a Complicated Ishoo to do with our nanny and her college course - you know you want to read and help don't you...?

It's a bit awkward isn't it? Mainly because the college course is being done by your DM off her own bat.
I suppose you could complain to the college administrator about the assessors behaviour as it occurred in your home but, I'd ask the nanny first, in case she feels uncomfortable about.
Assessor sounds terrible, bet you wish you'd fired a rocket up her arse on her way out, don't you?

sounds awful

Can i say tehre is obvioulsy not any legal requirement or anything at all.... you can do what you like in your house, nannies are unregulated, end of!
(they can ensure that nanny knows she should advse you but ultimatley its your house and you do as you like)

I did the same course a few years back. My assessor did not have to talk to my boss at all, and nor did they require me to show insurance or any other thing actually.
The only thing my boss had to do was sign a few of my personal statement where i wrote refelctive accounts of what i had done and my boss agreed it was accurate.
I think i may have had to ask my boss to write 1 short paragraph aboue me too, that was it!
so she wrote a paragraph, signed a few bits of paper and that was it!

First aid kit was covered by the fact
1st aid kit lived in my car and my car was always close by to me!

Sounds like your poor nanny needs a more sympathetic asseor and nasty asssor needs to find another job!

Would be a shame for her to quit the course IMO. In my college there were 4 assesors, wonder if your nanny could swap to a different assesor?

Assessor's a wanker, get nanny to change course and then you'll have happy nanny, happy you. Complain about assessor in writing to her college.

Sorted

Assessor sounds extremely rude, with a poor grasp of her role and power-hungry to boot! Poor nanny. And poor you.

My old nanny was doing one of those NVQ courses - her assessor came here a few times but was no trouble at all. Never asked me for any of the stuff your DN's assessor was demanding. The college were pants, though - I think they feel they can get away with treating NVQ in childcare students like rubbish. Because people on that course are unlikely to be militant.

Would be an awful shame if poor DN abandoned her course, though, because of one crappy assessor.

How does DN feel about you tackling the college? And is it something you want to do?

I'm with you on switching assessors. A formal complaint would be justified but expect DN would be reluctant.

Well, on the face of it, I'm with you. If I was assisting a nanny/mum's help in gaining a childcare qualification by allowing my kids to be 'experimental material' (in the nicest possible way, obviously) I certainly wouldn't expect the course assessor to be giving me grief.

I would do as you have done, and suggest the DN () request a change of assessor, and I would go further than that and make a complaint to the college. Can you talk to the assessor's supervisor?

Many years back, I started my then NNEB course while still woking. It lasted a few weeks until I realise that it was never going to work... I ended up changing to doing the course full-time, with 2 days placement. Hard financially, but back in those days the NNEB was designed to be done full time over 2 years, not as an evening class!

The NVQ should be different, but I think you are coming across similar issues to those I had over 10 years ago. There are several different NVQ's in childcare now - one is for homebased care, others are designed more for those working in nurseries/pre-schools. Is DN doing a homebased care course?

The acessor seems to lack knowledge of what legislation applies in a private home. As an employer you do have a duty of care towards your employee... but I am pretty sure you don't require a fire blanket, fire extinguishers, etc... in the same way as you don't provide you employee with a lunch break!

Could DN discuss with college regarding options to put things on hold for a while (if DN feels a break is needed, while the practicalities of working and doing the course are ironed out), options for changing to another course - either by same provider, or another provider.

End of the day, as you say it is important to her to get the qualifications, not important to you - so if things are not working out, then you need to discuss with DN the way forward. If DN wants the qualification, then will DN consider a change in job - such as to nursery work, if doing the course while nannying is providing tricky.

I feel as an employer you are being very supportive towards your employee, helping your DN to achieve what she wants.

I bet the asesor is not going to get much sleep tonight either. It is easy to see that she was totally out of order.

I think you are being a very supportive employer, btw. I was gagging to have a go at my DN's college over the way they treated her (no lecturer for five months but no refund of course fees...) but had to restrain myself. As she didn't want to rock the boat.

The thing is, regardless of what DN thinks, this assessor was rude to YOU and talked BOLLOCKS to YOU so you are entitled to complain.

But I am a) stroppy mare b) prob premenstrual and c) it's a full moon!

I think it is important to check taht nany is doing teh right course - in my role as pre-school chair I have 2 staff members doing NVQ3 and this is the sort of thing that their assesors are asking. But - assessor should know that NVQ fro childcare setting is innapropritae for your nanny, and should have handled teh whole thing far more professionaly.

I agree with the others - Complain to the college about assessor's attitude and ask exactly whether any of her demands were necessary..do let them know that you will comply with any reasonable request to support your DN in her training though and encourage your DN to try to switch assessor rather then quitting the course outright.
Don't feel bad that you got involved - the assessor got you involved for a start, and as your DN's employer you have a duty to 'look after' her (morally if not legally).
Let us know how it goes!

I think you are right that the assessor hasn't got her head round your DN being a nanny, not a nursery assistant. My DN had a similar problem on her course.

Tutter, assessor is a stropy cow. And I think it's a good idea to submit a formal complaint (with DN's approval). It might not look so good for nanny if she complains about her assessor. But, they can't hold it against her if you submit one -- at least I hope they wouldn't be so petty.

Love "DN".

Complain about assessor in writing to the college. I think you can complain about the way she has treated you and made demands on you with a newborn and not even mention the way she's treated your nanny. She seems to be behaving as if you're some sort of employee of hers, rather than her being a guest in your house.

Gor fo you, Tutter.

on a "google and guess" basis, I'd say it has something to do with readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/pre2005/research/consultation/safe-learner-concept-consultation-paper.pdf - if you look at para 7 on about page 9, there's an indication that the LSC includes provisions in its funding agreements with colleges designed to address learner safety issues..... which is probably quite general and fails to take account of the possibility that training is taking place in a private household...

doubtless someone with some ACTUAL knowledge will come along soon!

[so in other words, it's not your legal obligation, its an obligation that the college has to comply with in order to get funding]

I understand that they want you to do it because it is in their interest. I think that response is rather poor customer service and shows very clearly exactly where assessors attitude comes from: it is apparently the culture at the college.

But, that response, does not convince me you arebligated to do squat for them. It is not a three way relationship. Your contract is between you and the nanny. If they wanted to be involved, ask them what's in it for you? Perhaps they could pay you for your time? (I'm joking, but really they are very unappreciative)

I think slightly narky is the least they deserve. Had they replied with something like well we need this information in order to satisfy such and such legislation. We appreciate this may be a bit inconvenient for you but would really appreciate if you could find the time to assist us blah blah blah. IF they had said that then I would be more patient, but I just can't tolerate when you are doing someone a favour and then they come in and explain why you are obligated, when in fact you are not.

I think I'd be more irritated about the college defending the assessor than I would about the assessor's behaviour.

The college seem to be responding to only one part of your complaint... the insistence on seeing employers insurance certificate (which you don't have as it is usually a small paragraph, if not just a sentence, in your household insurance policy booklet).

They have not responded to the other unreasonable requests, such as you having to arrange for other children to be present, or the assessor's general conduct within your private home.

The LSC funding thing seems to be taking things a bit far... surely the rules can be bent so that it fits with employment within a private home. When your nanny started the course, was she aware that there was LSC funding, and what the rules were for that? I doubt she was given a list of the rules! One way of avoiding this part is to not have the course funded - but then it may cost your nanny quite a bit to do the course.