I'm in a similar situation. I like the advice given but I have one more question - would you write up the letter and hand it over without saying anything? Email it? Or tell them and hand the letter?
In my situation I'm only in month 7 of my year - my contract does not have an end date. It does reference days off in 2014, past my 1 year mark. I was placed with an agency (for the 1st time) should I contact them prior to giving notice?
I'm 100% positive I will not be returning to work as a full time nanny.

OP, here. The offer came from someone I've previously worked with on a freelance basis. They landed their dream position and need to hire another team member, and love my work. It's been some time since I've worked with them, and I definitely didn't fill anything out. But it's a legitimate offer from someone I admire and trust. I'm notoriously suspicious and leery of being phished, so I understand the concern. Thanks, everyone!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, here. Thanks for the advice. I didn't even interview for the position in question, they simply called and asked if I would be willing to come work for the company. They are completely flexible on my start time, so I will be able to give my current family a generous notice period.

I've never had to give notice before, my positions have always ended when the family outgrew full-time nanny care. This is new territory for me!

I noticed you said they called but didn't mention an interview.. Did you have a in-person interview? If not then I would not give your MB/DH notice just yet because if you were sought out and hired over a phone call that seems phishy.

+1 it sounds very odd. I'd ask for an in person meeting, and do thorough research on the company, and have a contract in hand before giving notice. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Anonymous wrote:OP, here. Thanks for the advice. I didn't even interview for the position in question, they simply called and asked if I would be willing to come work for the company. They are completely flexible on my start time, so I will be able to give my current family a generous notice period.

I've never had to give notice before, my positions have always ended when the family outgrew full-time nanny care. This is new territory for me!

I noticed you said they called but didn't mention an interview.. Did you have a in-person interview? If not then I would not give your MB/DH notice just yet because if you were sought out and hired over a phone call that seems phishy.

You must have filled out something, companies just don't seek out random people and hire them unless they've filled out some type of application or showed some interest. If they did seek you out then I'd be highly concerned that this was a scam. Employment scams seek out people, appear very flexible and make the job look to good to be true. I'd make sure it was legit before going forward with the notice.

That said.. Don't feel bad, you need to do whats best for you. Every MB/DB wishes to minimize transitions for their child but situations and life arises and it doesn't always happen that way. If something came up and the family had to let you go, they would. Yeah they may feel bad for both you and the child because you've built a bond but they're going to ultimately do what's best for them.
Just tell them what a previous poster mentioned, that you enjoyed working for them and how much you care for their child but that you have been offered a great opportunity in a different position that you will be pursuing and that this conversation is the beginning of your notice.

OP, it's very considerate of you to care about how this will affect the current family you are with. That being said, I believe you should give your notice and thank them for the opportunity to work for them and let them know that you were offered a once in a lifetime job that you cannot turn down. If I were you, I'd offer to help them with the process of finding a new nanny, vetting them, and assisting in training. I wish you the best.

OP, here. Thanks for the advice. I didn't even interview for the position in question, they simply called and asked if I would be willing to come work for the company. They are completely flexible on my start time, so I will be able to give my current family a generous notice period.

I've never had to give notice before, my positions have always ended when the family outgrew full-time nanny care. This is new territory for me!

I'm an MB and think 16:38's advice is perfect.

It's lovely that you are feeling guilty about this and wanting to do it in the best way possible, but at the end of the day, it's a business transaction. If the family is truly a good family, they will of course be disappointed and will miss you, but they will understand and be happy for you.

"It has been a plelasure workinng for you and being a part of your wonderful children's lives. However, I have been offered the opportunity of a lifetime and I have accepted. I know you will be happy for me. Therefore, I am giving you four weeks notice as of today, July 8, 2013. My last day will be August 2, 2013. I will be happy to help you train your new nanny. Again, it has been a pleasure to be a part of your lives."

This is a fait accompli, not something you are considering. Go with this opportunity because it will never come again. Best of luck.

I have considered myself a long-term career nanny, but have recently faced burnout in my current full-time position. I was offered a once-in-a-lifetime kind of position in another field that I have always had an interest in and talent for (the "If I wasn't a nanny, I would do [______]" field). It would be a pay-cut, but the hours are very flexible and I would be able to work a part-time nanny position to continue doing both things that I love. My only dilemma is that my nanny family hired me because I was previously planning on being a full-time nanny for the longterm, and they wish to minimize transitions for their child. I've been with them for over a year, but I feel like accepting this position, while perfect for me personally and professionally, is doing a disservice to them. Does anyone have advice for how to approach giving notice in this situation? I don't want them to feel like I led them on, but I also don't want to pass up this opportunity.