To think they are trying to get rid?

[SweetSymphony]

Don't want to be too outing so bear with me.
Relative disclosed a chronic illness to their employer a few weeks back. (she's a nanny). Last week they decided to use a different form of childcare one morning rather than her. With no explanation. Is she wrong to be concerned? Personally I am suspicious.

Presumably she has a contract in place and they are paying her properly (tax, pension and NI through a payroll) if that’s the case, it’s more difficult to ‘get rid’.

Unless she’s still on probation and they invent another reason?

Very insensitive of them to do that without giving an explanation.
For example
'We are doing this tomorrow because of.... ....Just to let you know its only for this day.'
Of course she is going to be worried and upset.

It's not at all difficult to get rid of a nanny - you just say "From date X I won't need a nanny any more because my DC will be going to nursery/childminder instead. I'm giving you x weeks notice as per your contract." If she's been in place for more than two years then she should get redundancy pay of one week per year of employment.

She might well suspect that the dismissal is due to disability discrimination (low to nil sickness absence is high up the list of things people want in a nanny) but if the children are actually being shifted to an alternative form of childcare it would be a nightmare to prove.

YABU, they can use whatever childcare they like.

Last week they decided to use a different form of childcare one morning rather than her.

What does that really mean? That sentence could mean that one day last week the grandparents wanted to look after the child for the day.

But after she's revealed a chronic illness, you would think there would be some sensitivity there. It's disconcerting when you get told your shift is going to someone else, relative, another childcare establishment, whatever.
If it's another paid service, I find that odd to be honest and would think the same as OP. That it's because of what was disclosed in terms of health.

A lot of families progress from using nannies to using nurseries at least part of the time. Nurseries have the advantage of teaching the children social skills because of the interaction with other children and of being more reliable childcare. So as the children get older it becomes an easier and more financially viable form of childcare. Her illness may have made them think about it more and to realise how vulnerable they are to having problems if they nanny calls in sick so they're exploring their options - they have that right.

I remember making the decision to move to a more nursery heavy split between childminder and nursery when the childminder's daughter fell ill and she couldn't look after my DSs when I needed to attend a conference as one of the organisers - arranging alternate care with little notice was a nightmare.

Is the chronic illness something which is likely to cause her to be off work regularly? If so, they’ll will likely want a backup option in place for if and when they are. They can be sympathetic to their condition but still ultimately need childcare. Your friend does need to make sure her contact is adhered to however.

I believe these employers would be on shaky ground if they changed the terms of her employment based on her disclosing a health condition which looks to be the case here. The lack of honesty and communication around it is also very poor.

By all means change the arrangement but they have to give appropriate notice and also be prepared to say goodbye to the nanny especially as it looks like the hours left over would be practically non existent.