To think a trained nanny shouldn't need to telling that car seats are compulsory

[ThunderAndFrightening]

That really. DD told me tonight that when they go in their nanny's car they never use car seats. She is 5, DS is 3.

I asked our nanny about it and she replied she didn't know we wanted her to use them. To be fair, we hadn't said explicitly, but given its a matter of law I guess I am shocked she thought there was an option not to. Car seats are always in the porch so easily accessible and to be honest if she couldn't find them, just phone me and ask. She was so blaise I wonder now if I AIBU to be annoyed and should have been clear she should use them every journey. She is really experienced as a nanny and childminder and has her own kids, so not unreasonable to think she knows the law/guidelines for car seats.

she's been by lucky that your DCs haven't come to any harm. Absolutely shocking that anyone would think it's okay to not put a three year old in a seat!

shit me.

That's a sackable offence. DO NOT cut her any slack this one. It's bloody common sense.

(I'm a nanny and parent)

Report her to ofsted.

YANBU as a nanny I honestly don't believe she didn't know or assumed you wouldn't mind. I would be very concerned about her ability to use common sense and good judgement fairly essential skills needed when caring for children.
I would expect to be sacked for that sort of behaviour, violation of the law and serious endangerment of children is surely gross misconduct.

I'd be horrified, and would certainly consider it gross misconduct.

I was enough when my nanny looked to be about to put 2 year old ds into his car seat wearing a thick-ish coat (am also totally anal about car seats/safety, and this is an absolute no) - I would have sacked her on the spot if I'd found out she wasn't using car seats at all!

I'd have thought it was her responsibility to keep up to date on relevant H&S and law. This is inexcusable. In addition the law clearly states that it's the driver's responsibility.

You say a trained nanny - what nanny college was it? I know for a fact that the Norlanders know about car seat rules - and some are nervy about using parents' low-back boosters instead of the full-body ones for the 4 + age group although they will use them for travel about town, which is rarely over about 20mph due to the traffic.

I would also be concerned about other safety areas that are being neglected.

It would make me concerned about other things as well, such as their ability to drive their car. I've been asked to pick another child up from school tomorrow and my biggest concern before saying yes I would do it was did I have a suitable carseat for him. It's the first thing you think of when taking children in a car these days, it's not the 1970's any more!

I am not surprised your trust in her has gone.

Well, of course she didn't explicitly know if you wanted them to be used or not ... She should have used them anyway? I would be wondering what else she doesn't know either - and not just the legal side of things!

Omfg. I've been a sole charge nanny for 23yrs and to me this would be a sacking offence

No you didn't tell her but sure there are many things you don't tell her and she does

Or does she iyswim

I would worry what else she doesn't do

Find a new nanny

Its very odd, illegal and a sackable offense, but at the same time, I think you probably should have mentioned it at the outset, as in a) - do you know how to fit these car seats in your car, or b) should I buy extra ones so they can stay there all the time?

3 YO should be in a proper car seat and they are quite fiddly to fit, if we wanted my MIL to drive the kids around before they were big enough for high back boosters we had to go round there the right before to fit.

This is horrendous! How did she not know?! I do a lot of reading up on guidelines and policies on stuff as a nanny- and am often ahead of parents on things... But I'm the 'professional', I should be!

AND I'm not trained!

My nanny is in her 50's and she knows about car seats! No excuse.

She is either lying about her qualifications and experience or she is lying about the fact that she didn't realise she was supposed to use car seats. I suspect that she just couldn't be bothered to use them as she probably didn't with her own children and thought she would get away with it with yours. I would get another nanny.