The Curse of Boff strikes again - this nanny has decided after a fortnight in post that petrol is too expensive

[BoffinMum]

New nanny started two weeks ago, all going well, but then she resigns out of the blue.

This time, the cost of petrol and her 50 mile commute is blamed. She said she hadn't thought about that before taking the job.

I had a 'WTF???' moment as she was specifically asked about this at interview and by the agency.

Agency is being super and they are cross with her for messing us about, and they think she is being wimpy. So do I. She works 47.5 hours a week, so it's not as though her hours are mental for a nanny, either.

[cross]

I'm also overwhelmed by Spaniards LadyH, although DH thinks we should stay British...

Indeed. But ours was only doing two long days and three short ones, with lighter hours than many daily nannies.

Interviewed a replacement this morning, but although she was friendly, she didn't quite gel with us, so we won't be hiring her. However many nannies seem to have been made redundant around here, and they all seem to be asking for lower salaries than we were paying, which we find very interesting ... perhaps some of them are getting a bit worried about the recession?

I am finding the whole thing strangely stressful and haven't been sleeping. I am very tired and grumpy today. Poor family.

Right, update time. I have a number of applications.

1. A temp from the place we do not name who is older but possibly ever so slightly flaky, looking at the CV, which is rather patchy, reading between the lines. £650 a week gross.
2. Some random nannies from local agencies with Level 3 qualifications but somewhat chequered CVs again (eg passing off being an AP as being a nanny, for example). £450-500 a week gross.
3. A rather interesting male AP+ from the Czech republic who is a graduate and a sporty type. Has been a sports coach for kids for a long time. £100 a week gross (for 35 hours).

I have also had a nursery place confirmed for DC4, 9-3 in term times from September (£80 a week).

I am trying to work out if I can get my work done in 29 hours a week over the summer (possibly, things are a bit quiet), and then 41 hours a week thereafter (probably yes). If so I could save myself something like £17.5k a year. But there would probably be a bit more stress in terms of teaching him how to manage the house when I am not there, and so on.

Completely off topic, I saw a number plate yeasterday, BoffinMum and thought of you. It said BIF BOF.

Oh, and go with number 3.

If you go for No.3 and save yourself 17.5K could you employ a housekeeper to work alongside him for a couple of hours twice a week?

BIF BOF

Fabulous. I want it.

Re: No 3. I think the other ones aren't going to represent £17.5k worth of quality or reliability, I suppose, although I have to say I have rather liked not having people living in the house. Although I have an architect coming over for an hour on Monday as part of the Shelter scheme (you make a £40 donation) to give advice on how to improve privacy here. It's a big house but with thin walls and so on.

If I am honest, I can't really afford the £17.5k anyway. It's just that's what they are all asking.

i would seriously think about no 3

def dont go with no 1 from the place we dont name

Number 3 but give him a wee bit more than £100 a week

You don't want flaky or chequered. Sporty Czech blokely sounds good and also a positive for older DSs. Assume he'd cope with younger DS too?

Could you afford a bit of overtime, if he's capable, to give you more flexibility in the summer? And housekeeper/cleaner support sounds like an idea.

I could make her wear her uniform, and call her "Nanny" or "Nurse" like you used to have to, and insist she knits things for DS3. Like Wendy Craig in that programme.

I do think No 3 has legs (so to speak). Blondes, could you have a look at the CV?

Groovee, I can't, otherwise we end up with him having to sort out the whole tax business, etc. But a bedroom similar to ours to rent pcm locally costs at least £100 a week, food costs £30 a week and we're very generous on perks and letting them have visitors to stay, so it's not too bad a deal. It's not that I am a tightwad, honest. The whole package works out equivalent to more than the NMW and is more comfortable than trying to make a go of it on that kind of money without accommodation.

I hadn't thought of upping the housekeeping side of things. You lot is well clever.

I expect she got a better offer (and that an easier commute is a large part of the better).

TBH, I think that 50 miles is massive for a nanny commute.

She has got a nursery job five minutes' walk from her home, apparently.

Honestly, a childcare job isn't worth a huge commute, BoffinMum, so please don't take it personally

BOF. Your sporty chappy sounds just the ticket. I've done three sporty chaps now (Spain, Sweden and Greece) and all have been great with the kids. Housekeeping side is hit and miss although current one is brilliant on this side.

Differences I've personally found between APs and nannies (having had, and continuing to have, both):-

1. Nanny much better at supervising homework. She's instinctive at guiding/encouraging.
2. Nanny more 'professional' - if for example she finishes jobs and there's still an hour before school pick-up, the nanny will find something else to do without being asked, whereas the Aps would just leap onto facebook/skype to pass the time.
3. APs have all had vast amounts of energy. Trampolining for 3 hours non-stop? Tick. Pushing too children up a zipwire every 2 minutes for an hour? Tick.
4. APs generally take more liberties - eg asking for Friday-Monday off then booking a flight that necessitates them leavign at 3 on the Thursday, that kind of thing.
5. APs need lots of training on what constitutes a balanced meal.

Overall, I think I have best of both words - part time nanny 15 hours, and AP for the rest. Gives me loads of flexibility, especially around holiday times.

If I were in your shoes it would be a no-brainer to hire the chap, see how it goes and then fill in the gaps.

Bonsoir, we are a semi rural area and many commute 30 minutes each way - she was commuting 45 minutes each way.

That's interesting, Squiffs. I am mainly nervous because I have a few bonkers APs in the past (as can be evidenced on past threads!) But that having been said, I also had some excellent ones. It's so hit and miss, really. But I suppose we have nothing much to lose by taking him on for the summer and seeing how it goes.

would LOVE to see his legs

bung him the cv over

does it come with pic??

There are many pictures. He wears shorts a lot while he is doing all his training. I even have a picture of him stretching while he does his warm ups. But I am only showing you if you put your tongue back in

Blondes, we could always invite you over to do an 'induction' into British ways and customs. Cultural exchange is so important, is it not?

Blimey! I remember your other thread, cant believe it happened again!.

What surprises me in these cases is how they get the other job.
Ok, the nanny took your job until she finds something in her area. Who found her the other job? The Agency? hmmm. Its a bit ironic imo giving you apologies etc when they had probably help her to get the other job.

With 17K extra you can take few out of that for a local mum or student to do a bit of housekeeping. The homework could be an issue.

I would go for the Spanish AP for the benefit of having free spanish tutoring.

No, the nanny has worked at this nursery before. I think she just gave me a ring, tbh. The agency are actually going flat out to find a replacement, but my sense is that there are not that many people looking for jobs right now.

gave them a ring

I feel there must be more to it than not wanting to do the commute. It is a long journey but if she knew that before she took the job, there is no excuse for her behaviour!

I always look into every aspect of travel and viability before I even apply for a job.

I would like to work nearer home but took the job I am in now as it was what came up when I was looking but having taken it I will stay until it reaches a natural conclusion when my charge goes intio school full time, later this year