Please advise: references not fantastic for new mother's help/nanny/assistant

[thirtysoon]

Hi, I know this should be a straight forward one when it comes to employment, but I really just want to know what other people think....I have offered a lovely girl a job who came across so well at interview stage, interacted with DS etc etc, I really liked her, and was thrilled when she accepted my offer. She currently works in a nursery, so thought that was great too. Only thing is, I have since checked her references, one of whom was the owner of the nursery she works in, and he said that she does not have experience enough to be in sole charge of children, despite having an NVQ 3...I thought this might just be sour grapes TBH . Today I have received an email reference from her old NVQ teacher who says that reliability and punctuality were a problem, but that she hopes she has matured and got used to the responsibility of working life....oh dear! now I am worried as it is absolutely vital that she is punctual and reliable and should be left at times in sole charge of children! Also silly me, did not put that the job was subject to references in the offer I sent her Please help: what should I do? I really like her and am looking forward to her starting, but am now really worried

contact her and say she is on a 3 month trial contract as she may have matured and who can say when someone is experience enough for sole charge when they have never seen her in a sole charge position.

get her to work the first week with you so she knows fully your routines and what you expect

have a weekly meeting with her if you can get home from work 30mins early at end of week.

then review at 3mths and if neccesary have another 3mth contract

Oh dear indeed - no knowledge of this particular situation but as an employer I always take up references before offering and I would recommend you do the same from now on. Hope somebody can help you out.

thanks! yes, indeed lesson learnt: my stupidity really not putting it in the offer letter! Also good plan about 3 mth trial and weekly meeting, but is OK to do that after you have done a job offer? legally I mean, or does it come at contract stage? oh dear I am such a wally

A 3 month trial? I think you need less than that. 3 months is too long if you're not 100% confident in your choice. As others have said - she may have matured recently, but for 2 referees to sow the seed of doubt.....think very carefully.

JMI.

Sally x

assuming you have only offered the job verbally and not in writing then who says that you offered it to her?! unless you went via an agency.

no agency but did put it in writing: silly me! Just said something along the lines of, 'I am pleased to offer you the post of...salary will be x...and start date....I think I have got this so wrong, but as I said, I really liked her, checked her CRB etc, and TBH was only trying to be efficient with regards to refs x

not in same position as you but a childminder and ex nursery deputy, explain to her that references etc have not been best but all you can do is give her months trial, explain to her what responsibilities etc are and give her a go, from my experience glowing references don't always mean person is as good at one job as another - poor references sometimes are due to opportunities e.g. member of staff in nursery very lazy etc made everyone else believe she was incompetent turns out she was embarrassed but if left in charge of group while I was doing paperwork etc was excellent and really shined but would not have given her good reference neccessarily as would only shine working independently

I presume you have not yet drawn up a contract. Therefore I feel that as you did like her at interview, and have offered the job, that you proceed, but give a probationary period in the contract, during which there is a short notice period on both sides should either of you feel that it is not working.

Give a months trail,write in contact that a weeks notice may be given by either party within this period (though this may mean you are then in desperate need tor child cover - but willcome to that if need be)

NEVER offer a job till ALL refernces cheacked

Hopefully she will have matured but also worth mentioning to nanny that her ref arent that nice about her (she may want to put down different refs in future)