All these nannies who say reading is unnecessary at this age have no understanding of early literacy development and how that translates to language acquisition. You should absolutely be reading to your baby as early as possible and speak to them throughout the day. Ive had intelligent charges who began signing at 8 months old. Using multiple forms of language from, oral, written, and gestures only enhances the child's understanding of their world. You can teach patience, listening skills, and how to treat items by spending time reading.
Watching tv at this age has no educational value and can damage an infants developing eye sight if they spend to much time in front of a screen. Babies learn through physical interactions not by being ignored and placed in front of screen.
You need to spend the money and hire a nanny that specializes in infant care. That nanny will read, do infant massage, baby yoga, spend time playing music and singing, start sensory play, and keep an excellent routine. Four hours a day is a short enough time period that a nanny can spend the majority of the time interacting with the baby. If she can't find things to do with your baby in between naps and feelings than you hired the wrong person.

I strongly suggest you replace this nanny immediately.

Anonymous wrote:
As new parents we are a little nervous about allowing someone we don't know too well to go driving and roaming around town with our baby. We are okay with her going for walks around in the neighborhood. Let me emphasize, this nanny is not here all day - she is usually here only 4 or 5 hours.

Just share a parent's perspective on outings: If a nanny does not seem interested in interacting with or teaching our baby when in our home, or argues with us when we ask her to do something and is instead does what she wants - surfing the web, online shopping, text,........ then why would I believe that she will do baby focused things on outings rather than do her own thing.... like go shopping, talking on the phone, etc.

My sister had a nanny that read to her daughter starting at 3 months (yes I know that early), but her daughter developed a love for books and continued to read them throughout childhood. So that is why I asked our nanny to read the baby books. I probably should point out too that these "books" are really picture books or ones with the crinkle pages or taggies, etc.

I get what you are saying regarding no outings thing. Our nanny took DC for daily walks in a stroller every day, then started going to a playground or the library, but only when DC turned 18 months, she started driving DC to classes and events. She made plenty of friends (new moms or nannies) in our neighborhood just walking around with the stroller or visiting the playground. The baby does not need to go to the germ-filled mall to be entertained.

Anonymous wrote:All kids develop an interest in reading but you don't need to start this early.
10-11 month old is fine.

I disagree, our adopted daughter came home at 5 months old and we started reading little board books with her right away. As a baby she would sit by the bookshelf and take down her little books and look at them on her own for ages. She is 7 now and absolutely loves reading. It is never too early to start.

All kids develop an interest in reading but you don't need to start this early.
10-11 month old is fine.

OP, would you let a nanny you trust go out with your baby ?

Your sitter (she's not a nanny when you describe what she does) is bored. She'd be better with older kids or no kids at all ...

Time to search for someone new ... but once you trust this person, let them go out. Your baby needs it.

Fire this instant! Her attitude is ridiculous and she doesn't seem to know much about babies. I work predominantly with infants as young as 12 weeks.
Here is a sample schedule with my current 6 month old

* Come in, greet parents and baby. Get formula prepared, bottles, and start laundry. Parents leave & I feed baby solids
* play for an hour until nap. He enjoys a low-key morning. This consists of tummy time ( and other milestones) reading ( 30 mins), and playing in the mirror.
* morning nap. I prepare lunch ( make homemade), laundry, dishwasher, and any other things I need to do.
* Wake and he eats a bottle & solids
* Outside time if we don't have classes. A nice walk, the zoo, a play-date, or park. He loves the swing ( or toys on blanket) and enjoys watching the other children.
* inside for nap, then a bottle
* Independent play, work on milestones ( sitting, rolling, crawling, etc.), toys, and possible walk or play. ( 50/50 on inside and outside during this time)
* parents arrive. He gets read to for 10-15 by them.

Ever child should be read to. I constantly talk to my charge and I believe it helps children develop vocally.

Anonymous wrote:If this is a real post, you need a new nanny. She's terrible.

She is awful, lazy and has an attitude problem. How did she make it through the interview process?? She must have lied through her teeth!

Your nanny is terrible. I read, sand and narrated everything I did to my newborn charge. He is 14 months old now and loves books -- and yes, I do take credit for part of his love of books and words at such a young age. 75% of your baby's brain is developing in the first year. Fire this nanny and find one who knows about early childhood development.

PS I LOATHE seeing nannies talking and texting constantly. It is terrible for the children in their care including infants.

Anonymous wrote:No. We've asked. They both have other full time jobs.

Too bad. Maybe they could suggest a friend?

I think what you desdire ina nanny is reasonable. if you take your time you can find a good nanny.

Full disclosure no outings is a deal breaker for me.

So you might be limiting your nanny pool because of that, or you'll find a baby nanny but need to search again in a year or 2 for someone who wants to leave the house.

I work 20 hour a week to 50 hour a week jobs and outings is something I do not daily but once a week.

I understand and often will suggest a waiting period in which we do not drive anywhere, and after a month no later than 2 we go on outings.

I request a car seat from the start. I won't go anywhere without permission, but for me it's good to have in case of emergency.

No. We've asked. They both have other full time jobs.

As new parents we are a little nervous about allowing someone we don't know too well to go driving and roaming around town with our baby. We are okay with her going for walks around in the neighborhood. Let me emphasize, this nanny is not here all day - she is usually here only 4 or 5 hours.

Just share a parent's perspective on outings: If a nanny does not seem interested in interacting with or teaching our baby when in our home, or argues with us when we ask her to do something and is instead does what she wants - surfing the web, online shopping, text,........ then why would I believe that she will do baby focused things on outings rather than do her own thing.... like go shopping, talking on the phone, etc.

My sister had a nanny that read to her daughter starting at 3 months (yes I know that early), but her daughter developed a love for books and continued to read them throughout childhood. So that is why I asked our nanny to read the baby books. I probably should point out too that these "books" are really picture books or ones with the crinkle pages or taggies, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all for your posts. YES, thus post is for very for real !!!! My husband and I are first time parents. we interviewed several nannies. /thus is the first one we have had on a regular basis. We have two other nannies/babysitters we use for date night and they are very interactive with our daughter.

Is it possible for one of your partimers to turn full time?

Let her go for: the rude backtalk, not believing in reading to children, and spending way too much time on her phone. If you're only working 4-6 hours you should have energy and be engaging most of that time, in my opinion. If she was working full days I would understand having more down time but she's not.

Thank you all for your posts. YES, thus post is for very for real !!!! My husband and I are first time parents. we interviewed several nannies. /thus is the first one we have had on a regular basis. We have two other nannies/babysitters we use for date night and they are very interactive with our daughter.

nannydebsays wrote:PP, when nannies say reading doesn't matter with babies because "they don't pay attention", I wonder how the nanny plans to TEACH the child to pay attention to books. If you read it (even for just a minute) they will come to love books!

Amen!

I have had babies as young as 8 months have favorite books, and they have continued to love books and reading.