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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Nanny is a new driver

32 replies

shimmymummy · 30/09/2014 23:34

Our nanny is just about to start working for us and since interview she has passed her driving test. This is great for her if course, and it's easier for her to get to and from us, but she's expecting to be able to drive the kids around when she starts - we're not so keen. We made it a point in our advert that we didn't require a nanny with a car, We like our kids to have a walkable lifestyle and all amenities are in walking distance, the furthest activity she would go to is a 40 min walk max and there are frequent public transport links. We're also not so keen on our kids going in a car with a new driver yet. Are we being unreasonable? How would you approach this? Is there a certain amount of time you'd like to pass before you let your nanny take the children out in her car?

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Hanl30 · 02/10/2014 09:17

I don't see any problem in it. I was walking everywhere in my last job easily would do a 45min walk all weathers. And so would my 4 year old charge. Just invested in a waterproof! The Nanny just needs to be fully aware what is involved before taking the job.

FlorenceMattell · 02/10/2014 08:32

Think that all sounds fine. Maybe say when she has been driving a year you will review the situation.
I would prefer my children in a car with proper car seats than a taxi. Most taxi drivers in my experience drive fast and dodge in out traffic.
I wouldn't want a new driver taking my children on motorways, 60 mph roads, but driving 20-30 mph in a town wouldn't worry me.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 02/10/2014 00:35

We don't have a car available (DH away in week time and takes car), but have used a reliable taxi firm in certain circumstances and I could leave an emergency kitty for that perhaps. Youngest is 10 months and will be in pram, oldest shouldn't be going to school if sick. If nanny is poorly I'd be happy to sub her a cab for her efforts for coming in or I could ask a neighbouring mum to drop off / pick up.

Thanks for helping me think of these scenarios.

No back up candidate :(

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FlorenceMattell · 01/10/2014 23:06

Agree put it in the contract and give a weeks probationary period then she can leave if she finds it too much before children get fond of her.
Have you got a back-up candidate ?

WaxyDaisy · 01/10/2014 23:00

Just put it in the contract that she will not transport them by car? You are the employer and determine the boundaries of the job.

DancingDinosaur · 01/10/2014 22:57

6 miles isn't far at all. I guess if the nanny thinks it is then it might not be the right job for her.

FlorenceMattell · 01/10/2014 22:52

Fine if nanny is fully aware she is going to spend 2-3 hours walking in all weathers before she starts the job.
Lots of nannies would be happy to do this 90 % of the time.
But it is the time when the weather is particularly foul, I'm thinking rain and wind. Maybe a day when she doesn't feel 100 % but came to work anyway so not to let you down. Not sure of your children, ages etc, but one child is sick, not up to walking. Those days would you walk? Or is that never an option?
I wonder if this nanny just assumed walking was encouraged but that she could use the car if necessary.
I would have a good chat before she starts and then she can decide if she still wants the job.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 22:24

Smad! Exactly! I have walked this and much more 5 days a week (Nanny only has to do it 2) for the past 3 years taking kids to and from nursery / school / activities then onto my own work commute and I actually see it as an enhancement to our day. It's a lovely walk by a river with boats, and through two parks with ducks and playgrounds. Where we are you would pretty much spend the same amount of time sat in a car getting there as you would walking the backroutes and enjoying the world. Our eldest now scoots everywhere, and its perfectly possible on a bike - we'd like eldest to get cycling soon!

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Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 22:21

Thanks Karo - my thoughts too. Passing a test means you passed a test, not necessarily that you are a safe experienced driver.

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5madthings · 01/10/2014 22:13

Oh fgs 6 miles a day is not much, I do 8-12 miles a day just on school run.

I agree re buying waterproof trousers/coat and wellies! As long ad you have appropriate clothing fir the weather walking is fine.

Is cycling an option where you are op? I have a bike seat or trailer I use and elder kids bike. Or we walk and sometimes kids scooter. A 40 min walk is a perfectly reasonable walk.

nbee84 · 01/10/2014 21:51

I'd happily walk 6 miles a day with the weather we have at the moment (good way to get some regular exercise in) but wouldn't be happy in wet weather or in the winter when temperatures are freezing.

Yes some people do due to green issues, being non drivers etc but you must make this known at interview stage so that a nanny can make an informed choice on accepting the job or not.

You need to have a chat with your nanny before she starts to make this clear - you may find that yes, she has presumed she can drive the children but will accept your view quite happily as, presumably having only just passed her test, she is quite used to walking to places.

I agree that I wouldn't want a newly qualified driver driving the children about and think the idea of reviewing the situation in 6 or 12 months to maybe include outings in the holidays is a good one.

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/10/2014 21:31

I'm not lazy and I'm fit /active but I wouldn't want to walk 6miles a day doing the school run

Iggly · 01/10/2014 21:07

Just tell her you want the school run to be walked.

I have told my nanny this. She's fine with it although I think she'd rather drive because she can be lazy

Karoleann · 01/10/2014 21:05

I always get my new au pairs driving lessons when they first come to the UK just to get them used the driving on the left hand side of the road.

However, there is no way I would let a new driver drive my children anywhere. I always specify at least 4 years driving experience. IMO it takes a good couple of years to learn how to drive safely and I would never entrust my very precious children to an inexperienced driver.

I don't think you're being unreasonable in telling her you wouldn't want her driving the children around yet.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 19:50

Thanks Green

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Greenfizzywater · 01/10/2014 19:46

She just needs business insurance on her policy, it is usually included and if not can add it for a small amount.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 19:44

No everyday. She's actually only doing the school run two days a week plus may be an extra pick up every few weeks. Myself and DH do it the other three. Good idea to offer to buy some things for walking, like water proofs may be (I school run it in flip flops, trainers, boots, even heels on occaision etc. don't think she will be needing walking boots!!!). We did actually put in job desc that we were looking for someone with an active and healthy lifestyle who loves sports...perhaps a bit of a weird request, but its such a big part of who we are and surely part of the role of a nanny is to support your family values. She said the walk was fine when we interviewed but may be that was just because she couldn't drive then - when she txt saying that she could now drive to and from school instead it made me a little worried.

I'm probably over thinking it and just need to have a chat.

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FlorenceMattell · 01/10/2014 19:21

So if the school is 1.5 miles that means the nanny will walk 6 miles each day. That might be fine in some weather. Depends how many steep hills etc.
The sort of weather where you get soaked and need to get changed might not suit the nanny. I usually take a change of clothes to work but would want to do this all the time. Also when it's very hot again exhausting.
Personally I wouldn't take your job, but then I'm not super fit and have a knee injury.
But I could see it might suit a sporty nanny.
Do think as you will be saving on mileage you should consider buying her some trainers. 6 miles a day will wear out shoes very quickly.
So yes discuss with the nanny it might not be the job for her.
She has just passed her test so should be up to date with high way code etc. if a busy town she will hardly be going fast , will she go above 30 mph?
Asking au pairs to go out with an instructor makes sense as they will have learned to drive in another country. But I don't see the point if she has just passed in this country.
Add to the contract that she can only drive the children in X Town and to inform you first of any journeys.
Make sure you see her car MOT insurance etc. And car seats are correct.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 18:18

The school is about 1.5 miles away. Takes a while though stopping to pick up conkers, feathers, inspect pretty much anything out of the ordinary.

I think I shall certainly chat to her about our expectations, of course happy for her to drive to and from us, although she lives in walking distance too. It's a big thing passing a driving test these days, don't want to put a dampner on things.

Does anyone know what type of insurance she would need to drive our kids around?

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nannynick · 01/10/2014 16:27

Yes, 3yr old did it in the Summer holidays fine. If they are doing it frequently they tend to moan less about it.

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/10/2014 15:11

You would let a 3/4yr walk 3/4miles nick?

Seems a huge way

Yes it's good for children to walk but also handy to have a car if raining or further to go

I have gone out in previou jobs with parents to show them my driving and often I pick up from station so in the car with me anyway iyswim

But if you don't want her to drive then tell her so tho she may not want the job

Or discuss and say walk school run and maybe drive longer journeys?

nannynick · 01/10/2014 12:56

4 miles is fine for a 4 year old who is used to walking most places. My rule of thumb is a mile per year old.

In my area you could not walk 4 miles with young children, no footpaths. Cities are different, walking may be better than driving given heavy traffic.

Talk to nanny about it, maybe they only intend to use the car to get to/from work.

5madthings · 01/10/2014 12:10

Is a 40 min walk really seen as a lomg walk? Our school is two miles away so a 40-45 min walk. We walk or cycle everywhere.

Like you op our kids have done it since little, it's just what we do so they are used to it.

I would just explain it's an important part of yours and the children's lifestyle, it's good for them and you would like it to continue barring emergencies.

Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 11:54

Yes school is within walking distance - takes about 35 mins and we walk down with some neighbouring families, so we aren't the only hard core walking lot :) The school is also right by where most of the baby & toddler activities take place.

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Original poster

shimmymummy · 01/10/2014 11:39

That's a good idea Green, we (me or DH) could also ask to go out with her too I guess. Although I don't want to insult her. I think the main thing is in interview I thought we made clear we want our kids to walk / be walked rather than driven but in hindsight this might have come across as 'it doesn't matter if you can't drive as we like our kids walking', so worth a chat. In the nanny duties it is specified 'walk children to and from school and activities' though.

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