moving jobs

[petuniapickletits]

Hiya.. sorry if this is a bit boring and long!

I currently work pt as a nanny. . I have been offered a nanny job for less hours/more money closer to home and is generally an all round better position for my family. I love my current family, have bonded well and will have just completed one year when I intend to leave. This new position starts November. I will be sad to leave them but don't feel I can miss this opportunity.

I haven't told my current boss yet as I am concerned for whatever reason the new one will fall through. (they wanted me to start now, I said I couldn't until nov and she has found someone to bridge the gap)

I want to give current boss as much notice as possible but don't want to risk my job.

Do I ask new boss for a contract asap to confirm my start date and make it set in stone (is that even possible? )

my concern is I will hand my notice in, new family will change their minds (with perhaps keeping temporary arrangements and making them permanent) and ill be buggered. Jobs are particularly hard to come by for me.

Yes get as much about the new job in writing as possible. No reason why the contract could not be agreed prior to starting.

How much notice do you need to give the current family - should be in your contract?

its a month. .I wanted to give two, if possible.

current family will REALLY appreciate more than a month's notice. Makes a huge difference to the children - say it takes a few weeks to find teh right person, then have to sort paperwork and they have to work out their notice. Get your contract signed on the new role straight away, and maybe start babysitting for them now? if they're both part time, can you do a day a week on the new job already to get yourself into the family?

you are always going to be less secure moving to a new job because they can dismiss you pretty much without cause (without discrimination) within the first year however nannying is such a personal position that once you've met the children & they know you're coming, it would be an odd family who booted you.