AIBU to be annoyed that my nanny's phone was off all day so DS was not collected from school when he was sick

Ultimately it is your responsibility naughtymummy, you are your child's mother - the buck stops with you. But you did make efforts to contact your nanny - you just didn't collect your son when you failed to make contact with your nanny.

So, I feel you are to blame for not collecting your son from school.
Your nanny is to blame for not being contactable for x period of time - which could well be a disciplinary offence under the terms of the contract. Do you have a section in your contract about being contactable? If not, good time to add it in as an addition.

Being uncontactable for a short period of time I feel is just one of those things (coverage can be patchy), but it should be for a short period, not several hours.

Agree with NCRBB - if nanny is trying to brush it off, the make it a written warning. If they were very apologetic, had an acceptable excuse, etc then you could choose to only give a verbal warning.

She didn't deliberately leave him at school whilst he was sick though did she? She didn't know - because she made a mistake. You did know and you also made a mistake - of assuming she would handle it. Tbh if that's all there is to it I would just want to move on from that but what I would want an answer to are the circumstances surrounding him going to school in the first place. You weren't at home so who ok'd him going to school - was he perfectly well then? Did your partner see him? I'm just wondering if he was off colour then and the nanny took him to school because she didn't want to be bothered and then left her phone behind on purpose for the same reason? Now that would make me furious!

I don't think your nannies attitude is very good. Not being contactable for a long period of time (I'm guessing at least 2 hours) is an important issue, it is a big deal.
As a nanny, I'm un-contactable at various times during my working day - as I may take the children walking and be out of coverage area for a while (due to thick trees!).
If I had left my phone at my home... once I started work, I would have gone back for it while on route to wherever we were going that morning - not ideal, but I feel it's better to have the phone, than not to be contactable all day - and not to be able to contact anyone should the need arise.

NM, I do agree that it is a big deal, which is why I said about disciplinary action. Personally I would put it in writing if she is trying to brush it off. She is paid to look after both children and so should be available in the same way I expect my nursery to be available to look after my child at any time they are being paid to!

IMO it is ok to brush off a complaint about the kitchen side not being wiped but it is not ok to brush off a sick child being left at school.

my phone is ALWAYS near/by me when i am working - just incase school/nursery ring or if mb/db need me

how is your little chap now?

Well I think it's really off that her phone was off. That is her job, to be on duty at times she is paid.

So what are you going to say to Nanny?
If she had her phone with her, surely she would have seen missed calls from you as well as the text?
As I said at the outset, I'd be giving a warning.

Crikey! Do people rely on texts? Texts between me and dp sometimes take 12 hours from sending to receiving!

YANBU to be annoyed. YWBU not to check she'd got the message. Texts get delayed/go astray. It is not reliable for important communication.

I think YANU for thinking the nanny should have collected but you really should have checked tbh. I would have called and called until she answered or i would have rang the school to check once home.

i definitely think the nanny should be contactable at all times if she is responsible for the child.
I am really surprised the school didn't call your house though, they surely know you have a nanny? or not?

tbh I would have followed the text up though and given her another ring. but would be cross that you weren't able to contact her

Was the Nanny actually working/being paid?

Was nanny in charge of another kid?

basically the nanny is in the wrong for not having her phone with her IF she was meant to be working and sole charge

but texts do go astray, and agree IF something is important then you RING and not text!!

did the school ring her, if she is loco parent

my school rings me if it is a day i am working, but if they didnt get hold of me assume they would call my mb or leave a message at home

sorry, you were on the way home, you thought she was driving.

yes,..ultimately he's your responsibility. That's the joy of being a mum. and you weren't asleep you were driving home.
As for the nanny, so she's working, out in the car and non contactable?

Yes, your first priority is your child! It would be reasonable to take disciplinary action against the nanny for not being available but it is not ok to leave a child at school sick!

It is great if you can pay someone to stop you having to take time off work for these things but, if it goes wrong, then it is, ultimatly, down to you - his parent!