How to answer the question, "What happened to the last nanny?"
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Anonymous
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We fired our nanny and now are looking for a new one. I am not sure how much we should say about what happened. We have gotten this question from almost everyone we have interviewed.
How would you handle? Nannies, how much would you want to know about what happened? |
Anonymous
| As a nanny, I'd want to know the truth. I always ask families why their previous nanny left and for the most part have gotten honest answers. My current position had a terrible experience before me and told me when I asked. What exactly was your nanny fired for? |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks. That is helpful. My DH thought maybe we shouldn't really go into it. I had been telling people who asked.
I don't want to go into it because the person may read DCUM, but it was a safety thing - the kind of thing where another mom called me up practically crying and said she thought I really need to know what was going on. |
Anonymous
| Are you the I've who fired the nanny after the playdate? Best luck (not meant snarky, I mean it) |
Anonymous
| I'm a nanny and I'd want to know. It would help me know what you don't like and know if we're a good fit...maybe I'd do the same as the previous nanny and not think it was a problem for example. |
Anonymous
| If you don't want to give an interviewee specific details, I would at least say that there was a safety issue and you felt her judgment was not good in an important situation. If the interviewee asks for more details I think it is good to have some kind of explanation ready as I agree with PP, it is helpful for the nanny to know your definition of safety etc. If there were also other issues that were a factor then you should say so, again without necessarily being too specific (she didn't click with the kids, she didn't dicsipline them appropriately, etc) |
Anonymous
| Do ANY of you work as professionals? I can just imagine asking questions like that at an interview? That last partner that you fired? Was it true that he was a perv? |
Anonymous
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I think its an important question. For my current job I didn't have to ask because the MB has been on Mat leave. But if the family has gone through 6 nannies over the past year this is something I want to know because this is a warning sign for me as a nanny.
I don't think you have to outright ask "what happened to your last nanny?" though, most first time parents will say they have never fired a nanny before. Not first time parents will usually say why they are looking for a nanny. I love parent who offer to let me speak to their last nanny, I've never taken them up on it but I feel just by offering it it leaves me in a better position to see if I am a good fit for the family, which is what it is all about |
Anonymous
f that's not the same and you know it. It's no different than a family asking why the nanny left her last family. They have a right to know why she'slooking for work and she has a right to know why they're looking for a nanny. The interview is the time to vet out whether they're a good fit. |
nannydebsays
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It's an important question to ask because it's going to help potential nannies discover your particular "non-negotiables". (Yes, safety should always be assumed to be non-negotiable, but many parents are less safety conscious than nannies.)
"Our last nanny was fired after she broke XYZ safety rule/demonstrated a lack of basic safety awareness." Then give more details as you feel comfortable doinbg so. |
Anonymous
The nanny has the right to know, not only is the family looking for the right nanny, but the nanny is looking for the right family. There is nothing in appropriate about the question. Please, get over yourself. |