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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Useless Nanny has arrived, what shall I do?

30 replies

moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 10:47

Right, I am supposed to have a Nanny for two days to help because of my bad back.

They have sent an unqualified 17 year old who appears clueless around babies.

There are only about 20 people who live in this town so I don't want to offend anyone.

How do I deal with this nicely?

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bakedpotatooooowoooh · 10/10/2006 10:59

who is this 'they'? is she from an agency?

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:10

Yes sorry

Local agency that I rang

Their website says that use professional carers

This is not strictly true

At the moment I have put the baby down for a nap so she just has the 4 year old who is making her read her way through her library

Actually this might be punishment enough

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BloodyTenaLady · 10/10/2006 11:11

Say that your back has seemed to of eased off now. thankyou all the same.

BloodyTenaLady · 10/10/2006 11:13

If your back is so bad for you to get some help then I would ring your HV for more useful help, there is an organisation but I cant remember the name somat like homehelp. Mature, have been mothers can take care of the carrying of the baby and fun with the 4 year old.

bakedpotatooooowoooh · 10/10/2006 11:15

If she really seems unsure/unconfident with the baby you must ring the agency
To keep everyone sweet (does she live in the town?), you can always say how lovely she is but you're concerned about her lack of confidence... see how they respond.
I'd be livid: you're paying for a service.

BloodyTenaLady · 10/10/2006 11:17

~What have you done to your back? btw

HappyMumof2 · 10/10/2006 11:18

Message withdrawn

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:18

I am livid but also feel sorry for the girl

She is NICE, but not what I'm paying for

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Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:18

recurring slipped disc

having lots of physio etc. but it seems to be recurring so keeps fcking up again

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bakedpotatooooowoooh · 10/10/2006 11:19

pick up the phone

ssd · 10/10/2006 11:19

I think the agency that might help is homestart.

poor you, but the 17 yr old might improve?

BloodyTenaLady · 10/10/2006 11:20

Ahh, I was going to say go to a Physio, probably cheaper option.

soapbox · 10/10/2006 11:20

Ring them up, tell them she wasn't what you ordered, or paid for, and tell them to send over someone who is. Tell them the girl can stay too for work experience if she wants to, but you are not paying her.

It is a business transaction and you did not get what you asked for or what they promised to deliver. Just sort it out, or it will annoy you more the longer she is there!

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:20

I'll give her an hour or so after the baby is awake again and see how she gets on

I can't exactly let her out of the house with them if she doesn't have any qualifications, can I ?!?!?!!?!

bloody agency

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Earlybird · 10/10/2006 11:22

So the agency sent you someone that you've never met before? Is she supposed to be permanent, or simply helping out until your back gets better?

I'd simply call the agency and say you'd like to try out a few different people before making a final decision on who best suits your family/needs.

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:23

I don't want them to send anyone else because the agency is clearly crap/mad

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Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:23

It was only for two days - not a long term thing - the children are at nursery Thursday and Friday and we are away for a week after that

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Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:42

AND she is a smoker

I mean she isn't lighting up a Cuban and offering it to the children, but she stinks of smoke like all smokes do and sounds like she is going to cough up a lung any minute

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edam · 10/10/2006 11:46

MP, re your slipped disc, is it prolapsed? Have you been referred to an orthopaedic surgeon? A micro-diskectomy might help - would stop the problem recurring.

No idea re nanny, sorry.

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:48

What's the difference between slipped and prolapsed? I thought it was the same?

I've been under GP/Physio care for a couple of months - they are now considering 'graduating' me to the Back Pain Clinic which is the next step apparently.

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bakedpotatooooowoooh · 10/10/2006 11:51

Oh yuck.
I agree with Soapbox.

Ladymuck · 10/10/2006 11:51

Definitely wouldn't pay £8 ph for a 17 yo! Phone the agency and let them know that this is not what you had expected. Explain that you must have someone with recent baby experience for tomorrow.

I think that you will need to give direction to her today, and be explicit. Obv difficult if she is clueless about babies.

Sorry. I did once have a similar experience - I was offered 2 nannies for a temp contract, one a very experienced 56 yo who really was Mary Poppins - ds1, then aged 2 didn't want her to leave the interview! The other was a very timid 19 year old, whose "qualification" was in general health, and her previosu employment was as a butcher!

Original poster
moaningpaper · 10/10/2006 11:53

at butcher

This one said she has been studying for the last year at college because she wants to go into nursing but has realised she was studying the wrong course

gosh, I said, that's bad luck

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LauraM20 · 10/10/2006 12:09

I would ring the agency and tell them your concerns! After all they are going to place her with someone else after you and should know that she isnt very confident in her job. Where abouts do you live?
A butcher-thats very unlucky! lol

LauraM20 · 10/10/2006 12:15

Why not post an add on here and see if there is a nanny/mothers help or babysitter free to help you tommorow rather than using the agency again?