What is a Nanny Expected to Do? Responsibilities and Activities

For parents juggling the demands of their careers and personal lives, having a dedicated nanny to care for their children provides them with the peace of mind they need. But what exactly does a nanny's role entail? It is more than simply babysitting and doing household chores; it involves a wide range of tasks designed to facilitate the holistic development of a child.

In the following guide, Nannies Matter outlines the various responsibilities of nannies, explaining their importance to families and what should be expected of such a childcare professional.

Understanding the role of a nanny in the household

A nanny is a childcare professional engaged in providing long-term, consistent care within the family's home environment. This significantly differentiates the role of a nanny from that of a babysitter, who usually works on an as-needed, temporary basis, or a childminder, who offers childcare within their own home. Often, misconceptions arise, causing these distinct roles to be conflated. However, a nanny's responsibilities are far more comprehensive, requiring them to be actively involved in a child's daily routine, development, and wellbeing.

Primary responsibilities of a nanny

The care a nanny provides is not limited to physical needs, although those are certainly a significant part of the role - ensuring children are properly fed, bathed, and that their hygiene needs are met, including changing nappies for infants, is part of the daily routine. However, the role extends far beyond fulfilling these needs.

Emotional care is equally important. Children need to be comforted when upset, supported in managing their emotions, and encouraged to express their feelings in a healthy way. Nannies play a pivotal role in meeting these emotional needs, becoming a trusted confidant for the child.

A large part of the emotional side of nanny work is behavioural guidance. This can include reinforcing manners, setting appropriate behaviour expectations, and helping parents navigate the challenges that come with different developmental stages. A nanny can often provide consistency and continuity in behavioural expectations, thereby supporting children's overall behavioural development.

Health and safety management is a critical aspect of a nanny's responsibilities. This involves not only ensuring the child's safety within the home and during outings but also dealing effectively with any first-aid or medical emergencies that may arise. Nannies are typically expected to be competent in basic first aid.

Preparing nutritious meals tailored to the child's dietary needs and preferences is another important part of this responsibility. Nannies often help to teach healthy eating habits in children from a young age, playing a vital role in their overall health and wellbeing.

The role of a nanny also encompasses educational support. While parents and schools are the primary educational providers for children, nannies play an important supplementary role. They assist with homework, support school project completion, and implement educational and developmental activities that encourage intellectual growth. These activities can range from reading and storytelling to engaging in educational games that make learning fun and exciting.

Live-in versus live-out nannies

Choosing between a live-in and a live-out nanny is a significant decision for families. Understanding the responsibilities and benefits of each can help inform your choice, ensuring that it best fits your family’s specific needs and circumstances.

Live-in nannies

A live-in nanny resides in their own room within the family's home. This arrangement comes with a unique set of benefits and responsibilities.

Apart from the standard nanny duties, live-in nannies might also have some additional responsibilities. These could include early morning care, evening routine support, and occasionally, handling nighttime needs for younger children. Since they live on the premises, they may be expected to offer more flexible support around the family's schedule.

A major advantage of having a live-in nanny is the convenience it offers. The nanny is readily available, which can be especially helpful for parents with non-traditional working hours or those who travel frequently for work. Live-in nannies can also provide continuity of care for children, offering a stable presence in their daily lives. Plus, living within the family home allows nannies to fully immerse themselves in the family dynamics, often leading to a close-knit relationship with the children.

Live-out nannies

Live-out nannies, on the other hand, maintain their own separate residences and commute to the family's home for their work hours.

Live-out nannies typically have defined working hours that align with parents' work schedules. Their duties are often more structured, centring around childcare and related tasks during these set hours.

Live-out nannies offer a balance of professional and personal separation, which some families and nannies may prefer. The defined working hours can encourage a clear work-life balance for the nanny and ensure families have a set schedule for childcare. Additionally, a live-out nanny doesn't require space in the family home, which can be beneficial for families with limited space.

In conclusion, both live-in and live-out nannies can offer excellent childcare solutions, each with their own unique advantages. The best choice depends on your family's specific needs, your living situation, and the level of involvement and flexibility you require from a nanny. Whichever option you choose, remember that open communication about expectations, responsibilities, and boundaries is key to building a successful relationship with your nanny.

Additional duties and activities

Apart from these fundamental responsibilities, nannies often perform other tasks as part of their role. This can include light housekeeping duties that directly relate to child care, such as preparing meals, tidying up children's play areas, doing their laundry, and washing the children's dishes.

The family may also rely on the nanny for various transportation responsibilities. They may be expected to drop off and pick up children from school, accompany them to playdates, and chaperone them to extracurricular activities. This ensures children's schedules run smoothly and they can participate in a range of beneficial activities.

One example of a more niche nanny role that Nannies Matter specialises in securing is 'nanny grooms' who are in charge of maintaining horses that the family owns, alongside their childcare duties. It is not uncommon for nannies to have skills in other areas, such as professional cleaning and hygiene or pet care.

Professional standards

A nanny's professionalism is often marked by a set of distinct standards. This begins with establishing appropriate boundaries within the family's home and respecting the family's privacy and confidentiality. An effective nanny respects the unique dynamics of each family and maintains a professional distance while also building a caring and supportive relationship with the children they look after.

Communication forms an integral part of a nanny’s professional standards. Regularly updating parents about their child's day, discussing any issues or developments, and aligning with the parents' child-rearing philosophies are key aspects of a successful nanny-parent relationship.

Moreover, continuous professional development and training opportunities are fundamental to a nanny's career progression. These can include childcare and early education workshops, first aid training, and other relevant courses. Such continuous learning allows nannies to stay abreast of the latest childcare best practices, which can further enhance the quality of care they provide.

Read more here about the various qualifications that can make nanny candidates stand out above others.

Legal requirements for nannies in the UK

In the UK, nannies are not legally required to register with Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills), but many choose to do so voluntarily. Being Ofsted-registered can enhance a nanny's professional standing and offer parents an additional level of assurance about the nanny's commitment to high-quality childcare.

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check is also required of any professionals who intend to work with children. This checks for any past criminal records, ensuring the safety and well-being of children under the nanny's care. It is the responsibility of the nanny's employer - usually the family - to arrange a DBS check for their nanny.

Nannies in the UK should also consider getting the appropriate insurance coverage. Public liability insurance, for instance, can provide coverage for any accidents or injuries that may occur while the nanny is working.

Nannies Matter helps to pair nannies and families that match each other's needs. Whether you are a professional nanny looking for support in the hiring process, or a parent searching for your ideal nanny, speak to us today on 0800 121 4881, or fill out an online contact form and we will be in touch at a time convenient for you.