Nanny Duties: Should She Cook and Clean the Children's Room?

As of March 30, 2026, the average time Israeli parents spend searching for and vetting a nanny on their own is over 40 hours of active searching. To ensure the question of "should a nanny cook and clean" doesn't become a stumbling block, it must be documented in writing before starting the collaboration.

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.

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.

1. Work schedule: exact arrival and departure times, overtime payment rules.
2. List of duties: exactly what is included in the daily plan (walks, games, nursery cleaning).
3. Safety rules: restrictions on phone use, rules for receiving visitors.
4. 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. Our platform takes on the most difficult stage: triple-checking candidates, including ID and recommendations, and also helps with the legal registration of employment.

Real-life examples in Israel

Case 1: A family in Tel Aviv. A family with two children hired a nanny through EzraHome. They agreed that in addition to childcare, the nanny prepares a light lunch and organizes the children's belongings. Thanks to a clear list of tasks, their lives became more organized, and the parents saved up to 15 hours of free time per week.

Case 2: A family in Haifa. Young parents were worried about safety. We found a candidate with verified experience and recommendations from three previous families. The result: total peace of mind for the child and legal status arranged through Bituach Leumi.

Case 3: A family in Jerusalem. Finding a nanny with Hebrew and English skills took only three days after contacting our service. Using a ready-made contract template helped avoid disputes about the boundaries of duties from the very first days of work.

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, which we do for you at EzraHome.

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 platform helps avoid risks by providing access to a base of verified professionals. We value your time and peace of mind by taking care of all bureaucratic issues and ensuring safe hiring. Start your search today to gain confidence and order in your home.