Mumsnet Talk

I'm looking for a nanny to start with us at the end of May, when we move house (and have to lose our current amazing nanny )
I've been in contact with someone who will be available at that time, and she's been sending me her CV and answering questions. But....it's just struck me that she always answers immediately, via her phone, at any time during the day, and I know that she currently has sole charge of a 3 year old. Does this mean she's checking her phone all the time? Or maybe just because she's looking for work at the moment?
Am I being over-concerned?

I wouldn't read to much into it, it could be that you are a potential employer to her and she wants to ensure that she responds straight away to you.

Maybe she has a day off? Child at nursery? I wouldn't let that put you off.

I wouldn't read to much into it, it could be that you are a potential employer to her and she wants to ensure that she responds straight away to you.

Maybe she has a day off? Child at nursery? I wouldn't let that put you off.

Thanks MaryPoppins. It's been a few days that she's done this on so don't think she's got the days off....but it is possible. Maybe her charge has lots of naps too! (mine don't.....) I'll keep an open mind.

Just out of interest - has anyone had discussions with CMs/nannies on texting/internetting/tweeting etc whilst in charge? It had never crossed my mind until now.

I would take it as a positive actually. It shows she is responding and available, better than the reverse.

She may have added you to the callers list, so it shows on the phone who is calling (assuming you are calling from the same phone number each time).

Perhaps listen to the background noise... that may tell you where the nanny is at the time they are answering their phone.

It is a good idea to chat with nannies about use of phone/internet during working hours. Parents will probably have differing views on that - personally I use the internet quite a lot at work to find out about local things on, places to go, latest traffic news. Communication with my boss can often be via text message - it can work well in some situations.

It wld slightly concern me... Esp if it was my 3yr old she was looking after. Shldnt have her phone on display during every activity, surely?

I'm a childminder and I keep my phone in my pocket all the time when I am looking after other people's children.

a) so that I never miss a call from their parents
b) because I use the camera on my phone to take pictures of the children for their learning journals

My phone lets me know when I have email texts etc without me watching it all the time. Maybe she has the same.

I nanny for a 4 year old but even when he was 3; I would be able to leave him to play by himself for short periods so that I could make a phone call, check/send emails.

TBH now aged 4 I often have endless free periods of time what with funded sessions at nursery, then when he wants to play by himself etc, so I wouldn't worry to much.

Im a nanny. I always have my phone on and within earshot at home incase the childrens parents text or ring, obviously i dont have it out at all the activities we go to toddler time/swimming etc. tbh it takes probably less than a minute to reply to a text, it doesnt mean she is sat there on her phone the whole time.

I'm a nanny too. I generally have my phone on me, usually on silent but vibrate.

My charge is 9 months, sleeps around 4 hours during the day but we do have classes most days. If she was off playing I would read texts/mails and reply if they were important (and try to remember to replybtonthe others later while she was napping. I do reply to my bosses as soon as I can.

You are being over-concerned.

She's a nanny, not a prisoner.

I'm a nanny, I keep my phone in my pocket. When it rings I check it and if not important or I'm busy I cancel the call. It may well be that you are calling her at around the same time every day so she is always free- if you called me every day between 12.30 and 2.30 I would answer as thats naptime, 4-6 as the children are playing together and I can easily take a call, 6-6.30 as they are in the bath so I can sit right next to them and supervise while talking. Call me on the school run, no answer. And I work 12 hours a day, plenty of times during the day when 1 on 1 isn't needed or appropriete.

Great - thanks everyone You've all set my mind at rest. I was being way over-concerned.