Hi! Longtime no see, but I need advice. We've decided to put our LO's (3 and 4) in full day pre-k in the fall. Therefore eliminating the need of our nanny.
What is the best way to let her know? She has been great, I'd write a reference for her, or help her find another family. We were the first people she'd ever nannied for and it was a great experience for all of us.
She does not know its coming. We did half day prek for the 4 year old this year but she had the other all day and we'd kind of all assumed we'd do half day for both next year but we feel its time for full day.
We plan to let her know this month which will give her over 2 months to find a job. I'd love for her to help us with the days school is closed, ends early etc but idk how it'll work out.
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If it were me, I'd just explain exactly what you wrote (including willingness to write recommendation later). I would consider if you plan to offer severance, but since you are giving 8 weeks notice I wouldn't necessarily feel inclined to do so. I would assume the parting will be amicable - she had to know eventually you might not need full time care!
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The only advice I have is let her know ASAP. Our nanny's last family put their kids on the list for preschool almost a year in advance and they didn't tell her until 2 weeks before they were firing her.
I'd just tell her that the kids are ready for full day, and you will be moving them to pre K on X day, and that you would be more than happy to give her references and refer her to anyone you know. It isn't anything she has done, it's just time for them to be in full day to get used to full day Kindergarten. You would love to use her when they're not in school, but if she has a new family by then you understand.
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@jetsa: letting a nanny go that you like is really hard. I did it last year. It's a really fine line between giving them enough notice, and giving them so much notice that they find a job the requires them earlier than you are letting them go, and they take it and leave you in a lurch (this has happened to some friends of mine).
In my case, I gave about 6 weeks notice and I worked really hard to find her a job that would start right after I needed her. In the end, there was a 3 week gap, but I convinced her new family to hire her for some hours a week for those 3 weeks so the kids could get used to the nanny (mom was going back to work after 2nd maternity leave), and I kept her 3 weeks longer than I needed her, but only part time hours.
We have an active local mom's group on FB, so I made several posts there and would bump them, and then also responded to moms who were posting looking for a nanny. Then I fielded the prospective mom's questions and facilitated their interviews with our nanny. A surprising amount of people are really, really flaky, so I'd have like 15 people respond to my post, but only 6 follow up when I PMd them, and then only 1-2 of those 6 that would ever actually call our nanny for an interview.
In the end, it worked out--but the conversation is a tough one. I would just explain that your needs have changed, but you will absolutely do everything you can to help her get a new placement so she's not out of a job for a long period, and see if you can budget in part time help until you do find her a new job.
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@Sams Mom: that is just rotten. We have not even paid a deposit yet and they won't start until 8/14 and we will let her go this month. I feel so guilty even though I know I shouldn't.
@LBee: You are absolutely right. There is no cause so hopefully it is an amicable split.
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@Anagram: thank you for the great advice. Nannies are very uncommon here (rural southern illinois) but I think I'll follow her lead and help any way I can. Luckily we have a friend with an inhome daycare that is not full so if she leaves early I'm covered.
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I agree with the above about letting her know soon, a minimum of 6 weeks before preschool starts. I would DEFINITELY pay severance though, probably 2 weeks worth. Call it severance or call it an end of service "bonus", I think it's the right thing to do, even if she finds another placement quickly.
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