to be dubious about 'emergency childcare' nanny service?

[NMM]

DH's firm pay for employees to access 150 hours of 'emergency' childcare per year. Basically this can be used how we like, but is intended for breakdown in usual arrangements or when usual childcare is closed/on holiday/sickness outbreak.

Provider has just changed, so have been reading the new details. Previous provider would've allowed DS to attend one of the provider's approved nurseries - these were listed and we could check them out in advance/familiarise DS with staff etc.

New provider sends a nanny (chosen by them) to our house. We can have no say in choosing then nanny or 'vetting' them (ie seeing if we click - obv, CRB etc would be checked by provider). Also, no guarantee that same nanny would be sent if needed for 1+ days.

AIBU to not want to open door to stranger at 7.30am, show her what's what chez nous and leave DS (2yo) in her care for rest of the day? Makes me feel a bit uncomfortable tbh, but maybe am being a bit precious???

i wouldn't be keen on that either so YANBU

i wouldnt but thats just me so im not sure if its ur or not

YANBU at all. There's no way I would leave my two year old with a complete stranger.

You're not under any obligation to use it though ?

Some people are happy to use this kind of service (eg. like sitters.co.uk), but personally I wouldn't - not with a 2 year old.

Do you really mean 150 hours? That is HUGE!

YANBU not to use it. No one is forcing you to.

I used to work for an agency like this and understand your concerns. I liked working for them as it was so flexible, but the parents didn't know me let alone the kids. All worked out fine thankfully.

There are benefits that your child remains at home and can carry on usual routine. But id rather have one person standby for my kids

Sassy No, we aren't obliged to use it. However, if situation arose that we needed DH to stay at home to mind DS (ie I had to be at work and we couldn't find any other solution) then we would be expected to use it. It has happened before, but with previous provider we were happy to send DS to one of the approved nurseries as we/he knew the staff there.

TBH you are a bit U. I've never worked anywhere with any kind of provision for childcare. The fact that they do is amazing. If you don't like it, don't use it but don't complain about something that is so generous.

YANBU - it's one thing leaving DC with a nursery where there are other children, a selection of adults etc and quite another inviting a total stranger into your home to look after your DC effectively 'unsupervised'.

I don't think DD would like it much either.

Would he have to take unpaid leave if you chose not to use it?

Prima Yes, the agreement is 150 hours per year. I agree, it is very generous. I do know of some families who conveniently have a rather frequent 'childcare emergency' (like every Friday!) and use this allowance to reduce their overall childcare bill!

You are not being unreasonable at all.

Irrespective of who's paying for it, why should anyone have to leave their children with somebody who they've never even met before.

I wouldn't do it that's for sure.

I have a nanny and she rang in sick today and I didn't consider using a nanny-replacement service, because there was no way I would be l leaving my boys with a stranger

MrsTerryPratchett> as i understand it the original poster was saying that in a situation where her DH had to do the emergency childcare then they would virtually have no choice but to use this (it wouldn't go down too well if DH had the day off and they didn't use the childcare).

Sassy Yes, unpaid or annual leave would be DH's alternatives.

MrsTerryP I agree with you that it is extremely generous of DH's firm. I just don't like the change from nursery-we-know to stranger-at-home.

I wouldn't be entirely thrilled with this either TBH. My company provides something very similar - we can have back up childcare at very short notice for £20 per day at a local and well regarded nursery. It may well have been the same scheme as it was a national one.

I wouldn't like just letting a stranger in.

I get that the change is irritating. My DH can't take time off at all except for the one time he had to and got total shit from his boss about it and was give the impression he would get let go if he tried it again and we don't have a nanny service. However, I hate MN I'm harder up than you, my life is worse than yours Bingo so I shall stop now.

I have used just such a service although ours could be used for a
Nanny or for nursery. So if I had to work on a day when normally I would have the DC's they could go to nursery. On a couple of other occasions my dc had an illness which meant he couldn't go to nursery, we got the nanny to stay with him at home. I would normally have stayed home with sick child but there were exceptional work circumstances which would have made this very difficult. The nanny was brilliant and saved our bacon in this situation. I was very happy with it. I don't believe in there being bogeymen at every turn. I am sure the company would happily take you through their vetting procedures and references for their staff (these wete available to us). And if you're not happy then absolutely don't use it. In my opinion it is an amazing service and I wish more companies offered it. DH has moved companies so no longer has access which is a pita to be honest.

Wow 150 hours is v generous.

I would use it - we get access to emergency nursery and have used for DS (aged 2) but for the older 2 (age 6 and 8) had to ask my cleaner to pick them up from school, would have great to have had access to emergency nanny.

Perhaps different for 6 and 8 year old as they can tell you exactly what went on, 2 year olds arent generally as good at communication.

Unpaid leave or annual leave are most peoples choices, which is what your DH is left with if you disregard the nanny service.

Have the company explained why they have made the change to a nanny? Maybe it is renegotiable back to nursery?

I did have the brainwave that we could perhaps 'befriend' one of the nannies and ask for her, but the t&cs specifically forbid requesting a particular nanny or recommending any nannies we know to sign up with the provider.

You wouldn't be 'expected' to use it though. Who you leave your child with in your absence is bugger all to do with your employer. I think you'll just have to make alternative arrangements like people whose employers don't have this service.

Incidentally what happened if your child was sick? That was an emergency child are issue... You couldn't use a nursery for that.., so I'm guessing one of you took the time off?

i have just realised that it must be to cover kids who are too sick for nursery - with contaigous things i mean... i guess it makes sense on paper...

fireice DH's firm has completely changed provider of this service. The new provider does have some recognised nurseries, but none of these are near us or even near DH's office! I have asked them to consider recognising a nursery in our area, but they say that isn't an option at present.

My post hasn't come across very well. I'm trying to say I certainly wouldn't use it... I want to check the people I leave my child with. When I chose a nursery I looked around, met the staff etc... Thought about it and made my decision.

I would not let just anyone into my home to look after my child. Which is what your employer is essentially demanding. Tell them to bog off, you will take emergency special/annual leave if necessary.