Nanny asking me to book activities

It does sound to me like she's taking the piss. You might be better off having a word with the preschool and see if they know of any childminders who'll pick up from preschool for those 2 afternoons a week - they will then only charge you for the afternoon and you won't have to pay their gym membership. Granted you'll have to swap your DS's swimming lessons to another afternoon, but that should work.

Most childminders would also - on arrangment - do the extra hours during hte holidays, on the downside you won't have cover when your DS is sick, but an emergancy nanny on those days would probably balance out the costs....

So she gets £30 each morning to go to the gym. While it might not be important for you, this looks like the most expensive childcare arrangement possible. Couldn't she do your DS's laundry or some cooking or other nanny type tasks?

I think she is taking the piss!

Is she on call in the morning if he is unwell at pre-school? Is the idea that she would be the one to come and get him? If so, she won't hear her phone if she is in the gym, so your plan will fall apart.

Also, if he has been at pre-school in the morning, then a nice run around in the park, followed by some playing at home is all he will need.

Why on earth would you want to pay her, and pay for your ds to be doing activities as well. She should be interacting with him.

Why do you need nanny in mornings if you are taking him to pre school and then he is there all morning?

Full time nanny of a preschooler here. My charge goes to preschool five mornings a week, I don't start until 12pm when I pick him up. I am however on call from 8am in case he is ill or has holidays.

His mum has asked me to find him classes to do in the afternoons, but before his older siblings come home from school - this has proved tricky as there are generally fewer classes in the afternoon, and they need to be at a specific time. Currently we do one class on one of the days. I entertain him the other four days.

I can't believe your nanny doesn't want the opportunity to have one on one time with him on that one afternoon a week. There is so much stuff you can do! I would question her overall enthusiasm and motivation as a nanny to be honest, sounds like she's after an easy time.

My nanny constantly asked us to organise classes. I took a hard line! We were, in my view, already paying a nanny and therefore I expected her to be creative and come up with (free or cheap) ways to entertain the DCs outside of nursery hours (playdates, crafts, park trips e.g.). They did do some classes, but only the ones I specifically chose for them. Part of the reason for us opting to have a nanny was so that the DCs had time in their own home, and didn't always feel that they were being rushed from one place to the next.

So I'm a bit confused, do you pay her to go to the gym? Or is she off the clock when she is doing that.

At activities I do with DS their are often Nannys there with their charges. However these tend to be nannys who do the full week - full days so understandable. or if the mum is working and a mum usually attends. But for two afternoons she should be able to keep him entertained.

I'd also explain that you'd expect her to arrange playdates with his friends occasionally - again with the micromanaging though

I wouldn't book anything for the one afternoon she'll be looking after him - but perhaps you could sweeten the deal, as it were, but telling her you'll look into activities for the holidays? Or add her to your NT membership (or local variant) so that there is somewhere she can take him if she wants?

Does she need micromanaging in any other way? What does she usually do when pre-school is closed?

Not one person has posted to say they arrange things for their Nanny to do!

I do arrange some activities for my nanny to do with DD (19 months). However, I only book 2 activities (swimming and a music class) and our nanny has DD all day, 4 days a week. The rest of the time our nanny arranges other activities - usually free ones!

Tell her to take him to the park or just play at home. She sounds lazy and lacking in imagination. And why on earth do you pay her gym membership?

If he will be at pre school in the mornings then a bit of unstructured play at home or in the local park or even the opportunity for a nap will be good for him.

But I wouldn't ask. I would tell her she is expected to earn her money by actually looking after him.

Yes, me too.

I think you should ask that question, definitely.

that is jolly cheeky. She ought to be able to entertain him for 2 afternoons a week (1 if you say there is now swimming on the other day) without needing a booked activity. What about play dates with other children, visits to the park, craft activities at home, or just plain hanging out.

And if you are providing 10 per day kitty (very generous IMO, unless it is expected to cover groceries etc as well) then she certainly should be able to find things to do.

Oh and you pay for her gym??? Never heard of this!

Honestly it sounds like she already has a very cushy deal and is looking to see if she can push it even further.