Nanny-Housekeeper

A child caregiver who also handles household cleaning, organization and other domestic tasks on behalf of a family.

The Role of a Nanny-Housekeeper

A Nanny-Housekeeper is a hybrid role that includes caring for children and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of a principal’s home.

A Nanny-Housekeeper should have experience in providing children with stimulating activities that foster their physical, mental and emotional growth, as well as maintaining a clean and organized home.

A Nanny-Housekeeper’s primary responsibility is the caring for a child throughout the day, and secondarily, for assisting the family with other family/domestic needs, such as cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping or errands. Nanny-Housekeeper roles require someone who is flexible and able to adapt to a family’s unique preferences, along with the child’s schedule.

An experienced Nanny-Housekeeper will be both caring, attentive and creative, and efficient and capable of managing themselves in regards to household tasks. A successful Nanny-Housekeeper will nurture and support a child’s well-being and happiness, while always respecting the family’s lifestyle and values.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Nanny-Housekeepers should have completed their secondary education, and some employers may prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree (most common in roles where educating or tutoring children is their responsibility).

Since childcare is the primary responsibility of a Nanny-Housekeeper, 1 – 3+ years’ of prior experience in child care, education or family assistance in a household, school, childcare facility setting is typically expected in this role. Depending on the needs of a family, experience in a specific area of childcare or housekeeping may also be required, such as cooking, teaching, personal service, management of other childcare staff, pet care, etc.

Note: A Nanny-Housekeeper does not necessarily need prior experience as a Nanny or a Housekeeper. In fact, many of the best Nanny-Housekeepers come from related fields or positions, like Senior Companions, Family Assistants, primary caregiver, etc. Similarly, because this role deals more with general (compared to specific) experience, recent high-school or college graduates, or those who are at the beginning (or a transition stage) of their career often make an exceptional Nanny-Housekeeper.

SKILLS

Depending on a principal’s needs, a Nanny-Housekeeper may be required to possess certain skills such as fluency in a second language, experience with childhood development, caring for individuals with developmental or physical disabilities, etc.
Nanny-Housekeepers should be calm and collected, friendly and outgoing, imaginative and creative, patient and understanding, warm, loving and kind.
Willingness to take ownership in their role and structure their day about the child or family’s schedule. Nanny-Housekeepers should be organized and adept at planning and keeping track of others’ schedules and able to ‘wear many hats’ throughout their day.Familiarity with technology, including household systems (smart home devices/interfaces, HVAC, security, etc.)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Professional certifications/licenses are not a requirement to be a Nanny-Housekeeper, but an employer may prefer a candidate with a certain educational background or other skills such as proficiency with technology, physical fitness to actively participate in kids’ activities, fluency in a language other than English, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties for a Nanny vary depending on the number of children being cared for and the parents’ expectations for the person in this role. Common duties include:
Preparing children for school by helping them with dressing, grooming, packing lunch, and homework and driving them to school, athletic practices/events or appointments
Scheduling appointments on behalf of the children (medical appointments, athletics, tutoring, etc.). Also planning child/family travel and logistics (flights, hotels, car rentals, dining and activities)
Performing various administrative duties on behalf of the children (healthcare, academics, completing forms, researching and executing special projects, etc.)
Making healthy meals and snacks for the children or family according to their dietary preferences and restrictions
Organizing creative and educational activities and games for the children
Performing regular housekeeping tasks, such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, sanitizing, and organizing the living spaces
Handling household chores and conducting errands as needed, including shopping to maintain household inventory (groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other essentials)
Handling laundry and ironing for the children and family, as well as changing bed linens and towels
Assisting with pet care, if applicable, such as feeding, grooming, walking, and playing with the family’s pets
Communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful Nanny-Housekeeper include:

Team player attitude

A Nanny-Housekeeper is a split role that is only suited for someone with a can-do attitude. Someone who is willing and eager to pitch in however necessary, while being respectful, courteous and treating every task with equal importance and care. Someone in this role should think of themselves as a member of the family-team, who has a strong rapport with each member of the family and contributes to the overall success of the family. They should be selfless, supportive and respectful of others’ opinions and perspectives, and be able to communicate effectively and constructively. They should be willing to share information, knowledge and feedback and also open to learning from others and seeking help when needed.

Warm and nurturing personality

A Nanny-Housekeeper’s character and disposition is by far the most important quality, since interacting with a providing a positive and healthy environment is paramount in this role. A Nanny-Housekeeper with a nurturing personality can foster the emotional, social and cognitive development of children by providing them with love, support and guidance. They can also help children cope with challenges and frustrations by being empathetic and understanding.

Organizational skills

A Nanny-Housekeeper should be proficient in planning and keeping organized throughout the day, both to themselves and to help the child(ren) stay organized as well. He or she should set clear goals, manage competing priorities and monitor progress on their day-to-day work, whether it is childcare or housekeeping in nature. They should be able to juggle simultaneous tasks and bring consistency and structure to the family’s life.

Attention to detail

A Nanny-Housekeeper should have a keen eye for detail and be able to bring structure and organization to a family’s life. He or she should be meticulous, thorough and diligent in planning and performing their work, and be able to meet a family’s unique needs. They should also be proactive, organized and efficient, and be able to prioritize and manage their time effectively.

COMPENSATION

Total compensation for a Nanny-Housekeeper ranges from $65 – 115K. Factors that command a higher salary include specific experience, education or training requirements, an ability to work/be on call outside of normal work hours, flexibility to travel or live-in and fluency in languages other than English. Components of a Nanny-Housekeeper’s compensation may include:

Base salary

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A Nanny-Housekeeper’s base salary is dependent on the balance of childcare versus housekeeping responsibilities, the size and location of the family they support, as well as the experience and qualifications of the Nanny-Housekeeper.

Discretionary Bonus

A variable amount that is paid annually, based on an individual’s performance. A Nanny-Housekeeper’s bonus is ultimately tied to the principal’s overall satisfaction and may fluctuate from year to year.

Living Expenses

A principal may prefer that their Nanny-Housekeeper lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of their residence. Reasons for this include the need for this person to be available off-hours, the importance of proximity to the residence or principal due to various duties associated with the role (e.g., waking children up, caring for pets, etc.) or because the residence is located in a remote area. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their Nanny-Housekeeper, housing and/or moving expenses are expected to be included in the employee’s compensation package.

STANDARD BENEFITS

Homes with part-time or modest childcare staff may be required to provide benefits. For established teams or those seeking the most competitive Nanny-Housekeepers, employers typically offer the following corporate-style benefits (or a stipend to obtain such benefits themself):

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Employers are responsible for expenses incurred when travelling for work or while transporting children. A family car may be provided for regular transportation, or expenses may be reimbursed or covered by a travel allowance or budget. If domestic or international travel is required for employment, accommodations, meals and miscellaneous expenses should also be covered by the employer.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

A Nanny-Housekeeper generally reports:

Directly to the parents/principal(s)
To a House or Estate Manager
To another contact designated by the principal (e.g., Director of Operations or Administration of a family office, a principal’s Chief of Staff, etc.)

If other Nannies, Housekeepers, Tutors or Coaches are involved in the child’s care, a Nanny-Housekeeper may be responsible for regularly interacting with, reporting to or managing additional personnel.

Have Questions?

Care and Cleanliness Combined

A Nanny-Housekeeper is the perfect blend of childcare and household management. In addition to providing attentive care for your children, they help maintain a clean, organized home. This unique role balances nurturing children with tasks like light cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and ensuring the household runs smoothly. The Nanny-Housekeeper brings an extra level of support by handling everyday household duties while also offering focused care and supervision for your children. Their ability to manage both caregiving and household maintenance makes them a true asset in a busy family environment.

This dual role ensures your home remains welcoming, tidy, and well-maintained, while your children receive the care and attention they need to thrive.

“We only place Nanny-Housekeepers who are capable of balancing the delicate care your children need with the ability to keep your home in top shape.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

Effortless Care & Cleanliness

Why You Should Consider a Nanny-Housekeeper

A Nanny-Housekeeper provides the perfect solution for families needing both quality childcare and household support. They ensure your home stays organized while focusing on your children’s needs, creating a balanced, harmonious environment. A Nanny-Housekeeper can help you:

Manage childcare responsibilities and create a nurturing environment
Maintain cleanliness, including laundry, tidying, and meal prep
Organize children’s rooms and toys, ensuring a clutter-free space
Provide transportation and manage daily schedules
Support children’s educational and recreational activities

By hiring a Nanny-Housekeeper, you’re gaining a versatile professional who ensures your home runs smoothly while providing exceptional care for your children.