Gardener & Nanny Couple or Sole Gardener

ECG Limited; Battle; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A private estate family near Battle seeks a full-time Gardener and Nanny. The Gardener will manage the estate's extensive gardens, while the Nanny will care for four foster children, ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and development through structured activities. A driving license and prior qualifications are necessary for this role, and the total salary is between £65,000 and £70,000 for the couple or £30,000 to £35,000 for the Sole Gardener.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Council tax covered by employer

Qualifications

• Minimum three years working at a senior level in gardening, preferably in a private estate.
• Experience with childcare and ability to plan structured activities for children.
• Full clean driving license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Maintain gardens including weeding, pruning, and lawn care.
• Supervise and facilitate the wellbeing of four foster children.
• Manage and maintain household cleanliness and organization related to children.

Skills

Gardening expertise

Childcare proficiency

Organizational skills

Strong physical fitness

Education

Formal horticultural qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Chainsaw operation

Basic maintenance of gardening machinery

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a caring and experienced couple – a knowledgeable Gardener and a compassionate Nanny to work closely with a lovely family on a private estate near Battle in East Sussex. The position is also open to a Sole Gardener who can live in or live out on a full‑time permanent basis.

Based in a picturesque remote area, the 40 acre of gardens and grounds surrounding the main property include a vibrant rose garden, a dell with shaded planting, a formal croquet lawn, a productive kitchen garden, potting garden to support seasonal growing, expansive lawn which is maintained with the assistance of a robotic mower, mature and young trees and a long driveway to the front of the house. Additional features include a playground area, a tennis court and a swimming pool.

The owners inherited the property six years ago, and it has since become their cherished family home, shared with their four foster children, whose ages range from four to thirteen. The house and grounds serve not only as a place of residence but also as a nurturing and dynamic environment where the children can grow, learn, and thrive. The owners are committed to creating a stable, loving, and engaging family life, balancing the tranquillity of country living with the energy and curiosity of a young household. The estate’s gardens play an integral role in their lifestyle, offering the children ample opportunities for outdoor play, exploration, and connection with nature. The owners’ four children, their partners and children also visit often.

The Gardener will be responsible for the overall hands‑on management and maintenance of the gardens such as weeding, pruning, growing fruit and vegetables, edging, hedge cutting, and lawncare. They will be responsible for keeping machinery, chainsaws, and the tractor in good working order, including maintaining fuel supplies and tyre pressure.

Additional tasks include sweeping of drives, patios, and paths, clearing drains and gutters and keeping the tennis court clear. They will also be in charge of cleaning the swimming pool and monitoring and controlling the chemical balance (training will be provided if necessary). Further responsibilities will include monitoring security during working hours, maintaining a supply of firewood in the house (from logs stored in the barn), and caring for the chickens, including weekday feeding and cleaning their coop. The role will oversee suppliers and service providers such as oil deliveries, pest control, waste disposal, and septic tank servicing.

The successful candidate for the gardening position will either hold a formal horticultural qualification or the equivalent in experience ideally at least three years working at a senior level, preferably within a private estate environment. Tickets such as chainsaw licence (CS30/31) and spraying certificates (PA1/PA6) would be advantageous. Excellent plant knowledge and confidence in all areas of horticultural practices mentioned above including seasonal maintenance, plant identification, and the effective use of plants in relation to their environment is essential as well as a sound understanding of the operation and basic maintenance of garden machinery. The role requires strong organisational skills, energy, and a high level of physical fitness, as well as a tidy approach and a keen eye for detail to ensure all aspects of the grounds are presented to the highest standard.

The nanny will work closely with the lady of the house in both a sole charge and joint care basis to ensure the wellbeing, development, and safety of four foster children. Responsibilities will include assisting with the children’s daily needs and following a well‑established routine that incorporates structured learning, play, meals, and social activities. The nanny will encourage the children to enjoy the extensive outdoor facilities, which offer a wide range of opportunities such as football, tennis, swimming, netball, cycling, trapeze, swinging, trampolining, woodland exploration, and caring for the chickens. Daily routines will include breakfast, getting the children ready for school and taking them there and picking them up, tea time and preparing the children for bed, and providing support with reading, spelling, maths, and other homework. The nanny will also encourage the development of key motor, social, and cognitive skills appropriate to each child’s age through activities such as puzzles, painting, writing, drawing, music, and time‑telling, while ensuring that screen time is kept to a minimum.

The role also involves transporting the children to and from activities, sports, playdates, and appointments, using the employer’s car (for which insurance will be provided) or, where necessary, the nanny’s own vehicle, reimbursed at the agreed mileage rate. The nanny will supervise the children at all times in their care and accompany them to appointments as needed, such as GP or medical appointments as well as to family time meetings with birth parents and relatives.

In addition to childcare, the nanny will take responsibility for all child‑related housekeeping duties. This includes cooking nutritious, balanced meals that provide at least five different fruits and vegetables daily, maintaining a clean and tidy kitchen and dining area, and ensuring the children’s clothes and bedrooms are kept organised and presentable. Bed linen and towels should be changed and laundered regularly, while bedrooms, play areas, and bathrooms are to be cleaned, vacuumed, and dusted to a high standard on a consistent schedule. The nanny will also ensure toys and books are kept neatly organised.

Working hours will be full time – 40 hours per week Monday to Friday for both positions. Ideally, the nanny will also be available to work one or two weekends per month as part of their schedule which will be agreed in advance with the principals and for which time off in lieu will be given.

Enhanced background checks, DBS and references will be required at offer stage. A full clean driving licence is essential for both positions.

The accommodation is a cosy 3‑bedroom semi‑detached cottage at the bottom of the drive with a large garden and off‑street parking. Council tax is covered by the employer, and all other bills are the tenant’s responsibility. The property is suitable for a couple or a family with up to children. The owners would rather there were no pets but are happy to discuss this if necessary.

SALARY: £65,000 – £70,000 combined salary / £30,000 – £35,000 Sole Gardener

LOCATION: Near Battle, East Sussex

JOB No: EC70255

If this vacancy is of interest, please apply below, call Sara Yassin on 01233 733510 or [e-mail]

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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this vacancy has been unsuccessful.

We are proud to work with:

• Professional Gardeners’ Guild
• RHS
• WFGA – offering the WRAGs Scheme
• Arne Maynard Garden Design
• Historic Houses
• HBG Training Programme

Tagged as: couple, Gardener, Nanny, Sole Gardener