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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Next newbie question ... what other duties are reasonable?

9 replies

alysonpeaches · 29/11/2008 19:27

If LO3 is asleep and LO2 at playgroup could I ask the nanny to do light housework or something for me?

What sort of job is reasonable? Ironing kids clothes? Tidying up? vacuuming?

What does your nanny do around the house / or if you are a nanny do you do any other jobs for your household?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
fairimum · 29/11/2008 21:34

Mostly things to do with the children, washing, tidying playroom/bedroom etc - not sure about vacuuming, if childrens room, cleaning any mess they have made then fine, but I wouldn't otherwise...

Please remember that your nanny does not get a lunch break so that in the time they little ones are sleeping I make myself some lunch and often watch neighbours! - saying that more often than not they don't nap at the same times so I don't get a chance to have any lunch!

Lucy87 · 30/11/2008 00:51

As a nanny, I would be willing to exchange ironing (my ultimate hate but usually considered a nursery duty) for another duty - for example, vacuuming although this is not a traditional nursery duty. I'd even do parents laundry etc if it meant I could escape the ironing and my employer could send it out.

Of course I am extremely lucky and do no nursery duties anyway

Just chat with your nanny about what she would be happy with. Don't ask, don't get!

nannynick · 30/11/2008 01:03

Yes you can ask for child related tasks to be done. You could also ask for household related tasks, some nannies may object, while others will be fine with that.
Personally I don't Iron - I'm no good at ironing (like a lot of men I expect).

On Friday I did 3 loads of washing, only hung 2 loads to dry (other load was finishing as I left work). Mixed loads of adult and child clothing... sometimes I find it easier just to do lights / darks, rather than just child lights, child darks etc.

General vaccuming, tidying of communal areas and children's bedrooms is fine.

However, if the nanny is doing housework, the children are not getting a great deal of attention - fine if one is asleep, others at school/pre-school.

As you are interviewing next week, add a question to your list... asking prospective nannies what household duties they would expect to be doing, if the children were asleep / at pre-school. Keep it an OPEN question, so they can talk about what they have done in the past, what they would expect to do. Don't ask CLOSED questions such as "Will you do Ironing", as this results in Yes/No answers - makes interviewing hard for you, if you do all the talking and the prospective nanny just says Yes/No to each question.

fridayschild · 30/11/2008 08:26

I have always asked my nannies to be in to receive and put away the weekly grocery shop. When my DCs were the age of yours, I ordered on line. Now I have one at schol and the other at nursery, nanny does the on line ordering too.

Actually this is something nanny does while the DCs are awake. They love to help putting shopping away.

Good one to add to the interview questions, though - it really makes my life much easier.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/11/2008 10:04

nannies gen do anything to do with the children,ie washing&ironing their clothes, tidying rooms, changing beds etc

although i dont do any duites in my current job, ( cleaner and db do washing, ironing, chnage beds etc) mb said when the children are alseep that is MY time, and i can do what i like, watch tv, read , go on lappy

but if there is a load to go in tumble dryer i obv put it in, if asked i will unpack shopping, go to post poffice,pick up dry cleaning etc

it is give and take

I personally wouldnt do light housework or iron mb/db clothes, i am a nanny not a cleaner and DETEST ironing

nbee84 · 30/11/2008 10:31

In my nanny job the youngest started morning nursery in September. I use this time to do their washing/ironing, tidying/cleaning their bedrooms, changing their bedding, sorting out their arts & crafts stores.

I have also done a few other bits off my own back - like cleaning out the fridge, sorting out cupboards and some of the parents ironing. They've never mentioned it (or said thank you!) so I'm unsure if a. they've noticed or b. they'd rather I didn't.

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/11/2008 10:34

nbee if they havent said thank you then i wouldnt bother again tbh

nbee84 · 30/11/2008 10:46

I feel a little like that but also I like to fill my time - I'm not one for sitting about.

lindseyfox · 01/12/2008 16:47

maybe she could cook some meals like cottage pie, bolgenese sauce, casseroles for the freezer that she could use when working or you could use yourself for the family.

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