Nanny Duties
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Anonymous
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Hi folks,
We have a live-out nanny for both of our kids (22 months and 2 months). I would like some input on what are reasonable expectations and duties of a nanny when taking care of both kids? Is it reasonable to expect her to wash/sterilize bottles, keep the kids playroom area clean, do the kids laundry, bathe them, cook and feed them? Anything else that I am missing? She comes M-F from 9am-6pm. Also, can anyone share what is the market rate for a nanny who takes care of 2 kids? Thank you! |
Anonymous
| If you want her to do all of that then you have to pay on in the high side. Is this a nanny-share? we have our nanny just to wash bottles and clean after the children. |
Anonymous
| Market rate for two children in DC is $20-24.. $18 is low. |
Anonymous
| OP here: Thank you! This is no a nanny share. She's paid a fixed weekly income (her asking price) but since the addition of the infant she's asked to drop some of the other work load so I just wanted to get an idea of standard expectations. We want to make sure she's not overworked obviously but we also want to make sure she's doing whatever basic care entails! |
Anonymous
| The issue is probably that the infant's needs and the non-coordinated naps at this point make it difficult to find enough time to complete everything. I would talk to her about what would be the number one thing she would drop if she could, and be very clear that you would expect it to be added back in once the infant is napping more regularly. |
Anonymous
If she has asked to do this then you need to decide if this works for you. It doesnt matter what other people do. If you like her and want to lighten her load until the baby is a bit older then tell her that. If not, tell her you really need xy and z and if she cant do it you will have to find someone else. |
Anonymous
| OP why don't you try and do all those things on a Saturday this weekend, with both your kids and no help. Im not trying to be snarky, I think your expectations sould reasonable. I also think that a 2 mo and a 22 mo sound exhausting. If there is 30 mins in a day they are both asleep she probably wants to sit down. Going for 9 hours straight is exhausting. That why I suggest you try it. |
Anonymous
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Yes to all. Our nanny does everything in the house related to the kids.
We wrote into our contract that we can also ask the nanny to do five non-kid related errands a week. |
Anonymous
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MB here. The scope of responsibilities that you're describing is a very typical, standard nanny position. As is the age and number of kids involved.
You need to be reasonable about not expecting a nanny to do everything every day of course- laundry twice a week, sterilizing doesn't have to be done every feeding, etc... But that's all quite normal job responsibilities. Depending where you live the market rate varies hugely - and that question is the most hotly contested issue here. In the MD/DC/VA area you can pay anywhere from $15-25 hour. Your options will be huge if you pay $19+ an hour and more limited in the $15-18/hr range. Lots of variables to consider - do some searches here (including questions from the last few days about hiring, rates, etc...) for more on that. |
Anonymous
| Our nanny explains it this way, "I do anything and everything related to the child". So yes, she did all of your list but for just one child. Her primary aim is to teach and interact with my Son and do cooking for him and laundry for him while he is napping. According to law, nanny must also get a meal break after five hours for 25 minutes. Since our nanny covers ten hours we tell her to make sure she gets 40 minutes to rest while DS is napping. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
OP here: Thank you everyone for your input. It's greatly appreciated! Will take it all into consideration and see what to do next 
To anonymous poster at 14:35: She does get breaks. She's not fully taken over care for both kids at the moment since I am home on maternity leave and my 22 month old naps for 2 hours in the afternoon. We have also told her that her break is important so priority for her is to make sure she eats and take a breather when both kids are sleeping. We have noticed that our newborn is a (good) napper and takes 1.5 hour naps 3-4 times during the time the nanny is here and even with the 22 month old awake and around we felt that she may be able to continue some of the basic child related tasks that she wants to drop. Plus, I have spent few weekends alone with the children, it is definitely not easy, however, she is a nanny who signed up for this and agreed to take on this task/challenge when we hired her. I still appreciate your tip though. |
Anonymous
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I am a Nanny and I believe a nanny's duties should be picking up any toys that were played with during her shift as well as washing any dishes/bottles used.
If you want to add laundry duties, make sure you pay her a good rate since hiring an actual laundress costs a pretty penny. Having the responsibility of having the children's clothes/linens/towels washed, dried, folded & put away is distracting as the time would be best spent on interacting with your charge. If your Nanny was watching a child who took a 2-3 hour dedicated daily nap, then she would probably welcome added duties so she can fill her down time. But with a new infant and under two toddler I wouldn't add any extra duties since her hands will be tied all the time. |
Anonymous
This is all completely standard. Nothing "extra mile" about it at all. |
Anonymous
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Your expectations are totally reasonable unless your infant has colic or never sleeps. "Cooking" suggests hot meals -- is this too elaborate, maybe?
Did you just hire her, or just add the second child? A second baby is a lot more work, usually only for a small pay raise. She loses her normal schedule and her regular downtime. Some nannies never get over the increased work/same pay thing. If you hire someone new, she will come in expecting to care for two children, and it won't be a problem. I'm not saying to get rid of your nanny, necessarily, but get to the bottom of her request. |