Would you hire a 20yo nanny?

[Mummyteachmummy]

I'm interviewing a raft of nannies this weekend, all v experienced and early 30s plus, but in amongst them is this one 20 year old potential gem. Her profile is just lovely - seems very loving and, yes, very fun! Here are my thoughts...

CONS

1. DD's only 2, so really does need to be actively cared for/ kept safe etc.
2. Lack of experience - she has got a couple of years childminding assistant and one 6 month sole charge nanny stint, but nothing v weighty.

PROS

1. she had paediatric first aid and various other certificates, so actually isn't she better qualified than, say, 36 year old DH if dd, god forbid, chokes, as she's been trained in what to do? whereas DH would turn her upside down, and shake vigorously if that didn't work!

1. I'm only going to be employing her about 15 hours a week. Isn't she therefore just a glorified babysitter? And we wouldn't flinch at a 20 yo babysitter?

1. Couldn't it just be really fun for DD to have a nanny who exposes her to such cultural works as One Direction and... And... Well, that says it all - I know nothing else of what young people do or like 'these days'...

WWYD?!

I would. She sounds like she is well qualified for the job.

Her age shouldn't really be an issue for point 1 under con?!

I would always go for personality over age.

O

Def hire if sounds right.

Many many people will have their own 2 year old at 20

Will have been taught most up to date practice also

Oops, correction, 6 WEEK (summer holiday) sole charge experience...

I was a sole charge Nanny at 20, for a newborn baby and toddler, in a foreign country, in fact I was 19 when I started.

So in principle a 20 year old is fine, whether this particular one is Ok is your call.

I wouldn't hold her lack of experience against her - after all, everyone has to start somewhere! It sounds as if you like her. Go with your gut instinct.

I was a nanny at that age for quads of 6 months and a 2 year old...in a foreign country. Go with your gut feeling

I started as a nanny straight from college aged 19, to a 3 year old and a 12 week old and was ace

Meet her and check her references before you make any decisions. On the basis of her age alone, no I wouldn't rule her out.

If she is working as a nanny for 2 or 60 hours a week, she's a nanny. A babysitter is there when your children are asleep in the evening. Hours mean little, it's the job itself that counts. But if it's babysitting, I don't think anyone would bat an eye at a 20 yo babysitter.

Don't discriminate against the nanny if she doesn't like One Direction

Ooh, that's a relief! I was starting to think DH was right, and if DH starts being right about things as important as this my whole world view will be upturned!

Seasavage, I put DDs age in cons with a mind to the fact that I know (at least I think I know?!) the advice about au pairs being for older kids because babies/ toddlers are too much responsibility for young/ inexperienced carers?

I had 2 children by the time I was 20. She's either good enough or she isn't. Her age is quite irrelevant, but I understand wanting someone with more experience.

BTW, I don't know many 20 yr olds who like one direction

She sounds like a good fit and you seem to have a liking to her so why not. Also it's only for a few hours a week so should be fine.

If she is the right person then age shouldn't matter.

With au pairs it's because rye don't have to have ever seen a child before let alone look after one. I'm assuming this nanny has experience with a few age groups in general from childminder, and as you say would know what to do in emergency etc. Nanny prob aiming to carry on nannying so will gradual increase experience and qualifications, where as au pair usually just here a year, then ready to go back

I did. I lived to regret it hugely.

Age has nothing to do with it, maturity does.
At 18 I was caring for elderly patients on a hospital ward, I am glad the ward sister looked beyond my age when she interviewed me. The job suited me down to the ground, and my boss was always happy with my work. I was a qualified nurse at 21, looking after poorly children on morphine etc.
See how you feel when you meet her, if she responds well to your questions and gets on with your child well then go for it. Her age is not an issue.

I was watching babies and toddlers at 14-15 years old and did great. Granted it was only for a couple hours instead of all day. Another pro is she's young, she'll have all the energy to keep up with 2 year old DD.

But I would ignore her age and look at her qualifications. After all teens are having babies and raising them just fine. Age doesn't really determine anything.

I had a 20 year old nanny for my (then) 2 and 4 year old. They loved her; she was so much fun, and they still talk about her 12 years later. Prior to that I had a woman in her 30s who was completely passive. When DD1 could sing the theme tune to every daytime programme on BBC1, I decided to get rid. Age didn't come into it, it was what was right for us as a family.

I manage a nursery and have just promoted a 19 year old to team leader over a 50 year old and a 30 year old because she is miles better than both of them put together
If it feels right then do it

I had an 18 year old nanny straight from college when I was 3. She was and is wonderful. She will always be part of my family and I am godmother to her children. I couldn't imagine my life without her.

My first nanny job I was 18 for 18 mo twins.

without sounding like a self absorbed twat. . I'm an awesome nanny, have been nannying ever since and was actually fought over by two local (to each other) mums when I last became available for work!

but I hold massive thanks to my first family for giving me the chance to prove myself. because now I'm a mum I'm not sure I could do the same!

Yes I would hire a 20 yr old if she sounded kickass like this one does!

Every childcare setting I have ever used has mostly employed people around that age. I don't see a problem.