Responsibilities of a Nanny

Being a nanny is a career choice created in a grey zone.

There are as many different childcare positions as there are childcare workers. Roles (and rates of pay) can range from, first time supervised babysitter to Executive Nanny. Titles that get thrown about with abandon can also include Mother’s Helper, Au Pair, Nursery/Maternity Nurse, Nanny, Night Nanny, Child minder, Nanny/Personal Assistant, or Nanny/Housekeeper and on and on and on. In North America we seem to flail about defining and redefining the job as each interview presents itself. How confusing!!

So without further adieu lets have a long hard look at what is expected of a “Nanny” and in turn …what a nanny expects!

What is a nanny (usually) responsible for?
1) First and foremost the safety, care and well being of your children.
2) That the house is as clean when she leaves as when she arrived. (This means if you had a huge dinner party and there are mountains of dishes all over…those dishes are not her responsibility. It also means it should not take to two hours to clean up the toys and playdough after she has gone)
Then if time permits… she is responsible for;
3)Children’s Laundry
4) Children’s rooms/tidy/organized/notes left if things are running low
5)Children’s snacks and meals. (Possibly cooking and freezing/labeling baby food)
6)Maintenance, cleaning & care of children’s belongings (highchair, crib, toys, stroller etc.)

* This type of contract would be said to include “only childcare related duties.”

What is generally considered “Light Housekeeping?”
1)Unloading/Loading the dishwasher
2)Occasional family laundry, including folding & putting away.
3)General tidying/straightening
4)Sweeping/light mopping/wiping of kitchen
5)Taking out Garbage/Recycling
6)Refilling water coolers, sugar/salt containers, etc.

What is definitely EXTRA?
1)Vacuuming
2)Dusting
3)Meal Prep for family
4) Errands (mail, groceries, picking up dry cleaning, etc)
5)Ironing
6) Any additional specific tasks (ie; wiping down cupboards, sorting closets etc)

What is usually considered completely off limits?
1)Bathrooms
2)Washing the car
3)Heavy duty cleaning (the oven, inside the fridge, flipping mattresses etc.)

What Every Nanny Wants

A Nanny/Family relationship is intimate and always evolving…it is of utmost importance no matter how close you become with your nanny to always remember that this is her JOB, and to respect that fact.

Nannies also cite families who respect them personally and appreciate the work they do, as being desirable employers. Keep in mind that you should not only respect the nanny, and the job, but also the written contract that has been negotiated. Families who continually to add more and more jobs onto an already negotiated contract are likely to find themselves out a nanny…and quickly. This is one of the most common reasons nannies give for quitting or choosing not to renegotiate a contract with a family.

PAY RATES

Live out nannies can make anywhere from $10-$35 an hour….seriously. This is a pretty broad range.
What factors affect how much a nanny should make?
Have a look at the following variables;
1) How many children?
2) Ages of the children?
3)How much experience/training/education the nanny has.
4) Does the nanny drive?
5)Availability/Flexibility
6) Additional Tasks (see list at top)
7) Type of contract…Part Time/Full Time/Nanny Share …Independant contractor or Employee?
8)How badly the family wants that particular nanny.
9)Where you live
10) Are there any extra perks/bonuses being offered (use of a car, a trip home paid for, paid vacation with the family)

*To read more, please click here.