Written reference for leaving nanny - level of detail?

[Echocave]

Our nanny of nearly 2 years has resigned slightly unexpectedly and has asked for a written reference. I'm happy to provide this. She has been good in many ways but there are a couple of things about her that I would have liked to have known before I employed her. These relate to bigger picture things such as how she works with a family.
I want to be fair though.
Should I write a basic positive written reference and only give more information if asked for a verbal reference?

I would write a reference focussing on the positives. And, offer contact details for further details. If contacted, I would be entirely honest (on the phone).

I thought (I could be wrong though) that employers are not allowed to give a bad written reference? So you would only focus on the positive points. Either that, or you can refuse to provide one. I agree with the above poster who said to put contact details on. So if they have any queries then they can contact you directly.

Unless she has done something genuinely awful then just focus on the positives. No point in potentially messing things up for her in the future.

References need to be truthful and honest. They can be unfavourable as long as it is truthful.

They can be unfavorable as long as they're truthful AND the points have been raised with the nanny AND suitable time for improvement has been allowed.

I would focus on the positives in writing and if they ask about how you related to her on the phone then use lots of 'I feel' type phrases.

I would do exactly as you suggested - good points only and then a number they can call you on.

Some references are telling by their omissions.

Thanks for these responses. I don't want to sabotage her career especially as this was one of her first jobs so she won't have many other references. The issues are that she wanted lots of feedback but gets very defensive if you question her methods. You feel you've burnt your boats with her if you are critical. She is well trained but rather inflexible about methods and does think she knows it all. And I think she has a rather idealised view of what work is really like day to day so she's a bit 'grass is greener' and thus not necessarily a good long term bet.

That said, she has been very hard working, caring and generally sensible.

When a potential employer reads a written ref /testimonial... if it includes contact info and if they are not totally convinced on the candidate having met them...

..chances are they will contact you and you can expand verbally

If the nanny has been hard working etc.. its only fair to include all this

A testimonial should not contain 'surprises' - for the nanny - ie negatives that were not discussed or..that they were not given time to improve on

Ok thank you all. I've raised it that I'm not trying to be overly critical but the other issues are just part of her personality so I can't really raise them I wouldn't have thought.

You could say verbally that you've always given feedback but her reaction has been variable. I always ask how a nanny reacts to criticism. You could even phrase it as 'we've always given feedback' - subtext it's not taken on board.

You can also say things like she prefers to get on and do things her way, which may be find for some parents but a warning bell for others.

If you're disappointed she only stayed 2 years you could say that in a perfectly positive way but again an employer looking for a long commitment might question it.

Thanks again. I don't want to be unfair but my suspicion is (although I'm not going to say this bluntly because it is simply my opinion and I could be wrong) is that she's not sure what she wants and I think she will move on a lot. In fact she have been with us for as long as 2 years.

I mean, she has not been with us as long as 2 years.