Our nanny does none of the above tasks listed in the OP, nor do we expect her to. She does the following:

1) straightens up the playroom and other areas to pick up toys, books, kids' craft stuff, etc.
2) wipes down the kitchen counters, sink, table after prepping meals or snacks
3) puts the kids' dishes and utensils in the dishwasher (we run it in the evenings after she's already gone)
4) hand washes the kids' cups/glasses/sippys, refills them with water or milk as needed

I wish people understand that a nanny is a child caregiver, not a housekeeper or personal assistant; it is also a difference between a nanny and a household manager. Your job as a nanny is to do all (or most) things related to the child! Taking out the trash shouldn’t be a requirement- that is a job for the parents unless it’s a bag full of diapers. Emptying the dishwasher is a choice but I will take out the child’s things and put it away- I mostly wash the dishes by hand. If I’m heading out the door and there’s mail on the floor, of course I’ll pick it up- that’s just lazy to step over it, especially if the parents are away working or in a different part of the house and haven’t seen the mail on the floor. If you make a mess, you should absolutely clean up after yourself, but in no way would I ever agree to deep cleaning a stove. My profession is childcare, I don’t provide a cleaning service. The same goes with asking a nanny to wash your clothes- they aren’t your personal assistant and if they choose to do these things, please pay them a separate fee for this. I am all about helping families and making their lives easier when it come to their child(ren).

My contract is very specific about what my employers can ask me to do, but I do a lot of extra work when it’s appreciated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- none of those things should be asked of a nanny. But I do all of them when there is a need, aside from cleaning the stove. Why? Because I have the most appreciative bosses, they pay me a lot, these tasks take under 5 minutes, and I love making their lives a little easier.

Same here. My employers give me time off here and there without counting it toward PTO. They ask me how I'm feeling. They ask me what I need to make my job workable. They listen to my opinions on how the kids are doing. I think I can find time to unload the dishwasher if it makes their lives easier. Sheesh.

Do you think OP’s employers are like yours?

Certainly doesn’t sound that way to me.

I was hoping both employers and nannies would take something away from my post.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it your job? Probably not technically, most nannies on here will definitely tell you no.
Could you just be a decent person and do it? Absolutely.

Honestly, your day sounds like a pretty typical nanny day. Getting the kids dressed, going outside, feeding meals...if you are so tired that picking up a pile of mail is too much work perhaps this isn't the right field for you.


Cue the "job creep" nannies...

As well it should. “Job creep” is real in many professions and most certainly in nanny positions.

Responsibilities need to be clearly drawn and adhered to.

+1. It’s like giving someone a ride home. I think we can all agree that that doesn’t mean you’re expected to give them a ride home every single night after that.

Anonymous wrote:Is it your job? Probably not technically, most nannies on here will definitely tell you no.
Could you just be a decent person and do it? Absolutely.

Honestly, your day sounds like a pretty typical nanny day. Getting the kids dressed, going outside, feeding meals...if you are so tired that picking up a pile of mail is too much work perhaps this isn't the right field for you.


Cue the "job creep" nannies...

As well it should. “Job creep” is real in many professions and most certainly in nanny positions.

Responsibilities need to be clearly drawn and adhered to.

I burned out on my last nanny job because of things like this. I would do something like take out the trash or wash their dishes and then it became expected and part of my job. My employers got sloppier and sloppier to the point of me having to pick up their clothes and underwear from the bathroom floor, wash their breakfast dishes and put away all their dinner dishes. And surprisingly, only greater expectations and disrespect followed. Never appreciation.

Draw your boundaries clearly, OP, no matter what you decide to include. There are some people who simply take advantage of a kind gesture or one-time-offer to help.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- none of those things should be asked of a nanny. But I do all of them when there is a need, aside from cleaning the stove. Why? Because I have the most appreciative bosses, they pay me a lot, these tasks take under 5 minutes, and I love making their lives a little easier.

Same here. My employers give me time off here and there without counting it toward PTO. They ask me how I'm feeling. They ask me what I need to make my job workable. They listen to my opinions on how the kids are doing. I think I can find time to unload the dishwasher if it makes their lives easier. Sheesh.

Do you think OP’s employers are like yours?

Certainly doesn’t sound that way to me.

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here- none of those things should be asked of a nanny. But I do all of them when there is a need, aside from cleaning the stove. Why? Because I have the most appreciative bosses, they pay me a lot, these tasks take under 5 minutes, and I love making their lives a little easier.

Same here. My employers give me time off here and there without counting it toward PTO. They ask me how I'm feeling. They ask me what I need to make my job workable. They listen to my opinions on how the kids are doing. I think I can find time to unload the dishwasher if it makes their lives easier. Sheesh.

Nanny here- none of those things should be asked of a nanny. But I do all of them when there is a need, aside from cleaning the stove. Why? Because I have the most appreciative bosses, they pay me a lot, these tasks take under 5 minutes, and I love making their lives a little easier.

Mail...no. Although she will bring in a package if she sees it on her way back from a walk or whatever

Trash...if the bag is full we have her leave it by the basement stairs. That's what we do as well. Never leave an overflowing basket for her.

Clean the stove...if she's cooking something and it spills yes, she cleans it. We don't leave her a messy stove.

Empty....it depends on when it's run. Sometimes she empties.it, sometimes she does the dishes by hand. We don't intentionally leave her a full one but sometimes it's run after breakfast.

^^You must be a parent.

No OP, none of the duties that you listed would be a typical Nanny’s job responsibilities.

You should always wash any bottles/dishes that are dirtied by you + the kids during your shift as well as pick up any toys/puzzles/games/books/etc.
And also sweep up any crumbs off the kitchen floor & clean up any spills or messes made.

But you are there for the CHILD.
To not only keep them in one piece (!), but to keep them fed, dry, clean, well-rested and entertained.

You are not there to clean the mess the family has made on the stove or to pick their mail up off the floor.

Hope this helps!

Is it your job? Probably not technically, most nannies on here will definitely tell you no.
Could you just be a decent person and do it? Absolutely.

Honestly, your day sounds like a pretty typical nanny day. Getting the kids dressed, going outside, feeding meals...if you are so tired that picking up a pile of mail is too much work perhaps this isn't the right field for you.


Cue the "job creep" nannies...

No to the mail. Clean up after you make the kids meals but leave the stove alone. No to emptying the dishwasher. No to taking out the trash.

Yes to taking out the diaper genie bag (if there is one). Yes to cleaning up after the kids. Everything you do must be directly child-related.

Should a nanny pickup family
Mail?(family see mail walk over it)
Take out trash?(family leave trash over flowing)
Clean the stove?(I clean stove after I use it they leave it messy)
Emptying the dish washer?(I wash kids dishes by hand but they do things in a technical way i have to empty it)

I honestly don’t mind helping but sometimes very tired after from brushing kids teeth getting then dress
For the day doing indoor activities/outdoor playground cooking lunch and dinner giving bath everyday
Most times on my feet almost 10 hours per day maybe 10-15 minutes break