Can you help me with organise my nanny..

[addictedtoblub]

I've posted on here before and I'm always getting really helpful advice.

Summer holidays start soon. Usually my nanny has my 1 year old 5 days a week and my 3 year old and 1 year old together, 1 day a week.

I've noticed on the days she has both, it's all a bit tough for her. Cooking and laundry falls behind a bit. I get that it's hard and I have never complained.

I also notice there is a fair bit of TV for the 3 year old. I don't mind that much. I'm a bit concerned as the holidays are so long, how she's going to entertain both of them.

We have a big garden with swings / sand pit/ little house/ trampoline / slide. She never takes them out there. She only takes them out to the playground and for lunch. She will take them to two toddler classes a week.

What else can she do ? Or what can I encourage her to do ? It's tough because they're such different ages. I usually get older one to play play dough/ do drawing / play tea party etc. we also go out a fair bit.

What else could we be doing with two kids of these ages ? I struggle myself some days, but I'm not a child care professional.

Nanny also doesn't love taking them out together to the park as they shoot off in different directions. She usually just closes herself into the living room with them both.

Any advice welcome.

This

I've never had a nanny but for what it's worth I would expect making of lunch and childrens laundry to be pretty standard duties for a nanny. If the baby is napping it isn't that hard to put laundry in the machines and then when you go to wake the baby up (or they wake) to quickly put it away? Parents manage it all the time whilst looking after the children (without it being their job).. when I finish a day at work I collect my 3 year old and I go home, do all the laundry, and put it away, certainly the 3 year old doesn't prevent that.. and putting food in an oven really is possible with a child with you.

If on an outing all day long I can understand cold picnic food and not doing laundry as you simply aren't there, but when at home most of the day surely it's possible for most people to do basic tasks and a quick clean (of childrens stuff) as you leave one area and go to another? Essentially allowing the parents to parent when they return home with things that a stay at home parent would have done completed so there isn't a backlog

The nanny doesn't sound amazing to me for a 40k a year paid employee, with an unlimited budget for childrens activities

I think maybe talk to her now before summer is here, establish what the plans are and set expectations (3 outing days a week perhaps with 2 to do craft/cooking stuff at home and catch up on laundry etc). If she doesn't really 'want' to do what you expect it may not be the right fit and you'd at least have time before the summer to find an alternative?

No offence but she doesn't sound great. I was a nanny for a 3 year old and 10 month old twins I did pre school drop and pick up and took twins to a group every day. I now have a 1 and 2 year old 15 months apart we are at groups daily I take them swimming together and to the park it's easily manageable

She does take them to the park, out for lunch and to toddler classes.

@SallyWD the op clearly doesn't think that's enough or she wouldn't be posting ?

For all those PPs saying the nanny doesn't need to do any more, and shouldn't be doing the laundry- it is standard for nannies to do all cooking cleaning and laundry related to the children.
TV should only be a last resort and limited to 30 mins (or whatever is agreed with parents). These are childcare professionals who are trained - and are well paid to take care of these children.
Bear in mind that the average nanny is paid about £17/hour net (London). It will be costing the OP over £40k to employ this woman.
OP - tell her you would like to limit TV for 30 mins after lunch and that's it. The garden is there to be used and outdoor activities are very important for your kids. She will have free reign to plan days out etc.
I would also expect a daily journal of activities.
Source: have had nannies for 10 years.

The average rate for a nanny in London is £14net if you're lucky. Most agencies are offering £16 gross.

Source: am a nanny, run a Facebook group for parents and agencies to post ads.

That being said, I do agree with you about what a nanny should be doing, we provide a luxury service and this is (or should be) reflected in pay.

Interesting about the daily journal though, I only did it with my first full time family as I thought it was the 'done' thing, but one day the mum said really don't fuss about it, they don't read it.

I've never done one since, I've asked parents and they are happy with a weekly WhatsApp with photos and captions on what the children did.

@addictedtoblub have an honest conversation over a cuppa before the summer saying that you notice she doesn't use the garden much and is there a reason why as you'd like it to be a support for her with 2 active little ones. Be curious not judgemental. There may be a reason - allergies, comfort, you just don't know. I find conversations like this lead to such better communication and understanding.

As for the rest, perhaps work a schedule out with her - activities in the am outside of home, lunch/naps then activities at home. Honestly she should be doing this but she may need some help structuring the day.