Received Saturday, September 30, 2006
My friend's nanny would go to story hour at barnes and noble. While the story was being read to my friend's four year old twins, the nanny would do her errands or walk around the shopping center. A few times the nanny would come back far past the time of story hour. The "regulars" started to notice this pattern and called the police and parents(using the nannies cell phone when she finally arrived). Fortunately these children had concerned citizens to help them. It could have faired much worse than the actual outcome.
My mom worked briefly at a B&N in the area. She said the employees told her that parents and other caregivers are CONSTANTLY using the place as a day care. Ugh...
ReplyDeleteIf the police and parents were contacted, what was the out come?
ReplyDeleteWhat is "far past" the time of story hour? That makes all the difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if it`s store policy that parents/caregivers stay with children at all times, why didn`t the "regulars" ask the store to make this clear to the nanny, before involving the police?
The police surely have better things to do?
I am in New York and have a nanny that takes my daughter to story hour. Now my mind is wondering if that is when she obtained her gap purchases. I am going to have to have her surveilled next week at Barnes and Noble. Regardless of whether the nanny returned 1 minute late of 9, I would be extremely angry to think my child was left alone. That is NOT allowed!
ReplyDeleteapparently is was enough to involve the police as story hour is a caregiver/child moment. it is not designed to leave a child or two for this matter with a person designated to read to the children. the time lapse was about thirty minutes, prior to that it was not as long, but noticeable to the regulars. she is being paid to care for the child.
ReplyDeletei like day care better as there is more supervision and all are on their best behavior.
by its very nature nanny's don't have a "vested"interest in your child, they may like your child but they don't have her future in their minds, it is a job. some do it very well and that is why their are agencies, so you can weed out the bad.
I think you are incorrect. While a nanny may not have a vested interest in your child from day one, a nanny who is still there and a part of your child's life 2, 3,4,5 and 6 years later most certainly does a vested interest in the child.
ReplyDeleteanonymous said: by its very nature nanny's don't have a "vested"interest in your child, they may like your child but they don't have her future in their minds
ReplyDeleteThat is where you are wrong. A good nanny absolutely cares about her charge's future. I don't just "like" the children I've nannied for in the past or am nannying for currently, I love them and would do anything for them.
It may be a job, but it's not about punching a time clock. I often go above and beyond what is expected of me, spending my off-duty hours researching activities or educational theories that will benefit my charges. I have helped past employers deal with physical and emotional developmental delays, often taking the lead whe they are too overwhelmed to deal with it themselves. I initiate involvement in music, art, and sports, and I help the select the right preschool/school for their child. And I am careful every day to model respectful behavior to everyone we meet so that they will learn by example.
Yes, there are some awful childcare providers out there. And I absolutely believe parents should be notified not just when their nanny is abusive or neglectful, but also when she is simply disrespectful or impatient. But that doesn't mean that all nannies are the same way. Please don't make the mistake of judging good nannies by the bad ones. Those of us who love what we do and have chosen to make this our career, do indeed care about their futures.
anonymous said: "by its very nature nanny's don't have a "vested"interest in your child, they may like your child but they don't have her future in their minds, it is a job. some do it very well and that is why their are agencies, so you can weed out the bad."
ReplyDeleteThat is a very untrue statement! I have been a loving, devoted nanny for 8 years now, and can tell you I am sometimes even more invested in the children and their future than their own parents! I am constantly thinking of activities to do, or of ways to solve problems relating to the children in my care. To characterize all nannies one way is wrong!
I can't believe you think Nanny's don't care about the children they are caring for. If you feel that way, then you should stay home and raise them yourself and make do with less material things!!!. I am a very loving Nanny and I do love the kids. I go above and beyond the job description and try to make life easier on the parents as well. How judgemental you are,maybe you should try this for awhile, it takes avery loving and special person to do it, it is NOT just a job to me.
ReplyDelete