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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

Nanny quit... via a text message! Warning: This is a moan!

33 replies

VentiPeppermintMochaWithWhip · 11/05/2011 16:13

I'm in a lecture this afternoon, secure in the knowledge that nanny will collect kids from school at 1530, when I get a simple text...

I can't pick kids up I quit

OMIGOD!!! So I leave university and come and get kids! But omigod!! Asked her why, she said it was confidential. Asked her to bring house key back asap, still haven't had it. There is a four week notice period in her contract and on top of it all, she has been overpaid THREE WEEKS holiday!!

Thank goodness I have been advertising... I already have an interview lined up on Friday, but still... looks like I'll be missing uni tomorrow.

I can't decide if I'm more angry or feel sorry for her.

Sorry... moan over.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

no1childminder · 11/05/2011 16:29

OMG!!! Im a nanny and in the past when Ive not been happy, or I want to leave I ALWAYS give my 4wks notice. I would never ever tx, especially on the day and especially when I know I have to pick children up. I just dont get how someone could do that!

If you've been advertising does that mean you havent been happy with her?

She owes you that holiday money back, unless they were your chosen holidays.

Can you think of any reason why she would do this?

Ebb · 11/05/2011 16:41

Does she know you were advertising? Could she have seen/been told about the advert and been pissed off? Whatever the reason, she's been immensely unproffessional.

madeindevon2 · 11/05/2011 16:49

there must be more to this....

TobyLerone · 11/05/2011 16:50

Agreed. I think there's more to it.

DandyGilver · 11/05/2011 16:52

That is staggering. But I take it you were unhappy with her before this, if you were advertising?

harrietthespook · 11/05/2011 16:52

Venti, is this a wind up? (re other thread.) Enjoying it, in any case.

nannynick · 11/05/2011 16:54

I can't pick kids up - why not? Had she been arrested?

Even if someone is going to give notice on a job, they wouldn't then not pick the children up, unless something major has happened.

You asked her why - was that in person or by phone/text?

Original poster

VentiPeppermintMochaWithWhip · 11/05/2011 17:56

She's preggers by a man she's not been in a relationship with for 4 months...

We were advertising b/c we needed maternity cover

I did ask her why and she said it was confidential

I have a previous client that is a solicitor and I have spoken to ACAS... an employer is within her rights to choose holidays, this was written in her contract and I confirmed that the holiday was agreeable months in advance... so the money is payable and said previous client now solicitor is writing her a letter...

OP posts:

ohnoshedittant · 11/05/2011 19:07

lol @ had she been arrested

Could she have had a problem with her pregnancy? Taken ill suddenly? Although why she couldn't tell you that I don't know....

Pufflemum · 12/05/2011 13:59

My first nanny did the same but via a voicemail. Apparently she decided my kids were too much hardwork however afterwards I found out went to work for a friends friend ( despite being paid £125 a day by me). We had a contract with a 4 week notice period but I got 4 hours notice.

Strix · 12/05/2011 14:32

JEEZ... that nanny is a real piece of work. I would not be feeling sorry for her and would be very very .

Agree that you are within your rights to choose all her holiday. I don't understand why she would not owe you if you chose it.

I'd throw the book at her after walking out on the spot.

Original poster

VentiPeppermintMochaWithWhip · 12/05/2011 15:18

Strix Personally, I have thrown the book at her. However, DH disagrees with me and has asked me not to send solicitor's letter.

Can you believe she had the cheek to text me this morning asking when she was working this week?!?! I went mental and text her a very calm yet precise message: You quit. You're no longer welcome here. Return your keys TODAY. You will receive a letter in the post.

Sheesh!!

OP posts:

HavePatience · 12/05/2011 17:21

I have no other words...

nannynick · 12/05/2011 20:37

She quit. Then asked what hours she is working. Quite mad that one.

nannyl · 12/05/2011 21:44

and even more at asking what her hours are

pooka · 12/05/2011 21:47

Make sure you keep the text with her quitting. Sounds like she's trying to manoeuvre out of the decision, putting you in the position of having fired her. When pregnant. Without following procedures.

Do be careful.

Tarenath · 13/05/2011 07:58

Wow... just wow...

Strix · 13/05/2011 09:38

She does not sound stable enough to be in charge of young children.

I once had a nanny who threatened to walk out whilst I was at work (I had one child at the time who was 14 months old). I dismissed her in the morning because I could not in good conscience go to work not knowing whether she would be there looking after DD or not.

I think you better do everything by the book and assume she plans to sue you for dismissing her BECAUSE she is pregnant. She probably won't find another job now, and is up the duff by a man who is no longer around (I think I have that part right?). She will be panicing not doubt. And if she thinks taking you to court could be her meal ticket then well... she might try it.

Definitely keep that text in a safe place. Maybe take a photo of the phone with the text on the screen just in case the text gets erased. Also forward the text somewhere so it's another another phone or two... just in case your phone breaks or gets lost.

ChippingIn · 13/05/2011 09:42

Venti - does this have anything to do with the 'shower' and your DH being home? He's being strangely protective of her.

You said in your other post she had a boyfriend who she was having a baby with?

I'm confused?

Strix · 13/05/2011 11:13

I think she decided not to mention the shower incident. I think the boyfriend is an x boyfriend. Nice guy, get your girlfriend pregnant and do a runner.

OP is also pregnant, has an AWOL nanny, a job to hold down, and I think she's holding the fort pretty well under the circumstances. Planting seeds about her husband having an affair with the horrid nanny when you have no evidence is really probably not helpful.

I think my DH, who has never had an affair with one of our nannies (or anyone else), would probably react in a similar way.

ChippingIn · 13/05/2011 11:51

Strix - yes, I read on the other thread that she hadn't mentioned it to the nanny. I'm just wondering if there is anything going on between the nanny & the DH. Shower incident when he wasn't supposed to be home but was and his defending her now...? Also, one of the reasons she said that the nanny & her DH would be a no-go was because she had a boyfriend - that was only what 2 weeks ago? Now she hasn't been with this guy for 4 months? The nanny saying the reason is 'confidential'... and not being able to pick the kids up...

The seeds were planted on the other thread.

Horrid nanny? What are you basing this on? The fact that she has resigned on the spot? Yes it's shitty shitty to text the Mum to say you can't pick up the kids today - BUT that is what would really make me wonder why not?

chimchar · 13/05/2011 11:56

thats really bad form quitting on the spot. there seems to be far more to this though.

nanny sounds a bit emotionally damaged/stressed/unstable...

i think i'd be a bit more concerned about her before "throwing the book at her".

good luck finding a new nanny!

Strix · 13/05/2011 12:05

That's quite a leap, ChippinIn. People are very quick to accuse DHs of sleeping with nannies. It's probably nothing more than idle gossip. I think you need a more evidence than a nanny taking a shawer and DH not wanting to throw the book at her.

Yes, sending a text to quit on the spot without even working the rest of the day is horrid. What a cow. And then thinking you could come back is just plain dillusional.

ChippingIn · 13/05/2011 12:14

Strix - the OP also grilled her child over whether Daddy was actually home or not.

I missed the date change, I thought the nanny had text in the morning and quit in the afternoon - but the next day?? Admittedly she's pregnant & having a hard time of it personally... but bloody hell!?

I'd change the locks while I was about it - kill two birds with one stone!

no1childminder · 13/05/2011 13:38

im confused at the 'shower' comment. i cant find where the poster commented on a shower

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