What does a nanny do?
A nanny is responsible for providing personalized care to children in their family environment. Nannies supervise, nurture, and engage children in activities that support their growth and development. Additionally, they may assist with child-related household tasks, including meal preparation, light cleaning, and transportation.
1) What is a nanny?
A nanny works directly with a family to care for children during their normal daily activities. In addition to childcare, nannies are often responsible for wide-ranging duties, including light housekeeping, depending on their employers’ requirements.
There are several types of nannies, each offering different levels of care based on a given family’s needs:
Full-time nanny: typically works 35-50 hours a week and is responsible for the day-to-day care of children, including supervision, meals, and activities
Part-time nanny: works fewer hours per week, often after school or on weekends when families need extra support
Live-in nanny: resides in the family home and may have a carefully negotiated work schedule that requires availability during evenings or overnight; a good option for families seeking round-the-clock support
2) What does a nanny do: Core responsibilities
A nanny’s primary role is to supervise and care for children. This includes overseeing their daily routines; ensuring their safety; and being present during play, meals, naps, and other activities. A nanny is a reliable, attentive, and consistent adult figure for children, providing them with the support they need throughout the day.
In this role, nannies are often responsible for preparing children’s healthy meals and snacks. They plan and organize age-appropriate activities that stimulate little ones’ intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. Nannies assist with homework and other learning activities as well.
3) What does a nanny do: additional duties
While childcare is their main responsibility, nannies often take on additional tasks that help households run smoothly. These extra duties must be mutually agreed upon! Nannies are not housekeepers, and their top priority should always be the safety and well-being of the children.
Many help with light housekeeping chores, such as tidying up play areas, doing the children’s laundry, and keeping the kitchen clean after meals. These tasks typically focus on ensuring neat and organized spaces for children; nannies are not generally expected to clean communal family areas.
Nannies may also help with tasks like grocery shopping; picking up dry cleaning; and driving children to extracurricular activities, doctor’s appointments, or school. Again, these extra duties must be mutually agreed upon to avoid potential conflicts and the risk of nanny burnout.
4) How can a nanny benefit your family?
Here at Sommet Nannies, we firmly believe that a first-class nanny is more than just a full-time babysitter! Hiring a nanny can be greatly beneficial to your family, providing a high level of flexibility, personalized childcare, and valuable help with household responsibilities.
a) Supporting your family’s routine
Juggling competing responsibilities at work and at home can cause major stress for families. A nanny can help reduce yours by providing consistent and dedicated childcare, supporting your family’s daily routine, and helping to establish a consistent schedule for your children. This can be especially beneficial for families with busy work schedules. Thanks to your nanny, you can rest assured that your children’s needs will be met in a timely and organized manner.
b) Communicating and collaborating with you
A key reason for choosing a nanny over other childcare options is the close teamwork you’ll enjoy with yours. Nannies typically collaborate with parents to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding children’s needs, routines, and any special considerations. Regular communication—such as daily or weekly check-ins—allows for feedback and updates on your children’s progress, health, and behavioral issues.
c) Fostering holistic child development
Beyond meeting your children’s basic needs, nannies can actively engage them in activities that promote their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. A nanny’s consistent presence will foster a well-rounded, supportive environment that contributes to your child's holistic development.
Physical development: Nannies ensure children get enough physical activity by taking them to parks, playing games, or organizing outdoor activities. This helps children develop motor skills along with a healthy lifestyle.
Social and emotional development: By providing a safe and nurturing environment, nannies can encourage positive behavior, teach conflict resolution, and lend a sympathetic ear when children need emotional support.
Cognitive development: Professional nannies engage children in tailored educational activities that stimulate intellectual growth and encourage a love of learning.
5) What not to expect from a nanny
Unfortunately, unclear expectations can cause the nanny-parent working relationship to break down. Keep in mind that your nanny’s primary responsibility is to provide superior childcare. Any other tasks should be mutually agreed upon as part of your employment contract.
Here’s what you should not expect from your nanny.
Housekeeping duties: Major cleaning tasks like deep cleaning the entire house, organizing closets, or handling heavy-duty chores typically aren’t in a nanny’s job description.
Advanced medical care: A reputable nanny will be trained in CPR and first aid. Don’t, however, expect yours to make decisions regarding your child’s day-to-day healthcare. Have a plan in place for medical care. In case of an emergency, make sure your nanny knows about this plan and how to contact emergency services.
Unpaid overtime: The odd extra hour now and then can soon add up and create feelings of ill will between you and your nanny. Set clearly defined working hours and boundaries to prevent burnout and ensure that your family and nanny maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Managing finances: Nannies are not responsible for handling family finances, managing budgets, or making financial decisions for the household.
Disciplinary actions: Nannies help promote positive behavior and encourage good habits, but major disciplinary decisions should be made by you, the parents.
So, what does a nanny do? To sum it all up, a nanny plays a crucial role in providing personalized, one-on-one care for children in their family home. Nannies take on a variety of tasks, from supervising and nurturing children to assisting with household duties and supporting child development. They also foster open communication with parents to meet the family’s needs and maintain routines.
At Sommet Nannies, we are committed to matching families with experienced, reliable nannies who provide excellent childcare while creating a balanced and nurturing environment. If you're looking for a professional nanny who aligns with your family's needs, we’d be delighted to help you find your perfect fit.
Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
● If you enjoyed this article, you might also like 'How to hire a nanny'.
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● If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.