Overview
We are a British/German familycurrently based in Hannover, Germany and looking for a nanny to help look afterour four children aged 0-7. Both parents have demanding careers in the softwareindustry. The children are currently 7 years, 5 years, and 2 months old, bornin May 2017, May 2019 and May 2024 (twins) respectively. The two eldestchildren are boys, and the twins are a boy and a girl. Everyone in the familyis bilingual in German and English and the two older children attend the, where teaching and communication from the school is primarily inEnglish. At home both English and German are spoken. We are looking for aloving, organised, and experienced nanny who can work with our family for thelong term. We own a spacious one-bedroomed apartment near our family home (in central Hannover) of which the nanny can have sole use, or, if the nanny prefers, we are happy topay a higher salary so the nanny can find their own accommodation. Referencesfrom our previous nannies in London and Hannover are available on request.
Family Details
1. The entire family is bilingual (German and English)
2. The family has operated on a “one parent, one language” basis since their children were born, whereby the mother speaks to the children in English, and the father in German. When the family are all together, a mixture of languages is spoken
3. The couple, and then family, were previously based in London for around two decades, with a two year interval in California
4. The family relocated to Hannover, Germany in 2021 for the father’s job, so the twins were born there
5. The family live in a house with garden and easy parking in a quiet area in central Hannover
6. The family also own a spacious, fully furnished 1-bedroom apartment c. 7 mins walk from their house, which shall be for the sole use of the nanny unless they decide to live out.
7. A car can be provided for the nanny’s sole use if the nanny has the appropriate driving license. Otherwise school pick ups and other transportation of the children would need to be done by public transport and/or by bike, which is possible, but sometimes more challenging, especially with the babies
Nanny profile
8. Minimum 5 years experience working as a nanny supporting parents in demanding careers. The size and range of ages in the family mean this is not a suitable role for someone with no prior nannying experience
9. Native-level German speaker
10. EU citizenship, or ability to obtain a Germany work visa
11. Fluent English speaker
12. Fully up to date DBS check or local equivalent
13. Organised, structured and good at establishing a routine with children
14. Focus on supporting kindness, respect, and good manners in children
15. Academic ability sufficient for supporting older children with reading and homework up to around age 14, 5 GCSEs at grade C or higher, or equivalent qualification
16. Enough familiarity with basic technology such as Whatsapp, Google Calendar, school apps etc. such that these can be easily used in collaboration with the parents to manage the family’s activities
Preferred but not required
17. Experience working with children ranging in age from 0-10
18. Experience working with bi-lingual children, especially with supporting reading and spelling in German and English
19. Experience working with energetic boys who need a lot of exercise
20. Driving license valid for use in Germany
21. UK work visa
22. Experience living/working outside Germany and preferably in the UK or US. The family is very internationally-minded, so someone with a similar outlook, who will understand cultural references from outside Germany may be better suited
Role details
23. Salary competitive with rates in major European cities, contingent on experience. Note that cost of living is lower in Hanover, so a salary at that level should ensure a higher quality of life than in London, Paris or Berlin
24. Full medical and other insurances, pension provision, and all other benefits required for full time employees in Germany
25. 25 days paid holiday per year - half of which can be taken at any time, half at times agreed with the family
26. Flexible on start date: Could be as early as end of 2024, up until mid 2025. The family is willing to wait for the right candidate as needed, or have someone start earlier so they have a smooth settling in period before mother returns to work in mid 2025
27. It is possible that the family may relocate to another country or city at some point in or after 2026, and if this is the case, the preference would be for the nanny to accompany us wherever we next land, although of course this will be up to the nanny to decide as and when that happens
Role responsibilities
28. Full nursery duties for the ~1 yr old twins (born May 2024) daily Mon-Fri, 8:30-6pm
29. School pick up and after school care for 2x older children (born May 2017 and May 2019) Mon-Fri 3-6pm
30. Some care for older children during school holidays (when they are not in summer camps or on family holidays) and when they are home sick from school
31. Help with ensuring older children complete homework after they return from school, although this will remain relatively light until the eldest child is around 11 (in 4 years time)
32. Prepare healthy meals for the twins (lunch and dinner) and older children (dinner only in school time, lunch too in holidays). Plan for meals by adding food requirements to family’s weekly grocery order
33. Unpack/repack and manage older children’s school bags when they return from school each day
34. Support and uphold family rules around screen time - none for the babies, max 1hr of TV for each of the older children. No video games, phones or other screen time, unless mandated for school
35. Supervise shower/bath time for the older children
36. Take older children to after school clubs and activities as needed
37. Wash, fold and organise children’s clothes; work with parents to replace/acquire/mend/store clothes as required
38. Ensure children keep their toys tidy and organised; proactively suggest when toys should be retired/sold/donated
39. Note: Family has a weekly cleaner, so no cleaning responsibilities required beyond basic tidying/cleaning if the children make a significant mess
40. Weekly debrief with both parents to flag any issues and ensure constant, smooth communication