Unfortunately, we can’t recommend Rana
I don’t usually write negative reviews, but I feel this space needs more honest feedback, especially for families who don’t have the support of a village around them.
We first got in touch with Rana in April because my wife was due to return to work in June. We agreed that Rana will work with us on an ad hoc basis as a transition before starting full-time in June.
Things started off really well. Rana was proactive, kind, and very helpful with both our son and around the house.
However, after a couple of weeks of working full-time, things started to go downhill.
Communication became very difficult. She would either misunderstand or completely ignore what we asked of her. She insisted on doing things her own way, often pushing to take our son out even when he had already been outside that day. We explained that, with his meals and naps, one outing (to the library, soft play or the children centre) was more than enough, but our wishes were repeatedly disregarded.
She also spent hours on her phone while our son is napping. On many occasions, she didn’t notice when he woke up from his nap.
On one occasion, a side table fell on him while she was sitting nearby.
Attendance and reliability also became a major issue. She would often message us at the last minute to say she had a doctor’s appointment and would not be coming in. We repeatedly explained that we needed as much notice as possible so we could make alternative childcare arrangements, but this never improved.
The way she left was particularly unprofessional. At 11 p.m. on a Sunday evening, she messaged my wife to say she would not be returning because she was “unwell” and needed to focus on her health. We later discovered this was untrue through a parents’ group, where she told another family that she was available to start immediately.
Our experience was extremely disappointing. Reliability, communication, honesty, and respect for parents’ wishes are essential qualities in someone caring for a child, and unfortunately, our experience fell far short of those expectations.
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Overall
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Communication
Response from Rana
Responded
Thank you for your review and for your ‘honest’ feedback.
I feel better now that my assignment with you has ended.
We had an interview and trial process before starting, where clear agreements were made about care, including that the child could be taken out and the places he was allowed to go. Those agreements and procedures were followed.
*Outings*
Despite what was agreed, every time I took the child out, a parent would arrive around 10 minutes later. It felt like I was being followed or checked on. If you had concerns such as sunscreen, these could have been communicated by message or phone call instead.
Having parents appear each time also meant the child would see you and want to go back, which made it impossible to do the job as a nanny effectively.
*Naps and supervision*
The child napped in a separate room. You had access to the camera and I asked for access as well, since my job is to supervise him. You said no, it was okay, and asked me to just keep the door slightly open. During nap times, once childcare-related tasks were done such as preparing his food, that was my break time. I did not have phone calls and kept volume to a minimum so as not to wake him. I was hired as a nanny, not as a maid, cleaner, or general housekeeper.
*Hours and scheduling*
We agreed on shift lengths during the interview. However, shifts were often cancelled on the day, or I would be given a few hours of work and then sent home. Regarding appointments, as I stated in the interview, I gave you prior notice of the days I would need off.
*Treatment*
I do not appreciate being followed around and undermined. You hired me as a nanny because you are in employment and need support with childcare. It is difficult to understand that need when there was clearly time to monitor everything I did as well as the child.
*Safety*
The claim that a side table fell on the child is not accurate. He is learning to stand and walk. I supervised him at all times and moved him away from anything I thought could be a risk.