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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

Would you be worried?

47 replies

slummymummy98 · 20/02/2016 04:06

We have a new au pair, she has worked two days with us and has the weekend off.

[identifying information removed as OP's request - MNHQ]

Last night, I told her she was free to go out that night and take our car to go into town. I said no problems if she was back late, I would leave the back door open.

She never came back last night. Late this morning, I sent her a text asking if she would be back for dinner and if so what she would like to eat. No response. I tried calling in the afternoon, and the phone wasn't answered.

Hubby looked through the window into her room and said all her stuff is gone.

Should I be worried or is this normal behaviour on a weekend off? It's our car, and our phone, so I'm a bit concerned she is AWOL. She knows the area well and has friends so I don't think she's lost or anything.

OP posts:

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RubyChewsDay · 20/02/2016 04:09

It does sound quite worrying really. Has she taken everything, as in the room is bare?

Original poster

slummymummy98 · 20/02/2016 04:18

Yes, the only things in there are the furniture and the sheets etc we provided. She only had one big case, but it's gone and there's no personal effects or clothes.

OP posts:

icklekid · 20/02/2016 04:20

Do you have references number? I would be tempted to call to see if she has done this before (not been in contact ) did she say where she was going? If she's only got 1 bag maybe she packed it to visit a friend but is odd not to have told you /taken the car...

Hamsolo · 20/02/2016 04:21

No toothbrush or anything to suggest she's coming back? How strange.

I think you need to phone the police. Both out of concern for her safety, and also because it's possible that she has deliberately taken your property and isn't planning to return.

Woodenmouse · 20/02/2016 04:21

That sounds very strange! Why would she take everything with her if she was just going out for the night?

Rainatnight · 20/02/2016 04:28

Wow, that is weird. Has there been any sign that there was anything up before now?

Original poster

slummymummy98 · 20/02/2016 04:34

Well, she's only worked the two days and been under constant supervision so far (I worked at home one day, my husband the next). We had to let our last live in nanny go, and she left rather than serve the notice period so we needed someone fast so I didn't have to take any more time off work. A few people messaged me on Facebook recommending her, but I didn't ask her for the number of her last family or references for back home-- stupid me was just happy to have found someone at short notice. Not through an agency, hired her myself via social media.

OP posts:

Rainatnight · 20/02/2016 04:41

Ah, sorry, I'd missed the bit about only having been there two days? How well do you know the people on Facebook who recommended her? Could you ask them if she has form for anything like this?

Rainatnight · 20/02/2016 04:42

Ah sorry, I'd missed the bit about her only having been there for two days.

How well do you know the people on Facebook who recommended her? Could you ask them if she has form for anything like this?

Rainatnight · 20/02/2016 05:08

Anyway, I think you should ring the police.

Muddlewitch · 20/02/2016 05:19

I think you should probably ring the police too, as her things have gone.

Muddlewitch · 20/02/2016 05:20

Have you messaged her on social media/had a look on her page for any clues as that's how you found her?

ICJump · 20/02/2016 07:02

Has she taken your car? I'd call the police.

Duckdeamon · 20/02/2016 07:07

I would call the police too.

Karoleann · 20/02/2016 07:56

I would send another text "Really worried about you, please call us before we call the police. Concerned it will affect your VISA if we do call police".

SavoyCabbage · 20/02/2016 08:02

That's a good text. I'd send that.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 20/02/2016 08:03

I think she has stolen your car! Why would she take all her belongings on a night out otherwise?

I think it is reasonable to quickly check her room to confirm that she has taken everything, then phone the Police.

rusticmeadowwildflower · 20/02/2016 08:03

Yes, send the text but how odd

Footle · 20/02/2016 08:17

Police definitely. She's probably stolen your phone and car, but in any case you need to know what's happened.

jollyjester · 20/02/2016 09:03

It doesn't sound good.
I hope she is ok and has a good excuse or else it does just sound like shes stolen your car!

Only1scoop · 20/02/2016 09:07

Yes I'd be worried

I'd be reporting my car stolen aswell

Thank goodness you found out what she's like before you left her with your children

HSMMaCM · 20/02/2016 09:51

Has she gone to stay with a friend for the weekend? A bit strange not to let you know and to take everything though, so I suspect not.

Muddlewitch · 20/02/2016 10:22

I like the Visa text.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 20/02/2016 15:07

Based in the fact her stuff has gone I'd be assuming shed stolen your car and calling the police tbh

nannynick · 20/02/2016 15:52

You gave her permission to take the car, so it is not taking without consent, at least not yet. How long a period of time without contact is a matter for you to decide... certainly if nothing in 48 hour period then call the police and report a missing person and missing car.

You say she knows the areas well and has friends in the area, so you don't feel at this stage that anything untoward has happened. So as an adult she has the right to go off and visit friends, certainly would be nice to let you know but maybe the phone does not have much of a signal, or they went out and got very drunk and are still asleep.

Keep sending texts, call and leave a message. See if someone will respond to you - ideally by voice as anyone could send a text.

Once at the 48 hour point, consider reporting her as a missing person. Give police as much info as possible and maybe the car reg will flag up on whatever road surveillance systems you have in Australia at some point so they know roughly where the car is/is heading.

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