Nanny unexpectedly giving music lessons

[Anonymous]

It seems like she is the boss.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks for the opinions! I don’t mind giving a bit of a bonus for this, but agree, I just didn’t want ti pay extra for this if I’m the one having to watch the other kids while I finish up work and get dinner ready. My eldest likes it mainly bc I think they get some undivided attention (bc they never really see the nanny since they are in school all day). But I noticed last week the lesson was only 15 mins. And I don’t know that this is really as structured as I would like if I were paying for it. Yes, this instance made me feel like the nanny is running the show and I need to set up more structure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s during her current workday, then I would not pay her extra. She is free to occupy the kids in any way she likes during her paid hours. She should be watching the 4 year old during this time as well, but it’s fine to agree that that child can watch an iPad with headphones in the room with the piano during that time since the piano lessons are efficacious.

If she wants extra money, it would need to be after her normal working hours and the pay would be commensurate with her previous experience as a piano teacher. She would not need to watch other children during this extra time.

Agree with all this.

If she has musical ability, then that is a talent she brings to the job as a nanny. It's not a separate thing to be paid extra for unless it's outside her normal working hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- thanks for the opinions! I don’t mind giving a bit of a bonus for this, but agree, I just didn’t want ti pay extra for this if I’m the one having to watch the other kids while I finish up work and get dinner ready. My eldest likes it mainly bc I think they get some undivided attention (bc they never really see the nanny since they are in school all day). But I noticed last week the lesson was only 15 mins. And I don’t know that this is really as structured as I would like if I were paying for it. Yes, this instance made me feel like the nanny is running the show and I need to set up more structure.

I think many nannys forget that they are employees and do not make the rules or give arbitrary music lessons that they expect to be paid for while already working (but not actually even doing the job correctly). Don't let yourself get bullied by an employee.

[Anonymous]

Wow. I have a different take on this. The kids are at home variously learning to be by themselves and the oldest one is getting a bit of attention learning to play the piano. Seems like a win to me.

I worked at home and told the nanny that she didn’t need to entertain the kids every hour of the day, because I’m not entertaining them every hour when I am in charge.

Cycle through activities, independent time, quiet time, etc. during the day. The piano seems great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s during her current workday, then I would not pay her extra. She is free to occupy the kids in any way she likes during her paid hours. She should be watching the 4 year old during this time as well, but it’s fine to agree that that child can watch an iPad with headphones in the room with the piano during that time since the piano lessons are efficacious.

If she wants extra money, it would need to be after her normal working hours and the pay would be commensurate with her previous experience as a piano teacher. She would not need to watch other children during this extra time.

Agree with all this.

If she has musical ability, then that is a talent she brings to the job as a nanny. It's not a separate thing to be paid extra for unless it's outside her normal working hours.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is she even really qualified to?

+1. Sounds like she is trying to get her next position by practicing on your DD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. I have a different take on this. The kids are at home variously learning to be by themselves and the oldest one is getting a bit of attention learning to play the piano. Seems like a win to me.

I worked at home and told the nanny that she didn’t need to entertain the kids every hour of the day, because I’m not entertaining them every hour when I am in charge.

Cycle through activities, independent time, quiet time, etc. during the day. The piano seems great.

The 4 year old is unattended on a separate floor. Least favorite of her charges, I’ll bet.

[Anonymous]

30 minute lessons as a beginner is perfect for a young child. Not sure what the nanny's credentials are, but bad habits learned early are NIGH IMPOSSIBLE to unlearn. So I'd make sure she has the right musical background to teach piano before trusting her to teach correctly. A reasonable fee for unproven teachers is about $30 per half hour per week. I pay $90/hr for a professional soloist twice a week, just to give you an idea.

A 4 year old should learn to play quietly for 30 minutes. If they're on a different floor, maybe use a baby monitor to check on them. It would be even better if the 4 year old could be near the lesson, so they listen and learn.

[Anonymous]

The issue here isn't the merits or mechanics of piano lessons for young children. It's the presumptuousness of the nanny. If you want the kid to have piano lessons and she wants to give them during her work day, there should be no additional cost to the employer and the 4 year old should not be left unattended. Some 4 year olds do take naps; if so, perhaps that would be an appropriate time.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't pay her extra for an activity she's doing during her current hours.

[Anonymous]

I would keep my current nanny arrangement and go to a different piano instructor. This keeps the nanny arrangement clean. No piano lessons from this nanny. If you want piano lessons for DC then do a separate search for that. You hired this lady to do a nanny job, not a side 30 minute piano job. Hard no.

[Anonymous]

She is probably messing up music lessons and the child might lose all interest in piano due to an inept, inexperienced teacher. First experience is very important, OP. I would never allow that unless the nanny is originally a music teacher, possibly an immigrant who used to teach piano in her own country. Is that the case,OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s during her current workday, then I would not pay her extra. She is free to occupy the kids in any way she likes during her paid hours. She should be watching the 4 year old during this time as well, but it’s fine to agree that that child can watch an iPad with headphones in the room with the piano during that time since the piano lessons are efficacious.

If she wants extra money, it would need to be after her normal working hours and the pay would be commensurate with her previous experience as a piano teacher. She would not need to watch other children during this extra time.

Agree. She doesn’t get to double dip with nanny pay (for not even watching all the kids!) and piano lessons at one time. I would question her judgment after this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If it’s during her current workday, then I would not pay her extra. She is free to occupy the kids in any way she likes during her paid hours. She should be watching the 4 year old during this time as well, but it’s fine to agree that that child can watch an iPad with headphones in the room with the piano during that time since the piano lessons are efficacious.

If she wants extra money, it would need to be after her normal working hours and the pay would be commensurate with her previous experience as a piano teacher. She would not need to watch other children during this extra time.

Agree with all this.

If she has musical ability, then that is a talent she brings to the job as a nanny. It's not a separate thing to be paid extra for unless it's outside her normal working hours.

+1000