Parent FAQ ~ Responsibilities of a Nanny

The basic responsibilities of a nanny are straightforward – quality childcare and child-related duties. But most families are expanding that basic description to include additional responsibilities to more fully meet their individual needs. Keep in mind when developing your job description that no one person can provide all day quality childcare, all child-related tasks, all family-related tasks, complete child information management and complete household management. In other words, one person can only do so much.

Quality Childcare

A nanny’s primary responsibility is to provide quality childcare. The definition of that differs from one family to another but there are general characteristics and abilities that all quality caregivers possess. She…

* provides a well rounded day for your child.

* provides age-appropriate creative, educational, physical and social activities.

* provides nutritious meals and snacks.

* provides a clean and safe environment.

* reads to (or with) your child on a regular basis.

* spends adequate time outside with your child.

* gives your child adequate one-on-one time.

* encourages an appropriate amount of independent play.

* provides adequate supervision during independent play.

* supports your authority.

* supports your discipline views.

* supports your TV and computer restrictions.

* displays a positive communication style with your child.

* handles discipline situations appropriately.

* sets appropriate boundaries with child.

* models positive behavior.

* creates a warm, loving, secure environment for your child

Child-Related Duties

In the broadest terms, a nanny is responsible for all tasks related to the care of her charge. This can include…

* housekeeping of child’s areas. Within the traditional definition, a nanny is responsible for cleaning the child’s household areas including the child’s bedroom, bathroom, playroom, and any other frequently used areas. This can include changing sheets, emptying the diaper genie, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, emptying the trash, and general straightening. However, in most of today’s households, a cleaning service is responsible for most, if not all, of the actual cleaning. Generally, nannies are only responsible for keeping the areas maintained between regular cleanings.

* the child’s laundry including washing, drying, occasional ironing, basic mending and putting clothes away.

* the child’s meals including dinner preparation. Most nannies will prepare “extra” for the parents as well.

* transportation to and from activities.

* overseeing and assisting child with homework and special projects.

* rotating child’s seasonal clothes.

* organizing clothes, toys, etc. in child’s room and playroom.

* shopping for child-related items such as clothes, age-appropriate toys, friend’s gifts, and school supplies.

* maintaining a communication log or journal.

* packing for travel.

Family-Related Duties

Although family-related duties are not part of the basic nanny position, many nannies take on additional responsibilities in exchange for additional salary and / or benefits. These duties can include…

* family meal preparation.

* family laundry including washing, drying, and putting clothes away. Ironing and mending are generally done by a dry cleaning service.

* grocery shopping.

* parent’s personal errands such as going to the dry cleaners, post office, and pharmacy.

* personal shopping for parents.

Child Information Management

Child Information Management is a group of child-related duties focused on the details of a child’s life rather than hands-on childcare. A nanny that provides Child Information Management (CIM) takes on the role of personal assistant for tasks relating to your child. The difference between CIM and simply having your nanny do some of these tasks is your participation. Like a good household manager, a good child information manager does everything behind the scenes. You don’t have to ask, remind, direct, or question. The details are (seemingly) magically taken care of. Upper-level nannies have been providing CIM for years. We’ve given it a name and recognize it as a specialized task that requires a unique skill set from a nanny. CIM tasks can include…

* coordinating your child’s overall schedule.

* responding to social invitations your child receives and purchasing needed gifts.

* locating and registering your child for age-appropriate activities such as Gymboree, Music Together and dance classes.

* planning and coordinating child-related events such as birthday parties, First Communion celebrations, and Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

* monitoring your child’s special needs such as medical conditions or counseling sessions to track progress and ensure appropriate and timely follow-up.

* scheduling and accompanying your child to doctor’s appointments for well visits, sick visits, immunizations, etc.

* scheduling and accompanying your child to dental appointments for regular check-ups, correction procedures, etc.

* organizing and maintaining current medical records.

* researching and recommending educational offerings such as preschool, schools, and tutors.

* researching and recommending professionals such as doctors, dentists, and psychologists.

* researching and recommending special services such as social skills classes and gifted activities.

* researching and recommending extracurricular activities such as summer camps and sporting activities.

* completing, submitting and keeping current registration information for schools, camps, teams, activities, etc.

Household Management

Depending upon the size of the home, some families hire a household manager to handle the details of a residence and some hire a nanny that has the necessary skill set to take on some or all of the household management tasks. These tasks require a person that has strong communication skills, is highly organized, works without direction, takes initiative in problem solving, is resourceful, has attention to detail, and has a high commitment to quality of work. Household management tasks can include…

* shopping for household items.

* keeping household financial records.

* interviewing, hiring, and managing other household staff.

* organizing and tracking warranties for household products and services.

* scheduling and overseeing regular car maintenance such oil changes and tire rotation.

* scheduling and overseeing regular household maintenance such as changing furnace filters and yearly chimney cleaning.

* researching, hiring, and overseeing repair personnel for household appliances.

* researching, hiring and overseeing contractors for small household projects such as retiling a shower and laying carpet.

* researching and purchasing household appliances such as a dishwasher, washer and dryer.

* coordinating social events such as small dinner parties and charity luncheons.

* pet care including scheduling and transporting pet to vet and groomer, administering medication, and daily feeding, watering and exercising.

Housekeeping

Within the traditional definition, a nanny is responsible for cleaning the child’s household areas including the child’s bedroom, bathroom, playroom, and any other commonly used areas. This can include changing sheets, emptying the diaper genie, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, emptying the trash, and general straightening. However in most of today’s households, a cleaning service is responsible for most, if not all, of the actual cleaning. Generally, nannies are responsible for keeping the areas maintained between regular cleanings.

General housekeeping is not a part of a nanny’s job description. However, many employers ask for “light housekeeping” which, depending upon the employer, can mean anything from straightening up to scrubbing down the walls. Nannies view the word housekeeping as a red flag, so it is important to be very specific about what you need when developing a job description and talking to applicants. If you simply say light housekeeping, many nannies will assume that means full housekeeping and not consider your job.