Parents, would you be turned off by a nanny with fake nails?

[Anonymous]

I prefer short nails to avoid scratches but wouldn't care if those were real or acrylic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think as long as your fake nails don't look fake you're fine..I don't think the acrylics will chip nor is grooming ever a waste of money..again I am glad to see a nanny taking pride in her appearance.
I'm not bashing yoga pants but I don't see what people are so defensive over. I'm entitled to my opinion..I just think that we as nannies need to look professional and that means spending some time getting ourselves ready in the morning..yoga pants once in a blue moon are fine but you can't tell me they look more professional than khakis or darker denim.

acrylics most definitely can chip.
also: darker denim? Now you're specifying what kind of jeans look more professional. Oh my.
I'm not the yoga pants PP, but I don't care what 'wash' my jeans are.


I distinctly remember posting (back when the nanny forum was on the regular page) about a nanny I saw wearing a shirt that said "I'm not an alcoholic, I'm a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings" because I thought it was inappropriate. Just about every single person told me to lighten up.

[Anonymous]

Some parents are really crazy to hire a nanny who would wear that shirt. But maybe they gave it to her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- It seems like the general consensus is to not get fake nails during the interview process.

I will wait until I land a position and will then ask the parents if they are okay with me having fake nails. I would hate something as silly as my nails to keep me from getting a great position.

I would never have the super long and colorful fake nails that many people have. To each their own, but I just find them trashy. I will wait to get fakes but if I do they will always be kept very short and only ever have a french manicure on them.

Thank you for all of the responses.

You prepare my kid's food. I don't want you to have fake nails EVER. I would fire you if we found a nail in the baby's food. So if you're going to ASK the parents, you need to be okay with them saying "No, we are NOT okay with you having fake nails, and in fact, prefer that you not use nail polish as it chips off."

[Anonymous]

By the same token, when you catch the MB is wearing nail polish, chew her out.

[Anonymous]

I would not hire you.

If you got them during your tenure with me, I would ask you to remove them.

[Anonymous]

12:13 is a prime example of a delusional mb. She needs help if she thinks she'd ever have the opportunity to hire me. Goodness!

[nannydebsays]

If a parent is going to freak out over the fact that my short and neatly kept nails are painted, then I am not all that interested in working for them. I get the OPI gel manis, and I love deep and bright colors. My charge is especially enamored of any sparkly colors I have on my nails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- It seems like the general consensus is to not get fake nails during the interview process.

I will wait until I land a position and will then ask the parents if they are okay with me having fake nails. I would hate something as silly as my nails to keep me from getting a great position.

I would never have the super long and colorful fake nails that many people have. To each their own, but I just find them trashy. I will wait to get fakes but if I do they will always be kept very short and only ever have a french manicure on them.

Thank you for all of the responses.

You prepare my kid's food. I don't want you to have fake nails EVER. I would fire you if we found a nail in the baby's food. So if you're going to ASK the parents, you need to be okay with them saying "No, we are NOT okay with you having fake nails, and in fact, prefer that you not use nail polish as it chips off."

So as a mom you never do anything with your nails? Do you wear a hair net in the kitchen and require your nanny to wear one as well?

OP, I wear gel nails. They don't break or chip as easily as acrylics. That's just my own preference. As long as your nails are short and professional, I don't care what you do with them.

[Anonymous]

I would never hire a nanny who had acrylic nails even if she thinks they are short. They can be hard and clearly they won't be at skin, so they are not short ever. You can't take care of a child with those. Also, I don't care if you clean them, unless you are cleaning them every hour and every time you go to the bathroom, they are disgusting with all kinds of stuff accumulating underneath. It's extremely unprofessional and shows a lack of interest in job.

[Anonymous]

I have a gel French which I keep short. I had no trouble finding my new position and the only comment from MB is that she likes them. I feel like acrylic nails are obviously fake looking and prone to harboring bacteria. Can you try gel?

[Anonymous]

Not at all.

Inch and a half long talons that could scratch or be an impediment to changing diapers, etc... - that would be a negative. But nicely groomed, neat, polished nails are nice.

[Anonymous]

First of all, this has been dredged up from 2013. Second, there's no reason to create an issue, so keep your nails short, clean and trimmed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a Career Nanny who is transitioning from my old nanny position into interviewing for a new position. I have had fake nails (acrylic) in the past and really liked them. I am considering getting them again but am worried that during the interview process it might make parents like me less or make them feel like I will be less active with the children. This is not the case at all. I always kept my acrylics very short. clean, and neat. I like a french manicure so it is clear with just the white tip. I feel like it is a very classy look and it would not hinder me giving wonderful care to to children.

Parents, if a nanny came into an interview with nails like I have described would it be a turn off?

Goodness no. Why on earth would this matter? Do you.

Signed a MB

[Anonymous]

I always wear nail polish but if I were an MB, I wouldn't want a nanny with long, fake nails. Unhygienic and may scratch the baby.