Choosing your housekeeper

Selecting a housekeeper is a big decision for you and your family.

There are several options when selecting your housekeeper. It’s important to understand what these are and the different roles and responsibilities that can go with each, so you get what is best suited to your needs as a family.

As a private housekeeper agency, Hummingbird Home Staff are happy to discuss all available choices with you to help you understand more about each option, so you find the best housekeeper for your needs.

So, how do you narrow down the options when it comes to hiring a housekeeper? We cover the different types of housekeeping services below, along with some of the additional qualifications you may be looking for.

Types of Housekeeping Services

When choosing your housekeeper, it’s vital to consider what service you’d like, such as:

Full-time Daily Housekeeper

Full-time housekeepers will usually work between 8.00am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Their duties would include:

• Cleaning
• Laundry
• Shopping
• Cooking
• Errands
• Waiting in for parcels or deliveries that need to be received
• Polishing the silver
• Planning menus
• Keeping family life running smoothly

Part-time Daily Housekeeper

These housekeepers will usually work covering any daytime hours needed by the family. This would typically be between 4–6 hours per day or full days but maybe 2–3 days per week. The housekeeping duties would be the same as a full-time housekeeper.

Live-In Housekeeper

If you opt for a live-in housekeeper, they will live with you and your family and will typically work longer days between 7.00am-7.00pm Monday – Friday. Their duties would be the same as a full-time daily housekeeper.

A live-in housekeeper will require a bedroom and her own bathroom. Separate accommodation, such as an annexe, may be provided as part of the package offered during the hiring process. In all cases, the accommodation should be furnished, contain a television and a DVD player, have a desk, and good storage space. House rules should be made clear from the start and be in the nanny's contract of employment.

Nanny-Housekeeper

A nanny-housekeeper has two distinct areas of responsibility: caring for children and caring for the home. In most households that require this role, the children spend a significant amount of time at school or nursery, allowing the nanny/housekeeper to take care of the daily housekeeping tasks in their absence.

Their childcare responsibilities are the same as those of a nanny. They are also responsible for the general upkeep of the home and duties may include making beds, the family’s laundry and bedding, vacuuming, and polishing. The duties should be agreed with the nanny/housekeeper and should be included in their contract of employment.

How much your Housekeeper should be paid?

The amount you pay your housekeeper will be influenced by factors such as experience and qualifications, the hours worked each day, the duties you expect them to take over and above those normally expected and the value you place on their contribution to your family.

As a guide, you can expect to pay in the ranges set out below:

• Full-time daily housekeeper - £350 - £500 per week
• Part-time daily housekeeper - £8 - £10 per hour
• Live-in housekeeper - £300 - £450 per week
• Live-in nanny/housekeeper - £350 - £500 per week
• Live-out nanny/housekeeper - £400 - £550 per week

These ranges are the net pay to the housekeeper, so you should factor in the tax and national insurance contributions you will have to pay as well to get the overall cost.

Nanny Qualifications Required for the Nanny Housekeeper Role

Here is a little guide to help you understand the qualifications that nannies can have and what each means:

Diploma in Childcare and Education (DCE - Formerly NNEB)

This is probably the most recognised childcare qualification. It is a two-year, full-time course which provides an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the physical, educational, social and emotional development and needs of a child, from when they are newborn to 7 years old.

It also provides training in health, nutrition, hygiene, First Aid, and activity-based learning appropriate for each age. Students will experience regular, hands-on training in placements such as nurseries, schools, hospitals and families within a home environment.

Norland, Princess Christian and Chiltern

These are private colleges which have their own nurseries on site for practical training and students reside at the college for 2 years. The course content is the same as for the DCE qualification, but the student must complete a 6-to-9-month probation period working as a nanny within a family.

Once the probation period has been completed, the student gains the DCE (NNEB) and a diploma from the Royal Society of Health.

National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

There are several levels to NVQ qualifications, each level which takes 2 years to complete. The courses cover both practical and theory training over the 2 years and students are constantly assessed throughout.

The courses cover many aspects of childcare including physical, emotional, and educational development. A person who holds an NVQ Level 3 would be best suited to a sole charge role, as this is equivalent to the NNEB. Someone who holds an NVQ Level 2 would best suit a role where they work alongside the parent in a supporting capacity.

BTEC (formally National Diploma in Child Studies)

This course is very similar to the DCE (NNEB) but has a more academic focus and a less hands-on, practical element. It covers a wide variety of subjects and students will gain skills in teaching, nursing and social work but will gain a more academic qualification with some practical experience. It is a CACHE course run by Council for Awards in Childcare Education.

How Hummingbird Home Staff Can Help

With so many housekeepers out there, selecting the right fit for you can seem like a daunting task. Make sure to consider the needs of you and your family – do you need someone to help with the children as well as provide housekeeping services? Would you prefer to have a live-in housekeeper, or would part-time fit you better?

Whatever your needs, utilising a private housekeeper agency such as Hummingbird Home Staff can help make the decision easier.

We will provide you with a list of candidates tailored to your requirements, advising and assisting you every step of the way. Our team have over 25 years of experience in childcare and housekeeper recruitment, so we are exceptionally well-placed to find you your ideal housekeeper.

Get in touch with us today to find out more!