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Paid childcare

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

Anyone with experience with a male nanny?

5 replies

choucroutegarnie · 11/03/2007 14:43

Our 2.2yo son has had a great time with his (female) nanny for nearly two years, but he seems to have become a little bored lately of the things she offers.
She is into painting and all things indoors while nothing makes him happier than kicking a ball in a muddy field in all weathers.
He'll soon be ready to go to nursery part-time so I thought it may be ideal for him to have a male nanny in the afternoons.
Tips, advice anyone? Any agency recommendation?
Thank you.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FrannyandZooey · 11/03/2007 15:12

I don't think it is your nanny's gender that is the issue, surely? Just the fact that she is an indoorsy creative person, whereas you feel your ds would get more from an outdoor active type?

Having said that, I do think male childcarers are fab to have, especially for boys, so good luck in your search. Sorry I would not know where to start - an agency would be expensive I think?

nannynick · 11/03/2007 15:34

There is an agency which only provides male childcarers - My Big Buddy but there are some things I do not like about this agency from reading their website - their Big Buddies are 20-30 years old... so it excludes mannys like me (I'm 32). Not sure why they are excluding the older manny!
They are also London based, so may only deal with that area - though with luck they will expand in the future.

In your situation, your son has known your current nanny almost all of his life - so why change nanny? Instead, direct your nanny to do things that your son likes, such as muddy walks, train rides perhaps, playgrounds (especially the more adventurous types).

If your nanny won't do these activities, then you will need to go down the disciplinary route, so that after sufficient warnings, you have reason to sack her. However, I would have thought it unlikely that your nanny would want to do down that route, so just ask her to do other activities.

This week the 2 year old boy I nanny (manny) has enjoyed the following outdoor activities:
Playing in playgrounds
Walking in Windsor Great Park (and getting covered in mud)
Visit to Bodiam Castle, especially climbing up the tower (very big spiral steps)
Cleaning the car (getting wet is part of the fun!)
Should add at this point, his 3 year old sister also liked all these activities equally as much - so gender isn't really the issue, it's more that some people like being outdoors, while others prefer being indoors.

choucroutegarnie · 12/03/2007 13:17

Good points, thanks! And thank you for the agency recommendation, I'll certainly check them out.

I do take your points about gender. The only reason we are considering a switch is that we would do so once our son moves to nursery part-time, as our current nanny has told us that she can only work full-time.

We have not asked her about a share though, which would give our son the best of both worlds - his favourite nanny and some rough and tumble at nursery...

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ScottishThistle · 16/03/2007 10:14

Sounds like you need to have a chat with your Nanny about the activities she does with your son, surely in the nice weather she doesn't spend the majority of the time indoors?

Eleusis · 16/03/2007 11:18

Why don't you just sign him him up for a nice outdoorsy sporty activity. Like footie tots or something.

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