Nanny as co-op volunteer

[Anonymous]

I've been with my current family three days a week for two years. (I work part time for another family too.) The mom asked me a year ago if I would work for them until the twins go to school when they're four and I said OK. (I had originally been hired for one year.) There's also an older child who is currently four but will be five the end of September. The twins will be three in May and I found out this week they might be going to school in the fall. She keeps going back and forth on it and originally said they'd use me the same hours (which I know can't be true unless I take on housekeeping/shopping stuff but I figure she said it to keep me from looking right away.) Then today she decided the twins would go to school at four since the older kid probably won't go to kindergarten this year due to her birthday and she doesn't want three kids in the same co-op preschool. Then later on she said she found a solution to her problem (huh?) and that would be to send me to volunteer every Thursday to fulfill her commitment.

I have zero interest in doing that. Zero. I'm fairly introverted and that sounds like something I'd get burned out on really really fast. I became a nanny partly because I enjoy having a free form day without a set schedule and a small group setting. We can go to the zoo or stay home or whatever. If someone is sick we can work around that. If they're in school every T-Th we'll never get to do anything fun. I am willing to consider the idea but am really not sure it's what I want to do. I have been saving money to do some long term travel and figured I'd go when this family is done with me but I thought that would be next year, not this year.

My question is have any nannies been the family volunteer at a preschool? What was it like? What do you do? What is your generally personality...are you more introverted or extroverted? Did the other moms care that you are the nanny? I want to get a feel for what she's asking me to do before I commit one way or the other.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The coop we looked at in Silver Spring said "no" to anyone other than parents. So she might not be able to make it happen anyway.

Also, if this is a natural point for you to move on, wait until the plans are firmed up and then give notice if they didn't appeal to you. There are still months ahead to find a new job and for them to find a new nanny.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here in Alexandria. I used to work at a preschool and would have loved to serve as the co-op rep from the family that I work for now. Given that the family has twins and that they were going to be paying my rate during preschool hours either way, I really looked at co-op schools and spoke to probably six of them. There were none that would have let me take on the hours for the family.

[Anonymous]

I interviewed with a family a year ago, and they were upfront in the interview about wanting the nanny to do their volunteering commitment for them as part of her hours. I was skeptical, so I looked into it. That particular co-op (in DC) allows parents to substitute someone else (usually the nanny), but only for half of their commitment. On the other hand, I found out that the nannies were the ones doing the grunt work, the parents were the ones doing the fun things and interacting with the kids. I passed on it, in part due to that, and in part because the only time they would guarantee the hours for preschool was if I was supposed to be at the preschool, yet I would be required to be available in case there was a snow day, child was sick, etc.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I did the parents co-op duty for them and really enjoyed it. It also looked great on my resume.

Just think about it, OP. It might be good for you to stretch a little. If you hate it you can always quit.

[Anonymous]

We do this with our twins and a co-oping preschool (that allows nannies or grandparents to fulfill the cooping duties.)

It has allowed us to retain a full-time nanny while still getting our kids some socialization and classroom experience.

Our nanny has really enjoyed it - but she is generally pretty outgoing and confident.

The co-oping responsibility consists usually of monitoring the playground, helping move the kids from room to room, monitoring craft activities, etc... And it is only for a couple of hours.

So obviously this is highly dependent on the individual and you might hate it, but you might not. Our nanny thought it was really good for her resume because she felt like she was getting some useful experience, but that might not be relevant for you.

[Anonymous]

She has no right to volunteer you. Refuse. This is a valid reason for quitting, as well. Nannies are employees, not personal maids or servants. She has zero respect for you so you need to find a new job with people who do respect you. Move on and good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has no right to volunteer you. Refuse. This is a valid reason for quitting, as well. Nannies are employees, not personal maids or servants. She has zero respect for you so you need to find a new job with people who do respect you. Move on and good luck.

Oh for heaven's sake. The mother is talking w/ the nanny about all of these options, clearly with a desire to retain the nanny full-time rather than attempting to cut her hours. Would you rather she not discuss it with the nanny?

Of course the nanny is free to say no and find other employment, in which case perhaps the parent's decision will be easier. But there's no need to act as though this nanny is being wronged by what is the very natural evolution of any nanny position.

[Anonymous]

Co-oping is no big deal and may be easier in some ways. I didn't like it as we had a lazy teacher (as a parent) and she refused to do diapers, toilet and pretty much did nothing but chat with the other parents. (needless to say we left after a year). However, I'm assuming if you do it one day a week, then the other days, you'd have a break so it may be to your benefit. A co-op is far more affordable so its a good way to retain a nanny and do preschool.

[Anonymous]

I did most of the volunteer work for the family I worked for. It turned in to a paid sub position on days the teachers or assistants were out. I also encouraged Mb to put LO in aftercare one day a week when she was four so she would get used to a longer day. I ended up subbing in on that program as well and the child got to attend for free on days I subbed and she wasn't scheduled. I also volunteered as VP of operations on the board of directors for a year and cochaired big events for the school. The child gained socialization, I gained amazing experience for my resume and made new friends in what can be a very isolated position. I'm nervous in social situations too especially ones dealing with other parents who may judge you for "just being a nanny" but my experience was amazing for child and myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She has no right to volunteer you. Refuse. This is a valid reason for quitting, as well. Nannies are employees, not personal maids or servants. She has zero respect for you so you need to find a new job with people who do respect you. Move on and good luck.

"Personal maids" are employees too?? Why do nannies on this board speak so derisively of other domestic workers?

[Anonymous]

When you're a nanny, your job either evolves with the family's needs, or you find a family with the needs you want to meet. This family obviously loves you and wants to make it work. If the new scope of work doesn't work for you, you should respectfully move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you're a nanny, your job either evolves with the family's needs, or you find a family with the needs you want to meet. This family obviously loves you and wants to make it work. If the new scope of work doesn't work for you, you should respectfully move on.

That wasn't the question.