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?

My friend is a 66 year old nanny. Retired primary school teacher.

She has leave at the minute, just completing her 250 mike cycling holiday around France.

I wouldn't right anyone off by two numbers on a page.

Of course it's not too old! I'd love a nanny your age. Know loads of fit and active people in their 60s

This. ^

Someone saying it's 'ageist' to say 65 is too old for a nanny for them (on a thread where the OP is canvassing for opinions on whether it is,) is NOT ageist. Anyone who says that is talking nonsense. The OP is literally asking people for opinions!

If the OP only wanted people to post and say 'yeah, a nanny of 65 would be fine for me,' and only wanted people who would fawn over her, and tell her what she wants to hear, she should have stated that in her first post. Asking for opinions, and then crying off and insulting people by calling them 'ageist,' because they give an answer you don't want is rather childish and attention-seeking behaviour.

And I know lots of people in their 60s who have multiple health problems, and struggle with mobility, and could NEVER run around after a toddler.

as long as you’re fit and active no. I’d make it clear I have no intention of retiring soon though (if that is the case)’

I used to work as a contractor to childminders. Most were fairly young but by far the one that impressed me the most was a lady in her 60s. She was also the one with the longest waiting list. I never sent my kids to childminders but if I did I’d 100% want them to go to her. She wasn’t remotely old fashioned but just clearly very experienced and knew what she was doing!

One of my children’s nannies is in her 70s. She’s fantastic. Very reliable and very kind to them, she is like the grandma I wish they had. We will be very sad indeed when she decides to retire.

😆 🤣 😂 talk about a rant

Ok, then dont pay them to be your nanny/babysitter then.

There are plenty of 20 year olds I wouldnt want to look after my kids because they are highly irresponsible and literally couldnt do it safely.

Age alone is not an indicator of capability and thats the point.

Of course it's ageist. It's their opinion and that's fine, but the opinion is ageist. Clearly.

Have a quick Google of the definition of ageist to help you understand.

It really has highlighted that hasn’t it. Dear me.

It's probably the average age of grandparents who take on childcare, so in no way too old. Plus I'd hope that there are parents out there who would value your experience OP.

I’ll add that my children have had nannies of various different ages. The three best ones have been one who was in her late 40s when she started work for us and is now in her mid 50s and still with us, our older nanny who is in her mid-70s now and one who was in her late 20s. I have to say that the two we had who were not great were both early 20s and I’d not be keen to hire someone below late 20s again even though my children are now older so “easy” in some ways. I think nannies who have either spent many years in the role so are very experienced with children or who have been parents themselves are much better. Older women also tend to be more reliable, unflappable, calm, as well as better cooks! And for us have also become like extended family which is great for my children as we don’t have much of that. Just a shame I have to pay for it!

My older nanny was already in her 70s when I hired her and I instantly knew she was right for us. Don’t be put off by the comments here, OP. Plenty of families, especially perhaps those with older children who will get more out of your experience as someone older, will appreciate you and not think that at 65 you are past it!

Many friends who are luckier than me have grandparents much older than you who do childcare regularly, collecting children from school or having them stay overnight or for weekends or even whole weeks in the holidays. I don’t understand many of the comments here, if you are in good health (which presumably you are or you wouldn’t even consider such a role!).

Then you’d be breaking the law.

My nanny in her 70s carries both of my children (7 and 8!) up the stairs at once!! I can’t even do that. 🤣

Only it’s not fine. It’s illegal.

“I’m not hiring you because you’re too old”.

Illegal.

As per my previous post, a nanny interview is largely about “fit” as considered by the parents (and the children if they are old enough to interact). If parents have two candidates and they prefer the cheaper one with less experience, or the higher energy one planning to go to soft play every day, or the one who is more likely to give them continuity of care for their current baby and the two more children they plan to have over the next 10 years… age may be a factor in any of those, but I think you’d be hard pushed to say that a couple was breaking the law if they took those factors into account.

If you were physically fit I’d have no hesitation in hiring you. When I was a child I had a mature nanny and she was so caring and taught me so much, I much preferred her to the younger one I had prior to her who seemed disinterested.

This is interesting after reading a few posts about how Norland nannies are better because they don't jusy stumble into looking after children and actually are choosing it as their career.
If you think a nanny in their 60s is too old to still nanny, how do you want them to continue earning money? As much as I would love ro be retired by then, I still have mortgage and bills to pay and as a career nanny ( though not Norland) there isnt anything else really to do. So would be interested in the parents who think this is too old, to reply about what the alternative could be please.

@CharlieCoCo i don’t think it’s about not being able to nanny, just about what age group is appropriate for what energy levels.
Our older nanny resigned because a toddler was too much for her, having said it would be fine! I think our nanny would probably have been fine with slightly older children.

There is an agency called Granny Au Pair or something like that, UK based.

Im nearly 39
About to have my own child

I hope to nanny in my 40s

I dont imagine nannying in my 60s

I'm a 62 year old foster carer to a 5 year old who is profoundly disabled, needs lifting/carrying, is in a wheelchair full time, I am fitter and more active than people half my age. If you are fit, active and keep up with modern practices you can be every bit as good as a nanny half your age.