When Atticus' sister, Alexandra, decides to come and stay with the family for the duration of the Tom Robinson trial, she decides that Calpurnia is no longer necessary. Alexandra plans to become the female presence in the home; she is a good cook, and she believes she knows what's best for the children (especially Scout, who she feels needs to learn about becoming a "lady"), so she feels Calpurnia is no longer necessary. However, Atticus sets his sister straight.
"Calpurnia's not leaving this house until she wants to... She's a faithful member of this family, and you'll simply have to accept things the way they are."
The answer to this can be found in Chapter 14. The basic reason is that Aunt Alexandra has come to live with the Finches now and she thinks that Scout needs her influence rather than that of Calpurnia.
Aunt Alexandra points out to Atticus that Scout is growing up. She says now that she herself is here to help Scout grow up, they don't need Calpurnia anymore. That is all she actually says, but things that Atticus says a little bit later on make it clear that Alexandra thinks Calpurnia's influence on the kids has not been good enough. She thinks Scout will need her influence from here on out.
I think that the implication is that Alexandra would be better for Scout because they are both white.
Her stated reasons are because she is here now and can take care of the kids and every female role that needs to be taken care of. I think a possible underlying and not stated reason is because of Calpurnia's race. She would like to remove Calpurnia from the home so Cal doesn't have to hear some of the discussion that will occur regarding the trial.
Atticus refuses to let her go and lets Alexandra know that Calpurnia is as much of a member of the family as the rest of them. He notes that she has meant so much to the kids and him since their mother passed.
Aunt Alexandra thought that Calpurnia was having a somewhat negative influence on Scout. Calpurnia was the primary female figure in Scout's life until Aunt Alexandra came to stay. In general, Aunt Alexandra did not approve of Scout. She did not like Scout's boyish clothes and lack of femininity. Aunt Alexandra thought that Calpurnia's feminine influence on Scout was not enough. She was concerned about Scout growing up to be a proper young lady someday.
In addition to this, Aunt Alexandra was upset that Scout and Jem had gone to church with Calpurnia. She also did not like that Scout wanted to visit Calpurnia at her house. Aunt Alexandra claimed that with her living at the Finch house, Calpurnia was no longer needed. She suggested letting her go. Atticus was adamant and he refused to let Calpurnia go:
"Alexandra, Calpurnia's not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without...
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her all these years. She's a faithful member of this family and you'll simply have to accept things the way they are. Besides, sister, I don’t want you working your head off for us—you've no reason to do that. We still need Cal as much as we ever did" (To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 14).
After Scout tells Aunt Alexandra (this is in Chapter 14) that she has been to Calpurnia's church, Aunt Alexandra and Atticus start to argue. What is going on is that Aunt Alexandra wants Atticus to get rid of Calpurnia -- she wants him to fire her.
Aunt Alexandra does not actually give a reason for this, not exactly at least. She just says that with Scout growing up, Atticus should let Calpurnia go. She says that now that she herself has come to live there, there is no longer a need for Calpurnia.
It seems clear that Aunt Alexandra does not want Scout to be "contaminated" by being raised by a black woman.
Why did Aunt Alexandra want to fire Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Alexandra does not feel that Calpurnia is needed since Alexandra is there, and she considers herself a better person to raise Scout and Jem.
Scout doesn’t really care for her Aunt Alexandra. Alexandra complains about her wearing overalls and generally disapproves of her. She has also been heard to say very derogatory things about Atticus, since he is defending a black man. Like many in Maycomb, Alexandra’s response to this is racist.
When the trial is getting underway, Alexandra just shows up one day at the Finch house. She is there to help her brother. Despite her comments about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, Alexandra does care about her brother and wants to support him.
Unfortunately, Alexandra does not feel that Calpurnia should remain since she is there. Alexandra does not feel that Scout and Jem are being properly raised, since Atticus does not have a wife and the children are on their own with Calpurnia. She tries to get Atticus to let her go.
“Atticus, it’s all right to be soft-hearted, you’re an easy man, but you have a daughter to think of. A daughter who’s growing up.”
“That’s what I am thinking of.”
“And don’t try to get around it. You’ve got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight. We don’t need her now.” (Ch. 14)
Atticus disagrees. He tells Alexandra that Calpurnia is not going anywhere until she wants to. He knows she is part of the family, in a sense, and that they rely on her.
This discussion comes up after Alexandra and Atticus learn that Scout and Jem went to church with Calpurnia. Cal also offered to take them to her house, which Alexandra flatly refused to allow. As far as Alexandra is concerned, Calpurnia’s influence is not the one Scout needs. She needs a woman in her life, but it needs to be a white woman who can show her the place in society she rightfully occupies.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Aunt Alexandra want Calpurnia sent away?
The answer to this question can be found in Chapter Fourteen of this excellent coming-of-age novel. In this chapter, Scout overhears a conversation between Atticus and her Aunt where Aunt Alexandra advises Atticus that the time has come to fire Calpurnia. This conversation happens after Aunt Alexandra finds out that Calpurnia is going to take Jem and Scout to her black church. Note what Aunt Alexandra says to try and support her viewpoint:
Atticus, it's all right to be soft-hearted, you're an easy man, but you have a daughter to think of. A daughter who's growing up... You've got to face it sooner or later and it might as well be tonight.
Aunt Alexandra clearly believes that such a close relationship with an African-American is not desirable, especially for a young girl such as Scout who is growing up very quickly. Given the harsh realities of discrimination and racism in Maycomb, we can understand her perspective, even though her views are incredibly unpalatable from our 21st century viewpoint. Social standing and respectability at that time was built on a very clear understanding of the difference between blacks and whites.