Help me work out if my nanny is doing a good job

[pleppapligg]

She's my first nanny and it's her first nanny job. We have a an agreement on what her duties and responsibilities are.

She takes care of my kids and I feel they're safe with her. I'm just not sure if she's doing enough play time / creative stuff with them when she's at home.

They're 15 months and 3 and a half.

My kids have a lot of toys and I know it's annoying to keep them organised, but you have to do it if you want them to get the most out of the toys. I've bought some really cool wooden ones with animals and poles you need to stick into holes etc and my 15 month old loves playing with it.

Somehow at the end of the each day they're all messed up and I don't think the kids get the most of playing with their toys. Play dough also keeps drying up and I keep buying more. I'm trying to teach my kids to tidy up after playing and encourage the nanny to also teach them to do the same. But it doesn't look like she tries to care about it at all and half of the time, she says the kids can't play with stuff because it's a mess. Even though I tidy it all up and sort it every weekend. By Monday it's all a mess and can't be played with properly again.

She also never takes them out in the garden. My garden has everything - slide / swing / trampoline etc etc. it's an even level and perfectly safe. I have asked her to take them out, but she just doesn't do it on her own accord.

She mostly sits in the living room with them. My mum is visiting at the moment and has seen her on her phone playing games / texting. I've seen her use her phone quite a bit, but I've not told her she isn't allowed to. I don't mind occasionally. She has taken calls before while the 15 month old was crying and I did pull her up on it gently.

Anyway, my main issue is that I don't feel like she is doing much developmental / educational play stuff with them. There's also not much structure to the day. I am around, as I wfh ( she knew that before she took the role ). So I do see some of the time what's going on.

Also, the other day she got my 15 month old up from a nap and he had done a poo. Rather than changing him, she sat him in his high chair and gave him his lunch. She only changed him after. I think that's really gross. ( I only realised after it happened what had happened ).

It's her first nanny job but she has a lot of experience in child care.

I would not be happy with this.

I think you need to talk to her about structuring her day to include the things you want. I’d be asking that she spent one hour a day minimum in the garden with them, tidied up all toys (with them so they learn) read to them for a certain amount of time per day and do a craft or music activity with them once a day.

Id also raise the nappy changing. Play dough I would let go as long as the rest improved

I would ignore the playdoh, however, the nappy incident alone would make me angry.
I'd expect a nanny to change my child's nappy right after they'd done a poo, as I would, unless there is a very good reason not to do so.

Talk to her about all this and write down a list of expectations together?

Sorry but none of this is acceptable, and I think you know it or you wouldn't have posted. I did a better job than this as a 15yo babysitter. What you describe is borderline neglectful/cruel, and with children too young to tell you what's gone on in your absence, you shouldn't take the risk. Get rid of this woman ASAP.

Yes you need a new nanny. I would expect a structure to the day. So example- outing in the morning playgroup/ park/ swimming/ farm etc followed by lunch. Naps if required otherwise a quiet play period- books/jigsaws/ puzzles. Followed by craft or baking activities. Then garden play. Then end the day with free play but management of toys during play so it's not a dumpsite. Then tea and maybe end with a educational tv show. I would want to see opportunities for development within play - linking to eyfs.
And I would absolutely expect nappies to be changed fairly promptly.

I believe you've posted before about this. I really don't think it will get better. She sounds apathetic at best. Time to move on I think.

I used to be a nanny when I was a young woman. As a nanny you are expected to look after children just as a parent would but also add in structured and educational activities. A nanny should do all child laundry, cooking, cleaning, tidying and also wash/bathe the children if required. They should also have a daily routine including outings to groups and activities and outside play. Inside play should be done with the children modelling language, turn taking etc… this should include messy play, reading and educational activities. I’m not a fan of modern toys but I’d play with them if required, I prefer to use things like pots and pans or the recycling to build things. As a nanny I’d expect a kitty so I could pay for outside activities but also buy art supplies and games etc that would be my responsibility to go shop for and it would be made into an outing with the children.

For my families I also tidied up the non child related home and did bits of cleaning, walked the dogs and cooked some adult meals. This was while the children napped and was an added extra I offered if I had time. I also replaced and repaired child clothing (using kitty money). At no point was I sat on my phone. That is unacceptable. I’d eat with the dc and take a break while they napped.

Op if you want to stick with this nanny, I’d invest in a week with a properly qualified experienced nanny to train her. It will cost you double but it will be worth it.

She's a bit crap.

also, she should be making play dough fresh each day with the children. It's really cheap and easy.