What Does a Nanny Do?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from parents who are close to hiring a nanny but aren't sure what the role actually looks like day to day. 

It varies, since a nanny's duties depend on your family, your agreement, and your child's age. If you're still deciding between a nanny and a babysitter, we cover that in our article, Difference Between a Babysitter and a Nanny. 

Here, we'll assume you're leaning toward a nanny and walk through what the role typically looks like, from daily routines to a few tasks that often catch new parents by surprise.

Daily Childcare Duties

At the core, a nanny's day is built around your child's needs and schedule, not a group routine!

That's one of the biggest differences between in-home care and a daycare or preschool setting, where activities are planned around a whole classroom rather than one child.

Depending on your child's age, daily duties typically include:

• Feeding

  • Preparing bottles or meals, and helping your child learn to feed themselves as they grow.

• Diapering or potty help

  • Regular diaper changes for babies, or steady support with potty training for toddlers.

• Nap and bedtime routines

  • Keeping consistent nap times and following your established bedtime routine.

• Getting dressed

  • Helping your child get ready for the day or for outings.

• Supervision

  • Keeping a close eye on your child during play, meals, and everything in between.

• Transportation

  • Drop-offs and pick-ups for school or activities, when that's part of your agreement.

A typical morning with an infant might mean a bottle, some tummy time, and a nap before lunch.

A morning with a toddler might look more like breakfast, getting dressed, and a walk around the block to burn off energy. 

For a school-age child, mornings often revolve around getting out the door on time (breakfast, backpacks, and school dropoff). 

The specifics shift with age, but the goal stays the same: steady, personal care.

Child Development and Activities

A nanny's job goes beyond supervision. Most nannies also actively support your child's development through play. That might mean reading together, working on a craft project, or simply getting outside for fresh air and movement.

Common activities include:

• Learning through play

  • Age-appropriate games that build language, motor skills, and problem-solving.

• Arts and crafts

  • Simple projects that encourage creativity and fine motor development.

• Playgroups and storytime

  • Library storytime, park meetups, or playdates with other kids.

• Outings

  • Trips to the park, the zoo, or other kid-friendly spots around Fort Worth.

• Homework help

  • For school-age kids, support with homework or after-school projects.

What this looks like changes quite a bit by age.

An infant's day often centers on tummy time and sensory play - different textures, sounds, and simple toys. 

A toddler's day usually includes more structured routines alongside hands-on exploration, like stacking blocks or practicing new words. 

A school-age child's time with a nanny tends to shift toward homework, activities, and a bit more independence.

Meal Preparation (It Depends)

Meal prep is one area where expectations vary quite a bit from family to family, so it's worth spelling out early. Most nannies prepare meals, bottles, and snacks for your child as a standard part of the day.

Cooking for the rest of the family is usually a separate expectation, not something automatically included. If that's something you'd like help with, it's best to discuss it upfront and put it in your agreement, since it can affect the role and the rate.

Either way, take time before your nanny starts to go over your child's dietary needs, allergies, and preferences, along with any household rules around snacks or sweets. A little clarity here saves a lot of guesswork later.

Safety and Routines

Safety sits at the center of everything a nanny does. 

That includes staying alert to hazards around the house, following your household rules, and keeping the same nap, meal, and bedtime routines you've already established. Consistency matters a lot for young kids.

It also means being ready for the unexpected. 

First Aid and CPR certification are basic, important qualifications for any nanny, and it's worth confirming they're current before you hire someone. A good nanny should also know your emergency contacts and what to do if something comes up.

Good communication rounds all of this out. 

Many nannies share a quick daily update or note (what your child ate, how naps went, anything worth knowing) so you're never left wondering how things went while you were out.

Light Household and Child-Related Tasks

Alongside direct childcare, most nannies handle a few related tasks around the house:

• Your child's laundry. Washing, folding, and putting away your child's clothes.

• Tidying play areas. Keeping toys and play spaces reasonably organized during the day.

• Cleaning up after kids’ meals. Washing bottles, dishes, or high chair trays used for your child.

• Packing for outings. Getting the diaper bag or snacks ready to go.

Heavier housekeeping, such as deep cleaning, laundry for the rest of the family, cooking full family meals, or errands unrelated to your child, isn't automatically part of the job. 

If you'd like a nanny to take on more, it's worth raising directly, since it can affect the rate. Duties, experience, and the number of children in your care all factor into what a nanny charges, which we break down further in How Much a Nanny Costs in Fort Worth.

The clearest way to avoid confusion later is to put these expectations in writing from the start, so everyone knows what's included from day one.

No two nannies' days look exactly alike, and that's really the point.

The role is meant to bend around your family, not the other way around. As your child grows, the day-to-day duties can shift right along with them. 

If you're ready to find a nanny who's the right fit for your family, we're happy to help.