Keep or fire?

[Anonymous]

Nanny was upstairs with my younger child when my preschooler opened the front door and walked out. Neighbors were playing outside and kept her til nanny came down 5 or 10 minutes later. This is a pretty egregious oversight, but I am trying to decide where it falls on the negligence scale. Door was accidentally not locked from when they came in earlier. Nanny was appropriately upset and apologetic and nothing worse happened but I am unsure how to proceed. I don't know if the trust is just broken. She has only been with us for a few months after we had to switch out of a nanny share. Please help me process this. Would you be able to keep her on? Prior to this, I thought we were thrilled with her.

[Anonymous]

I don't think this one incident alone is a firing offense. A big deal, but not a firing offense. She has not shown a pattern of negligence, and everyone forgets to lock the door. When you say preschooler, how old do you mean? There is a big difference between leaving a 2.5 year old alone, and them wandering off, vs. a 4 year old who should know better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this one incident alone is a firing offense. A big deal, but not a firing offense. She has not shown a pattern of negligence, and everyone forgets to lock the door. When you say preschooler, how old do you mean? There is a big difference between leaving a 2.5 year old alone, and them wandering off, vs. a 4 year old who should know better.

3.5 years old.

[Anonymous]

Depends.
What are your options if you let her go?
Perhaps start with that question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends.
What are your options if you let her go?
Perhaps start with that question.

It would be a huge headache, and I would have the same issue of trust with someone new...I know this part of the equation. BUT, if something bad does happen down the road with this one, how will I forgive myself for not heeding a warning? This is why I'm in a bind.

[Anonymous]

Preschoolers walk outside all the time. What's the big deal.

[Anonymous]

MB here. I have twins, one of whom is an escape artist and did this same thing to me at 18 mths old. Terrifying.

I don't think I'd fire her for this if she's appropriately upset and remorseful. But I'd put a chain in at the top of the door as an extra safety measure!

[Anonymous]

If your nanny reacted appropriately to this oversight it's a fair bet she will be extra vigilant at locking the doors behind her now. I wouldn't fire her for that. And if you have a wanderer in your family, an above-the-door lock is advised for extra safety (my 2.5 year old can pull his stool over and unlock our deadbolt).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends.
What are your options if you let her go?
Perhaps start with that question.

It would be a huge headache, and I would have the same issue of trust with someone new...I know this part of the equation. BUT, if something bad does happen down the road with this one, how will I forgive myself for not heeding a warning? This is why I'm in a bind.

Ok. I can speak for myself with complete clarity.
If I were in your shoes, she'd be already gone.
And yes, I'm a nanny AND a Mother.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all. Yes, we installed a chain yesterday.

[Anonymous]

I'd likely fire. Unclear why she'd leave your 3.5 yr old downstairs that long unattended. I wouldn't do that with my own 3.75 yr old daughter. If I'm heading upstairs for a while, so is she.

[Anonymous]

The family I work for has an alarm system set up so when any door is opened there's a double beep sound to alert you, and the front door and baby's bathroom door are digital (you can enter a code to get in or use a key) and they lock themselves automatically after 30 seconds. I'm always careful but mistakes do happen so I feel better having the automatic locks, maybe you child look into something like that? Do you hasn't baby gates? I also use those to ensure that when I'm doing dishes, for example, the baby is locked in the kitchen with me or nearby in the playroom but can't get to the front door and other rooms, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this one incident alone is a firing offense. A big deal, but not a firing offense. She has not shown a pattern of negligence, and everyone forgets to lock the door. When you say preschooler, how old do you mean? There is a big difference between leaving a 2.5 year old alone, and them wandering off, vs. a 4 year old who should know better.

3.5 years old.

Kid should now better. Tan his hide and tell him not to do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your nanny reacted appropriately to this oversight it's a fair bet she will be extra vigilant at locking the doors behind her now. I wouldn't fire her for that. And if you have a wanderer in your family, an above-the-door lock is advised for extra safety (my 2.5 year old can pull his stool over and unlock our deadbolt).

Ridiculous. Punish the child and she will get the reason why not to do it. There is a reason why children feel as if they are the boss. No discipline and reckless little hellions.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny. I find this unacceptable. I might expect som leniency after a long relationship with a family but not in the first few months when trust has been fully established. I have also been fired from a position a fews years ago for making a serious mistake. It will hurt. And she will be a better nanny for it.