Make it 40 hours a week (it’ll be a savings for you, believe me) and start at $25 an hour. $200 a day/$1000 a week with paid sick leave and PTO (accrued) as well as two weeks vacation and all national holidays.

OP here - Thank you so much everyone! This is all great advice and helped me think through how I could divide up these responsibilities.

I do also think the insight on the nanny's position is clear - she handles some of the kids ecosystem now, but I don't know if she would be interested in switching over to do more housekeeper-type stuff and although she is wonderful with children, I'm not sure she has (or would want) the type of stratetic view that would make her happy in a "house manager" type role. I think what we are looking for is some type of hybrid house manager / housekeeper . Does anyone have any insight on what we might offer salary-wise for 35 hours a week for this type of work in DC?

Our nanny has a masters degree in early childhood development and a decade of preschool teaching experience as well as nanny experience so I know she would never be interested in a housekeepers position! But yes, we also have a full time housekeeper who handles everything. That’s her skill set and her her chosen profession.

Our housekeeper cleans, does laundry, does grocery shopping and errands, and handles ordering supplies. She’s great!

Nanny: cares for children, teaches, possibly cooks and takes care of child-related housekeeping (make and clean up after lunch)

Housekeeper: cleans the home, possibly makes dinners ahead, possibly does family laundry, possibly errands

House manager: schedules and supervises services, takes care of household ordering, takes care of pet care and vet trips, takes care of plants, may research and schedule vacations and household travel, supervises housekeeping, supervises childcare, liaises with personal assistant/estate manager, runs errands, etc. May arrange logistics for moving, parties, etc.

Most important: Your nanny may not want to be house keeper or house manager.

How old are your children?
What hours does the nanny currently work?

Housekeeping-related:
What tasks do you want accomplished?
If I were you, I'd make a list of each any every thing. You can divide it up between 'must haves' and 'would be nice' or something similar.

After you make your list, consider if your nanny could realistically accomplish it all.
Sit down with her (paid time for her, kid free) and discuss the list - give it to her and give her time to think it over. It may not be what she wants to do.

Housekeeper:
cleans, organizes (maybe)

House manager:
makes appointments.
run errands
(sometimes) plans meals
is around for deliveries and workmen

The family I nanny for has a cleaning crew come once a week when no one is home including me + kids. I would not have the time to do what they do… I can clean but don’t want that part of my job description personally

Nanny here! Depends on what your asking. I personally do laundry and light cleaning (children involved things only, unless I make the mess ie. Bake something in the kitchen) how many hours does your nanny work? How many kids do you have?
What do you realistically want done in your home? If you want a full deep clean ie. Mopping, dusting, cleaning bathrooms etc. hire a housekeeper. Your nanny’s job is to take care of your kids not your home! Giving her a few tasks that she’s comfortable with doing during nap time is one thing. Fully cleaning your home is a job for a housekeeper!

I originally posted this in the Money forum based on a thread about people raving about their housekeepers but realized it likely belongs here:


Long story, but our household income has just jumped significantly and I feel like we are now secure enough to be able to offer separate housekeeping position. There is some debate about whether we should transform our current nanny into a housekeeper or hire someone new. Could you please tell me what your housekeeper does on her daily and weekly chore list? Also I’d be really interested in peoples perspective on the difference between a “house manager” and a “housekeeper”. Do you pay hourly or a salary?