Role overview
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced, warm and proactive Rota Nanny/Housekeeper to join a welcoming international family based in Iceland.
The family are seeking a long-term nanny to provide exceptional care for their two young boys, aged 2 and 4, working on a 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off rota. Alongside childcare, the role will include light housekeeping, organisation and general day-to-day tidying as part of family life, helping to keep the children's environment and wider home running smoothly.
The parents are very hands-on and love spending quality time with their children, whether cooking together, exploring outdoors or heading off on spontaneous adventures. They are looking for someone who enjoys working collaboratively with involved parents, complementing their parenting style while being equally confident taking full responsibility for the children when required.
Both children attend preschool, and during these hours the nanny will have time to manage nursery duties, household organisation and light housekeeping.
The family employs a housekeeper who is responsible for the heavy and deep cleaning, so the household element of this position is focused on keeping things organised, tidy and running smoothly rather than traditional heavy housekeeping.
This may include keeping the children's bedrooms and play areas organised, managing their laundry and wardrobes, general day-to-day tidying, keeping communal areas organised, tidying the kitchen after meals, loading or emptying the dishwasher, putting away toys and belongings, and noticing when everyday household or children's essentials need replenishing.
The family particularly values someone who is naturally proactive and organised — someone who notices what needs doing and is happy to get on with it without requiring constant direction.
Their other nanny was excellent at quietly keeping everything on track, and they would love to find someone with a similarly proactive approach. Childcare will remain the primary focus, with the household responsibilities centred around organisation, light housekeeping and maintaining a calm, tidy and well-run family environment.
The family travels extensively throughout the year, including spending approximately one month in Cape Town each winter. The successful candidate should therefore genuinely enjoy travelling and be comfortable adapting to different environments, routines and working patterns whilst away.
Responsibilities
- Providing exceptional care for two boys aged 2 and 4 during rota weeks.
- Creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.
- Planning engaging, educational and age-appropriate activities.
- Supporting the children's emotional, social and developmental milestones.
- Managing the children's daily routines, including dressing, mealtimes, preschool, activities and bedtime.
- Preparing healthy meals and snacks for the children.
- Organising outings, activities and playdates.
- Packing and organising the children's belongings for travel.
- Travelling internationally with the family.
- Managing the children's laundry, wardrobes, bedrooms and play areas.
- Light housekeeping, organisation and general day-to-day tidying as part of family life.
- Keeping toys, books and children's belongings organised.
- Helping to maintain tidy and organised communal family areas.
- Keeping the kitchen tidy following meals, including loading and emptying the dishwasher when required.
- Monitoring children's supplies and everyday household essentials and replenishing or flagging items when necessary.
- Working collaboratively with the family's housekeeper, with heavy and deep cleaning remaining the housekeeper's responsibility.
- Working closely with the parents and supporting their hands-on approach.
- Providing flexibility around routines and working hours during periods of international travel.
- Ensuring a smooth handover with the other rota nanny at the beginning and end of each rotation.
Requirements
- Significant professional experience caring for young children within private households.
- Previous rota nanny experience highly desirable.
- Full driving licence – essential.
- EU passport or unrestricted right to work in Iceland.
- Excellent English communication skills.
- Warm, energetic and genuinely passionate about childcare.
- Naturally proactive, organised and able to use initiative.
- Comfortable working alongside hands-on parents.
- Happy to undertake light housekeeping, organisation and general day-to-day tidying as part of family life.
- Comfortable working collaboratively with other household staff and understanding the distinction between this role and the housekeeper's heavy cleaning responsibilities.
- Happy travelling extensively with the family.
- Flexible, adaptable and discreet.
- Confident managing the day-to-day organisation surrounding two young children.
- Comfortable with the flexibility required during a 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off rota position.
Desirable
- Mandarin or Scandinavian language skills.
- Strong knowledge of child development.
- Interest in outdoor learning, children's wellbeing and creating engaging experiences.
The family place great importance on finding someone who is kind, grounded, independent, proactive and genuinely invested in the children's development and wellbeing. They are looking for someone who will work as part of a team with the parents, fellow rota nanny and housekeeper, while confidently taking ownership of the children's care and helping with the smooth day-to-day organisation of family life during their working weeks.
This is a fantastic long-term opportunity for an experienced Rota Nanny/Housekeeper seeking a rewarding international position with a warm, down-to-earth family who truly value the contribution their nanny makes to both their children's lives and the smooth running of the family home.
- Location: Iceland + international travel
- Schedule: 2 weeks on / 2 weeks off
- Children: Two boys, aged 2 and 4
- Salary: €75,000 Gross Per Annum (negotiable)
- Accommodation: Private accommodation provided whilst on duty
- Languages: Fluent English essential; Mandarin or Scandinavian languages a bonus
- Start: ASAP / flexible for the right candidate
- Driver: Full driving licence essential