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Nanny & lockdown - can she still come

64 replies

HelpIHaveNothingToWear · 23/03/2020 22:52

We (two working parents) have a nanny who comes to our house 3 days a week to look after our 3 children.

We have been staying at home and so has she except work (all being sensible, following guidelines etc).

Can she continue to come to our home? I find the guidelines SO unclear. It says people who cannot work from home can still go to work.

I’m worried for her more than us if she can’t come anymore as she is self employed.

Is anyone in the same boat and if so what are you doing?

OP posts:
Griefmonster · 24/03/2020 00:07

@HelpIHaveNothingToWear If you take away the specifics of the guidance for a second, think about this in terms of what the government and their advisers are trying to achieve. Other measures to contain or delay the virus haven't worked so they are taking drastic steps to curb actual physical moving about of people unless absolutely necessary.

Many employers have been slow to grasp this but there is literally no other show in town at this time. You are either a key worker - as in key to the country's response to CV (not key to maintaining profits) or you are not. If you are not, then do not move around more than is strictly necessary for your survival or ask that other people do so on your behalf. If you have a disability that means you need the nanny to provide personal care to young children for example, then perhaps essential to your family's survival. Bit otherwise one of your employers should be picking up the tab for one of you looking after your children.

Pidgythe2nd · 24/03/2020 05:58

Wow, some of the responses on here! It’s not clear at all.

How are people meant to continue paying nannies if they themselves cannot work and have been told they won’t receive pay?!
I’m with OP, it’s very ambiguous and not clear at all.
It will be impossible for me to work for any extended period as I have 3 young children.
I don’t want to let my nanny go, but equally, how can I be expected to pay her if I am not being paid myself when there is no guarantee that I’d get the 80% back. This isn’t clear either.

twinnywinny14 · 24/03/2020 05:59

If you didn’t have a nanny you’re childcare wouldn’t be available to you so no

Sally2791 · 24/03/2020 06:01

Could the two of you work different shifts if you both must work?

marmitepasta · 24/03/2020 06:19

According the guidelines she can still come.

RicStar · 24/03/2020 06:25

I also think according to the guidelines she can still come - only non essential shops have been closed not "non essential" business / employment.

adagio · 24/03/2020 06:30

I think still ok to come as said further up, the guidance is that commuting is ok if you can’t wfh (which your nanny can’t)

It says:
“ ...people will only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes....

Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home”

crazydiamond222 · 24/03/2020 06:36

I agree the guidance is very unclear and I think legally you could get away with your nanny continuing to come. However I don't think this is the 'right' thing to do. You say there is no increased risk however someone in the nanny's household could pick up the virus and pass it on to your family increasing the pressure on the nhs.

If I was in your position I would decrease my work hours or arrage with my partner to split hours and make up time in the evening when the children are in bed. I would carrying on paying the nanny a retainer, maybe 50 to 75%

LittleLittleLittle · 24/03/2020 06:43

@PosyRosie current arrangement is fine.

Though depending on what work you do are you putting your MIL and her household at risk if either you and your partner catch anything you pass to your children?

Fifthtimelucky · 24/03/2020 07:35

I think the advice is clear, but leaves room for interpretation. Where that is the case, people should adopt the approach most in line with the spirit of the advice.

It is clear to me that the nanny can leave the house to go to work because she cannot do that work from home.

However, the OP should also consider whether there is a genuine need for the nanny. That will depend on a number of things:

A) are the OP and her husband are working at home (it looked to me that they were). If not, could they?

B) How old are the children? Do they have any any special needs that mean they need more hands-on care? Clearly if they are very small they need someone to look after them properly. If they're older, there is no need for a nanny if there is a responsible adult in the house.

C) given that the nanny comes in only 3 days a week, can't the OP and husband work on different days or at different times so they take turns looking after the children and there is no need for the nanny?

D) what is the nature of the work? Does it really demand 100% concentration at all times meaning that it wouldn't be possible me for the parents to work and supervise their children at the same time?

The answers to these questions will be different for different families who look from the outside to be in a similar position. None of us except the OP, her husband and their nanny know what the position is so we cannot sensibly give advice.

Just because you can do something it doesn't mean you should. It's the same principle as schools being open for the children of key workers. Those children are entitled to go to school but key workers are being asked not to send their children to school unless it is necessary. My sister is a teacher and will be working for a week over the Easter holidays. She will not be sending her 15 year old to school even though she is entitled to do so.

MrsCollinssettled · 24/03/2020 08:20

Big picture OP. We as a nation are desperately trying to slow the progress of Covid. To do this we need to stay at home unless we need to leave for one of the reasons given.

You have 2 adults working from home. You do not need a Nanny. Therefore her travel is not essential. She has to stay at home.

MajesticWhine · 24/03/2020 08:23

I have told my after school nanny/housekeeper to not come. I am paying her half. I told her if she cannot manage financially I will loan her what she needs.

MajesticWhine · 24/03/2020 08:31

And you may well laugh but my friend has moved her nanny in with her.

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