What does a nanny do?
A nanny is responsible for providing personalized care to children in their family environment, including supervising, nurturing, and engaging children in activities that support their growth and development.
Additionally, nannies may assist with household tasks related to the children, such as meal preparation, light cleaning, and transportation.
1) What is a nanny?
A nanny works directly with a family to provide care for children during their normal daily activities. They are often responsible for a wide range of duties, including various aspects of childcare and light housekeeping, depending on the family’s requirements.
There are several types of nannies, each offering different levels of care based on the family’s needs:
Full-time nanny: A full-time nanny typically works 35-50 hours a week and is responsible for the day-to-day care of the children, including supervision, meals, and activities.
Part-time nanny: A part-time nanny works fewer hours per week, often after school or on weekends when families need extra support.
Live-in nanny: A live-in nanny resides in the family home and may have a work schedule that requires them to be available during the evening or overnight. This is a good option for families who need round-the-clock support but must be carefully negotiated to ensure working time regulations are adhered to.
2) What does a nanny do: Core responsibilities
While childcare is the main responsibility, nannies often take on additional tasks that help your household run smoothly. These additional duties must be mutually agreed upon - your nanny is not a housekeeper and their main focus should always be the safety and wellbeing of the children.
Many nannies assist with light housekeeping duties, such as tidying up play areas, doing children’s laundry, and keeping the kitchen clean after meals. These tasks are typically focused on maintaining the child’s environment and ensuring a neat and organized space, and nannies are not generally expected to clean communal family areas.
Nannies may also help with tasks such as 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) What advantages can a nanny bring to your family?
Here at Sommet Nannies, we firmly believe that a top-class nanny is more than just a full-time babysitter. Hiring a nanny can offer many advantages to families, providing a high level of flexibility, personalized care, and valuable support in managing household responsibilities.
a) The role of a nanny in your family’s routine
Hiring a nanny helps parents reduce the stress of juggling work and home responsibilities. By providing consistent and dedicated care, a nanny plays an integral role in a family’s daily routine and helps establish a stable and predictable schedule for children. This can be especially important for families with busy work schedules, as the nanny ensures the children’s needs are met in a timely and organized manner.
b) Nanny-parent communication and collaboration
One of the key benefits of hiring a nanny over other forms of childcare is the direct communication and collaboration between the nanny and the parents. Nannies typically work closely with parents to ensure they are on the same page regarding the child’s needs, routines, and any special considerations. Regular communication, such as daily or weekly check-ins, allows for feedback and updates on the child’s progress, health, and behavioral issues.
c) How a nanny can support child development
Beyond meeting a child's basic needs, nannies can actively engage children in activities that promote their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Their consistent presence fosters a well-rounded and supportive environment for growth 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, helping children develop motor skills and a love of a healthy lifestyle.
Social and emotional development: Nannies provide a safe and nurturing environment and can encourage positive behavior, teach conflict resolution, and offer a listening ear when children need emotional support.
Cognitive development: A professional nanny will 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, one of the major causes of a breakdown in the nanny-parent working relationship is unclear expectations of what a nanny should do. Remember that the primary role of a nanny is to supervise and care for children, and any tasks beyond this should be mutually agreed upon as part of your employment contract.
Here’s what you should not expect from a nanny:
Housekeeping duties: Major cleaning tasks like deep cleaning the entire house, organizing closets, or handling heavy-duty chores typically fall outside a nanny's duties.
Advanced medical care: A reputable nanny will be trained in CPR and first aid, but should not be expected to make decisions regarding the day-to-day healthcare of your child. In case of an emergency, parents should ensure that the nanny knows how to contact emergency services and have a plan in place for medical care.
Unpaid overtime: The odd extra hour here and there can soon add up and create feelings of ill-will between a nanny and their employers. Clearly defined working hours and boundaries should be set to prevent burnout and ensure that both the nanny and the family 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 the parents.
6) Summary: What does a nanny do
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 ensure that the family’s needs are met and routines are maintained.
At Sommet Nannies, we are committed to matching families with experienced and reliable nannies who provide not only excellent childcare but also create a balanced and nurturing family environment. If you're looking for a professional nanny who aligns with your family's needs, Sommet Nannies can help you find the 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 find a nanny'.
● If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.
● If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.