Is 65 too old to work as nanny

[Loveshark25]

Hi ..I've worked as a nanny for most of my career...but can't seem to find a new position..do you think my age is now barrier?

As you can see on this thread the world is full of ageist twats.

of course it’s not too old.

Hi yes..I was a veterinary nurse for years here and abroad...hand painted ceramics. Worked in Harrods...hand drew for an archaeological site....worked in warehouse...numerous positions

Our CM is 70! I was shocked as she looks a lot younger like late 50s maybe 60?

She is incredible with our children and provides an amazing level of care. Wecried about having to move our dd as we all loved her so much (she's retiring)
The care and love she has given our child is unreal.

My mum is similar age and honestly just doesn't have the energy for it.

I wouldnt hesitate to hire an older woman i actively avoided onesin yheir 20s and 30s... Our new cm is early 60s and friends with our OG CM.

I both would hire a nanny in their 60s, and have hired a nanny of that age before!

I valued their long experience. They had a few health issues which they were upfront about but were easily accommodated.

I did find the nanny’s with more experience cost a lot more - are your rates higher than average? I think a lot of parents go for quite inexperienced nannies as it’s cheaper.

My good friend is a FT nanny and 64. She’s always found it easy to get a new post and enjoys her work. (London).
She is super fit and of course very experienced. Genuinely loves her charges.
She runs 5k for fun so a day with toddlers is not going to phase her.

I was happy when my children had a more mature early chuldhood teacher.

My children were really fond of particular older women we knew who exuded maternal grandma energy. I aspire to be like these women who had kindness, wisdom, and life experience, and a natural authority that came from this.

Maybe you just need to find the right fit.

Have you heard of the Grandmother Hypothesis?

https://youtube.com/shorts/OsvTX6Kw-wk?si=9Q5j2AY8BcNqJRRh

Not quite a nanny but not far off, in terms of the hours we needed covering... but we actually deliberately chose a childminder in this age bracket. For many reasons grandparents weren't a great feature in DCs lives and when we met ours we just "clicked".

It was (and still is) the best decision we ever made. She filled in a gap and a role model in our DCs lives and despite DCs being well past the age of needing her, she is still an active part of their lives. She kept up with all the children in her care from 6am through to 6pm, 5 days a week from teeny babies through to teenagers.

She had been working in childcare for over 20 years when we met her, and by comparison to the other childcare providers (including nannies) we had looked at she was by far the most experienced, level headed, active and engaged. She is still working (albeit 4 days a week and not so many children) and still has a waiting list.

I am really sorry you are experiencing age discrimination @Loveshark25. I would certainly emphasise your experience, make sure your references are up to date, and keep looking. You sound great.

As an aside, plenty of the nurseries and preschools we looked at had older staff members too. So clearly not everyone looks at age as a barrier, rather focusing on the person and their abilities.

Not at all. With grandparents abroad I’d be delighted to hire someone slightly older.

I know 2 nannies in their early 60’s - both amazing

This, as long as you were fit I'd prefer it to someone much younger. I think most people would. Also to add, you could also try a preschool etc the older ladies at my child's are the favourites that the children want to be around

I think it's definitely a concern for some people (as shown by some of these comments).

Nannying is a job still massively impacted by ageism, sexism, racism, homophobia etc. There's no HR to hold anyone to account so they can discriminate at will unfortunately!

I think the job market for nannies is slow at the moment, particularly as pp said for the more experienced and therefore more expensive nannies.

Look at Granny Au Pair - some great places to live and work.

I could never afford a nanny (of any age) but I would have preferred someone with life experience. Are your rates more expensive than much younger nannies?

As someone who is not far off that age, I would never want to do this as a job (in fact I intend to be retired by 65!) But would I consider hiring a nanny who was 65? For small babies and toddlers, no. Children a bit older - (5 or 6 plus,) maybe.

You did ask @Loveshark25 And I'm not being ageist. You can't post something like this, canvassing for opinions, and then shout 'you're narrow minded' and 'you're ageist' when people don't say what you want to hear.

You've said that some people are put off by your age. So it shows that some people do think 65 is a bit old to be a nanny.

But surely it’s not just age which determines who can literally run after a child? Is a younger, unfit overweight nanny more likely to be able to run after a toddler than a slim fit 60 plus year old?

You are being ageist, clearly.

You're absolutely right that the OP asked, but that doesn't change the fact that refusing someone employment based solely on their age is ageist, of course it is!

You're absolutely right that the OP asked, but that doesn't change the fact that refusing someone employment based solely on their age is ageist, of course it is!

Well, yes… but ultimately people only hire one nanny at a time and they will look at qualifications and experience before interview. But at the interview itself, they will be looking for best fit. Whether that’s someone imaginative, strict on reading practice, happy to go on lots of outings, happy to stay home,full of energy, a quieter sort… there’s no benefit in trying to “prove” ageism against a job spec etc in a way that might be possible in a formal setting like a nursery

Absolutely. Nannies are on their own when it comes to any kind of ism (age/race/sex etc.). It's just part of the job unfortunately.

Some of you have no idea about age. Do you think 65 is the twilight of your years? I’m 63. I run 3 times a week, play badminton and lift weights. I’m pretty fit.

MN is so ageist!

Likewhousestype...its not what you say ...its how you say it!!!...I can understand people saying they think 65 is too old and adding valid reason but ..yes too old is ageist and ignorant !!

That's literally the phrase you used in your own OP. And now you are snapping at people who are answering the exact question you asked 😐

Who's snapping just agree with people on numerous post who said its ageist!!

You called a PP who posted verbatim "Yes, too old, I wouldn't hire you" a twat.
For what it's worth, I don't think that 65 is too old for a nanny job. But you are not coming across as a person with qualities that I would want in a nanny. Maybe it's not your age that is hindering your job applications.

As did 2 other people on here!!..first I might add i just agreed with them. If all you can do is make petty comments and try and start rows why don't you go to another site..the only people I seem to have a problem with is people like you lowering the tone..I wdnt work for a person like you at any age !!! I have no interest in carrying on a conversation with you !

Just proved my point. Best of luck with your job hunting.