DS starting nursery, how to occupy our lovely nanny?

[civilfawlty]

Hello. Our DS has started nursery (3hrs a day), and we definitely want to keep our lovely nanny. And we definitely have no intention of docking her pay.

So - what is it usual for nannies to do while their charge is elsewhere? Nursery is a 5 min walk from home, and no doubt she'll want a cuppa and some lunch. But that still leaves c. 2 hours a day, 3 days a week, to fill. And we don't have a freezer, so making batches of food won't work. Be grateful for some brilliant suggestions please.

Bake bread/ muffins
Sons laundry and bedding changed and washed
Sorting sons clothing that's too small/ wrong season
Tidying toys/ sorting out what she thinks too babyish
Prep dinner for that night, she might agree to prepping and cooking a dish for you all rather than just child
Housekeeping related to child - booking haircuts/ eyes tests/ buying gifts for friends parties
Researching stuff you might want to buy ie a next size bed/ bike/ toys. Can just email you a selection
Random stuff related to child ie replacing button on coat

Most the stuff she will already do just with son in tow and around, so just frees her up to not have to do those when he returns so they can go and actually do something else

Laundry and changing bedding.
General vac around the house.
Making cakes for the nursery cake sale.
Let her get some exercise - go for a walk/run, local gym/pool.
Anything really that you are happy for them to do and they are happy to do.

Mine ironed my husband's shirts - she didn't mind doing it as got to watch TV at the time!

I think it's important to bear a few things in mind

1. this only applies during term time - so important not to expect that it happens during holiday time.
2. you might have a second child. If there's no intention to do that, then it's worth having a proper discussion now and trialing it so that mutual resentment doesn't build up.
3. it all goes to pot when your child is ill which tends to be a lot when they are this age.
4. Nursery is nursery but when he starts in Reception there's reading homework to do and various other activities
5. making costumes for Book week etc etc.

Definitely put a review point in the calendar so that you will both get a chance to sit down and discuss it again in a few months.

Art&Co's point is a good one. If there are no nanny duties to be done does this give her and your son enough time to do things like Forest Schools, go further afield for more exciting activities, host playdates [to allieve your guilt on weekends when you can't be arsed. ]

She might be really interested in some time off in the mornings to study/go to the gym/learn to drive in exchange for some babysitting or other flexibility in the evenings [or manna from heaven - take him to a birthday party on the weekend !].

All of the above plus:
Birthday present shopping [for other kids]
Buy a freezer

Hello. Just wanted to say thank you for the suggestions. They are good.

Definitely no expectations - but good to have stuff lined up for when it's appropriate.

2hrs a day is easily filled. One day strip bed and remake and wash etc

Other nursery duties

And yes if all done then a cuppa with a friend is always nice

Agree if lots of duties then won't get done in holidays

That's me now twice a week
I do go to the gym once my boss was forty minutes late yesterday thus missed a class I do not make beds all three charges do that. I do a lot of cooking managing the children's after school stuff I have three charges run errands for the parents not part of my duties but I do fold and put washing away If it is there.three hours is not long I also chat to the other nannys parents after all my charge will be going to theirs for parties playdate and them to us for the same so it's good to get to know them