Domestic Couple - Housekeeper/Nanny | Groundsperson/Driver. Kent | UK

DOMESTIC COUPLE - HOUSEKEEPER/NANNY | GROUNDSPERSON/DRIVER.

We have a wonderful position(s) for a returning client of Insignia Crew.

We are looking for an energetic, highly organised Domestic Couple who will be responsible for taking care of a wonderful informal family household and grounds located near a beautiful historic market town in Kent.

Our client have proven to be respected employers, having retained their previous staff for good lengths of time so you'd have the reassurance of joining a very well-liked and good natured family in a wonderful setting.

The ideal couple will enjoy childcare, managing a large property/grounds and must have worked within similar roles or have proven transferable skills/experience such as:

• Practical operational background, physical outdoor work, estate management, project management, hands-on maintenance
• Qualifications or experience as a trade
• Grounds/garden knowledge/experience (for the more hands-on hard landscaping jobs - no need to have refined horticultural skills)
• Hospitality/housekeeping/service industry experience e.g. former yacht crew, hotel/accommodation housekeeping or hosting chalets
• Childcare - experience having been a parent yourself or looking after other children

Whilst the duties are separated, the successful couple will enjoy working together and to their own initiatives - taking care of the household/grounds and supervising the children with a positive, friendly and pro-active attitude whilst the principals are at work.  

This is a terrific opportunity as lots of autonomy is offered and expected - no annoying micro-managing here!

THE FAMILY:

The family consists of 2 principals and 3 children.

THE ESTATE:

• 6 bedroom grade 2 listed family home
• 2 bed guest house
• 2 bed stable conversion
• Outbuildings
• Tennis court
• Outdoor pool (seasonal operation)
• 50 acres of formal gardens, woodland, pasture, kitchen garden

JOB KEYWORDS:

• Flexible
• Initiative
• Proactive
• Resourceful
• Energetic
• Self-starters
• Great attention to detail
• Highly organised
• Great work ethic
• Work to a high standard
• High performing team
• Good communication skills

HOUSEKEEPER/CHILDCARE

Hours are weekdays 07.00 – 20.00 (breaks can be taken during the day to accommodate these hours, which are often in place due to after-school club pick-ups or awaiting principal's return from work - you are left to manage your own time)

Duties will focus on interior cleaning, cooking/preparing breakfast and evening meals, laundry and taking sole charge/supervision of the children whilst they’re not in school/holiday clubs when the principals are at work.

General duties:

• housekeeping to a high standard
• laundry, ironing and wardrobe care
• evening turn down
• bed changing
• provisioning for the household
• displaying flowers
• running errands and shopping
• taking care of interior fabrics, surfaces and fixtures
• arrange and liaise with contractors 
• keep records, accounts, receipts in order
• family diary management
• helping to manage the on-site holiday let by liaising with the cleaner etc.
• weekly cleaning of principal's parents' house on-site

Childcare duties:

• drop off/collection from school/clubs/ station (all about 10 min drive)
• packing of kit and homework bags
• ensuring uniform is set out, clean and smart
• supervising bedtime
• support with entertaining – games in the garden, walks, sport, den building, arts/crafts, baking
• babysit one evening per week

Cooking duties:

• prep/cook family meals - breakfast, dinner (+ lunch in school holidays) – the children have no allergies and are not fussy eaters
• the family love foreign food, especially curries
• limit ultra processed food
• much loved recipes are by Ottolenghi
• meal planning
• using fresh healthy ingredients, cooked from scratch
• using vegetable garden for seasonal produce

GROUNDSPERSON/CHAUFFEUR

Hours are weekdays 08.00 – 20.00

The Groundsperson will be responsible for the maintenance of the buildings, gardens and grounds to a high standard.  You should have a practical background with good hands-on maintenance skills and be capable of property maintenance and hard landscaping.  The role also includes driving the children to and from school, clubs, and other activities, which may involve working later hours as set out above, however, this varies based on the family's needs and how responsibilities are shared with the Housekeeping/Childcare position.

Help is available from a long standing one day a week Groundsperson.

Duties:

• interior and exterior security of the property, to include locking / opening of the property and responsible for the security systems, including as keyholders
• grass cutting (ride on mowers)
• edging
• path clearing
• hedge cutting
• tree pruning
• weeding
• tree management (with tree-surgeons where required)
• lake maintenance
• driveway maintenance
• seasonal duties e.g. leaf clearing
• clean and look after the cars (e.g. fuel, checking tyres and valeting) and garden machinery, undertaking and arranging servicing, repairs
• pool and tennis court maintenance (working with contractors where needed)
• maintain a stock of logs and monitor heating oil
• managing the bin area
• driving duties for the children – to/from school / station / after school clubs etc.
• occasional driving duties for the principals to and from airport- station pickups, restaurants etc

ACCOMMODATION

Nicely furnished 2-bedroom flat adjacent to the main house with utilities paid. 

Stunning location and half an hour from the seaside. Lovely village nearby, lots of beautiful walks to go on.

Visitors (friends/family) welcome upon prior approval.

No dependants or pets. Strictly non-smoking. Car provided for work duties.

Requirements:

• Relevant experience and validated references
• DBS check
• Full clean driving licenses
• Committed to long-term

If you are looking for long term commitment, take pride and find joy in helping a busy informal household to run happily and smoothly, this might just be for you!