Nannies with young children - any pitfalls to be aware of?

[elliott]

I'm about to interview a nanny for an afterschool/holiday job. She has a two year old child -I don't know what her own childcare arrangements are, but I'm assuming she will not be hoping to bring him to work - and will obviously want to explore that at interview. Is there anything else I need to ask about/be wary of?

I would think if she's going for an after school/holiday job, the reason would be because she wishes to bring her child with her!!! Best to ask her before interview I think

Yes, I too would expect the child is coming with her. But, I would also expect to pay her a bit less for this priviledge.

hmmm, well I have been going through an agency, and neither the agency nor her CV mention this - and I certainly hadn't indicated this was what I wanted on my job description! But obviously I need to find out. I just wondered whether anyone had experience of employing a nanny with small children who doesn't want to brign them with her (I was assuming she had family back up or something - or her dh might work shifts).

Would you not also expect it to be mentioned/asked whether I would consider this rather than assuming it when it is not what I've asked for?

you guys panicked me a bit so I checked with the agency - no she is not expecting to bring her own child (phew!)

Oh, sorry for the panic. I've just heard so many nannies say "why would I put my own child in daycare to look after someone else's".

But, obviously we were wrong.

I suppose as an employee she will be entitled to parental leave, if she has another soon, she'll be entitled to maternity leave, she may take more sick days when her child is sick, she may spread that illness to your house...

Then, again, she might be very lovely and dedicated to her job. Just trying to play devil's advocate for you.

elliott i find this a very strange question. Surely being a nanny is like any other job that working mums have. You should know you are one yourself!!! She will be entitled to all the same things as you are as a working mum and sometimes yes she may have to prioritise (sp?, again just as you do as a working mum. :)

Sorry posted before i had actually finished

If on the other hand you dont feel you want that added hassle then i would advise you to look for a childless nanny. Though i have to say that would smack a little of being a bit hyprocritical and discriminatory.

You might want to ask what her childcare arrangements are, if she has cover when her child is sick. Would you allow her to bring a sick shild to your house to work if she needed to? And would she want to do that?

Maybe she has back up. For example, maybe her DH is a teacher and can look after their child when she is looking after yours. There might be good answers for all of these questions.

nzshar, there's no need to be defensive! I was just interested to know if anyone out there had direct experience of this and whether there was anything in particular I should explore at the interview! I am thinkign in particular that her needs may change as her child gets older, so that she might not be available in holidays when her child goes to school. Of course I can talk to her about this, but I just wondered whether anyone had experience to share as it appears to be fairly unusual.
I am not too fazed by the prospect of maternity leave tbh. And I like the idea of someone with plenty of experience.