Nanny during lockdown

[Bananasplease]

Ok so I fully expect to get flamed for this and I know that others have bigger problems!
DH and I are classed as key workers (justice) but are able to work from home most of the time. We have 2 children (4 and almost 1) and a part time nanny. Our eldest normally also goes to nursery but we stopped that over a week ago. Our nanny has still been coming to us and only taking the children out for short walks away from others over the last week. Now that a lockdown has been announced what do we do?? Do we cancel her but how on earth do we manage on the occasions when we will both have Court commitments (most likely by video or phone) at the same time. I want to do the right thing but I don't know how on earth we manage Court work with 2 kids in the house?

Thank you to the majority of posters who have been helpful and polite in their comments. It is a difficult situation and I do very much want to do the right thing for everyone. The British Assoication of Professional Nannies has given some guidance this morning asking parents to send their nannies home and that is what we will do. We will manage however we can for as long as we can. I hope others are able to resolve their issues in a way that works for them, their families and their nannies. Good luck everyone and stay safe.

Yeap, Lancashire doesn’t even have a nanny. You are wrong.

Not having a nanny doesn’t mean that I don’t read the news. Even when you are faced with facts all you can resort to is a childish dig

You have been presented with the facts multiple times by multiple sources but still choose to ignore them

Seriously? What planet are you on? Why are you still bloody telling people that nannies can come and go from peoples’ homes? They can’t!

Our au pair left 10 days ago when Denmark called all its citizens home. While it's still term time and DH is teaching over Zoom, we are splitting the day where he works 9-1 and 4-6 and I work 1.30-4pm. When I have calls during his time, I've been putting on videos.

One of my (childless) colleagues today said I should hire a temp nanny to cover until our au pair gets back. On day 1 of lockdown this was her suggestion. I still haven't responded as I don't trust myself.

I am a nanny. The children are 5 and 8. I have been told not to go in. But I am doing Skype sessions with the children so parents can have a couple hours a day uninterrupted working. Obviously this doesn’t work for younger children or for parents that have to go out to work

Hahahaha still getting it wrong Lancashire.

To be honest you seem to be in some form of denial. Are there people in your house supporting you?

yes there are, my nanny

Nannies should still be able to go to work as they cannot work from home - especially if the parents are key workers - there is nothing at the moment that prevents nannies from coming into work - however it may be a good idea to consider whether it is completely essential for your nanny to keep coming into work, taking public transport/potentially putting your family at risk as you cannot guarantee he/she is not a carrier. I work for an agency (don't @ me) and many of our clients are choosing for their nannies to move in with them for the period or lock down, some ask the nannies not to come in at all for the next few weeks but they should still keep paying the nannies (unless there is a clause in their contract about lay off - in which case there needs to be fairly strong proof for laying the nanny off without pay - and as an alternative to laying the nanny off, you should be able to claim 80% of her/his salary through the HMRC) I would suggest looking at Nannytax.co.uk for further info

Well at least that’s something ‘Bringonspring.*

@Bananasplease - you mention above there is guidance from BAPN regarding nannies working at present. Is there a link or reference to this anywhere? I can't find it on their website. For info nannytax released advice earlier today essentially saying it was a conversation between employer and nanny about how essential them coming to work is. Bit of a cop out but shows what a tricky grey area this is and definitely isn't as simple as some very hostile posters on here have suggested!

Sea patrol it's on their facebook page. I don't know how to do links sorry.

Nanny tax are saying what I have been saying that travel is prohibited unless ‘absolutely necessary.’ I have been told time and again that isn’t true!

And been called bitter and hostile for my trouble

Having said that, it’s been a fascinating insight into the mindset of a certain demographic of people

You conflated having a nanny with being entitled and rich @LancashirePeeler which kind of undermines the integrity of your point, however correct it may be.

I will call out anyone who slags off parents for using nannies as a form of “rich man’s childcare” every single time.

It’s classist and wrong.

How are these people not entitled? Look at the evidence. It’s all there.

Marginalgain I can live with that title, coming from you.

And for the record look at my posts. I haven’t slagged off anyone for having a nanny. Literally the only comment I have made about wealth is why do rich people think the rules don’t apply to them? I still struggle with the answer to that question. For my trouble I have been ridiculed for not being to afford a nanny (actually I can afford it. I have a brilliant job, as does DP). I am bitter and now I am the worst person ever on mumsnet. And the funniest thing is I was right all along! Good job I have a sense of humour.

And PaulHollywoodsSexGut not once in any of my posts have I ever used the phrase ‘rich man’s childcare’ so to suggest I have is totally misleading and unfair.

We have our nanny with us. She can’t work remotely and is working completely within the guidelines as they stand, which we have been advised by our nanny payrol

Good grief @LancashirePeeler why don't you give it a rest? Reading through your day of vitriol on here, interspersed with smug comments about your own wealth and importance, is nauseating. It is far from clear you are right - ultimately it is a decision for each nanny and employer whether their current situation requires them to stay working, and the bar should be set very high given current circumstances. Guidance is very unclear- even the health secretary has said today "people should go to work to keep the country going" which is far from a total lockdown on all jobs apart from key workers. The OP asked a valid question in a respectful way. Try having a bit of compassion for others.

I only mentioned I was comfortable because I was accused of being too poor to have a nanny