To not want nanny to wear a mask around DS?

[Rainallnight]

DS is two. He’s with a nanny three days a week. He’s prone to colds and runny noses, as are lots of toddlers. The nanny has complained that she has twice picked up a cold from him, and has suggested wearing a face mask around him.

I think this is (a) a massive over reaction and (b) not good for DS. He has speech delay and really needs to be able to see people’s faces to develop his communication.

Surely picking up kiddy colds is a bit of an occupational hazard for nannies?

But tell me if I’m missing something.

(Obviously I have no problem with her wearing one in shops or other situations where it’s Covid-mandated. This would be all the time, including at home).

No, I wouldn't be happy about it at all, especially if a speech delay is the case. I know no nannies who does that.

There has been evidence masks work in countries when the majority wear them in work and school while sticking to other social distancing rules without the defiance shown by some in European countries.

I’m a Nanny and catching colds of kids is part of the job. I wouldn’t wear a mask around Any children I might be caring for.

@Yeahnahmum That’s quite a leap to suggest I’m not feeding him properly

There has been evidence masks work in countries when the majority wear them in work and school while sticking to other social distancing rules

There is no evidence that suggests masks will stop you getting a cold from a toddler you are a primary caregiver to.

Picking up colds, sickness bugs etc is part of the job! She should concentrate on upping her immunity, eating well, taking vitamins and being extra clean, getting rid of the germs.

so you would justify being a negligent employer over everything? Good luck ever employing a nanny if that's your attitude.

Not being a negligent employer, but making sure my children weren't suffering from negligent care. It would be my duty as a parent to ensure this. That would come before my duty as an employer.

OP do what you want. No nanny worth their salt will risk putting their own family at risk during this time so you may find that if you don't compromise you will lose her.

Merely saying that you should like into vitamin(supplement?)and intake of better (vitamin richer ) food. Never said you didnt feed him properly. But considering he is catching all these colds. Just trying to help. Mustn't be fun for him/you or his nanny.

Not being a negligent employer, but making sure my children weren't suffering from negligent care. It would be my duty as a parent to ensure this. That would come before my duty as an employer

Oh just parent your child yourself if you’re not allowing your employee to wear a mask. Or hire another hammy and out in the advert STRICTLY NO MASKS

(nanny, not hammy)

No, I wouldn't accept that. Children are bearing the brunt of this and I'm not going to normalise people having their faces covered up whilst looking after them. It doesn't happen in nurseries or childcare settings.

I'd find someone else.

So wearing a mask means the nanny will provide negligent care now? Heard it all Im sure a piece of fabric dosent stop a good nanny from being a good nanny .

I should up my intake of checking my spelling jeez...

I work in primary 1 and will not wear a mask for the reasons you have given. It's not good for the dc and wouldn't protect me anyway. I too have had one bug after another since being back as have all the kids and am otherwise perfectly healthy. I think it's to be expected after having no exposure for so many months then suddenly all mixing in a confined area again.

Heard it all Im sure a piece of fabric dosent stop a good nanny from being a good nanny

For a child with a language delay, obviously it would.

I think it would impact all children.

@Marzipan12

So wearing a mask means the nanny will provide negligent care now? Heard it all Im sure a piece of fabric dosent stop a good nanny from being a good nanny .

Agreed!

So wearing a mask means the nanny will provide negligent care now? Heard it all Im sure a piece of fabric dosent stop a good nanny from being a good nanny

And I’m sure it’s far from optimal. So I will hire someone as I see fit for my children.

I wouldn't like it. My son's nursery staff don't wear masks. One wore a visor at handover for a little while but has stopped now. He's been back since July and thankfully no cases there yet.

Oh just parent your child yourself if you’re not allowing your employee to wear a mask.

I hope you're not getting into that old chestnut of working parents being 'part-time' parents...As an aside, I look after my DC four and a half days out of seven. The other two and a half they go to an excellent nursery where, guess what, the staff don't wear masks. Instead, they take the children's temperatures in the morning, are fastidious about cleanliness and hand-washing, have removed most of the toys and moved most of their activities outside and are insisting on parents social distancing when dropping-off and picking up. All reasonable measures which don't adversely affect the care they offer my DC.

She is being ridiculous. I'm a childminder and my kids have had colds several times since they came back after lockdown. Its just life when you work with kids. If she going to do that forever, with any children she works with? I doubt it.

I am a nanny. When coming back to work after being furloughed I made it clear that I wouldn’t be wearing a mask around the children. My employers were thankfully in agreement with this.

Picking up colds, and sick bugs are all part of the job. Doesn’t bother me at all.

I find it strange the amount of parents who couldn't care less if their child's nanny /childminder/nursery nurse gets sick or worse because their precious child can't be around adult wearing a mask. They need to get used to it.
Wonder if all these parents will feel the same when the nurseries are shut for weeks due to staff sickness.
These people are caring for your child you could at least show a little concern for their safety.

Perhaps your nanny doesnt want to say she's concerned about covid. A mask will provide some protection from that if warn properly. www.livescience.com/7661-masks-protect-colds-flu.html

You could buy both your child and your nanny sambucol since it's believed to shorten the duration of colds. Shows you are recognising her concerns even if you dont want her to wear a mask.

If I worked for you I'd leave as soon as I could get another job, though.

@rainallnight

Bear in mind that if your nanny is susceptible to colds she may develop a persistent cough and you will all need to self isolate. Are you prepared to do that?