Travelling nanny SEN ?

[Rabbitheadlights]

Posting for traffic.

Anybody used one? How did it go?

We have 1 DC with additional needs and 6 NT. Holidays are usually more stressful than relaxing and I want to make the next one better for us all. We would like to be able to attend some of the evening entertainment with our NT DC but it's just too overwhelming for DS he absolutely cannot cope so we usually just skip it but it's really not fair on the others so am exploring the idea of a nanny to be able to look after DS on a few evenings so that we can spend some time in loud/lively environments with the others.

Thoughts???

@minipie really? Can you specify that they are SEN trained? I never thought this was a thing??

@user1471457751 one is putting one child in childcare and the other isn’t.

Balancing the needs of everyone in larger families is always a challenge. It’s harder when you add significant disability to the mix. OP knows that as she lives it and is asking for others thoughts. Since I’m in a similar situation I shared what we do. It’s not a criticism of OP any more than the fact we don’t do kids clubs is a criticism of people who do. It’s just a different use of holiday time.

Honestly it depends on where you are going. For example the Canaries seem to have quite a lot of childcare options, lots of brits settled there so you can get UK style childcare experience/qualifications. On the other hand if you are going more far flung you might get someone really nice but not with any qualifications.

I don’t know the nature of your child’s needs and if he would need someone with SN experience/training or just someone patient and willing to adapt? True SN trained childcare would probably be hard to find locally it’s true.

@Rabbitheadlights have a look at this agency, they specialise in SEN nannies www.snapcare.co.uk/parents-clients.aspx

@nixonten what are you saying?

@Rabbitheadlights
I will not add to what I have said. Those are my observations of two similar examples.
One from growing up in a loving caring family and I was involved for her end of life care.
The other was my observation from meeting the man David who was very much loved and cared for by his brother.

@nixonten im really sorry, I don't understand what your posts are trying to say. If you have an opinion on whether or not a travelling nanny is a good idea, I love to hear it. If you're telling me to put my son "in a home" I'd really rather not.

It’s a fab idea op, I’m experienced and it would be something I’d love to help you with if possible. If not then I’m happy to help point you in the right direction to find someone suitable if you like! Feel free to pm.

I think it’s totally doable but sounds very expensive for four nights out. We travel (or did) a lot and I would say it really depends where you are heading and what your young mans needs are. In a good hotel they will be able to help you decide. You could just call the concierge/manager? How old is he? I really recommend finding ways to include him while he’s small even if you go and have the evening again without him so you can relax. People are more tolerant of smaller ones and it’s harder to learn those skills later. I don’t appreciate the put him in a home vibe of a previous poster but it’s a bit like the anti-big family comments...there’s always one!

I think Nixonten was clumsily saying that the benefit to your others having your full unhindered attention might outweigh the effect of exclusion on your other child if they are happy in the care of the nanny.

Also that it might be beneficial for your child with SEN to have that time to test their abilities outside their comfort zone.

He will only be 3 nearly 4 ... He doesn't have any medication needs etc it's personal care and avoiding sensory overload, managing meltdowns, he's a climber so keeping him safe etc

I was going to suggest Snap Childcare too, I know a couple of colleagues (I used to work with families who had a child with complex needs) who have worked as holiday nannies for families and it has worked out well for all concerned.

I should add he's completely non verbal and unable to follow direction, has no sense of danger etc

We’ve used snap childcare to recruit nannies in the past and they’ve been brilliant (albeit expensive). They seem to have a monopoly on recruiting nannies for children with Sn/Sen as when I’ve tried to find an angle my which does a similar thing, I’ve got nowhere. I suppose that this is a good thing in a way, as parents and potential nannies are all looking in one place.

I have no experience of using it to find a temporary nanny though.

My Ds was the same as yours at that age. We recruited our first nanny through snap when he was 4.2yo and she was fantastic.

@nixonten not very helpful posts!

Might be a stupid question but would it be an option to pay for a family member or close friend to accompany you instead of a Nanny? They might have a better understanding of your child and what they need and you might feel a bit less guilty than if you were leaving them with a stranger.

My friend was a ski nanny and has provided this service in the past for kids with SEN. Google holiday nannies.

Honestly at that age you could tuck him up in bed with a video and the babysitter wouldn’t really have to do much at all.

Sorry for the late reply ended up in a&e and now on the children's ward ...

@5zeds yes he's very structured in his routines bed at 7.45 sleep by 8 it would likely be a very relaxed affair for said nanny

@Lukasmummy unfortunately we have no family really DP mum has dementia and mine passed away 16 years ago, I have a brother who is a great help to us but he wouldn't be able to do that