Any official / reputable guidance on nannies working during COVID?

[crummyusername]

Hello

I have an after school nanny who did about 10 hours a week for me pre COVID. I'm now WFH (kids are 11 and 8) and she is on furlough. Neither child is back at school and their dad is around very little so I'm very keen to have her work a few hours, if I possibly can, as I'm really struggling to combine work + kids. But she's got worries about it (which I understand).

I've seen some general govt guidance on people working on other people's homes but it's not very tailored to nannies - it says 2m/1m distancing and if that's not possible then use PPE - but wouldn't it be odd for her to work with a mask and gloves with kids? Presumably nursery workers aren't doing that? Realistically she can't socially distance with the kids though.

I'm wondering about just asking for now if she can take the kids to the park rather than work in the house but that's not great as it's weather dependent and may not fit with whatever they are up to.

Is there any advice/guidance either from the govt or some other good source to help with this? I've not been able to find anything at all.

No. Nannies have been ignored even by the childcare regulator; who gives this handy advice:
www.gov.uk/guidance/ofsted-coronavirus-covid-19-rolling-update
Nannies
If you are a nanny on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, you should discuss with the family you work for to see if it is appropriate for you to carry on working at this time.

As a nanny I have worked throughout this pandemic.

Social distancing does not apply to children though the older they are the more they will be aware of it. So older children could avoid jumping on their nanny.
Parents can self distance at least some of the time.

Keeping home well ventilated and high touch surfaces regularly cleaned would not be a bad idea.

There’s been very little guidance on it. Our nanny is back at work now. We all clean our hands and surfaces often, but realistically there is a risk.

Alot of nannies have worked all through this pandemic, many were told they would loose their jobs and had no choice financially. Many were furloughed and came back last month.
It is mixing two families but the government refused to make an official statement re nannies initially. So as the job couldnt be done at home many employers insisted nannies work.
Its impossible to avoid a virus in someone's home.
Employers and older children should socially distance, my employers have ignored this advice. Ofcourse you cant socially distance with young children/babies.
You can allocate separate toilet if your home allows.
Have plenty of bleach products so nanny can clean shared surfaces. Keep doors windows open to air home.
I think most importantly keep to current guidelines. Some nanny families have allowed their children to have playdates, had family to stay and put the nanny at increased risk.

I've worked throughout, albeit less families. I am now back full time, 4 families. There is a risk but I can't not work until a vaccine so life has to go on. I know that nurseries around here the staff are still hugging the children so I feel the risks are similar!

I’ve worked the whole time tho as a mn not nanny

So only been in contact when the baby close. Parents and I chat via distance

As another poster said , this will be going on for ages and have to get back to some normality esp se who need money to stuff

The Seiss payment is done on 80% net profits

Not 80% gross like employed

There is no need for parents to be anywhere near the child or nanny. They are home working. Stay in office /bedroom etx

I’m a bit late to this thread, but I was looking for guidance for when our after school nanny comes back in Sept. She’s been furloughed throughout. As well as obviously wanting to keep her and her family safe, employers insurance would presumably be invalid if official guidelines weren’t followed.

I found some Welsh Government guidance (nothing for England?). Basic but sensible - hand washing, own towel, distance from anyone not caring for (ie me and DH).

Still nothing from DfE about nannies working.

GovUk initially published the New rules on gatherings in some parts of Northern England document without any mention of nannies, then subsequently updated it to include a statement about nannies.
Can people still come into my house if it’s part of their job?
Yes. People can still come inside your home when they’re doing so as part of their work, including cleaners, nannies, and repair workers.

When asked about this yesterday early morning prior to the updated guidance for North of England, DfE referred me to Actions for Early Years and Childcare Providers which clearly states that it does not apply to nannies.

So make of that as you wish. DfE have yet to issue anything for nannies, yet we come under their remit. Ofsted is a regulator and does not make the rules, DfE does so Ofsted is unable to help but they will keep asking DfE. I wrote to my MP and I suggest people keep writing to MPs to make them aware that DfE still has not produced any guidance for nannies or parents employing a nanny.

Meanwhile general guidance about having people in your home can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes