Newly registered clients are looking for a nanny to be an important part of their family. They have a boy nearly 5, girl 3 and boy 6 months. Their current nanny of 4.5 years will be leaving them mid-May but they’re willing to wait for the right person to take her place.
Both parents work full time and have busy jobs Despite their jobs, they try very hard to spend quality time with their children – eg during the week by having breakfast together, doing drop-offs, doing bedtime and attending school / nursery functions. Mum is returning to work after maternity leave but will be looking to spend more quality time with the children even when back to work (eg an afternoon a week).
The oldest boy is very bright, curious and sociable. He has a great sense of humour and is very interested in the world. He is advanced in terms of literacy and enjoys reading and writing. He eats anything. The girl is very bright and loves role play / imaginative play. She also has a great sense of humour. She will be doing 4+ assessments in the autumn. She is a bit pickier food-wise. The baby is a smiley / happy baby, growing very well. He doesn’t eat yet. No health issues. None of the children watch TV or use ipads for games or entertainment.
About the role (basics)
Live-out, Monday-Friday, 7.30am-6.30pm
Depending on candidate, £50-£55k gross annual pay – if NI and pension contribution included it is up to £62k, with 20 guaranteed holidays days but in reality many more days off because they take more holiday than that and the nanny still gets paid
Annual bonus (up to 5%) for strong performance
They are looking for someone who will be with them for many years to come
What they are looking for
Love, care with boundaries: Their current nanny plays an incredibly important role in nurturing their children and setting them up for success in terms of independence, security, understanding things and knowing boundaries. They expect a future nanny to continue to do this, bringing a deep understanding of child development (physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural) and discipline. This means having rituals and routines and rules – they (as parents) are happy to take the lead from the nanny on this (provided it’s sensible / logical).
Education / stimulation: At any age, there are things that research shows helps a child develop cognitively. An ideal nanny understands this and is proactive in making plans / activities / toys / interactions for the children that stretch them. For example, right now that means for the older boy, dedicated time for reading, writing etc. For the girl, it’s doing things to prepare her for the 4+. For the baby, it’s about gross motor skills. Their ideal nanny will have training / experience in all these and will make sure they are unlocking their children’s full potential.
Organising the children’s things: The nanny should be very organised and practical. It actually isn’t that chaotic having a family of 5 IF you are organised – ie all the clothes have a place and are labelled. All the toys have a place and if needing fixing are fixed. The medication, shoes, toys, travel things etc are in their places, replaced / replenished as needed, and evolved according to the childrens’ ages, the seasons and other needs. This often means the nanny proactively goes and picks something up from the shops with the nannycard (often daily). When they go on holiday, the nanny should prepare a packing list, check it with the parents and pack everything neatly. These things are key responsibilities of the nanny for them. Their current nanny will be documenting the current ‘systems’ but they would love for someone to carry this forward and make it their own.
Managing the children’s food, laundry, rooms (tidiness): this of course takes time and effort and they are open to discussing how to streamline it. They do grocery delivery 1-2x per week and take steer from the nanny on ingredients to order; in between the nanny should go to the shop independently and get what’s needed (on nannycard). For laundry, the children’s stuff is washed 3x per week (M/W/F) and sheets changed weekly (unless soiled). The rooms are generally tidy but eg the books sometimes need sorting / managing and if there’s a spill, hoovering / carpet cleaning would be needed.
To start mid May but would wait for the right person. £50-£55k gross annual pay ( up to £62k with NI and pension contributions.
REF: AYO