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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

My nanny is pregnant

14 replies

superstretchedmum · 15/03/2011 15:18

My nanny has been with us for 6 years and is now pregnant with her second child. Her son has been coming to work with her since he was born. I have 2 children and am also pregnant with my third.
We love her dearly as do my boys but clearly it is not possible for her to look after 5 children, including 2 babies. How can I handle this conversation without getting into legal hot water?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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SnapFrakkleAndPop · 15/03/2011 15:22

She only has the right to return to work under the same conditions, which is bringing her son with her. She doesn't have the right to bring the new baby. You are perfectly entitled to sit her down and say that 5 children, including 2 babies isn't a workable situation, you won't be able to have her back with her new baby and what would she like to do?

How would you like to resolve the situation?
For example, how would you feel if she arranged other care for her son and brought the new baby instead?

LaurieFairyCake · 15/03/2011 15:23

why can't she?

Are they all under 5? not going to school?

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 15/03/2011 15:41

I assume if the position involves driving she won't be able to have all 5 in the car, unless there's a 7 seater with correctly fitted restraints. It'll also drastically cut down the number of activities they can do.

There could well be 4 under 5. Presumably as nanny has been there for 6 years there is one 6+ year old who is at school.

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/03/2011 16:05

a nanny is quite capable of looking under 5 children and if need be what is like twins

BUT

depends if that is what you want :)

as frakk said, also depends on the car situation

Original poster

superstretchedmum · 15/03/2011 17:24

To be honest I think we need to look at a new option. I would worry that my 2 elder children would lose out with 2 new babies in the mix. My elder one now has quite a bit of homework and I want to make sure the solution we choose benefits all the children.
Thanks SnapFrakkleand Pop for the legal advice.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/03/2011 18:14

sounds alike a new nanny is in order then, one who can cope with older ones and homework, but also incy babies :)

mr a or nick, if op desnt want her nanny back, does that mean she is redundant, or not as because its the nannies fault that she cant go back as having no 2 iyswim

thinking 6yr redundancy would be nice for the nanny, but wondered if she was entitled to it, as tech the job is still there

HarrietTheSpook · 15/03/2011 18:19

Our after school nanny refused to look after five on her own. Numbers and logistics. How pregnant is she? She may well be thinking the same.

nannyl · 15/03/2011 18:24

i doubt she will be entitled to redundancy...

as OP HAS to offer her her job back (ie without baby) and it will be nanny deciding that she doesnt want to come back, so nanny will be deciding not to come back, not the employer.

StillSquiffy · 16/03/2011 11:33

If she chooses not to come back under current terms (ie without new baby) then she is not entitled to redundancy, no.

If she is really fab then maybe you could offer to allow her to get a mothers help to come and assist for a few hours a day after school to ease the burden (at nanny's expense). But I would be wary and would only do this myself if I really didn't want to lose the nanny. If you decide to go down this route then you would need to word it very carefully.

looneytune · 16/03/2011 13:15

What others have said, you don't have to give her the job back with her new baby if you don't want. But I just wanted to add that it's very possible to look after 5 children, 2 being babies (I'm a childminder and we have 6 children in total usually, when I came back from ML I had my 10 wk old, an 8 month old, 17 month old, 18 month old, 4 year old and 5 year old :)). But at the end of the day it's what you feel comfortable with and it sounds like a new nanny would make you happier. You definitely don't have to make her redundant in that situation.

Strix · 16/03/2011 14:15

I'd keep the fab nanny, offer her a small pay cut to account for additional baby in the mix, and hire a tutor for the homework help.

I think the situation is workable.

HappyAsIAm · 16/03/2011 14:54

Much as my fammily loves our nanny too, in those circumstances, I would have to say that we would ahve to look for anotehr nanny. Hiring additional help (whether that be a mother's help or a tutor, as have been suggested) seems to add an additional layer on, and its not necessary. Thats how I'd look at it anyway. And I do understand your position, as you clearly value your nanny and she has been with your family for a long time.

HappyAsIAm · 16/03/2011 14:55

And I'd give her an amzing present to say thank you and goodbye. Obviously not yet - that would be incredibly premature! But I'd have that in mid.

Strix · 16/03/2011 15:52

Depending on the level and subject of homework, I think the chances are a tutor would be of more use than a nanny. I know my almost 8 year is getting to aplace in her math where not all nannies would be able to help her. Lots would, but some wouldn't. If you are not happy with the teaching of tutor, you can change the tutor pretty easily. But, if you have a nanny doing this you have all your eggs in one basket and a change is not so simple.

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