Nanny-Housekeeper

We are a warm, loving and fun family of five living in Highgate, who are new to the area, having just returned to London after several years in Germany. Life at home is informal, energetic and occasionally a little chaotic, so we are looking for someone who can bring a calm and practical rhythm to our busy afternoons and evenings.
Days: Mo-Thur 2pm - 6:30pm; Fri 2pm-5:30pm (maybe needs to change a little, depending in school schedule)

We have three children: a curious, creative and caring girl aged 10; a playful and sensitive boy aged 8; and a loving, cheeky and mischievous boy aged 4. All three attend the same school and are collected from after-school club.
We aim to provide a caring and respectful environment. The children are encouraged to help with their own belongings and take part in age-appropriate household tasks. They are given warmth and encouragement, while also being expected to follow a few clear family rules and treat others respectfully. We want someone who will recognise their individual strengths and gently support them in areas they find more challenging.
The role
This is an all-round Housekeeper / Nanny position for someone who is hands-on, independent and comfortable taking responsibility. You will help keep our home running smoothly while caring for the children after school.
The household duties are focused on everyday organisation rather than deep cleaning, as a cleaner will also attend. We need someone who will notice what needs doing and get on with it — from putting away items left around the house and managing laundry to shopping, preparing meals and keeping the children’s spaces in order.
You will also collect the children, spend time playing with them, help with homework and take them to friends or extracurricular activities. Dinner should be prepared two to three evenings each week. We prefer relatively healthy, straightforward food and are otherwise not particularly fussy.
Some flexibility is important, as you may occasionally need to stay later when family plans overrun.
Main responsibilities
? Keeping the family’s living spaces tidy and well organised
? Putting away items left around the house and maintaining order after meals
? Managing laundry, ironing and the children’s clothing
? Organising the children’s bedrooms, play areas, school items and belongings
? Food shopping and keeping household supplies topped up
? Preparing simple, relatively healthy family meals
? Cooking dinner two or three evenings each week
? Collecting all three children from after-school club
? Playing with the children and arranging age-appropriate activities
? Helping with homework when needed
? Taking the children to friends’ houses and extracurricular activities
? Supporting their evening routine and encouraging them to help with household tasks
? Communicating clearly with the parents about the children and the home
? Staying later occasionally by prior arrangement

About you
The ideal candidate will be:
? Warm, nurturing and emotionally attuned
? Reliable, well organised, trustworthy
? Independent, proactive and comfortable taking responsibility
? Confident caring for several children at different ages
? Happy to work as part of a household team alongside the cleaner
? Experienced in private-household housekeeping and childcare
? A clear and reliable communicator
? Flexible and adaptable to family life
? Able to provide excellent, contactable references
? Eligible to work in the UK
? Fluent in spoken English; German would be an advantage
? In possession of an up-to-date DBS certificate, or willing to obtain one