6am and not had time to do cereal dish before they go? And its a bit of the usual daily mess. I clean up as i go along but i know some people do a pile once or twice a day.

But i wouldn't clean up after them. Before you go can you say, cleaned up kids lunch not had time for your dishes..a hint/dig?

I’d be looking for another job , this won’t improve and they are taking the piss .

I'd look for another job op

Sounds awful, although you didn't have to steam clean the floors.

I'd be looking for another job.

For me it's not clean. The bins although not overflowing stink. The floors are always dirty. Compost food bin in utility room is always full. Oven not clean. Upstairs stinks of dirty, unwashed sheets and old carpets. Im working here 7 weeks and there is the same dirt on the stairs from the day I started. I'm a very clean and tidy person and actually clean my house before I start work. It's really getting me down. I employed to take care of children, I'm not a cleaner.

They have no mop and the floors were full of stains and sticky. Not safe for toddler.

Just to clarify op, how many days are you in with them?

I can understand mornings being a huge rush and dishes and crumbs from breakfast not being sorted before leaving for work but it's sounding like you're needing to hoover and steam the floors every day etc which seems excessive in itself. I Mop my kitchen floor daily but we have a dog who tracks in mud from the garden sometimes so we have to do it constantly. I can't imagine needing more than a sweep up under ds high chair otherwise being needed every single day? I would normally give our counters a quick spray down before I cook but that's because we have a cat and while we don't allow him up on them I know he'd chance it behind my back. So I guess I'm trying to work out if it's filthy filthy, or filthy to you because everyone has different standards of cleanliness.

What I would do if I were you, is to ask to sit down and go over expectations and exactly what's in your contract and clarify that they aren't expecting you to clean outside of what you've listed. Then that way you know you're only to do what's listed and if their mess is interfering with that you can go back to them and say,or you could offer to do x y z in exchange for an additional payment.

@Notmyjob007

They are taking advantage of you,

taking the piss

If it says in their working contract is just looking after their children then that's it,
other than doing just generally doing tidying up after children's toys,

Why on earth don't they employ a proffessional cleaner or home help too?

If they can afford a nanny like you ,
lazy sods

I would say if they are expecting you to clean up after them too?

they will have to expect to be charged proffessional cleaners rates too,

You aren't a charity

That's the thing the more you do for them the more they will expect nip it in the bud,

Cleaning work is not appreciated thats what I found as a proffessional hotel cleaner

Time to find new job, you are not their cleaner and you are already doing far too much - I would leave it as you find it except for the dishes you use for the meals you give the children,

I work four days a week, Monday to Thursday. I know that the floor or counters haven't been cleaned since I left Thursday evening. It's dirt.

I would have a chat with them, it's not a good working environment or for the children. They won't change though so I'd look for another job.

I have started looking for another position, which is unfortunate as I really enjoy taking care of the children.

Tell them that if they ask why you're leaving, perhaps they might employ a cleaner