Housework can be overwhelming for any household, especially where both parents are working. Having a nanny to care for the children or a house manager to take care of everything else eases the workload, and frees up ones time so one can focus on the important things in their life.
In Uganda, hiring help is common for most working homes especially when there are children in the home. When hiring a nanny or house manager, one has a couple of options of going about it: some people ask their friends for leads (like they do with movers), while the second most popular way is to contact an agency.
Factors to consider when hiring a house help or nanny
Whichever option you choose, it is important to be specific with the requirements you have for the person you intend to employ:
- Are you looking for experienced help or are you willing to teach them about childcare and their household duties?
- How much time are you willing to put in to train them?
- How quickly would you like them to settle in their role?
- Living arrangement: will they be live-in help or render their services only during the day?
- If they will be staying with you, do you have the capacity to host them in your homestead?
Nanny vs House Manager- What’s the Difference?
Although nannies and house managers both work in the home, their responsibilities
differ.
Responsibilities of a Nanny
Nannies are entrusted with the care of children and maybe
required to have some level of education since they are partly involved in the teaching of children during their formative years.
Other responsibilities of nannies are:
- Fostering a healthy and exciting atmosphere for the children
- Changing diapers and toilet training
- Taking care of the children’s laundry
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Administering medicine to the children under parental guidance
- Helping the children with homework
Responsibilities of a House Manager
House managers are employed to oversee the day-to-day running of the household. They take care of home operations and have varying duties depending on the size of the family and the household. House managers are in charge of:
- Mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming the house
- Running errands for the family
- Cooking meals for the family
- Cleaning rugs, carpets, and house linen
Guidelines for hiring a Nanny or House Manager
When looking to hire any new employee, there are always some key considerations. When hiring a nanny or house manager, it is important to:
- Hire the worker from a reputable agency – this will save you headaches and lots of time
- Ask for references and ensure they check out
- Ensure they are experienced in the most important tasks they will be performing
- Keep an eye out for any communication barriers
- Decide on the salary you will pay them
However, there are things to avoid when carrying out this exercise. The dont’s when
hiring a nanny or house manager are:
- Do not hire a minor to undertake child/ house care
- Do not underpay your nanny or house manager
- Be very careful when hiring relatives as this may cause future conflicts
Professional Nanny and House Manager Agencies in Uganda
We advocate for hiring your next nanny or house manager through reputable agencies to avoid complications or future regrets.
Here are a few agencies that you can use:
- Great au Pair, Kampala
- Amani Domestics
- Homes Aides Services(HAS)
- The Cradle Workplace Childcare & Lactation Centre
- Aweku Florence Special Nanny Service
Hiring someone to take care of your household and even look after your children is an activity that should be given the seriousness it deserves. A good nanny or house manager can make a huge difference in your peace of mind and flexibility. And when moving, they can certainly lend a helping hand with the planning and packing.
Good luck with your search.