So, What Does a Nanny Actually Do?

In many Zambian homes, the woman looking after the children is also cleaning, cooking, washing and trying to work out why the toddler has suddenly gone quiet. We call her a maid, house helper or nanny, sometimes all three. But there is a difference. A nanny is responsible for the care of children. Feeding and bathing are part of the job, but so are talking, playing, comforting and keeping them safe. Young children learn from the people around them. They notice how we speak to them, how we respond when they are upset and whether we listen when they have something to say. This matters because a nanny may spend many of a child’s waking hours with them during the working week. Of course, most families do not employ a separate nanny, cook and cleaner. One person often does everything. That is the reality in many homes. But if she is caring for a young child, childcare cannot always come after the floors, laundry and lunch. A spotless kitchen is wonderful, but it will not notice that a child has a fever. Looking after children also takes some knowledge. A nanny should know what to expect at different ages, how children learn through play and how to respond when they are upset. She should understand basic safety and know when something needs to be reported to a parent. Loving children is a good start, but it does not prepare anyone for every situation. Even experienced parents can be defeated by a two-year-old who asked for the blue cup and is now crying because you gave them the blue cup. This is why choosing a nanny should involve more than asking whether she can cook, clean or iron. Ask her about children. What would she do if a child would not stop crying? How would she handle a child who refused to eat? What would she do if a child told her something worrying? Then pay attention to how she speaks to and about children. Parents also need to make good childcare possible. If one person is expected to clean the whole house, prepare meals, do the laundry and care for a young child, something will receive less attention. Too often, it is the child. Clear expectations, reasonable duties and respectful treatment make a difference. Many women enter domestic work because other employment is difficult to find. Nanny work may not have been their first choice. That does not mean they cannot become thoughtful, skilled and dependable caregivers. With careful selection, practical training and support from the family, they can do the work well. At Gate Beautiful, we want families to think differently about the women who care for their children—and to recognise that good childcare in the home is important work. Through practical training and supported placement, we help young women prepare for dignified work and learn to care for children well. So, the next time you are interviewing someone, try asking one childcare question before asking about the ironing. The answer may tell you far more.