Would you hire this lady as a nanny?

[JessMcL]

My sister has a newborn and a 3 year old.

She advertised for a PT Nanny a few days ago on Nanny job and she has had interest off a retired midwife who worked at the same hospital for 33 years.

My sister has spoken to her briefly and she has said she seems like a lovely lady and she is looking forward to formally interviewing her on Sunday.

I just voiced my concerns though- because although this ladies is bound to have fantastic knowledge of newborns and the first few weeks/months of lives- would she be the ideal choice for her 3 year old and in six months time when her baby isn't a little baby anymore??

She is 65 but sister has explained she gets the impression she is very fit and has only retired to spend more time with her family but needs to pay off the remainder of her mortgage so is looking for part time work instead.

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are

She sounds perfect tbh. Medical training, and she will probably have good stamina levels from long ward shifts. most importantly she is willing to work part time - we started looking for a part time nanny and most seemed to want full time.

I'm guessing she probably has kids of her own and grandchildren. She'll have a darned sight more experience than most first time mothers.

Sounds great.

Are you sure you're not stereotyping because of her age?

You are essentially describing my Mum (although she was a paediatric nurse rather than a midwife and is now doing part time outpatient work instead of retiring).

I'd put her in charge of kids of any age for any length of time. She has more energy than I do.

Basically, if this woman says she can do it, I'd think she'd be perfect. An extra grandparent nearly

Maybe a mutually agreed probation period just in case she discovers it's not for her.

As a midwife she would have been working 11 hour shifts with no breaks most days. Not even able to go to the toilet if doing one to one care. She would have had to work days and nights in the same week.
Most midwives retire at 55 so 65 was quite old to retire.
I think you are being ageist.
I bet she will be off sick less than a younger person. And will easily cope with part time work looking after a baby and three year old.
Surely there will be a probationary period, so if she doesn't cope, your sister could ask her to leave.
I know who I would rather leave my baby with , and an older lady with medical experience would tick all my boxes.

I would talk about activities and discipline at interview and if she satisfied me I would be delighted having found a Granny Nanny for my children.

55+ people caring for children is becoming increasingly common seen by the massive increase in 'granny au pairs'.

I think she sounds great. My mum is a couple of years younger, but had my 3 children for a week last May (whilst DH and I swanned off on holiday). She was a bit knackered at the end of it - but fine.

I absolutely would if our views were similar on the important issues.

We have a retired Children's nurse as our current Nanny and she is FANTASTIC. She is retiring at the end of the year so there is going to be sad faces all round- plus whoever replaces her has a lot to live up to! She started with us at 68 after being retired for 3 years and is leaving us now 2.5 years later as her first grandchild is due in February.