How to structure nanny’s day with kids in school FT

[Anonymous]

My youngest is going to K in the fall. We still want to keep our nanny FT because DH and I have demanding jobs and can’t scramble for coverage with part time sitters, plus we need someone to get the kids off to school in the mornings.

Would love to know how others with kids in school/camp full days structure the day for your nanny. We don’t have a problem paying her for 40 hours, but I worry she is going to be very bored. She already does errands like grocery schooling and target runs for kids stuff, but that doesn’t even come close to filling her free time. She straightens up the house, does laundry, etc.

What else do you have your nanny do to keep them busy?

[Anonymous]

She’s a grown woman, don’t worry about her being bored. If your concern is that you’re paying her to do nothing, just admit that.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, this post reads so weird, OP. What are you worried about here? Have a list of duties and check in with her periodically about how time management is going. You already know that between sick days and school holidays etc etc, it will be rare to have a full five day week with everyone in school.

[Anonymous]

You pay her full time and she works part time if the kids aren’t there. She’s a nanny- not a personal assistant, housekeeper, or personal chef.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You pay her full time and she works part time if the kids aren’t there. She’s a nanny- not a personal assistant, housekeeper, or personal chef.

Don’t be surprised when she quits next June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You pay her full time and she works part time if the kids aren’t there. She’s a nanny- not a personal assistant, housekeeper, or personal chef.

Don’t be surprised when she quits next June.

If you’re paying her well she won’t quit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My youngest is going to K in the fall. We still want to keep our nanny FT because DH and I have demanding jobs and can’t scramble for coverage with part time sitters, plus we need someone to get the kids off to school in the mornings.

Would love to know how others with kids in school/camp full days structure the day for your nanny. We don’t have a problem paying her for 40 hours, but I worry she is going to be very bored. She already does errands like grocery schooling and target runs for kids stuff, but that doesn’t even come close to filling her free time. She straightens up the house, does laundry, etc.

What else do you have your nanny do to keep them busy?

If you attempt to structure her day she will likely be insulted by your micromanaging. Presumably, she is smart enough to plan her day all by herself.

[Anonymous]

File folder games are great and take tons of time.

[Anonymous]

Give her a list of what you want her to do each week, and let her accomplish it.

[Anonymous]

I knew someone in a similar situation had the nanny clean up kids' dishes from breakfast, prepare lunch for the kids to take to school the next day and prep food for dinner. The nanny loved cooking and it worked out but good luck if your nanny can barely heat up microwave food. Sure there are holidays and an occasional sick day but most days nanny is going to have plenty of free time so you are basically paying her to be on call.

[Anonymous]

Has she been in this role before and is she a self-starter?

If the answer is no, you may have to help her with this transition.

Stuff she can do:
- any kid related research. Research camps, extracurriculars, reading programs, whatever.
- organize kids rooms, closets, seasonal wear, playroom, etc.
- handle all the stuff kids need for school, stay on top of permission slips, school supplies, spirit week, pep rallies, etc.
- handle all seasonal stuff, like shopping for halloween costumes, etc.
- grocery shopping, meal planning for the week, possibly meal prep
- all kid laundry
- all kid-related errands, including stuff like Amazon returns
- all kid clothes shopping

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has she been in this role before and is she a self-starter?

If the answer is no, you may have to help her with this transition.

Stuff she can do:
- any kid related research. Research camps, extracurriculars, reading programs, whatever.
- organize kids rooms, closets, seasonal wear, playroom, etc.
- handle all the stuff kids need for school, stay on top of permission slips, school supplies, spirit week, pep rallies, etc.
- handle all seasonal stuff, like shopping for halloween costumes, etc.
- grocery shopping, meal planning for the week, possibly meal prep
- all kid laundry
- all kid-related errands, including stuff like Amazon returns
- all kid clothes shopping

If you want a personal assistant instead of a nanny you should hire one.

[Anonymous]

If she can cook dinner and make lunches and do kid laundry i think that’s perfect.

[Anonymous]

In our situation, we hired a FT housekeeper instead. She was able to stay busy cleaning and cooking while kids were in school, then she did the usual nanny tasks when kids were back. I didnt want to pay someone to do nothing for more than half the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has she been in this role before and is she a self-starter?

If the answer is no, you may have to help her with this transition.

Stuff she can do:
- any kid related research. Research camps, extracurriculars, reading programs, whatever.
- organize kids rooms, closets, seasonal wear, playroom, etc.
- handle all the stuff kids need for school, stay on top of permission slips, school supplies, spirit week, pep rallies, etc.
- handle all seasonal stuff, like shopping for halloween costumes, etc.
- grocery shopping, meal planning for the week, possibly meal prep
- all kid laundry
- all kid-related errands, including stuff like Amazon returns
- all kid clothes shopping

If you want a personal assistant instead of a nanny you should hire one.

NP. The PP’s list sounds very reasonable. It’s all kid related. Personal assistant would be like, take car to servicing or drop off dry cleaning (which btw, our nanny would be just fine with)