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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

nannies, activities, and rainy days

16 replies

uwila · 29/08/2005 20:01

Just wondering what the mumsnet majority would say is fair on this. If you have a nanny, and you sign up your kids for regular activities (tumble tots, mokey music, whatever), do you expect them to go on days when it is raining? Assume that they go on the train and that there is say a 5 or 10 minute walk after the train arrives on each end.

I don't want to be an ogre of an employer and make the new nanny (who incidentally I really like so far) go out in the rain if this isn't usual practise. But, I also don't want to pay for activities if they aren't going to go to them say half the classes.

All opinions welcome (nannies and parents).

OP posts:

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FairyMum · 29/08/2005 20:06

I don't have a nanny, but briefly had an au pair. Of course they can go out in the rain.

giraffeski · 29/08/2005 20:10

Message withdrawn

katymac · 29/08/2005 20:13

Uwila - I'm going to be contentious and say 'only if you would do the same journey' So if you would, then Nanny would (iyswim)

But if you wouldn't do it, then I wouldn't expect Nanny to do it......reasonable?

Sorry but rain doesn't make children melt and a reasonable journey is the same whether for you or the nanny

Original poster

uwila · 29/08/2005 21:16

I'm just asking what's fair on here. She didn't say she wouldn't go. No, I wouldn't like to travelling around via the train with two kids in a double pram in the rain. I offered to put her on my insurance and let her use my car one day a week (she would obviously have to drop me off at work) but she's really not interested in driving on the left side of the road. So train travel it is.

I think what's fair is if it's typical England showers I'd expect them to go. But, if it's a terrible thunderstorm then they can miss it.

OP posts:

nannyjo · 29/08/2005 21:27

i don't think it's unreasonable to go out in the rain for an activity that is paid for, if we let rain stop our plans then we'd spend all of winter indoors, that would just drive the kids and nanny up the wall.

If you're happy that the kids are ok and prepared for in the rain then the nanny will be able to as well i'm sure, she'll be doing it for the kids enjoyment afterall.

Ladymuck · 29/08/2005 21:29

Would agree with KatyMac. When I have a non-driving nanny I accept that the ds's won't get to everything.

NannyL · 29/08/2005 21:31

as a nanny i would definitely go!

i HATE being stuck inside.... i like to get out and do SOMETHING every morning / afternoon!

if it was raining thats even more of an incentive to go to tumble tots etc!

Thats why rain coats / umbrellas and raincovers for buggies are invented in my opinion!

ThePrisoner · 29/08/2005 23:47

Same here NannyL - I would go mad if I stayed indoors all day, and so would the children. As a childminder, I guess I probably have more say in what we do with our day than a nanny does, but I'd feel a bit daft saying to a parent "oh, we didn't go to blah blah because it was raining!"

NannyL · 30/08/2005 08:42

Just to mention.... that as the nanny what we do is up to ME..... i plan the day / week etc, and we do what I want to!

im sure some nannies maybe told what to do / where to go with the child, but i guess im very lucky who has a boss who lets me do as i please!

giraffeski · 30/08/2005 08:59

Message withdrawn

bigdonna · 30/08/2005 09:24

i used to be a nanny and we went out in all weathers i never stayed in because of rain,snow etc. and we walked for miles and miles one local park we walked to in wimbledon took at least 40 mins to walk to !.

ssd · 30/08/2005 09:57

I think if your nanny refuses to drive on our side she should be prepared to take the kids out in the rain.

She can't have it both ways.

Only exception would be a real stormy day.

Original poster

uwila · 30/08/2005 11:58

I wouldn't really say she refused. More like she expressed a preference. And I was just as happy to skip the cost of adding her to the insurance as well as the inconvenience of having to share my car.

OP posts:

ssd · 30/08/2005 12:59

I'd work on her doing the driving for a day then. It would be fair as she has 2 kids to lug about and you'll only have yourself!

Maybe she just need some reassurance about driving over here.

ssd · 30/08/2005 13:01

TBH when I was a nanny in London I wouldn't take a position unless a car for myself came as one of the perks. Kids + buggy + bags + London transport isn't much fun as everyone knows! Even if it's not raining.

NannyL · 30/08/2005 17:59

Giraffski...

the parents pay for all the activities we do! things like tumble tots where you pay upfront etc i would ALWAYS take them to! (unless they were ill of course)

what i meant was im very lucky.... i sort out our week to suit me (and we DO go to music classes / tumbel tots etc!)

I would not dream of paying for something using the parenst money and NOT going!

Its more that I organise the childrens 'social' life so they get a good variety of activities, rather than being told what to take them to and when!

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