Nanny
A nanny is someone employed to care for your children to the same high standards you would provide yourself.
Qualifications. Many nannies have formal qualifications. Those that do not will all have demonstrated to CLICK nannies an impressive, verifiable record of previous childcare experience.
Duties. A nanny takes care of all aspects of the wellbeing of any children under their care. This can be on a sole-care basis (where the nanny alone is responsible for the child) or on a shared-care basis (where the child’s care is shared with a parent).
A sole-care nanny will undertake many of the tasks of a parent when the parents are not available:
- prepare and supervise children’s meals
- take/collect from playgroup, nursery or school
- clean and tidy their bedrooms
- bathe them
- do their laundry
- administer first aid
- ensure they are stimulated by playing with them
- arrange and supervise their entertainment
- take them to activities like swimming
- (if needs be) take them to see the doctor or dentist
A nanny would also be expected to discipline children under their care in a manner previously agreed with the child’s parents.
A shared-care nanny will expect to carry out all the above duties but under the direction – either in total or in part – of another adult, usually a parent.
Conditions. Generally, a nanny will be expected to work a five-day week from Monday to Friday, 10/11 hours a day, and live-in nannies will also baby-sit up to twice a week on weekdays. They usually receive 4.8 weeks paid holiday per year-which includes 4 bank holidays.
Live-in nannies will expect their privacy to be respected when not on duty. It is a matter for negotiation between employer and the nanny as to whether they participate in family life (eg: joining in meals) when not on duty.
A nanny’s first priority is always the children under their care but, depending on the extent of their duties, they may be prepared to assist with some household tasks. In CLICK nannies’ experience, if a family want a nanny to undertake any tasks of this nature, it is important that this is discussed fully at interview and agreed upon before employment commences. Please click CONTRACTS for more on this.
