I'm an MB. If my nanny came to me and said that she was planning to go back to school and also that she's learned that she really enjoys young children the most, so therefore would be looking for a position that is a better fit for her at this stage, I would understand.

I might be upset to be losing her, and to have to face finding someone new, and maybe I would worry about whether there was a deeper reason and she was just being polite, but I can totally understand a nanny preferring a certain age range and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. You don't have to get into the behavior of their specific kids at all that way so hopefully it won't be difficult.

Good luck.

OP, I think working 60 hours a week is reason enough to quit. No one should be doing that. I also prefer working with younger children. I typically like to start with a family when the oldest is an infant and will stay for a few years and then move on. It really hasn't been an issue with families.

OP here. OK thanks for the insight. I try to be careful about the reasons I'm leaving so it doesn't offend them. We're just not working out. I'm not a career nanny but I do enjoy being around kids. Will be going back to continue my education so this is just for a while. I guess I'll carefully listen to (and ask) potential families needs to determine if the need someone long term or for the short term.

I personally wouldn't tell the family the real reason why you're leaving. I imagine they might take it personally (hear "I don't like your older kids" as opposed to "I work better with younger kids")

But I totally get it OP. I work pretty exclusively with ages 0-2. Once they get close to 3 I find kids incredibly annoying, and I doesn't ease up until they hit 9 or 10. So - I look for families with babies. My current family has a 23mo and another one on the way - luckily their toddler is awesome right now and by the time she turns 3 I'll be back at school to finish my degree.

As for your questions, I either wouldn't mention it (if you start work with a baby, by the time they're older you may be so bonded with them that they aren't annoying anyways) or else tell families that you are looking for a position where when the child starts preschool and the families needs change, you can move on to a new position.

When we were hiring for our newborn, we stated we wanted someone very long-term. NOT just someone who liked infants, or toddlers or preschoolers or school-age kids. We specifically wanted someone who would plan to be with us for 8-10 years.

As a FTM of a 14 month old, I'd feel fine with you saying you worked better with younger children.

Truthfully, our needs will be changing when DH reaches full time school age, so I don't think I'll be thinking that far down the line of "oh no this nanny isn't as good with older children".

I currently have a job (live in, 7-7 tues through Sat) that is not working out so I'm now job hunting. Been with them for almost 4 years had started with two kids now three. I'm finding the older 2 (8 to 11)to be a handful. Not doing baths , getting dressed, homework on time especially during school days when we need to be on time. Plus on top of taking care of a 1 year old and the parents work long hrs) general rudeness and tantrums. Also a few differences with how the parents want to discipline, occasionally going back on their word so I tend to be the one left the enforce rules. I guess I had assumptions when the got older they'd be easier to handle. I'm realizing I work well with younger children. How do parents feel when a potential nanny says that? Do you get concerned she will leave as the child get older?
I feel i would have stayed but there are other things that are not working out for me as well. The family has treated me well enough but not enough to stay.