Parents, what do you consider above and beyond or exceptional?

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and I have a question to pose to parents. What types of things do you consider "above and beyond" for a nanny to do? What makes a nanny exceptional? I hear many nannies who insist that they are above average at what they do but I am interested in hearing what parents think is above average work. I am interested in hearing about personality traits, qualifications, responsibilities picked up, activities done, and interactions with your children that you would judge as above average, better than most, or even out of this world. These can be things that you have either seen a nanny do or that an "ideal nanny" in your mind would do. I would appreciate any insight. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Would love to hear this too!

[Anonymous]

First time MB here and I think my nanny regularly goes above any expectations I've set, however here's a concrete example from just this morning. I have been sick lately- like kill me now sick. And my partner has had to be the only parent for the past 2 days. My partner is a wonderful mother, however she gets overwhelmed easily and this morning, there wasn't a single room in the house that didn't look like a tornado had spun thru. There were toys everywhere. My nanny shows up at 8 and just jumps in. Gets crying dd up, feeds bottle, solids and gives her a bath. By 915 when I came out for some soup the place was spotless and I have no idea when or how she does it. I tease her all the time she just wrinkles her nose and the stuff flies into place. She didnt have to clean up this morning, I didn't expect her to, but I hoped she would. When I saw my house put back together it was such a relief I almost cried. That's going beyond to me. When she helps and it takes a weight off my shoulders. I have no idea how I got so lucky

[Anonymous]

A stellar nanny is sensitive to the percise needs of the child and isn't afraid to share that information with the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First time MB here and I think my nanny regularly goes above any expectations I've set, however here's a concrete example from just this morning. I have been sick lately- like kill me now sick. And my partner has had to be the only parent for the past 2 days. My partner is a wonderful mother, however she gets overwhelmed easily and this morning, there wasn't a single room in the house that didn't look like a tornado had spun thru. There were toys everywhere. My nanny shows up at 8 and just jumps in. Gets crying dd up, feeds bottle, solids and gives her a bath. By 915 when I came out for some soup the place was spotless and I have no idea when or how she does it. I tease her all the time she just wrinkles her nose and the stuff flies into place. She didnt have to clean up this morning, I didn't expect her to, but I hoped she would. When I saw my house put back together it was such a relief I almost cried. That's going beyond to me. When she helps and it takes a weight off my shoulders. I have no idea how I got so lucky

She sounds amazing. But I hope you don't take advantage and leave the house. Pigsty all the time. Not fair to her or your child. The more she has to clean, the less time she has with your child. OK!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First time MB here and I think my nanny regularly goes above any expectations I've set, however here's a concrete example from just this morning. I have been sick lately- like kill me now sick. And my partner has had to be the only parent for the past 2 days. My partner is a wonderful mother, however she gets overwhelmed easily and this morning, there wasn't a single room in the house that didn't look like a tornado had spun thru. There were toys everywhere. My nanny shows up at 8 and just jumps in. Gets crying dd up, feeds bottle, solids and gives her a bath. By 915 when I came out for some soup the place was spotless and I have no idea when or how she does it. I tease her all the time she just wrinkles her nose and the stuff flies into place. She didnt have to clean up this morning, I didn't expect her to, but I hoped she would. When I saw my house put back together it was such a relief I almost cried. That's going beyond to me. When she helps and it takes a weight off my shoulders. I have no idea how I got so lucky

Take it from a MB of 20 years: you have a real gem there.

[Anonymous]

I feel like my nanny sincerely tries to make my life easier, for whatever the situation may be. I think that is going above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

To put another prospective out there, I have done similar things PPs have listed in the past for my employers. In doing so I find that instead of showing appreciation for these actions, they become accustomed (say getting upset when there are things they wish I had taken care of but didn't have time on that occasion and truly isn't my job). My current employers went so far as to attempt to add such "above and beyond" duties to my contract (with no compensation adjustment) to ensure they would always be taken care of by me.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- So it seems that nannies who make an effort to make the parents lives easier are seen as above and beyond.

In what ways could your nanny make your life easier? I understand that cleaning and light housekeeping that is not included in the contract is probably what a lot of people will say but I would like other examples as well. My MB is a neat freak and keeps a very clean home. She is also very particular about how things are cleaned so probably wouldn't even want me to do any cleaning (other than the child-related tasks that I already do).

The reason that I am asking these things is because I am just so completely happy with my job situation that I really want my employers to be as happy with me as I am with them. I know that they do like me very much (they are always telling me how appreciated I am), but I am just interested in ways that I can be doing more. I believe that I have always been a good nanny but being so happy in the position that I am in makes me want to do even more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To put another prospective out there, I have done similar things PPs have listed in the past for my employers. In doing so I find that instead of showing appreciation for these actions, they become accustomed (say getting upset when there are things they wish I had taken care of but didn't have time on that occasion and truly isn't my job). My current employers went so far as to attempt to add such "above and beyond" duties to my contract (with no compensation adjustment) to ensure they would always be taken care of by me.

+1. Damned if you do, damned if you dont

[Anonymous]

If cleaning and errands aren't an option, I like to plan educational activities, document them and do a ton of creative art projects.

[Anonymous]

MB here. A nanny that is willing to do overtime (with pay, of course) when the family needs her/him. I'm talking about infrequent situations like a parent having surgery, death in the family, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP, what does your MB value? What does she find admirable in other people and children? You can help her child emulate these qualities through your words and actions during work hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If cleaning and errands aren't an option, I like to plan educational activities, document them and do a ton of creative art projects.

This.

Most other answers are about cleaning the house, running errands (not a NANNIES job) but a nanny who really tries to teach and interact with the children, more so than her job calls for (as in teaching to read, doing a lesson plan act) is going above and beyond.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- My MB is one of those moms who is basically obsessed with her child. She will even say it herself. She is not interested in me doing any kind of cleaning around the house (even if I put a couple of their dishes in the dishwasher for me she playfully "scolds" me) unless if it relates directly to the child (cleaning bottles, keeping toy room cleaned, and disinfecting all toys/highchair on a regular basis). She really wants me focusing on him all day.

My charge is 14 months old. My MB is very interested in him getting adequate outside time (we are expected to spend at least some time outside everyday), she wants me to be 1-on-1 and interacting with him all day everyday (I literally spend zero time on the couch), she values the play dates that I set up and facilitate for him, she wants me doing activities and "crafts" with him (finger painting, play-doh, sensory bin with jello, etc) on a regular basis, and she really values that I engage him and work with him learning new words and other age appropriate things such as talking about colors, numbers, shapes, ABCs, etc. I have no problem doing these things and am happy to do so.

At this point I do not have a car seat for him in my car and do not have permission to drive him anywhere. If I were able to drive him places then I would love to be active with him in the community going to the park, library, etc., but that is just not an option at this time.

I try to be accommodating and flexible in terms of scheduling. I have a set schedule where I work 43 hours per week between Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. She occasionally asks if I am available to switch days though she always lets me know that it is never mandatory to switch. I end up agreeing to the switch about 3/4 of the time. I have offered to come into work early when I know that she needs to leave the house extra early and have also offered to come in on Saturdays during the day if they need me.