Jade's Reviews

Unreliable and not entirely honest

We hired Luz Marina off the back of glowing references and a positive trial session (in which she met my son, visited his nursery and staff, and completed an evening routine). This took place a week before her agreed start date, so we overpaid her in good faith, safe in the knowledge that she'd pay us back when she started a week later.

Three days before starting she dropped me a WhatsApp to let me know she’d found another family.

Since delivering the news, she doesn’t appear to want to make further contact (no response on WhatsApp, though still viewing my profile on here). Thankfully the overpayment was only a few pounds, so we are not out of pocket. However, the principle of the matter remains concerning - at best she "forgot" to tell me in the week before that things might not work out and that she was still interviewing elsewhere, etc.

The level of professionalism and integrity demonstrated to me did not align with the expectations set by Luz Marina's purported extensive experience in childcare.

• Overall
• Communication

by Jade about Mary on 19/02/2024

Response by Mary on 29/02/2024:

It is disheartening to read your review, and I am concerned that there may be misunderstandings that need clarification.

First of all, since the trial session we had was 3 hours long, and consisted of actual work it is standard practice to pay for this. Had it only been a short session with no actual work done on my part it would have been different. I feel that you have also not considered that I also took that time out of my schedule. I am further confused by your comment about having overpaid, as the amount was correct and exact and you did not pay a penny more.

Regarding my decision to accept an offer from another family. I was under no obligation to inform you about other interviews and/or trials I was attending. Having undergone several interviews with you and your family over the course of a few weeks, it is not a strange thing for me to be having other interviews during a prolonged time period.
Furthermore, after the interviews and the trial session, you requested a further interview/meeting, which indicated that you were hesitant even after having agreed a start date.

After I attended another trial session shortly after yours, I decided that I preferred to proceed with another family and sent you a polite message at that point to let you know as soon as possible before that date (3 days notice). Contrary to what you claim, after delivering this news I responded to your reply immediately to explain further my reasons for not wanting to take the job. My correspondence with you was delivered in a professional and polite manner.

Having worked for so many years in childcare this is the first time I had such an experience.

I believe this review does not accurately reflect our interactions, and I am confident in the decision I made. I trust that those who genuinely know my professional approach will understand the situation.