Providing food for nannies.

Hiya, current nanny is lovely. Thanks for asking. DD still remembers you as "the one who ran out of petrol".

She wants to go back to school and I am trying to persuade to get a student visa into the UK and then she can stay with us and do reduced hours when DS goes to school full time next Jan.

Tiramissu, I'm happy to accommodate nanny dietary requirements. If I had a veggie nanny I would just expect her to make a veggie meal, and the kids could have some meat/fish added to theirs when it's finished. But they's still basically sit down and eat the same thing together. And if was a veggie meal sometimes that's fine too. Whilst we eat meat, it isn't a requirement at every single meal.

But I absolutely expect the nanny and the kids to sit down and eat a wholesome meal together. If the nanny wants something, it goes on the shopping list and then I buy it. So, there is plenty of opportunity for her get the food she likes into the house.

TBH I would not employ a nanny who asked for this on grounds I'd think she was a penny-pinching moron.

But maybe it's just me

I have always not only allowed nannies and AP's to help themselves to my food but they also always have a kitty to go out an get themseleves whatever they want (on proviso that junk food has to be kept out of sight of the kids). Saying that, I am now regretting a conversation I had with my current AP about free range & organic.... I came in the other night to find him grinning from ear to ear agreeing how much nicer organic tasted.....as he polished off a £13 chicken....

ebb - whatever gave you THAT idea?

i can eat what i like, when i like, mb will ask if i want anything and i write it on the shopping list, or go and buy something from kitty if i need/want it - depending on what i fancy 9and what is in mb freezer) depends on what the children eat that day

parents will NOT pay a nanny more for not eating their food, and bringing their own

i read the other thread and the nanny in question is obv young and hasnt a clue what she is talking about

it is good for the children to sit down and all eat the same thing as the nanny(or the nanny to eat what the children want)

I'm on the opposite of all this. I'm not allowed to take in my own food . This is because the family are Jewish and keep a Kosher kitchen.

But in over 20 years of nannying I have always eaten the food at work anyway. It's much easier to encourage a reluctant child to eat their veg if you are eating it too.

Yes on "the other thread" the nanny thinks if you are on say 8 pound per hr and they are providing food- you would prob be getting 9 per hour for bringing in your own

Callaird - is your MB as nice as she sounds?? She sounds great

LisaLisa... go on, tell us, what are some of the other weird things you've been asked for..

Eating that food is a perk. But choosing not to eat that food does not carry an entitlement to ask to be paid in lieu of that perk

... that was well put!

I hav employed nannies for 12 years and have never been met with this request (although had some pretty weird ones over the years!). Tbh I wouldn't like it either and would see it as a money making ruse. How much extra would nanny want for not eating food and how rude to snub employer's food and expect to bring it from home and be paid for it!

In my position at work I have a choice - either bring in food from home or buy food outside but nowhere is being paid for making the first choice part of the deal!!

A nanny position is different in that the nanny works in a domestic home where food is readily available. Eating that food is a perk. But choosing not to eat that food does not carry an entitlement to ask to be paid in lieu of that perk.

OP,your employer sounds like me

Athene, is not unusual for the nanny to eat different stuff. I was veggie when i was nannying and although i usually worked for vegetarian families, ocasionaly i worked for meat eaters. They always made sure they had enough veg options for me.

But to ask the family to give cash for it, somehow doesn't sound right.

I wouldn't mind a nanny asking me for special food, i d be happy to provide it. I wouldn't like a nanny who lives on diet cereal bars and reads every label for calories. For the obvious reason

Hi Caillard.

I think it would be a pain in the arse if nanny wanted to have her own meal plan, apart from the kids. And I certainly wouldn't pay extra for it.

Ok . now i understand what you meant.

But i think your friend is wrong anyway. I dont think the family will like this and tbh if i was still a nanny i would be very embarassed to suggest it to the family.

Glad you are fed well, you need it with 12 hours shifts

Callaird - sorry, when you said your 'employer was biased' it made it sound like you were asking on your own behalf... but then, you did say 'at the interview' so should have known/guessed it wasn't you... sorry!

Well, other than the fact it's not you, my post still applies... if it were a money saving thing I'd be concerned.

Agree with you totally, it's bad enough organising your own food for the next day when you have to (office with no canteen, no local shops etc), but when you are nannying... not a hope!!

I guess in theory she's right - I just think she'd find it harder to get a job in the first place if that's the kind of thing she's asking at an interview

callaird,
i find it bizzare, sorry.
I 've never heard of this before. Nannies always eat at workplace, the food is provided by the family. Even if you have special died, they'll usually provide it for you.

Callaird - is there some specific reason you would prefer to bring in your own food? If it were because of an allergy, religion, dietary choice (vegetarian etc), then I guess 'subbing' the nanny's food would be ok, but a bit tricky. If it was just so the nanny could save an extra little bit of money I'd be a bit weary...

Tiramissu - yep - wine with dinner, or a beer in the evenings if I fancied it!

How can she bring her own coffee/tea?
I m trying to imagine it. Is she coming in the morning in with a starbucks in hand or you mean she is coming there opens her bag and gets her own teabags out?
Bizzare thread...

tankie 'including alchool'? nice job

I am a nanny and have always had food and drink provided for me.it would be of the nannies own choice if she brought things with her.
I sometimes take in food as i fancy something different from what they have in.
If you have food that you would rather she did not eat let her know as you will get fed up opening the fridge and your rump steak has gone.lol

no1andno2 - I agree about the importance of eating together! I never get any fuss at lunchtime, when I eat with my charge, but often have fussiness at tea time when I'm tidying the kitchen while they eat.