What does nanny do during baby naps?

[i123i]

We are looking to employ a nanny for our 10 month old. One of the things we are wondering about is - what does a nanny do while the baby naps (at home)? Our DC naps around 1-1.5 hours in the morning, and 1.5-2 hours in the early afternoon.

I understand nannies usually do baby laundry and ironing, and tidy away used baby items, but this wouldn't take up 3+ hours every single day... we don't want to pay a nanny to sit around while baby naps (this happened a while ago when we trialled a nanny).
Is it reasonable to expect her to do some light housework like emptying the dishwasher, and prepping some meals etc (we have a cleaner so wouldn't expect her to do a full on clean)?

That’s actually outrageous

we don't want to pay a nanny to sit around while baby naps (this happened a while ago when we trialled a nanny).

Ah, the ripe, rich scent of a "much get my pound of flesh" employer. Don't you just love them?

Yes, sure, housework................. or watching a load of Holly and Phil (or whoever is standing in)

She is doing something she’s monitoring your baby while it sleeps. It’s not like she’s going to go out and leave it or have a party.

I couldn't get worked up about this. As long as my child was happy, clean, fed and the house wasn't a shit tip on my arrival home, I wouldn't be bothered what the nanny did hour to hour.

I remember having a baby and nap times weren't really "restful". I was listening out, rinsing bottles and by the time that was done the peace was over.

The nanny will be looking after your most precious person OP. I think treating them as a professional and capable of managing their own time working towards an expected outcome would be the best way forward.

Shove a broom up her arse and she can sweep the floor.

I think a lot of these responses are a bit harsh - it’s a fair question!

In practice (and based on my experience having had a nanny for a couple of years now since 11 months) she’ll have plenty to do.
She will need to take her legal breaks, and then will have plenty of tasks - cleaning up after breakfasts/lunch, preparing food/batch cooking preparing activities, washing and ironing baby clothes/bedding, tidying-up, cleaning toys etc. (Mine also likes to be busy, so will take it upon herself to empty dishwasher, put bins out etc!)
And once baby down to one nap, she’ll have lots to squeeze in!
I think you’ll know quickly whether someone is pro-active or a bit lazy. I would just have a casual chat in interview and find out what nanny would usually do in that time to get a sense for whether she finds things to do or not!

You are paying for her to be on call for the safety of your baby. Unless you are happy for her to leave the property until your baby wakes up at a pre-arranged time. FFS!

TBH if the nanny has so much spare and unused time when the baby sleeps maybe the OP or her DH could go part time and look after the baby and do their work when the baby sleeps?

@@i123i wow!!!

I really hope this a wind up.

Out of interest what hours are you asking your nanny to work? Daily nannies often do 8am to 6.30 pm, you expect them to do over 20 hours with no break?

Goodness- There are many differences between a nanny a babysitter. I can't believe this comparison has come up so many times.

Nannies have more responsibilities and are paid more. Our career nanny would be very insulted to be compared to a babysitter.

OP, you really need to take some comments here with a bucket of salt. People have no idea, it's really best to speak to an agency.

That's 10.5 hours, not 20.

And OP never said she couldn't have a break.

3.5 hours is an excessive amount of time for a break, what other position would provide a literal third of the employees paid hours as a break? My employer certainly doesn't, does yours?

OP has buggered off after her initial post, I see, which is always a bit suspect, but just joining everyone else who says that a nanny isn't a cleaner, isn't there to get your own dinner started, isn't there to iron your clothes, and IS allowed a break from time to time. She will essentially be baby-sitting while the baby naps, which you would pay someone for if you went out for the evening. She'll also be checking on the baby and making sure all's well. But absolutely, she should be folding your towels and emptying the dishwasher too.

@SkyandSurf arghhhh fat fingers and too long working today!!!!!

But what is a break in the office based workforce? Some might choose to work through. Some might go out and run errands and meet their mortgage advisor plus a friend for lunch. If there were expected to be on site and on call for that break then it is not a proper break is it? So trying to equate an unpaid break in another sector to a 'break' when the baby naps when the nany has to be on site and has no real idea if the baby will wake; if the baby will sleep at all; if there will be an emergency and also if baby's growing pattern means that when it is 10 months old it has a nap one day and the next is getting out the cat flal in order to stuff snails it it's mouth.

Not the same thing as a luxurious 3.5 hour break is it?

Surely nannies only do baby/child related things? I was a nanny once. As well as looking after her child (toddler) she expected me to be housekeeper and cook. I left after three months.

@SkyandSurf by the time the baby has tidied up, prepared food, done the laundry there will be little down time. And don’t forget, the baby will soon drop the naps

Omg I give up today. By the time the nanny has tidied up etc

You are the worst kind of employer. This is how to lose good staff members. Micromanage and squeeze every penny out of them while making them feel uncomfortable and miserable.

Hi firstly, thank you to everyone who has posted about nannying being a professional job and sticking up for us Nannies.

I’ve been a nanny for 16 + years and I’m sorry to say I would not take on your position.

A nanny isn’t being paid to do nothing. They are still making sure your baby is safe and well while you can’t be with them.
A nanny is thinking of what activities they can do when the baby wakes up, thinking of other things that might need preparing.
A nanny is also recharging their batteries while your baby sleeps, as you will know being a nanny/parent is full on and sometimes you don’t get a break.

if you respect your nanny and show that you trust their judgment they will go above and beyond for you. I’m sorry to say an attitude of “I don’t want to pay them to do nothing while the baby sleeps” is disrespectful and rude. You will also not get a nanny who wants to stay with you long term (if that’s what you require) which is disruptive for your little one. They will get burnt out and want to leave. They bond a nanny has with the children they look after is like they are their own.
If I employed a nanny for my little one, I would encourage them to take a break when they can. I’d rather the nanny be fully charged and ready to play, encourage and help my little grown and learn than them being half with it. They would be a big part of my family, like another family member.

please, please respect your nanny and She/he will be the best nanny they could ever be.

10 month olds are full on, the nanny will need a break whilst baby naps.

Surely you are paying a nanny to be at home with your child so your child is not alone while you’re at work? You sound like a potential nightmare of an employer if you’re going to exploit her to do other jobs that have nothing to do with being the guardian of your child in your absence. If she wants to do those jobs fine but a nanny is not a housekeeper by default.

That's a very clever baby, I want one that does tidying, prepares food and does laundry 😜 But seriously OP, please don't get a nanny, you have no clue how to treat one and none of us would stay longer than 5 minutes, including me.

@Bonjovispjs 🤣🤣🤣 me too

Nanny naps when baby naps