A Nanny's role?

[coco2901]

Hi All,

Before I start, please don't stone me down for this if I'm way off the mark, I genuinely don't know and don't know where else to ask.

I am expecting my first child and need to go back to work pretty quickly. I initially assumed I would get a childminder, but actually a nanny would be better suited to our needs with such a small baby ie being in our own home. Obv the cost is much higher, I wondered if a nanny would undertake any housework as part of their role? I ask as the only way we could afford the higher rate is if we got rid of the cleaner...

Thanks

It also depends on supply/demand of nannies, competition for jobs, relative experience....

A newish nanny will be more flexible because that's the way you start - more of a mother's help. A nanny facing stiff competition for the job might agree to do more than usual.

Equally a nanny who's been with a family for a while may as a one off do extra things. 99% of the time if it ain't in my contract I ain't doing it but one week my boss's mother was ill, her cleaner hadn't shown up at all that week, my charge needed an hour to himself because he was being obnoxious and overexcited so I did the cleaning for her but it wasn't expected.

A nanny's role is very flexible but doesn't typically include heavy cleaning for all it might get done occasionally in an emergency!

If you outline exactly what you want the nanny to do and clean and the salary you're willing to pay, then people who will do that will apply. Then you interview for the best fit for your family. Surely if you just state job description and salary upfront then you don't need to worry over what a nanny will/ will not do. Right?

Right, except you don't want to advertise something wacky/be left wondering why NNEBs with 10 years baby experience don't want to do it. Nor do you want to advertise for a nanny and THEN tell them you want them to clean after 2 weeks because you expected that they would.

Being upfront about expectations is the way to go but it's definitely worth bearing in mind the expectations other people have, especially if you're going DIY and contacting nannies who are advertising for work.

Makes sense. I knew I saw it too simply in my mind :)

Hi, Agree nannynick as a nanny. my job has included organising chimmey sweep, window cleaners (juggling around the landscape gardeners and the painter) lost dog and washing machine over flowing(whilst nursery called to say child sick)
But on a usual day I would agree to nursery duties and have in the past done all ironing and housework as kids at school..along with dry cleaners shopping etc!!!
As long as you know whats expected then its fine.and any nanny would try and sort out the over flowing washing machine rather then say thats not in my job description!!

Hi agree with nannynick that you sometimes sort out plumbing but these are one off things def not the norm, as nanny7 says you would not walk away frolm a flooding washing machine.