Anonymous wrote:I was once in a similar situation as a nanny. MB sat me down and told me all the details of the situation. The discussion included a lot about how much they'd miss me, how great I'd been with their DCs, how they wished making this change didn't have to involve also losing me as their nanny, but it was what was best for their nanny. I was of course upset about losing my job, but didn't hold any ill will against the family.
Let your nanny know you will do whatever you can to help her find a new job. Give her a letter of rec and agree to serve as a reference as well. Ask around the neighborhood to see if anyone is hiring. I've kept in touch with that previous MB and I still get e-mails from her any time one of her friends in my area is hiring (so far the logistics have never worked out for me, but I always appreciate the thought)!
Tell your nanny at the end of the day on a Friday (or whatever her last day of work for the week is). Try and put DC either down for a nap or in the pack n play/jumperoo/etc so that neither of you is holding the baby while having the discussion (cute babies are a distraction that makes such a serious discussion difficult). Make it clear what her last day will be.
Also, if she was a great nanny in addition to the notice, give her some severance pay on her last day. The family I worked for did and it really meant a lot to me.
All of this additionally be flexible if she is able to find a job and they need her to start sooner than your 6 weeks is up let her go early.
The nanny market is tough right now and good fits are hard to find.
It's tough but good nannies understand.
Also if she's as great as you say she is she will continue to conduct herself as a professional to the end.
Good luck to you!