In Canada, hiring a nanny often involves clarifying the scope of their responsibilities. Many families wonder whether nannies are expected to handle household cleaning, specifically tasks like cleaning toilets. The answer depends on individual agreements, but generally, cleaning duties are not inherently part of a nanny’s role unless explicitly outlined.
What Are Typical Nanny Responsibilities?
Domestic tasks accompanying nanny duties usually focus on child-related activities. These include supervising play, preparing meals, helping with homework, and maintaining a safe environment. Household chores such as vacuuming, laundry, or cleaning bathrooms may be included if specified in the employment contract. However, in most cases, families hire separate cleaners for deep cleaning tasks, especially those involving toilets and bathrooms.
Including Cleaning Tasks in the Nanny Role
Clear Agreements Make Expectations Explicit
- Specify household chores in the employment agreement.
- Outline cleaning responsibilities, including toilet cleaning, if desired.
- Discuss the frequency and scope of such tasks.
Considerations for Canadian Families
In Canada, particularly in urban settings, many families prefer to assign cleaning duties to professional cleaners to maintain hygiene standards. Nannies focusing solely on child care often do not perform deep cleaning, which involves disinfecting toilets. However, light tidying up, such as wiping counters or sweeping floors, may be acceptable if mutually agreed upon.
Recommendations for Employers and Nannies
- Negotiate roles and responsibilities upfront to prevent misunderstandings.
- Determine whether light cleaning tasks are part of the nanny’s duties.
- Consider hiring a cleaner for intensive tasks like toilet scrubbing to meet health standards in Canada.
- Ensure compliance with local employment laws and regulations regarding domestic work.
In summary, nannies can perform household cleaning tasks, including toilets, but this is not automatic. It requires clear communication and documented expectations within the employment agreement. For Canadian families prioritizing hygiene and specialized cleaning, outsourcing such tasks remains a common approach.
What cleaning duties are typically expected from nannies in a household setting? Are toilets usually included in their responsibilities, and how are they handled? How to clarify and communicate cleaning expectations, including toilet cleaning, when hiring a nanny.
When hiring a nanny in Canada, clearly define their cleaning responsibilities upfront. Nannies are generally expected to handle daily tidying up, laundry for children, washing dishes used for children’s meals, and light housekeeping related to children’s needs. Cleaning tasks involving common surfaces like countertops and floors in shared family spaces may also be included, depending on the household agreement.
Toilets are often a point of clarification. In many Canadian households, cleaning the toilet is not automatically part of a nanny’s duties. Some families prefer the nanny to handle toilet cleaning, especially if they expect household chores to include full bathroom maintenance. Others see toilet cleaning as separate from childcare responsibilities and assign it to professional cleaners or household staff. It’s vital to address this explicitly during the hiring process to prevent misunderstandings.
When discussing cleaning expectations, specify whether toilet cleaning is included. Mention whether the nanny should clean toilets daily, weekly, or only as part of a deeper cleaning routine. Clearly outline procedures, such as disinfecting toilets and maintaining bathroom hygiene, to ensure the nanny understands the scope.
Effective communication involves putting tasks into a written comprehensive job description. Include specific duties related to cleaning and bathroom maintenance, noting frequency and standards of cleanliness. During interviews, ask direct questions about the nanny’s comfort level with bathroom cleaning to gauge their expectations and experience.
Additionally, establish a process for ongoing clarification. Regular discussions or check-ins help confirm responsibilities are clear and allow adjustments if household needs change. This proactive approach ensures both parties maintain transparent expectations, making the working relationship smoother and more productive.