Nannies and cars...

I am kind of in this position at the moment. I actually feel really degraded as a nanny as I feel I am not trusted fully! As someone who has nannied for a good few years taking children up to 2 hours away in the car or on trains, it's a real kick in the teeth now to be housebound. Not to mention rather boring!!

I live in a large house with a garden in the countryside with only a few other houses in walking distance.

It would be very restrictive if you only permit the nanny to be within the grounds of the home. If it was one day a week, then it is possible. If it is 5 days a week, it will be a nightmare as everyone will go stir crazy, especially in winter when outdoor activities may be more limited.

If I were to employ a nanny I would be very worried about the nanny driving the children anywhere because I would worry about car accidents.

So do you not drive yourself? The risk of you having an accident with the children on board is surely a similar risk to the nanny having an accident.

My mum has said I will struggle to keep a nanny if she is not allowed to drive the children anywhere because she will get bored stuck at home with no other adults to talk to all day.

I agree, though not for the lack of other adults to talk to but for the lack of variety of things to do. They can't take your children swimming, they can't go to a local farm, they can't go to a local playground or indoor play/leisure centre. They can't go to a toddler group, or take the children to the doctor if that is needed. They can't go to get last minute ingredients they may need for baking.

I would only be looking for a nanny three days a week and so it wouldn't matter to the children that they didn't go out on those three days - they are more than happy to hang around the house, play in the garden and go on the odd walk down the lane to feed the ducks.

They are now but what will they be like in a years time, 3 years time, 5 years time. At some point they will go to school (or are you planning to home school) so what happens then?

You will need to let go at some point, if not now then it will be later.

As a nanny I would not take the job, as I am an out-and-about nanny, I enjoy taking children swimming, to museums, playground, toddler group.

How about looking for a nanny who has driving experience. Someone older perhaps who has been driving for many years. Someone local, as you need part-time, so they will know what the roads are like in the area.

Forgot to say- in my current position I tend to inform the parents of the days impending activities and check that it's OK with them. Maybe if you had a day when they stayed home and the other two days she had regular activities ie toddler group and a picnic on one day and swimming the other.
I would be happy to send a quick text before we left and when we arrived each journey. That may help? So long as you understand delays happen- so maybe give a 10 min leeway?

You CANNOT have a house bound nanny! You are being a bit mad tbh. You need to find nanny you are happy to let drive. As Drink says there are lots of things you/the nanny can do to make you more comfortable with letting them drive.

Alternatively, take them to a childminder (who doesn't drive) in the nearest big town/city.

I wouldn't take the job as it stands.
However I would do everything I could to reassure you wrt my driving skills. I would be happy to take an advanced driving course. I would also take you out yourself in my car as many times as you needed. I wouldn't have a problem with you stipulating where I could drive them-ie only the local library, toddler group, leisure centre, park.

Would any of these suggestions work for you?

Yes and you're being irrational.