How much should nannies know about dealing with a sick child?

How old is your child and how is he now?

After one of my charges had a febrile convulsion in my care I went on a first aid course.

I think your nanny was negligent tbh and that would be a written warning in my book. All these things happened but she didn't think he would be better off at home?

I agree with snickersnack, first aid training aside, it really comes down to common sense. Everything you, OP, said is so obvious that it is so surprising that she didn't think of taking your son's temperature when he felt hot and hadn't taken him home once she saw he had a runny poo. Very worrying I think, given that you trust this person to keep your child safe when you are not there.
For what it's worth, we went for first aid training with both the nannies we have had so far, well worth it.

I think there's a large element of common sense here too. Regardless of what a first aid course might entail, a sick child needs looking after properly, and I would expect a nanny to know what that involves.

Our nanny (who had worked in a nursery and has an NVQ level 3, but had no previous nannying experience) had to deal with ds being extremely ill when she'd been with us for a couple of weeks. She dealt with it extremely well - she couldn't get hold of me or dh, so she took him to the doctor and demanded they see him even though they claimed they were too busy, then with the doctor's prompting took him to A&E and waited for us there. Having done the Calpol, stripping off etc already. I'd already decided she was a great nanny, but that really confirmed it in my mind, and gave me the utmost confidence that she would do the right thing in any situation.

Your 'Nanny' was incrediably ignorant and the chance your DS could have become gravely ill was a really posibility.

A first aid course covers fevers etc in children.

First off she should have taken his temp, noted it down and then called you, given Calpol on your say so (my insurance prefers parental consent each time if possible) and come home, had he had runny nappies before party they shouldn't have gone.

Once home he should have had his temp taken again and again noted down, if it had reduced then clothing should have removed/lessened and DS offered drinks and made comfortable.

Had his temp not come down then off to A&E and another phone call to yourself.

Speaking as a nanny, I find that very worrying. Surely common sense would have told her to take your child home straight away?

To be honest, if I had been in her shoes and I hadn`t been able to wake him, I would have phoned an ambulance first and yourself second. I then would have stripped to his nappy and routinely checked his breathing until help arrived- better to be safe then sorry.

Have you spoken to your nanny about this? Her first concern should have been your son and not her social life at the playgroup. I think in your shoes I would at least give a verbal warning and make it clear that if anything ever happens like that again, 1) you want to know straight away and 2) that you are PAYING her to look after your child, and that that means knowing what to do in a situation like that.

I am 22 and a nanny though have no formal qualifications or a first aid certificate.

However - all you say seems blatantly obvious to me, I would have left the party immediately if my charge was hot! I would have gone directly home, checked his temperature and given capol as needed. I also could have taken his clothes off and either put him in a luke warm bath or sponged him with a flannel, while giving him some lemonade or something sugary to drink. When he had begun shaking I'd have taken him directly to the emergency department at the private hospital his mother has told me she'd like me to use.

I have a copy of his health care card and would have authorized any necessary treatment and then phoned his mother immediately.

I think this is all common sense, I have no formal training as either a nanny or even in first aid but I think it's best to be cautious! Though is a doctor so maybe I am more aware than most. Your nanny sounds a bit thick.

Have to say all of that was covered in my 12 hour first aid course! Can't speak for the childcare diploma as I was a primary teacher, before having my own DD and becoming a nanny. Saying that talking to my previous employer she specifically choose me as I was a mother and she felt that with things like this a mother's instinct kicks in - no idea how true/untrue the instinct thing as as only been a nanny since I became a mum. Also now that there are other fab nannies out there that would act as you or I would!

I hope he is ok and am sure you will get more advice soon xx