Emsken - know what you mean! My brother has triplets - all boys - and at the end of the day (when they were tiny) we would go through the house with a huge shrimping net and scoop all the toys up like a trawler! The innovation of my brother (man application did good!) and the inspiration from being bought up beside the sea!!

At the very least she should be tidying away toys... That would be the best bit of hiring a nanny for me!!!

I know the role requirements are slightly different, but when I was working as a Maternity Nanny, I would draw up a list of Maternity Nanny Duties outlining what the client should reasonably expect me to do over and above caring for the newborn. e.g. keeping the baby's room clean, changing table disinfected, doing baby's laundry, preparing bottles, making light lunch for the mother and helping to prepare and evening meal (when living in). The mother and I would agree these terms and sign the sheet which was then put up in the kitchen.

Whilst I would often do far more than "it said on the tin", it was a good way of reminding both parties about the parameters of the role.

When I first started out in this career, one family (who had cottoned on to the fact that I am a trained cook) asked me to prepare a 3 course meal for 13 dinner guests - whilst doing a 24/6 job as a Maternity Nanny! I did it, but after that I bought in the Maternity Duties Sheet for all future bookings!

Yes, you need to have a discussion with her. She should be tiding up and generally helping you out. There might be a day here and there where it's harder, but when every other day is perfect, it should be ok.

All my nannies have always impressed me with their ability to entertain kids and keep my house tidy, cook, and do laundry!

Hi there,

We would completely agree with nanny_kitty. Nursery duties include tidying all toys, preparing all meals for the children (and tidying up/cleaning afterwards), all laundry and ironing for the children etc. Light housekeeping too includes tidying and wiping up in the kitchen and loading dishwasher. A nanny should expect to work within your schedules and that of the children so if she is not cooking lunch early enough for your lo you need to readdress this with her.

The main thing that you have pointed out is that you discussed all these things up front including your requirement to cook a portion for yourself. This is a fair request but the main point is that she knew it at the beginning before agreeing to the job.

We would definitely advise that you sit and talk to her to iron out these issues and hopefully you will be able to resolve it. There are many nannies out there who are happy to do these duties instead!

Hope it works out.

Stephanie Rough
Director, Greycoat Childcare

If you agreed things beforehand then she should be doing them. I keep a portion of food aside for my boss often as I'm sure it's not fun to cook after a busy day - and that is without being asked!

Definitely have a chat with her. Hopefully she's just forgotten what you discussed.

Hi
Thank you for your reply.

The difference here is that I just request a portion of food for myself for lunch as well (clear prior to starting). The same as what the baby is having. Nanny can included a portion for her as well, but she does not want to.

At the minute it just feels like a very expensive play date as she is brilliant with the lo.

She said she ONLY want to iron lo clothes if the baby would be asleep. But she only works part-time and leaves before the afternoon nap, so I said ok in regards to not ironing, but the lunch is really important to me. Please do tell me if this is really akward. I work from home and if she does not prepare lunch for both of us, I might as well cook for the baby myself to, meaning she can leave an hour earlier.

Hi,

Nursery duties involve (usually) preparing food for the LO, picking up toys, keeping their bedroom and/or playroom tidy, washing and ironing their clothes - basically anything pertaining to the child. This should be an expected part of nannying unless agreed otherwise.

Light housekeeping would mean emptying the dishwasher, wiping down surfaces, sweeping etc.

As a nanny myself I do all nursery duties, light housekeeping and if I see anything else that needs to be done when I have a minute! Is your nanny very young or inexperienced? As this may explain why she isn't just getting stuck in. You probably need to have a chat with her and spell out exactly what you need. In my opinion she should be doing everything you've mentioned above.

Hi everyone,

Just hired a Nanny and was wondering what light-household tasks included mean to different people. I specifically required someone who looks after the little one and cooks lunch. But by quarter to twelve I always find myself preparing the food as I know lo is hungry (The baby eats rather early as to sleepy a bit later - which was communicated).

I feel like in the morning I am running around the house getting everything ready for the nanny to arrive and when she leaves I need to tidy toys up and still clean up after the lunch and pick food from the floor. However she does empty the dishwasher and does fill it.

I don't know, am I being to demanding when expecting to cook a snack for lunch? Please let me know what the standard is for nannies, I am new to this!