nanny food

[Anonymous]

What is customary for a nanny's food? Does she bring her own or do families provide food and or snacks?

[Anonymous]

Combination of both. I keep some of the foods I know my manny likes, and he brings his lunch sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Letting a nanny help herself to the fridge for lunch (and keeping a few specific things you know she likes on hand) is a very common benefit.

Now that doesn't mean you HAVE to offer it, but it is something that a lot of nannies will look at in terms of their overall benefits package. But if your offer is otherwise strong, then not having lunch is unlikely to be a deal breaker.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't think there's a "customary" rule of thumb. Families and nannies handle this very differently.

In our house the contract with the nanny states that food will not be provided but she is welcome to bring and store food at our house and we provide space for that. (She has designated space in the fridge and cabinets.)

Over time this has evolved such that I fairly routinely shop/stock things I know she likes, or let her add whatever she'd like to my shopping list, and when I cook I make enough for her and the kids. But it isn't something I'm obligated to do.

[Anonymous]

What if nanny is cooking dinner for the kids every night? She's also meal planning and grocery shopping, to accommodate GF and dairy free diets.

[Anonymous]

You don't have to provide food for the nanny, but it is a wonderful gesture towards goodwill.

As a nanny, I would feel weird to not bring my own food. It is nice to be able to take a piece of fruit or cookie, though.

[Anonymous]

For me I bring my own good, but my employers have always welcomed me to their snacks and foods when I eat with the kids.

I've had MBs keep things I like but that's not expected by me.

Really it's what you and your nanny are comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

Either/or.

Whatever you prefer.

Providing the nanny open access to your kitchen however is a nice act of goodwill and a huge perk to your nanny however if you can afford it.

If she cooks for your kids, then it is really a good way for her to bond with the kids so she can share meals with them and be a good role model for healthy eating as well as set a good example for eating daily. I notice my children eat more regularly when their nanny sits down at the table and eats with them.

[Anonymous]

I do all the cooking/baking in the house. So, I also grocery shop for the house. I pick up whatever I like. The kids and I usually grab lunch out once a week dependent on other errands or if the cleaners are there.

In my other positions, food has always been provided but I also did the cooking/shopping as well.