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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Nanny leaving -her choice - how to tell children

13 replies

Lalamum18 · 10/04/2014 21:35

Our nanny of 3 years gave her 4 week notice on Monday. She is part time and has swapped to a full time post. My main concern is how to tell my two children - DD1 is 6 - year 2, DD2 is 3. They have only ever had her as a nanny and would probably put her just below the family as most loved person. How do we break the news and let a new nanny come in with a positive impact????

OP posts:

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NannyLouise29 · 10/04/2014 22:31

Are the children she's going to work with a younger age group? If so, maybe explain that she's a nanny for little babies, and as they are growing up she'll be leaving to help another family with their baby.

Original poster

Lalamum18 · 11/04/2014 08:15

She hasn't said. I think there is a very good chance that she has been poached on the school gate - which meNs the children may well see her on a daily basis - I think I will have to ask

OP posts:

deXavia · 11/04/2014 08:19

Assuming you weren't her first family, she will also have handled this before so discuss with her how you should both handle it. If she was 'poached' and will still see the kids she should be open about that to them - even if she's embarrassed to tell you

Marylou62 · 11/04/2014 08:48

I would tell them that she needs to work fulltime (explain that being a nanny is a job) now that you are at school/preschool but she will still love you and see you. I have never left a job, it has always been a 'natural' end. ie Youngest starting school or family moving. I have kept in touch with almost all of my x charges.

Cindy34 · 11/04/2014 10:24

Tell them the truth, nanny needs a full time job but your children only need part-time care. Keep in touch with nanny, if they do pick up from same school maybe after-school meetups could be arranged, especially at a local park/playground during the summer.

Mimishimi · 11/04/2014 11:16

Yes, just tell them that looking after them was her job and now she has found another job with more hours and pay. They will understand. The after-school meetups with a new nanny might be nice but be sure to ask the old nanny first if she would be open to that before promising it to the children (eg if they are inconsolable).

Echocave · 11/04/2014 15:10

You sound very calm about it OP. I'd be quite annoyed in that situation.

Yerazig · 11/04/2014 17:00

echocave why on earth would you be annoyed?? Nanny have to earn a wage as well have bills etc to pay. It's not like the nanny was just there for a few months she was there for three years so I'm sure that shows a lot of dedication. Also the op doesn't know for a fact that the nanny was "poached" at the school gates that's just assumption

Echocave · 11/04/2014 17:05

Yes that's true. Calm down love.

Original poster

Lalamum18 · 11/04/2014 18:42

I am fairly fed up. We are relocating and felt obliged to tell the nanny we were moving but had offered to pay her till the end of August but she would be only working till the end of July - so 4 weeks paid leave - she was left with 1 week actually due. I had asked her if she thought she would stay and she said yes although asked for a reference. It transpires that the week we told her she had an interview, told us the next day that she would stay and 5 days later told us she was leaving with her 4 weeks notice plus would like 6 days ie 2 weeks holiday pay! Or leave 2 weeks early. So I am trying to hold my temper plus let the children still think she is great!!

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/04/2014 19:29

Thing is if there is a good job going your nanny could lose out on it if stays till July

Maybe she could do both jobs if go to same school for a month or two

But yes nannies are normal people who have bills to pay and Unfortunally 3 days isn't paying enough or she knew she was losing her job and this lovey 5 day one came up

If you are moving anyway then nanny would have left so not sure why you hae started this post asking for advice and making out the nanny is deserting your children - as she would have left anyway iyswim

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/04/2014 19:30

If nanny leaves of own accord then least you don't have to pay redundancy every silver lining or would have been wage depending £1000ish

mimishimmi · 14/04/2014 10:22

That changes the situation quite a bit. She had to look for a new job due to your relocation. Of course, her start time with the new employer has to be one which is more convenient for them, not you (whilst still abiding by the contract with) so she has basically given four weeks notice and asked for the holiday pay probably due to her? That's hardly unfair.

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