The job

What does a nanny do? The duties to expect, and the ones to agree on first

A nanny cares for your children in your home, usually on a regular schedule, and becomes part of how your household runs. What’s included beyond that varies a lot from family to family, which is exactly why it needs to be spelled out before day one.

By Tammy Gold, LCSW
Author of Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer (Penguin)

Tammy Gold, LCSW, MSW

Columbia University

20 years placing & training nannies

Book an hour with Tammy — $189 →

The core of the job

Hands-on care: feeding, diapering or toileting, naps, bathing and getting dressed
Play, reading, outings and age-appropriate learning
Following your routines and rules on sleep, food, screens and discipline
Keeping children safe at home and out, including basic first aid
Communicating with you every day: what happened, what they ate, how they slept, anything that worried her

Child-related household tasks (usually included)

Most nannies expect to handle the work that comes from caring for the children:

Children’s laundry and tidying their rooms and play areas
Preparing children’s meals and cleaning up after them
Washing bottles and sippy cups, packing lunches and bags
Keeping the children’s schedule: activities, playdates, pickups

Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer by Tammy Gold, published by Penguin

FROM THE AUTHOR OF SECRETS OF THE NANNY WHISPERER

Guidance from the therapist who wrote the Penguin book on hiring a nanny

Tammy Gold, LCSW, spent years matching families with nannies before writing Secrets of the Nanny Whisperer (Penguin). Today she works beside families, and their agencies, as a neutral expert: defining the job, interviewing candidates, checking references and setting up the first 30 days.

Book an hour with Tammy — $189 → Press and media

Extras to agree on up front

These are reasonable to ask for, but they change the job, and often the pay:

Housekeeping beyond the children (see nanny housekeeper)
Cooking for the whole family
Driving the children (see a nanny who drives)
Errands, grocery shopping and pet care
Homework help, tutoring or a second language
Overnights or travel with the family

The fastest way to a resentful nanny is a job that quietly grows. Decide now what’s in and what’s out, and put it in your job description and work agreement.

What a nanny usually doesn’t do

Make medical decisions beyond first aid and calling you or 911
Discipline in ways you haven’t agreed on
Cover a second family’s children without your agreement
Act as a full-time housekeeper on top of full-time childcare without a change in role and pay

How the job changes by age

Age	What the day centers on
Infant	Feeding, sleep, soothing, tummy time, close observation
Toddler	Routines, safety, language, play, early limits
Preschooler	Learning through play, outings, social skills, school prep
School-age	Pickups, homework, activities, driving, independence

Common questions

Is a nanny the same as a babysitter?

No. A nanny works a regular schedule and is part of your child’s routine; a babysitter covers occasional hours. See nanny vs. babysitter.

Can I ask my nanny to clean the house?

You can ask for more housework, but agree on it first and expect it to affect the rate. Childcare should stay the priority.

Should I write the duties down?

Yes. A written job description prevents most of the conflicts families bring to me later.

EXPERT HELP, ONE HOUR AT A TIME

Define the job before you hire

Most nanny problems start with a job that was never clearly defined. Get it right first.

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Define duties, hours and priorities
Write the job description and agreement
Set pay that fits the job

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Screening call, reference questions, clinical interview, and trial-day checklist.

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Questions first? Text (818) 308-1358 · info@caremapmethod.com

Tammy is not a placement agency and has no affiliation with, or financial interest in, any agency, daycare or payroll service. She provides independent expert guidance; decisions remain your family’s. Legal, tax and licensing questions belong with the appropriate professional or state agency.