Giving notice far in advance

[Anonymous]

I have been with my nanny family for just over a year. I care for their 2yo daughter and found out a few weeks ago that #2 is due in late July! The 2yo will be starting preschool in September, and unfortunately... I am going back to school in September too.

I realize at this point this is over 8 months away, and we haven't had any discussions yet about how their needs/my role will change with the new baby, parental leave, and preschool starting (I am not sure but assume they are looking at a program that does 5 half-days). But much like me, my bosses are planners and are already getting in to gear to get ready for the baby. I am sure they have started discussing all this, just haven't approached me yet.

I would like to give them as much notice as possible that I will be leaving in September, and let them know that I am amenable to the idea of staying on part-time or still babysitting occasionally if both schedules allow for it. I have no concerns that they will fire me when they find out I'm leaving, or that the relationship will sour. They knew I would be going back to school at some point, and specifically requested that when this happened I give them as much notice as possible, so that is what I'm trying to do.

So my question is - how much notice? I would like to approach them before they approach me about their needs changing. 8 months notice seems ridiculous since a lot can change in that time, but I can't imagine me leaving before that. What do you guys think?

[Anonymous]

Go ahead and tell them. They may even be able to find a school schedule that works around your availability, or you may be able to do the same.

[Anonymous]

Do not tell them now because they will let you go immediately.

[Anonymous]

If you really trust them I would go ahead and tell them. They will need someone to watch the new baby and probably transport dc1 to preschool and back. If you think you could still work part time you could offer now, but I don't see you having much time for school unless you're doing night classes after work.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to get fired as soon as they can replace you, go ahead and tell them whenever it suits you. Just be prepared for the worst, even when you think THEY'D never do that. Think again.

[Anonymous]

maybe tell them now but don't say definitely (your life could change by then.) just say you're seriously considering it and will know by June.

[Anonymous]

OP, don't listen to all of the Debbie Downers. Tell them as soon as you are sure (or sort of clear) on your future schedule and make it very apparent the extent that you are willing to accommodate them into it. I gave my last NF 4 months notice and we had a stellar relationship up until the moment I left. MB and I even had a glass of wine together on my last night! Not all people are terrible employers and if you feel that you really won't get screwed, don't screw them in return. They will appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to adapt their care situation to everyone's changing needs. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford to get fired as soon as they can replace you, go ahead and tell them whenever it suits you. Just be prepared for the worst, even when you think THEY'D never do that. Think again.

+1 I would give 1 months notice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't listen to all of the Debbie Downers. Tell them as soon as you are sure (or sort of clear) on your future schedule and make it very apparent the extent that you are willing to accommodate them into it. I gave my last NF 4 months notice and we had a stellar relationship up until the moment I left. MB and I even had a glass of wine together on my last night! Not all people are terrible employers and if you feel that you really won't get screwed, don't screw them in return. They will appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to adapt their care situation to everyone's changing needs. Good luck!

+1

OP, alot of the nannies on here are unprofessional and they think everyone in the working world will screw them over so hence the reason they think the worst. If you have a good relationship with your employers then give them as much notice as you can. They will appreciate the heads up and if they are reasonable employers they wont fire you or screw you over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't listen to all of the Debbie Downers. Tell them as soon as you are sure (or sort of clear) on your future schedule and make it very apparent the extent that you are willing to accommodate them into it. I gave my last NF 4 months notice and we had a stellar relationship up until the moment I left. MB and I even had a glass of wine together on my last night! Not all people are terrible employers and if you feel that you really won't get screwed, don't screw them in return. They will appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to adapt their care situation to everyone's changing needs. Good luck!

+1

OP, alot of the nannies on here are unprofessional and they think everyone in the working world will screw them over so hence the reason they think the worst. If you have a good relationship with your employers then give them as much notice as you can. They will appreciate the heads up and if they are reasonable employers they wont fire you or screw you over.

You can't say that with a certainty, that's the thing. Any other person, not a grubby MB on this site, would advise you to not give more notice than you can afford. Never put yourself at someone else's mercy if you don't have to, and don't quit your job until you have your next one or you're financially prepared.

Also to the PP, none of the advice OP has gotten is unprofessional. Most people said to give around 4 weeks of notice. That is a generous amount of notice across all professions. Only an self interested MB would call that unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, don't listen to all of the Debbie Downers. Tell them as soon as you are sure (or sort of clear) on your future schedule and make it very apparent the extent that you are willing to accommodate them into it. I gave my last NF 4 months notice and we had a stellar relationship up until the moment I left. MB and I even had a glass of wine together on my last night! Not all people are terrible employers and if you feel that you really won't get screwed, don't screw them in return. They will appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to adapt their care situation to everyone's changing needs. Good luck!

+1

OP, alot of the nannies on here are unprofessional and they think everyone in the working world will screw them over so hence the reason they think the worst. If you have a good relationship with your employers then give them as much notice as you can. They will appreciate the heads up and if they are reasonable employers they wont fire you or screw you over.

You can't say that with a certainty, that's the thing. Any other person, not a grubby MB on this site, would advise you to not give more notice than you can afford. Never put yourself at someone else's mercy if you don't have to, and don't quit your job until you have your next one or you're financially prepared.

Also to the PP, none of the advice OP has gotten is unprofessional. Most people said to give around 4 weeks of notice. That is a generous amount of notice across all professions. Only an self interested MB would call that unprofessional.

Also wanted to add, what do you think would happen if OP gives her family months of notice and they begin their search early and find the perfect nanny but she wants to start now? Seriously, what would happen? OP would be gone in a New York minute and you know it. MBs on here have said before, given this unfortunate position, they'd have to look out for their family, understandably. OP should only give enough notice in which she is prepared to be unemployed. To do otherwise is stupid, not "professional".

[Anonymous]

I would tell them sooner, rather than later. When I have left my nanny jobs, I gave them all notice of between a month and up to six. None of them terminated me early. One family tried to screw me out of some money I was due, but they were crappy people to work for to begin with.
It is hard to find a good nanny and I think your employers will appreciate the time to find someone.
And if they do let you go early, make sure you have some sort of back up plan in place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would tell them sooner, rather than later. When I have left my nanny jobs, I gave them all notice of between a month and up to six. None of them terminated me early. One family tried to screw me out of some money I was due, but they were crappy people to work for to begin with.
It is hard to find a good nanny and I think your employers will appreciate the time to find someone.
And if they do let you go early, make sure you have some sort of back up plan in place.

Right. If you can't afford to be unemployed, DON'T give much notice. Or your ass will be on the street.

[Anonymous]

8 months notice is crazy. When I left my family of 3 years, I gave them 3 months notice.

Unless you can easily afford to be without work for 8 months, do not give them that much notice.

I'm sure they're wonderful, but if they find a fantastic nanny right away, they're going to have to do what's best for their family

[Anonymous]

MB here - don't give them 8 months notice because they are just going to start stressing about replacing you, which might in turn lead to you being replaced earlier than you plan to leave. Ultimately they will will do what is best for them, and if they find a good replacement before your departure date the might feel they can't give up that opportunity. 2 months notice is probably enough.