One week before start and she's quit

[Imsosorryalan]

Going back to work in a weeks time and our would be, very keen nanny has just text to say she's just been offered a full time role which she is taking. Sooo stressed. Back to the drawing board I guess, trying hard not to panic a so NLT a week to go. There's no way I'm going to find someone in a weeks time is there

This exact same thing happened to me recently, we'd settled our son with a cm and a week before she told me could no longer do it, she did tell a couple of her cm friends and they put the word out and a few contacted me so did the interviews and had a new one sorted within a couple of days, although not As much settling in time, my ds seems happy there and settling well. Can she put the word out to nanny friends? Good luck I know how stressful it is

I wouldn't be asking her to ask for her nanny friends to put themselves forward, I would be considering a short term temporary nanny so as to now rush into another mistake. Very cowardly to send a text. Did you have a contract? Maybe look at a notice clause so if the net one leaves you in the lurch they can pay the fee for a temp nanny.

Good luck in finding someone.

Get a temp nanny for a month while you look interview etc for another nanny. Less stressful for you

Oh, Itsfab, don't be daft. Such a clause would be totally unenforceable. How long a contract would a "temp" nanny be on; a week, a month, three months? Would you apply such a clause to any other job?

Old - its not daft at all - contracts and contract law exist to mitigate loss, so the OP could claim any extra costs incurred.
There would be no point having a contract otherwise.

You would obviously have to take the nanny to court though - which would be a PITA.

I would actually contact work and ask to extend your maternity leave (or take a week's holiday). Explain what has happened - I did the same when I first went back to work, I had to switch from one form of childcare to another as the first wasn't flexible enough.

Thanks. She hadn't started yet but we had done some settling sessions. I'm a teacher and as schools are on half term this week I can't really ask for an extra weeks grace.
How do I get a temp nanny? Is it through an agency? The nanny we employed was through the child care website.

There may be nannies looking for work right now who are currently not in a job and thus could start next week. So I would call people today, see if you can find anyone interested. You never know you may find a great nanny who is able to start very quickly.

It would be tough but not impossible, a childminder may be more likely for a quick start than a nanny.
Otherwise agencies are a good starting point!!

Well there's a temp nanny on a thread down the page, and I agree it's a good short term solution. Otherwise the usual websites - Nannyjob.co.uk, gumtree, netmums etc and just try to move as quickly as possible with interviewing. It's a pain and I really feel for you :(

I'm a temp nanny and work mainly through agencies

If you have not used your whole maternity leave then maybe you can ask to extend it for one week?

There is also emergency time off to care for dependants. I was previously a teacher and have seen situations where people have returned from mat leave a bit later than planned, so it can be done.

I suggest contacting your HT ASAP.

Had you both agreed a contract?

Thanks for messages, we hadn't yet signed contracts, that was the day she cancelled. However, luckily I've managed to find an even better nanny locally so my worries are over. So pleased

Glad you have found a new nanny.
I wonder if there was something in the contract she didn't like?
I had employer once who refused to write a contract after offering the job. She wouldn't confirm holiday arrangements either. She had family abroad who visited annually for several months. I think she wanted me to have unpaid leave at that time. After several weeks of promising to write a contact but failing to do so. I said I would no longer take the job. She was annoyed but I felt I had no choice. Like your nanny I had several job offers so accepted the second one.

Hi Florence, no she hadn't seen the contract yet, it was a fair one though, with sick pay/ holiday pay etc. so i can't see it being a problem anyway. She did tell me that she was being offered more work at her other job. So,who knows, it seems a bit like an excuse as in the interviews she said she was looking to reduce her hours there and get more into nannying. Oh well. Not over thinking it, really.

Sorry wasn't meaning you had unfair contract ; just would urge you to agree one with new nanny asp. Then if there are no surprises either side when one person is assuming x and the other is thinking y.
I'm sure your new nanny will be fine.