What illnesses can a nanny reasonably take care of?

[Ktay]

One of the benefits frequently cited about having a nanny is that they can take care of your DC even when they are sick. But does this even apply to contagious stuff like D&V? And is it different if the nanny brings their own child? For example, I imagine most nannies would be fine caring for a charge with chickenpox but what if their own child hasn't been exposed yet? Just trying to get a sense of what is reasonable to expect of our nanny before the scenario arises...

I think if the child was not sufficiently ill to be in hospital, i would care for them. However I do not have a child of my own, that could make a difference.

This is one if the things that really needs to be discussed beforehand, as in at interview with the nanny if they plan to bring their own child.

In general if it's contagious like CO their child will have been exposed. The incubation period is quite long. D&V is probably more difficult. A nanny as an adult can be scrupulous about hygiene but add another child into the mix and you may have problems which mean nanny caches it and is off work.

I can't speak as a nanny bringing their own child, but just as a nanny- I've cared for children with chickenpox, D&V, colds, flu etc. What you as a parent need to be prepared for is the nanny then getting ill- once I turned up for work and was told the child was ill all night with D&V. By 4pm I was so ill I had to call the parents back! And missed two more days getting over it. In fact every time I've been ill recently and every day off I've had has been due to catching something from my charges. Not that I'm bitter or anything- just a fact!

Thanks for the input, and good point about the CP incubation period. I think I would always text in advance and warn our nanny of any illness (and let her decide) rather than spring it on her on arrival but wanted to make sure I wasn't asking anything too outrageous.

I would discuss first. Our nanny is happy to deal with most things but not d&v.

I am happy for her to deal with most things but feel d&v is beyond her remit. I would also go on how my children were in themselves.

It also works both ways would you be happy if your nanny bought her ill child with her. Chicken pox ok as they have probably been exposed but. D and V probably not. I worked Tues and Thurs and was always given the option. Most of the time it was a case of looking after one who was well but not able to attend school due to 48hr rule. I also managed to do a few days like this after all the kids had gone to school

Frankly I'd expect my nanny to take nannynick's approach and would be unimpressed if she started refusing to look after an ill child - outside of circumstances such as CP in pregnancy. This is one of the reasons that I'm shelling out for a nanny rather than sending DD to nursery as I really can't take time off every time she is ill. And it's one of the big reasons I'd be very reluctant to have a nanny with own child.

As a nanny, I would take care of the children I looked after when they were ill. It wouldn't have crossed my mind not to tbh. That's one of the main reasons parents have a nanny. Though in nearly 20 years of nannying, I've never had to deal with major D&V or chickenpox. I did have one charge with mumps which had complications.

When I had Ds, I did take him to work with me. (New job.) I agreed with Mum boss that I would look after her children if they sick and I'd still bring mine in if he was under the weather. They were in such close contact that whatever one had, the other would get anyway. Mum Boss was a GP and very relaxed about bugs and things. Occasionally she'd stay home with her children if they were ill and tell me not to come in, like when they all got swine flu. If I ever felt Ds was too poorly to be at work then my DP would keep him at home. I understand that reliability is a key point for parents.

same as nannynick, if child was ill but not in hospital then i look after them

that is one of the main advantages of employing a nanny

throughout 21 years of nannying every family i have worked for has had chicken pox, though last job 2/3 dc had it and i spent whole job (5years) trying to get last dc it (so mixed with children who had it/been in contact with etc) as mb wanted all 3 to have had it and never got it

2 weeks after i left no 3 got the pox ..........

all have had sick bugs
most have had the odd bout of d&v
all have had colds
one measles
one scarlet fever
one tonsillitis
three regular ear infections and then eventually grommitts and 2 weeks off school/nursery

if a nwoc then they need to accept that their child may be ill and would need to find different childcare for them and leave them at home with dad/gp's etc and still go to work

but that is up to the mum and nanny to discuss at interview

Thanks all, I must admit we didn't discuss it at interview but my work are quite flexible and offer decent care leave so I'm not too worried about that. Just didn't want to be asking/expecting anything out of turn when an illness inevitably arises.

my poor nanny did loads of overtime last week with my 2 who had horrific D&V and thus were unable to attend nursery (even when better as excluded 48hr). she then succumbed over the weekend so husband had to work at home to be arounf for the early nursery pickup nanny normally does on monday. That said last week would have been impossible for us to cancel work stuff, this week easier so all worked out OK (and nanny says she thinks it is entirely her decision to have done loads of overtime with kids - she loves them and only does 12hr for us and is skint and seeking other work on days off) She will however be getting full pay for her sick day as it's our fault she got ill and am tempted to buy her a nice present as a thankyou for getting us out of a right bind (I had to go to London one day last week which was totally uncancellable and our backup of grandparents are all 200 miles away)