Ideas for nanny job description

[FamilySweet]

We're just starting to look for a nanny, and I have many questions!

Do nannies normally expect to have a formal, written job description...or would all duties etc be covered in a contract?

I come from a corporate background, so would expect (as an employee) to have a job description before interview, with tasks, objectives etc. then to have a contract of employment for things like holidays, pay days etc.

Is it the same for nannies?

Most have it in the contract but personally I prefer an appendixes job description which goes into more detail and can be modified as necessary. I think most nannies, if it were explained to them in that way, would be happy with it.

In applying for the job, my experience is that in deciding whether to apply for a job the main things nannies want to know are:
hours
pay
live in or out
number/age of children
whether sole charge
Whether their duties include anything other than childcare and normal nursery duties
likelihood of overtime/babysitting being required (and whether paid)

I would expect at least the first 5 to be included in the job advert (there is usually also ref to level of experience and language skills required and whether they are expected to drive. Non-smokers normally specified).
The last 2 will def be raised by the nanny at interview if not included in job advert and they will have specific things they are particularly interested in based on past experience (e.g. my first nanny was very keen to know how expenses would be dealt with before committing to the job as she had a bad experience of being left out of pocket for weeks on end).

Contract would normally set out holiday entitlement, notice periods, more details on duties and disciplinary matters etc (some of which may also be covered in interview), and draft contract would be discussed and to some extent negotiated before signing on the line.
At interview I would also want to pick up on whether they are on the same page re routine (or lack of), discipline, attitude to classes/play dates (some nannies like to be out and about all the time which does not suit all children), what types of meals they would cook etc, but not sure these types of things are for the job spec/contract necessarily.

Best practice is more or less as described with a contract containing details of pay, hours, etc. and covering the items required by the Principal Statement and a job description focusing on the duties of the role (objectives would be a rarity though!)

I would be surprised if as many as 25% of nanny employers get close to this - many don't even operate PAYE.

Objectives for us would be to reach the end of the day without DS assaulting the cats and stealing their food .

Just out of interest, for anyone who has employed a nanny - how much time would you say you spend getting set up e.g. compiling a contract, payroll stuff (if using a payroll company), checking references etc.??