Can you suggest she play outdoors with the 3 year old while the baby sleeps? She could take a monitor with her and just go in the yard. I think she could also play games with the older child while the infant sits in a swing or on a play mat and watches, babies usually love watching other little people talk and move around! Maybe try using a white noise machine during naps to drown out toddler voices as well.

OP,

Your nanny could be a bit overwhelmed at the moment trying to balance the new baby and the older child. It is an adjustment. I took care of three under the age of five and there was a bit of an adjustment when the last baby came along. But if you are finding a couple of months from now that she can't adjust, it is probably time for you to find a new nanny.

NP

OP back. She is not complaining. It just seems like my 3.5 year old spends a good part of the afternoon being quiet or being told to be quieter so the baby can nap. I'm okay with a certain amount of that but she really needs to be able to do a decent amount of running around outside to blow off steam and I don't want the baby out in the heat too long. The nanny can make it work by doing some indoor activities but it seems like its not ideal for either kid. I'm wondering if th solution is just having the older one on school more.

How many hours a week she working for you?

If work load is the complaint thence solution will not work but we out the oldest in preschool most of the week and nanny share. This lets nanny focus on a mug smaller age divide even though she still has 2 to juggle. Obviously pay adjusts accordingly though for the extra work.

Switch nannies. Its not hard for even middle of the pack type nannies to deal with an infant and a 3.5 year old. You don't need someone who has a child development degree just someone who wants to do a good job and a fresh outlook on the job.

Some nannies can get used to the easier routine with one child and a 3 year old is a lot easier than an infant. Even though you may have given her a raise, she's grown accustomed to less work and will not bounce back until she has to find a new job.

Our nanny who has been great for years is starting to be less of a good fit for our 2 children. However, I'm not sure what is fair to expect. I find that balancing the needs of an infant and an almost 3.5-4 year old to be hard myself! I'm wondering if I should just add the number of hours the older one is in school or look for a nanny who is better with child development for our 3.5 year old as we navigate tougher behavior issues, etc.
Thanks in advance