This is OP. We terminated her today. This was not the first time she did something that made me question her common sense, but this time around it was significant enough that I could no longer operate with the idea that she would improve. She was great with the kids in a number of respects, but I came to the conclusion that I could not trust her with their safety.

I'm going to break from the others.

While I think everyone has had SOME lapse of judgment when it comes to child safety... This was several big lapses. I still wouldn't rush to firing though. Normally does she park where she might have to move her car before getting out, or was it different because you were home? If you really like her otherwise I would just have a chat with her about it and make sure she has a safe place to put toddler while she gets things ready to go and knows how she should have handled it. If nanny thinks what happened was not unsafe or was no big deal... I'd probably look for a replacement.

Personally I would have gotten everything (and everyone) ready to go, put them somewhere safe (play yard, high chair, strapped in car seat with car off/keys with me.) Then move my car and leave.

I hate leaving cars running in a garage for any reason- the chemicals pollute the inside air of the house. I have a garage and I make sure the garage door is up so I can turn on my car and quickly leave. The less time it runs in there the better! I'm a little crazy about trying to avoid unnecessary chemical exposure, though. I also am very cautious with the kids in my care. Even still I've occasionally done things that were pretty stupid in hind sight- but nothing like this.

It bothers me she didn't strap in the 2 year old but opened garage door with car running isn't that big of a deal for less than 5 minutes.

I WOULD fire for this. I think it is completely unacceptable and VERY dangerous to leave an unrestrained toddler in a running car. The toddler could have gone into the front seat and gotten the car moving, hit the wrong buttons, who knows. She handled this VERY poorly, in more ways than one, and safety of children is the most important thing.

I would fire her, contact the agency and get a temp until you can find someone new. NOT OK!

I would also wonder what else is going wrong when the kids are in her care. She just would not have my full trust after something like this.

I would not leave a 2 year old child alone in a car that I was paid to look after. Especially with the car running! And the garage door open!

I would have just asked MB to watch 2 year old while I move my car.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't have been worried about carbon monoxide for just a few minutes, in a new car with the garage door open but I sure would be worried about an unrestrained toddler in a running vehicle. She could have messed around and accidently caused the car to accelerate. Who leaves an unrestrained toddler in a running car??? This was a real lapse in judgement.
I wouldn't fire her for it. I would have a serious sit down talk with her and make sure she understands just how dangerous her little stunt was. It would also be a good time to bring up whatever else you saw that bothered you in the past. If she's a good nanny she will learn from her mistake and move on positively. We are all human and make mistakes from time to time.

+1

Leaving a 2 year old unrestrained in a running car without an adult - big safety issue. Definitely talk to her.

I wouldn't have been worried about carbon monoxide for just a few minutes, in a new car with the garage door open but I sure would be worried about an unrestrained toddler in a running vehicle. She could have messed around and accidently caused the car to accelerate. Who leaves an unrestrained toddler in a running car??? This was a real lapse in judgement.
I wouldn't fire her for it. I would have a serious sit down talk with her and make sure she understands just how dangerous her little stunt was. It would also be a good time to bring up whatever else you saw that bothered you in the past. If she's a good nanny she will learn from her mistake and move on positively. We are all human and make mistakes from time to time.