Nanny Duties: What Does the Job Include? | EzraHome
Should a nanny cook and clean the children's room? Which duties to discuss before hiring in Israel and how to write them down to avoid disputes.
To keep the question "should a nanny cook and clean" from becoming a stumbling block, it is best to put the answer in writing before the collaboration starts.
What are the main duties of a nanny in Israel?
The primary task of a specialist is the professional care of the child, ensuring their safety, development, and adherence to an established daily routine. Anything beyond these tasks is considered an optional extra that should be discussed during the interview stage.
- Ensuring the child's physical safety at home and during walks.
- Organizing developmental games and creative activities.
- Maintaining hygienic care: bathing, changing diapers, dressing.
- Escorting the child to kindergarten, school, or extracurricular activities.
- Providing emotional support and creating a trusting atmosphere.
Should a nanny clean the nursery and handle household chores?
A nanny is not obligated to perform the duties of a housekeeper, however, she should maintain order in the child's area of responsibility, including cleaning the children's room. It is important to distinguish between "tidying up after the child" and "general house cleaning."
What falls under the nanny's area of responsibility:
- Maintaining order in the nursery: picking up toys, putting things back in their places.
- Laundry for the child: running the washing machine, hanging up and ironing the child's clothes.
- Hygienic cleaning: disinfecting toys, keeping the changing table clean.
If you need comprehensive apartment cleaning, it is more appropriate to hire a separate specialist or negotiate an expanded role of a "nanny-housekeeper," which will inevitably affect the salary.
Preparing food for the child: where is the line drawn?
Help with nutrition is usually limited to preparing simple meals for the child and feeding them according to the approved diet. The nanny should be instructed about the child's allergies and preferences, as well as food storage rules.
| Task | Nanny Duty | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Heating up pre-made food | Yes | Standard service |
| Cooking soups/purees for the child | Yes | By agreement |
| Cooking meals for the whole family | No | Only as an additional option |
How to properly draw up a nanny's job description?
A nanny contract is the main document that protects your interests and reduces anxiety for both parties. To avoid misunderstandings, clearly state all points in writing.
- Work schedule: exact arrival and departure times, overtime payment rules.
- List of duties: exactly what is included in the daily plan (walks, games, nursery cleaning).
- Safety rules: restrictions on phone use, rules for receiving visitors.
- Financial matters: payment amount, frequency of payments, holiday and vacation pay.
If you feel that bureaucracy and document verification is too complex a process, turn to EzraHome.co.il. The platform simplifies the search itself — you describe the job and nannies respond — but checking candidates, including ID and recommendations, and the legal registration of employment remain with you.
What to agree on in advance
Most disagreements come from expectations nobody said out loud. Before the first day, go through a few points together:
- What cooking covers: meals for the child only, or for the rest of the household too.
- Which household tasks relate directly to the child and which count as general cleaning.
- How the nanny reports back during the day and what to do in an emergency.
- How to revisit the agreement when the family's needs change.
Pay and terms are set for each family; check your obligations as an employer, including Bituach Leumi, with Kol Zchut and the Bituach Leumi website in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I ask the nanny to clean the whole apartment?
No, the nanny is focused on the child. For full apartment cleaning, it is better to invite a cleaning specialist.
Should the nanny iron the parents' clothes?
No, unless it has been agreed upon as an additional service for extra pay.
Is checking recommendations mandatory?
Yes, for the safety of your family, this is the most important step — and you do it yourself: EzraHome does not check recommendations.
Can duties be changed during the work process?
Yes, but any changes must be discussed and recorded as an addendum to the contract.
Do I need to pay the nanny through the bank?
Yes, for legal compliance in Israel and rights to social security, all payments should be transparent.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect helper is not only about checking skills, but also about finding a person who is a good fit for your family. The EzraHome Connect platform helps with the search: you describe the job and compare the profiles of the specialists who respond. Checking the candidate and the bureaucratic issues remain with you. Start your search today to gain confidence and order in your home.