Nanny is a new driver

[shimmymummy]

Our nanny is just about to start working for us and since interview she has passed her driving test. This is great for her if course, and it's easier for her to get to and from us, but she's expecting to be able to drive the kids around when she starts - we're not so keen. We made it a point in our advert that we didn't require a nanny with a car, We like our kids to have a walkable lifestyle and all amenities are in walking distance, the furthest activity she would go to is a 40 min walk max and there are frequent public transport links. We're also not so keen on our kids going in a car with a new driver yet. Are we being unreasonable? How would you approach this? Is there a certain amount of time you'd like to pass before you let your nanny take the children out in her car?

Just state that you prefer your children to walk (environmental concerns. Not wanting extra costs of mileage/parking). Nanny should understand if this was set out in the interview. Just say flat out that she isn't to drive your children (unless in emergencies?), you can review it at her 3 month / 1 year appraisal.
As a new driver I wouldn't want her driving for work. Not until she's got experience (not sure you can put a time on this because it depends on frequency of driving). She probably hasn't had much experience of driving passengers, so to drive children will be quite different! I also don't want to be stereotypical in thinking new drivers are clueless, but she probably won't be so careful about looking after her car (eg servicing, emergency supplies in boot, etc), or know about needing business insurance.

One thing I would say about walking everywhere is please realise that a 40 min walk takes 1 hr 20 out of her day, so you need to be more lenient if she doesn't finish all the chores that day. And provide high energy snacks as she might not be used to walking so much!

I just finished a job where parents asked me not to drive & I'm a experienced driver. I was there 3.5 years. I think it is completely reasonable & you just need to be upfront & say you don't want them in the car. If I went further afield we used buses/trains.

I think you need to have another meeting before she starts.

What makes you think she's 'expecting' to drive them around?

Advertising 'not needing a nanny to have a car', is not the same as saying if a nanny does have a car/drive she can't take the kids in it.

40 minute walk there, 40 minute walk back... I think a lot of nannies would say 'No thanks'.

It's all very well wanting a 'walkable' lifestyle for your kids, but you aren't the one having to get them to do that kind of distance. How old are they?

Does she have the right insurance to drive them, maybe she does not realise that it is diferent to social domestic use.

How much driving experience would you want them to have, could you review in 6 months?
Local walks are fine but 40 min is expecting a lot, would your children walk that long? As children get older they won't be in a buggy. If public transport is good then using that is fine but if it is not frequent then it may mean lots of waiting around.

Thanks for your replies! Some really good points to consider, esp re insurance, snacks and a review at 3/6 months. I certainly don't think it is too much a 40 min walk.

My daughter walked this from the time she left the buggy at just 3 the 1 mile to and from nursery every day. If she was tired we got the bus (with a 0.3 mile walk up the hill from stop to our house), rain, snow whatever. Thing is traffic is so bad around where we live it's usually much quicker to walk anyway. Now at 4.5 she is very used to a walkable lifestyle, and also scoots well which speeds things up a bit, it's a lovely part of our day to chat, it's healthy, it's better for the environment. These are very important family values to us. The baby will be 10months and will be happy to review how he will be transported when the time comes he comes out of the pram.

My rule of thumb if it's no more than a mike you should walk.

Don't want to rule out use of car in the future, I can see it would be esp useful in the school hols for the odd day trip, but right now I feel very unsure about it.

I have seen on previous threads, usually au pair related, some people say that they pay for the au pair to have a couple of sessions with a driving instructor and they can only drive the kids if the instructor says they drive ok. Might be something to consider later on if she wouldn't be too insulted!

Is your daughter's school within walking distance? I am a nanny and didn't used to have a car, which worked out alright, we lived on buses and trains because there wasn't much in the local area. Now the kids are older and at school, I have been provided with a car because the school is not within walking distance. I suppose if the school is within walking distance then that's great but maybe consider letting her use it on occasion (play dates after school etc..)

That's a good idea Green, we (me or DH) could also ask to go out with her too I guess. Although I don't want to insult her. I think the main thing is in interview I thought we made clear we want our kids to walk / be walked rather than driven but in hindsight this might have come across as 'it doesn't matter if you can't drive as we like our kids walking', so worth a chat. In the nanny duties it is specified 'walk children to and from school and activities' though.

Yes school is within walking distance - takes about 35 mins and we walk down with some neighbouring families, so we aren't the only hard core walking lot :) The school is also right by where most of the baby & toddler activities take place.

Is a 40 min walk really seen as a lomg walk? Our school is two miles away so a 40-45 min walk. We walk or cycle everywhere.

Like you op our kids have done it since little, it's just what we do so they are used to it.

I would just explain it's an important part of yours and the children's lifestyle, it's good for them and you would like it to continue barring emergencies.

4 miles is fine for a 4 year old who is used to walking most places. My rule of thumb is a mile per year old.

In my area you could not walk 4 miles with young children, no footpaths. Cities are different, walking may be better than driving given heavy traffic.

Talk to nanny about it, maybe they only intend to use the car to get to/from work.

You would let a 3/4yr walk 3/4miles nick?

Seems a huge way

Yes it's good for children to walk but also handy to have a car if raining or further to go

I have gone out in previou jobs with parents to show them my driving and often I pick up from station so in the car with me anyway iyswim

But if you don't want her to drive then tell her so tho she may not want the job

Or discuss and say walk school run and maybe drive longer journeys?

Yes, 3yr old did it in the Summer holidays fine. If they are doing it frequently they tend to moan less about it.

The school is about 1.5 miles away. Takes a while though stopping to pick up conkers, feathers, inspect pretty much anything out of the ordinary.

I think I shall certainly chat to her about our expectations, of course happy for her to drive to and from us, although she lives in walking distance too. It's a big thing passing a driving test these days, don't want to put a dampner on things.

Does anyone know what type of insurance she would need to drive our kids around?

So if the school is 1.5 miles that means the nanny will walk 6 miles each day. That might be fine in some weather. Depends how many steep hills etc.
The sort of weather where you get soaked and need to get changed might not suit the nanny. I usually take a change of clothes to work but would want to do this all the time. Also when it's very hot again exhausting.
Personally I wouldn't take your job, but then I'm not super fit and have a knee injury.
But I could see it might suit a sporty nanny.
Do think as you will be saving on mileage you should consider buying her some trainers. 6 miles a day will wear out shoes very quickly.
So yes discuss with the nanny it might not be the job for her.
She has just passed her test so should be up to date with high way code etc. if a busy town she will hardly be going fast , will she go above 30 mph?
Asking au pairs to go out with an instructor makes sense as they will have learned to drive in another country. But I don't see the point if she has just passed in this country.
Add to the contract that she can only drive the children in X Town and to inform you first of any journeys.
Make sure you see her car MOT insurance etc. And car seats are correct.

No everyday. She's actually only doing the school run two days a week plus may be an extra pick up every few weeks. Myself and DH do it the other three. Good idea to offer to buy some things for walking, like water proofs may be (I school run it in flip flops, trainers, boots, even heels on occaision etc. don't think she will be needing walking boots!!!). We did actually put in job desc that we were looking for someone with an active and healthy lifestyle who loves sports...perhaps a bit of a weird request, but its such a big part of who we are and surely part of the role of a nanny is to support your family values. She said the walk was fine when we interviewed but may be that was just because she couldn't drive then - when she txt saying that she could now drive to and from school instead it made me a little worried.

I'm probably over thinking it and just need to have a chat.

She just needs business insurance on her policy, it is usually included and if not can add it for a small amount.

Thanks Green

I always get my new au pairs driving lessons when they first come to the UK just to get them used the driving on the left hand side of the road.

However, there is no way I would let a new driver drive my children anywhere. I always specify at least 4 years driving experience. IMO it takes a good couple of years to learn how to drive safely and I would never entrust my very precious children to an inexperienced driver.

I don't think you're being unreasonable in telling her you wouldn't want her driving the children around yet.

Just tell her you want the school run to be walked.

I have told my nanny this. She's fine with it although I think she'd rather drive because she can be lazy

I'm not lazy and I'm fit /active but I wouldn't want to walk 6miles a day doing the school run

I'd happily walk 6 miles a day with the weather we have at the moment (good way to get some regular exercise in) but wouldn't be happy in wet weather or in the winter when temperatures are freezing.

Yes some people do due to green issues, being non drivers etc but you must make this known at interview stage so that a nanny can make an informed choice on accepting the job or not.

You need to have a chat with your nanny before she starts to make this clear - you may find that yes, she has presumed she can drive the children but will accept your view quite happily as, presumably having only just passed her test, she is quite used to walking to places.

I agree that I wouldn't want a newly qualified driver driving the children about and think the idea of reviewing the situation in 6 or 12 months to maybe include outings in the holidays is a good one.

Oh fgs 6 miles a day is not much, I do 8-12 miles a day just on school run.

I agree re buying waterproof trousers/coat and wellies! As long ad you have appropriate clothing fir the weather walking is fine.

Is cycling an option where you are op? I have a bike seat or trailer I use and elder kids bike. Or we walk and sometimes kids scooter. A 40 min walk is a perfectly reasonable walk.

Thanks Karo - my thoughts too. Passing a test means you passed a test, not necessarily that you are a safe experienced driver.

Smad! Exactly! I have walked this and much more 5 days a week (Nanny only has to do it 2) for the past 3 years taking kids to and from nursery / school / activities then onto my own work commute and I actually see it as an enhancement to our day. It's a lovely walk by a river with boats, and through two parks with ducks and playgrounds. Where we are you would pretty much spend the same amount of time sat in a car getting there as you would walking the backroutes and enjoying the world. Our eldest now scoots everywhere, and its perfectly possible on a bike - we'd like eldest to get cycling soon!