To say no to this request ?

[Sorrento]

I used to employ a lovely nanny, she was a bit lazy but was kind and trust worthy and the kids loved her so I ignored a lot of minor issues.
She'd helped out with the family since my youngest was 18 months and then when I'd finished college and got a full time job. About 2 years in total, literally 6 months into my full time job she announced she'd been head hunted and as that lady had a 12 month old boy and my DD3 was almost ready for school (but still 10 months away) she was leaving as the other job was a better long term prospect.
My eldest in particular was devastated took her nearly six months to get over it, we had a string (3) rubbish nannies afterwards and so I gave up, resigned and stayed at home instead.
So I've just had an email from said nanny, she's been made redundant would we be interested in her coming back.
My DH is not working right now, we're both looking and have lots of interviews lined up on the basis of whoever gets a good offer first will take it and because of our previous bad experience one of us would stay home.
So am I cutting my nose of to spite my face if I say no we're not interested because she landed me in the shit before ? Ok she gave a months notice but it's not that straight forward with children's emotions and finding a good nanny.

[TrillianAstra]

Do you want a nanny?

Or would you rather one of you and your DH stayed at home?

Decide this, then if the answer is yes you do want a nanny then consider whether you would want her.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

It sounds like you don't need a nanny at the moment.

She's a cheeky cow for asking this by the way. She must have more front then Brighton.

[echt]

How did she land you in the shit? Was the notice period a month? If so, then she did nothing wrong, and this could happen with any nanny for any number of reasons. In the end, it's a job. This is no comfort for the children, but try not to let that cloud your judgement.

[Sorrento]

We don't need one right now but it'll be just my bloody luck DH and I both get offered the job of our dreams and then guess which one of us will have to turn it down.

She is a cheeky mare, don't get me wrong she had her faults but nanny's seem to have you over a barrel if your children like them or loved her in this case

[LadyBee]

I wouldn't say 'no' outright. It opens up another option to you if you've got a good childcare possibility lined up. But I think I would want to introduce some sort of commitment to stay a minimum term if you did end up agreeing a new contract.
I also wouldn't enter into a new agreement until you definitely have work in place - but I'm sure you've thought of that

Hmm, actually have just re-read your OP and I wonder whether you would be as forgiving of the minor issues with this in the background?

[Sorrento]

I appreciate she gave notice and of course that's her right, but finding alternative childcare in 4 weeks lands you in the shit there's no getting away from that.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Yes but she's not been looking after your children. It's not fair on them to become attached, she leaves, they learn she's gone, then she comes back again, then she'll go. She didn't exactly show committment to her job or your family did she!

[shedragon]

Have to say I'd say no. I wouldn't take the risk again, esp with kids emotions. That's just my gut. I do see the 'reasonable' side of it, but for my kids, my gut says no thanks.

[expatinscotland]

Well, if finding childcare is such a short period of time always lands you in the shit then why didn't you write a longer notice period into her contract?

I'd say no politely for now because you have no real need at present just to keep all your options open.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

Well, if you do decide to hire her again - when you and DH are both in good jobs - can you change the notice period in her contract to two months, rather than a month?

You can hardly blame an employee for abiding by the terms of her contract. There was a thread here the other night complaining that a nanny had given her employer more than three months notice, and folk were telling the OP she should sack the nanny right away!

[can't win emoticon]

[Sorrento]

You can't win it's true, damned if you do and damned if you don't, I've also had to pay three months notice to a nanny who stole from me and locked my kids in the car whilst she went to the bank.

Maybe we should learn our lesson and steer clear.

[FluffyBunnyGoneBad]

Yeah but she left for 'better long term prospects', ie, I want to work for a family that are constantly knocking them out so I have a job for a long time. This wasn't in your childrens interests, or in yours. She can't be trusted to stay. It's not worth the upset to the children. She only wants to come back because she's lost her job.

[ravenAK]

I wouldn't slam the door shut.

I'd send a non-committal, but friendly, response to the effect that neither of you are curently working, so obviously you don't need a nanny atm, but should that situation change you'll keep her in mind...

If you do both get offered unmissable jobs, she might well be a better option than an unknown quantity.