Nanny and 'housekeeper' duties

[Anonymous]

We are looking to make the switch to having a full-time nanny caring for our 2 kids. Older is K, younger is 2. If we hire someone for 40-50 hours a week, and BOTH kids are out of the house at the same time for some amount of hours during the week (6-9 total depending on 2 yo preschool class times, and probably 2-3 hour every weekday once he turns 3), is it reasonable to ask the nanny to do housekeeping tasks during that time? I'm imagining whole family laundry, basic cleaning/vacuuming, dishes, etc.?

From what I've read, I know it's not general practice to have the nanny be doing cleaning and such when she is mainly focused on caring for the kids, but I'm thinking if she has time with no kids, then would it be OK? Both spouses' work schedules are such that we need someone to do the AM dropoff at school/preschool, so I don't think we're in a situation to look for someone who could just work when the kids are done after school. We'd also like to have her available for full-day backup care when school is closed, etc. -- and I would understand if the 'house' things didn't get handled as much on those kind of days.

[Anonymous]

Sure. It's very reasonable. Just be certain you are realistic in what can be accomplished in the time the household employee is actually home (preschool hours minus commute back time minus a reasonable daily break)

Advertise clearly for someone who is interested and willing to do the duties you are interested in paying for. And, of course, be flexible in not having those duties done when your kids aren't in school/preschool.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I think you can advertise for whatever you prefer, but my hunch is that you might be overestimating how much someone could get done in those hours.

All kids' laundry, grocery shopping, and meal prep seem like that would be reasonable to ask.

Whole household laundry and housecleaning I think start tipping the scales and will be tougher to find and retain. (Though the rate you pay will likely play a big role.)

[Anonymous]

Keep it minimal, and think about what would really be helpful as opposed to trying to fill the time. Also keep in mind the travel time to/from a short preschool program will eat into that time.

I would probably ask her to make lunches, turn all kid laundry over to her (including changing sheets once a week), ask her to stay on top of things like organizing the playroom, and maybe ask how she feels about grocery shopping or errands (something she could do while she's already out). In other words, I would try to stick to kid-related tasks, but ask her to add in more than the bare minimum.

If this is a 40-hour job, that's one thing. If it's a 50-hour job, and there's no nap time (does the 2-year-old nap?), I'd make sure she has time for a break in the morning.

Also, if you anticipate wanting to keep a nanny into the future, talk to people willing to move into more of a nanny/housekeeper role as the balance of time with the children shifts.

The key to these things is to be up front, and find the right fit.

[Anonymous]

Sure, you can ask for anything, but in order to avoid needless headaches and confusion, simply advertise for housekeeper/sitter type of person, as a nanny will not tend to your personal laundry or housekeeping.

[Anonymous]

The correct title would be nanny/housekeeper.

[Anonymous]

If a nanny wanted to scrub your toilets, she'd be a housekeeper who doesn't mind keeping an eye on your kid. Plus, she'd be earning more than your average nanny wage.

[Anonymous]

I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a nanny wanted to scrub your toilets, she'd be a housekeeper who doesn't mind keeping an eye on your kid. Plus, she'd be earning more than your average nanny wage.

Exactly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

That's a cleaning lady, not a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

I did most of this, with the exception of the bathrooms and mopping, in the course of a regular day (twin charges and a family with a 6 month old and 3 yo, for those who need to know). Many nannies-though there are a bunch on here who will disagree-consider these duties normal as they relate to child care.

I would suggest you find a nanny who is ok with these types of "housekeeping" duties and then hire a cleaning service 2 times a month for bathrooms, mopping, deep cleaning. I'd venture you would save money in the long run and have a better pool of nanny candidates as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

I did most of this, with the exception of the bathrooms and mopping, in the course of a regular day (twin charges and a family with a 6 month old and 3 yo, for those who need to know). Many nannies-though there are a bunch on here who will disagree-consider these duties normal as they relate to child care.

I would suggest you find a nanny who is ok with these types of "housekeeping" duties and then hire a cleaning service 2 times a month for bathrooms, mopping, deep cleaning. I'd venture you would save money in the long run and have a better pool of nanny candidates as well.

You did near full housekeeping on top of 4 kids? Please tell us your secret.

What was your hourly pay for all that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

I did most of this, with the exception of the bathrooms and mopping, in the course of a regular day (twin charges and a family with a 6 month old and 3 yo, for those who need to know). Many nannies-though there are a bunch on here who will disagree-consider these duties normal as they relate to child care.

I would suggest you find a nanny who is ok with these types of "housekeeping" duties and then hire a cleaning service 2 times a month for bathrooms, mopping, deep cleaning. I'd venture you would save money in the long run and have a better pool of nanny candidates as well.

You did near full housekeeping on top of 4 kids? Please tell us your secret.

What was your hourly pay for all that?

Each family was 2 kids, I was paid in the $16-18 range. I am college educated and have 8+ years of experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

That's a cleaning lady, not a nanny.

No it isn't. I actually meant to make the point that six hours a week probably isn't enough time to do that much. If you want someone to do all of the family's laundry, for example, that is two loads for each adult, one for each kid, a load of sheets and a load of towels. That's 8 loads of laundry. At 25 minutes a load, that's over three hours. If you want her to clean and sweep the kitchen and spot clean the bathrooms on preschool days that's probably an hour each day. So, you can't also ask her to do the grocery shopping or vacuuming, and you aren't going to get out of hiring someone to deep clean or doing it yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with pp's. Seems reasonable to ask. I would actually go so far as to spend some time actually breaking it down and figuring out how much time it takes to do the things you are asking of her. For example if lo has preschool 15 minutes away and it's three hours long, she has 2.5 hours:
Clean kitchen; unload dishwasher, do dishes, wipe down counters, sweep, mop (45 min)
Laundry; wash, dry, fold, put away- 25 minutes/load x two loads (50 min)
Wipe down bathroom sinks and mirrors, change handtowels, wipe any visible spots - 10 min x 2 bathrooms (20 minutes)
Vacuum kitchen and playroom (15 min)
Make lunch (10 min)

If you are expecting her to grocery shop, I would expect shopping, cleaning out fridge, and putting new food away to take at least 2 hours. So she may be able to do that and clean the kitchen and that's it.

That's a cleaning lady, not a nanny.

No it isn't. I actually meant to make the point that six hours a week probably isn't enough time to do that much. If you want someone to do all of the family's laundry, for example, that is two loads for each adult, one for each kid, a load of sheets and a load of towels. That's 8 loads of laundry. At 25 minutes a load, that's over three hours. If you want her to clean and sweep the kitchen and spot clean the bathrooms on preschool days that's probably an hour each day. So, you can't also ask her to do the grocery shopping or vacuuming, and you aren't going to get out of hiring someone to deep clean or doing it yourself.

You can wash/dry/fold/put away a load of laundry in 25 minutes. Really now?