Writing a Nanny Job Description

So, you’ve hurdled through the monumental undertaking of finding a nanny as well as the daunting feeling of leaving your child with a stranger. After doing the background check and all other things-to-do involved in having a nanny, it’s often beneficial for both the nanny and you to establish the rules in your house and set your and the nanny’s expectations. This can be mutually beneficial by identifying the nanny job description.

Most families know the familiar responsibilities of a nanny, which include taking care of the child’s physical needs such as preparing meals, making sure he/she is safe, washing the child’s clothes, and making sure your child’s surroundings are kept clean. When the amount of cleaning is not perfectly mapped out to you, disputes with the nanny can arise and you sure don’t want that. Not after you’ve spent weeks or months looking for one.

Laying down the nanny job description prevents disputes, at least nothing that concerns the nanny’s paycheck. Most nannies are briefed ahead in the nanny agency. Yet, you’d still want to talk to the nanny personally to inform her of your expectations and the job that encompasses being a nanny.

A Nanny is part of your child’s life. Since the nanny will be spending more of the waking time of your child, you must let her understand that she has a role to play in your child’s areas of development: emotional, social, cognitive and language, and physical. Although it is the parents’ responsibility to provide educational materials to the child, the nanny will usually be the one to supervise stimulating activities during the day.

The nanny job description, then, transcends meal preparations and giving your child a bath. Included in the nanny job description is cleaning the play areas of your child, reading a book to the child, plan daily activities that can stimulate intellectual development, monitoring TV and computer time, and making sure all his/her needs are met.

Furthermore, part of the nanny job description is to drive children to activities and arrange play dates to ensure a child receives all the exposure he/she needs for social and emotional learning. When driving is part of the job description and you are providing a vehicle for your nanny, make sure and discuss whom is responsible for making sure there is gas in the vehicle – especially come Monday morning, and whom is responsible for scheduling service for the vehicle.

The nanny job description actually varies from one family to another, and is largely determined by the needs of the child and the family. Don’t assume your nanny will do something – discuss in advance.

You should also discuss emergency plans and especially inclement weather. If it is not safe to be on the roads, your nanny should not be expected to drive to work. If you do require your nanny to be at work, discuss her staying overnight or having back-up child care plan in place. This should also be in place for when your nanny is sick. Nannies are exposed to all the germs your child brings home from school, and it’s inevitable that at some point, she will get sick. Be prepared. TLC can help by providing temp care or back-up care in the event your nanny is unable to work.

Nonetheless, nannies should bear in mind that their job is more than just receiving a weekly paycheck. The fulfilling part of this job is knowing that you became instrumental in a child’s life, and in the day-to-day of the family.

When done properly and discussed in advance, the nanny job description is a win-win for both parties. Clear, open lines of communication are key to a successful nanny-family relationship.

TLC is happy to assist nannies and families with their work agreement.

TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more.  We serve St. Louis, Atlanta and Florida. Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660