hygiene and new nanny

[stella1w]

New nanny just started this week and in many respects is great. But I've never seen her wash her hands before preparing meals. Day before yesterday we were both changing the baby - I started, she finished, I went to wash hands and mentioned that this would be a good idea, in the context of the children should always wash hands before meals and so should we. She did not wash hands, and then we went to the kitchen and she made lunch without washing her hands.
And both my children have had runny tummies towards the end of this week.
I'm trying to get the balance right between micromanaging and being clear from the start about expectations.
Not sure how to tackle this tactfully...

you have to just ask her to do it

though myself i don't get overly jumpy about washing my hands all the time

I had an au-pair who tended to forget to wash her hands before prepare the baby's bottle, if I was there, I would ask her "have you washed your hands?". I wasn´t very happy and it made me uncomfortable because I didn´t want her to feel policed either. You could catch her after a nappy change and tell her "I noticed you are going to cook now and have not washed your hands, how can we make sure that you remember to do it every time?" You are right to be concerned, hygiene is important.

Grim! Sit her down next week and have a little review. Tell her what you're happy with then say Oi skank! Wash your hands especially after nappy changing. I don't want baby poo flakes in my food Hygiene is particularly important to me so can you please make sure you wash your hands after nappy changes and before preparing food. Seriously though, you shouldn't have to be saying this at all! It's basic common sense / normal behaviour to wash your hands.

Yes, definitely hygiene matters. If she's not doing it, she needs to do it. I would maybe stick a notice up as well over the nappy change area/sink.

If she is not doing it after a week or so of being reminded, I would consider changing nannies - it is such a basic thing that someone consistently not doing it is probably slack in other areas.

"though myself i don't get overly jumpy about washing my hands all the time"

But you would after a nappy change wouldn't you?

If she isn't doing it after changing a nappy then is she washing after going to the loo?
It's grim. You need to tell her directly that you expect a high level of hygiene, and specify what this means to you.

Not washing hands after a nappy change is a bit grim! Not sure where to begin with that, it's so fundamental. In fact, I might have to spell out the link to her continuing employment (nicely)

If she doesn't change her hands after a nappy change I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't wash her hands after she has been to the lavatory. That is very disgusting, I always wash my hands before preparing any kind of food in the kitchen, changing nappies and so on. It is common sense. I think a chat with her would help but I don't think things will change. It is a trust thing for me to be honest. How do you know she will do it when you are not looking?

total skank and cant beleive someone wouldnt wash hands after a nappy change or at least do before cooking food

blondes heaves

never said the above before

I'd say something like "I noticed you didn't wash you hands after changing the nappy, I just wanted to check you're not allergic to our handwash or anything like that. I don't mind buying a different one if you would prefer".

I would say: " I've noticed that you didn't wash your hands after changing a nappy earlier. I'm sorry but that is totally unacceptable in our household. You must wash your hands after using the lavatory, changing a nappy, blowing your nose/kids noses etc and preparing all food. If I notice it happening again I'm afraid I will sack you.

That is disgusting. I'm a hand washing freak and do mine constantly, but that us absolutely disgusting. Definitely have words as hygiene is something to expect! Especially from somebody who should understands the implications of bad hygiene routines on ones immune system!