About Sure Start
For parents
Help & contacts
Dealing with problems
A well-trained nanny deserves your trust, respect and confidence in her abilities at all times. However, if either your nanny or your children let you know that there are difficulties, it’s important that you try to resolve the problem.
If you sense that your children’s safety is at risk, make alternative childcare arrangements immediately - do not leave your nanny in sole charge of your child while you explore the nature of the problem.
In all other cases, where your child is definitely not at risk, you should try to help your nanny to address the problem.
What should I do?
Generally, in dealing with any difficulties you should:
- ask for more information
- listen and uncover the nature and extent of the problem
- try to find out if external factors are the cause of, or are aggravating, the problem (eg your nanny's mother is ill, your child is worried about starting at playgroup)
- decide what help you can offer
- check that this resolves the problem.
What if my children’s wellbeing is affected?
Ask yourself:
- Can the problem be dealt with by the nanny alone?
- Can we overcome the problem together?
- Can the nanny help the family/children cope with the problem?
I can’t seem to resolve the problem?
If all attempts to resolve the problem have failed and you are faced with a difficult decision-making meeting, offer your nanny the opportunity to bring a friend, and have someone there for you too. If the situation cannot be resolved, negotiate an end to the work agreement which is minimally disruptive for all parties involved.
