Oops, that didn't sound right how it came out. "You're not letting her go because" is better. I should have checked before posting.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I've decided to let her go, I'm going to call her tonight. Should I pay her severance? I feel like i shouldn't offer that since she's only worked for me a total of 6 days over a 3 week period.

No severance! She hasn't worked for long and it is not you letting her go because you don't need her anymore, but for cause. No need for severance in this situation at all.

No severance. That was gross negligence and she's being fired for cause.

I'm a nanny and I say let her go. What else is she going to be careless about? Will she be paying attention when one of your kids starts choking on their lunch? Will she leave them alone to go answer a door? As a nanny or a parent you have to be vigilant, and she sounds like she's not.

She does not deserve a severance. She put your children's life at risk. End of story.

I am a nanny. I had the kids in the backyard with small standing pools last week. One of the twins needed to be changed and the parents, who were home at the time, were going in and asked that the older brother make sure the other toddler did not go in the pool. I didn't like that idea and took both toddlers inside to change one. Not on my watch!

I do not think you need to offer severance pay. If you do, it sounds like 2 days is all that would be needed. Nannies don't make much, so it could make a huge difference to her. I think you should make that decision based on her reaction and your own peace of mind. I definitely think you are making the right choice in letting her go.

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I've decided to let her go, I'm going to call her tonight. Should I pay her severance? I feel like i shouldn't offer that since she's only worked for me a total of 6 days over a 3 week period.

I think that's the right decision. Is she part-time or was this just a trial period? Honestly I wouldn't pay her severance if she's only been with you such a short time and basically did something so stupid that both of your children could have died.

Op here. I've decided to let her go, I'm going to call her tonight. Should I pay her severance? I feel like i shouldn't offer that since she's only worked for me a total of 6 days over a 3 week period.

OP here. I've been completely stressing about this and can't wait to talk to her. Unfortunately she won't be back until next week. I want to call her but would rather do it face to face to see her reaction. What makes it even worse is that I usually work from home, but have to be onsite in a couple of weeks for an audit. The thought of leaving her alone with my kids now is making me ill. I know I won't find a replacement in time. Even if she reacts well and is apologetic, I think my trust in her will not be returned. She's only been with us for 3 weeks.......

Go through a temp agency! Do not leave this nanny alone with kids with a back yard pool.

OP I usually don't recommend firing someone immediately but in this situation, you should fire her immediately. A 7 year old even if she saw the 2 year old fall in could not pull him out of the water safely. The 7 year old could have ended up drowning along with the 2 year old. This nanny should never be trusted with kids near a pool. EVER. In a backyard pool, you don't have the back up of lifeguards to intervene when there is a stupid nanny endangering the kids.

Scary! I would have either taken the little one in with me or had him swim naked, or maybe sent the older onein to get the swimsuit. Watersafetyisn't so,ething to mess with.

I'm a nanny and a mom. I have to say, I would fire her for that. Safety always comes first, always. It only takes a second for a toddler to get himself into a tragic situation and leaving him with a 7 year old in my opinion is no better than leaving him unattended, no matter how mature the 7 year old is.
Any nanny should have at least basic safety knowledge. If she doesn't know better than to not leave a toddler near water without adult supervision, what else doesn't she know in regards to safety. That would be my worry.

Nanny here. This is grounds for firing, without a severance. Clearly her judgement is off. I'm sorry that you will have to go through the process of finding a nanny again, especially since she's only been with you for 3 weeks. Water safety is a no brainer. To leave any child outside by a pool is irresponsible and dangerous. I would have fired her on the spot if she was responsible for my children. Start looking now for a new nanny and try to line up interviews for this upcoming weekend. Let us know what your nanny says about leaving your 2 year old unattended by an adult. Curious what the excuse will be.

I went through an agency and found new nannies within a week, twice (several years apart).

Definitely fire her.