Housekeeper

[Anonymous]

Is there such a thing as a housekeeper here? We have just moved here from overseas and we are looking for a housekeeper to do a variety of things - laundry, a bit of cooking, cleaning (though we'll probably get a service in once a week for deep cleaning) and helping me look after the 5 kids - particularly when my husband is traveling. Does anyone have any idea where to look as it seems everyone just has nannies?

[Anonymous]

You can advertise on Care.com but just make sure that you are totally clear that your primary need is someone to take care of the house first & foremost.

[Anonymous]

Housekeeper/Occasional Babysitting Needed

[Anonymous]

Housekeepers clean the house while nannies take care of the children. In my experience, they are two separate jobs.

[Anonymous]

I just see it as the employer employs a person, gives the person worktasks and also the employer decides what to call the employment. Domestic employee-domestic worker, household employee (especially good for combined worktasks), housemaid or nanny.

However, the word "nanny" shouldn't be used if there aren't children, but it doesn't say a nanny should do almost nothing else.

I know some people think a nanny should be extra paid for cleaning, cooking, serving or washing, but I think only if it extends the working hours, (mostly talking unprofessional nanny). After all, many people employed as housemaids also take care of children without extra paid during ordinary working hours.

[Anonymous]

The days of the housekeeper who also takes care of the children are over if not numbered. College graduates, with degrees in Early Childhood Development or Education, are entering the nanny field as well as former daycare teachers with just AA degrees but years of experience. Parents seem to want the tutor/teacher model of nanny now that we understand how important the first five years are for brain development.

However, I know the housekeeper/occasional babysitter exists. Try the agencies, OP. The women are usually foreign but able to work legally in the US.

[Anonymous]

I'm more talking of combined housemaids and nannies working with older children (from 4-5 or older)

[Anonymous]

I have found people for this position on Craigslist and Care, and through word of mouth. The best two I've had were a college student who was just a dynamo -- could do anything, was super efficient, also great with the kids, and then, when she got married, her mother-in-law took over. She is better with the house (can see what needs doing without instruction), and fine for helping with the kids. She gets tired if she has a full day of kids by herself, so I don't ask her to do that, but if the nanny is out and I need the morning to work, she can do that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone, I'll start looking. We brought our housekeeper from overseas but she can't stay forever! The kids are older (7+) so they don't need a nanny per se but someone needs to stay with them while I take the others to their activities, etc.

[Anonymous]

The housekeeper in the home where I work as a nanny does watch the kids before I arrive and sometimes babysits at night. She is a housekeeper and was placed by a top agency. I would go the agency route, OP.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, do you happen to know which agency, PP?

[Anonymous]

White House nannies is my go to. They really vet their nannies. They don't just look on care.com and pass along the bottom of the barrel girls like some agencies do.