It is easiest to find a nanny at the end of the summer, and much harder after the holidays. If you tell the family now, they will likely start looking for your replacement.

I would start interviewing and tell potential employers that you need to give four weeks notice and are happy to provide contact information upon receiving an offer. You might also practice how you will explain why you are not staying with the current family. Finally, can you tell MB you need a reference letter for side jobs or that you would like a performance review? You may not get a good reference after giving notice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally two weeks notice is all you need to give. This is standard across most professions. If you have an amazing relationship with your NF and trust that they won't let you go immediately then you might give them more notice.

Our previous nanny gave us 2 weeks notice and we were very angry at her. As it's really difficult to find a good, professional, loving and caring nanny in 2 weeks.

Waaaah Unless you had a contractually stipulated notice period, two weeks is a standard and professional amount of notice to give, and most nannies are lucky if they even get that. How much lead time did you give your nanny when you hired her? Did you hire her with enough time give more than 2 weeks notice to her previous employers? Likely not. In my experience most nanny jobs start almost immediately. I'm not sure how employers like you reconcile these two expectations. When hiring you want immediate availability, yet expect weeks upon weeks of notice. It simply doesn't work that way.

"How much lead time did you give your nanny when you hired her?" - More than 3 weeks. And when we were looking for a nanny, most of them wanted to start a job in a month or two..

So my experience is totally different from yours.

That's a really good point. The job didn't start until a month after I was hired. They have always been flexible with me so I think that's probably the most I can offer them as well. Let's cross our fingers they take my extended notice as respect for them.

Do you have to use them as a reference ? I wouldn't jeopardize your job until you have a job and then give as much notice as possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally two weeks notice is all you need to give. This is standard across most professions. If you have an amazing relationship with your NF and trust that they won't let you go immediately then you might give them more notice.

Our previous nanny gave us 2 weeks notice and we were very angry at her. As it's really difficult to find a good, professional, loving and caring nanny in 2 weeks.

Waaaah Unless you had a contractually stipulated notice period, two weeks is a standard and professional amount of notice to give, and most nannies are lucky if they even get that. How much lead time did you give your nanny when you hired her? Did you hire her with enough time give more than 2 weeks notice to her previous employers? Likely not. In my experience most nanny jobs start almost immediately. I'm not sure how employers like you reconcile these two expectations. When hiring you want immediate availability, yet expect weeks upon weeks of notice. It simply doesn't work that way.

"How much lead time did you give your nanny when you hired her?" - More than 3 weeks. And when we were looking for a nanny, most of them wanted to start a job in a month or two..

So my experience is totally different from yours.

Anonymous wrote:I told my family that I was looking for new work months ago, I let them know that I may not be able to do summer depending on how things panned out. I got great job offer like 2 months before summer and let them know I would be able to finish summer because of the start date.

Worked out for everyone, and the family has a ton of time to find my perfect replacement. I'm more interested that they have enough time to feel like they can interview and meet a good nanny than for me to work up until the bitter end. If they find a new nanny midsummer that wants to start immediately then I wouldn't mind if they let me go a few weeks early.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have everything line up so perfectly, let alone have the financial flexibility to be out of work for a few weeks. Its great that you are in such a position, but it is unrealistic to expect that every nanny will have a similar experience. Realize that you are the exception not the rule.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Generally two weeks notice is all you need to give. This is standard across most professions. If you have an amazing relationship with your NF and trust that they won't let you go immediately then you might give them more notice.

Our previous nanny gave us 2 weeks notice and we were very angry at her. As it's really difficult to find a good, professional, loving and caring nanny in 2 weeks.

Waaaah Unless you had a contractually stipulated notice period, two weeks is a standard and professional amount of notice to give, and most nannies are lucky if they even get that. How much lead time did you give your nanny when you hired her? Did you hire her with enough time give more than 2 weeks notice to her previous employers? Likely not. In my experience most nanny jobs start almost immediately. I'm not sure how employers like you reconcile these two expectations. When hiring you want immediate availability, yet expect weeks upon weeks of notice. It simply doesn't work that way.

I told my family that I was looking for new work months ago, I let them know that I may not be able to do summer depending on how things panned out. I got great job offer like 2 months before summer and let them know I would be able to finish summer because of the start date.

Worked out for everyone, and the family has a ton of time to find my perfect replacement. I'm more interested that they have enough time to feel like they can interview and meet a good nanny than for me to work up until the bitter end. If they find a new nanny midsummer that wants to start immediately then I wouldn't mind if they let me go a few weeks early.

Anonymous wrote:I would let them now. They will have to find a new nanny. Have empathy.

Where's your empathy for the nanny?
Huh?

Anonymous wrote:Generally two weeks notice is all you need to give. This is standard across most professions. If you have an amazing relationship with your NF and trust that they won't let you go immediately then you might give them more notice.

Our previous nanny gave us 2 weeks notice and we were very angry at her. As it's really difficult to find a good, professional, loving and caring nanny in 2 weeks.

Generally two weeks notice is all you need to give. This is standard across most professions. If you have an amazing relationship with your NF and trust that they won't let you go immediately then you might give them more notice.

I would let them now. They will have to find a new nanny. Have empathy.

This is the choice:
Tell them now that you are looking for another job in another field and risk being let go sooner than you expected and before you secured your other job. OR Wait until you have a job offer and give them the standard two weeks (few jobs are going to wait for you for more than two weeks so never promise four weeks!).

And never use your current employers as a reference unless they know you are looking.

I wouldn't give any notice until you've secured your next position. Have other relevant references ready, and don't give the contact details of your current family until you've gotten an offer.

I've made the descision to actively look for other opportunities outside of being a nanny. My job has been great because it has lead me to find my major and career choice, but now I know it's time for me to let go of the family I've been for almost a year and a half. I thought I could wait until after summer, maybe even until the holidays to give them my notice but it's one of those things where once you make the choice to leave, it can't come soon enough. The family deserves a happy nanny, and that's not really me any more. Lately a few issues have come up as well and it probably has contributed to me feeling like it's time to move on.

But anyways do I tell the family I am looking into a job in another field and let them know when the time comes I will give them my 2/4 weeks? Or do I just go behind their backs and interview? I'm just nervous possible employers will contact them for a reference before I've let them know.