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Original poster

Is 65 too old to work as nanny

72 replies

Loveshark25 · 18/04/2025 08:02

Hi ..I've worked as a nanny for most of my career...but can't seem to find a new position..do you think my age is now barrier?

OP posts:
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ByQuaintAzureWasp · 18/04/2025 13:41

Loveshark25 · 18/04/2025 12:18

Thanks you all so much fir all your responses taking all on board..obv some very head screwed on people on there....apart from 2nd comment ..def too old !!!...your obviously one of the people someone later referred to as a twat !!!..very well put in my opinion 👏👍👌

Great response op!

Enrichetta · 18/04/2025 13:26

Our nanny was in her early 60s when she started looking after our children, twins aged 6 months and their 3 year old brother. Her age was never an issue and she took them m to the park most days. She was fabulous and had endless patience and worked for us for 7 or 8 years - and would have stayed longer if she hadn't sadly died of cancer. My children still talk of her fondly.

MeridaBrave · 18/04/2025 13:20

I think less people can afford it…. Wouldn’t have bothered me. Are you physically fit?

ARichtGoodDram · 18/04/2025 13:15

I think it absolutely depends on your fitness levels and the children involved.

My MIL is 67 and is fitter than me, could keep up with kids out running or cycling and wouldn't have any trouble at all.

Her sister, at 62, has had to give the idea of minding her grandchild as she can't keep up with him if he runs, and cannot lift him to put him in the buggy or cot.

Are you getting interviews?

TheWayTheLightFalls · 18/04/2025 13:09

Our children's nanny is this kind of age. I have to say, some of the things people flag as potential concerns match the issues we have had. She is very patient and can spend hours walking with them at a snail's pace, doing crafts etc, and is much more on my wavelength with teaching them things formally (I am a fairly strict parent), but she is definitely less of a "chase them around and get down on the floor" sort of person. In our case it's fine overall but I can see how it might be an issue in other circumstances.

Original poster
Loveshark25 · 18/04/2025 12:18

Thanks you all so much fir all your responses taking all on board..obv some very head screwed on people on there....apart from 2nd comment ..def too old !!!...your obviously one of the people someone later referred to as a twat !!!..very well put in my opinion 👏👍👌

OP posts:
nannynannynanny1 · 18/04/2025 09:06

I am in my early 40s with 20 years nanning experience and i am struggling too. I feel like a lot of families go for younger nannies tbh especially in sw london

Scottishexplorer · 18/04/2025 09:03

Hi OP I think this age prejudice is going to kick in with the little ones eg very active toddlers.

We hired a nanny in this age bracket and she made a point of saying that she was very fit and active and a baby would be no issue to her. I liked the idea of a more experienced nanny. She resigned a month later saying it was too much for her, which wasn’t the best experience!

Turnoffthelight · 18/04/2025 08:59

I know a nanny who is in her 60s and she’s great. Very active still and the kids all love her and the family include her like she is a grandparent.

muggart · 18/04/2025 08:54

To be honest I would be slightly concerned about hiring a nanny much older than me in case they didn’t have enough energy and in case they thought they knew better than me and were tempted to override my parenting. Only saying this so you can think about how to perhaps address these concerns in any interviews by talking about all the physical things you do with kids and how you can adapt to different families etc

Pinkissmart · 18/04/2025 08:46

Well, OP, this thread has highlighted that there's a lot of twats in the world, but enough people who are decent.
Keep trying and good luck

SheilaFentiman · 18/04/2025 08:28

It may be that the parents interviewing you see it as a barrier. To note, you would reach state retirement age before a baby you started with now was at school age.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 18/04/2025 08:22

Actually thinking about it I would have preferred a more mature person, I hired a few part time Nannies, the 25-35 bracket all said that they could cook “anything” but were just about able to scramble eggs and reheat things. I ended up batch cooking!

Have you considered marketing yourself as Nanny and House Keeper? Would appeal to high earning families with older DC and you can significantly increase earnings? Also potentially work in beautiful (posh) surroundings and also maybe travel? (Again no need to mention age at interview).

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 18/04/2025 08:16

I wouldn’t hold it against you but I also wouldn’t ask your age at interview, do you bring it up?

Ddakji · 18/04/2025 08:15

Can you sprint after a bolting toddler? Can you run around the park playing and ensuring that a toddler gets plenty of exercise? (I believe there’s evidence that children who are mainly looked after by grandparents get less exercise.)

If you’re physically fit enough then I don’t see a problem.

StIgantius · 18/04/2025 08:11

I know a great nanny who is your age- it wouldn’t bother me at all as long as you’re fit and active.

Have you tried contacting your ex employers and asking them to put feelers out for you?

Growlybear83 · 18/04/2025 08:10

If I had ever been in the position of needing a nanny, I would have much preferred someone of your age than a younger person, but I suspect you are encountering some age discrimination.

Viviennemary · 18/04/2025 08:10

Yes. It's too old.

Itsoneofthose · 18/04/2025 08:09

Loveshark25 · 18/04/2025 08:02

Hi ..I've worked as a nanny for most of my career...but can't seem to find a new position..do you think my age is now barrier?

I personally would think of it as an advantage. I’d love a nanny of that age for my daughter.

Eveningstart · 18/04/2025 08:09

Likewise I wouldn’t hire an 18 year old

Eveningstart · 18/04/2025 08:08

Yes too old
I wouldn’t hire you

ExistentialThreat · 18/04/2025 08:05

Not as long as you are physically fit and able to keep up with the demands of small children. If that were the case your experience would speak volumes

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