Experiences of using childcare.co.uk for hiring a nanny?

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

About to take the plunge on hiring a nanny and our options are thin on the ground via the one umbrella agency here.

Have any of you used childcare.co.uk for hiring a nanny and how did you select a nanny, and what paperwork was involved?

I’m new to this so seeking actual experiences of hiring via the website

[underneaththeash]

We did, a good few years ago though. Just for after school - they are very difficult to find in the area we’d moved to so we didn’t have much choice and we ended up with one with her own child.
From a logistical point of view you need to ensure they are DBS checked, have a first aid certificate and checkable references. If they don’t have them you could offer to pay towards them.

You also need to register as an employer with HMRC and pay tax, ni and pensions contributions. There are a few nanny payroll sites you can use to help you with this such as nannytax.co.uk.

You need to draw up a contract too, I would recommend stipulating SSP only in the contract (you can always choose to pay extra). There are a few sample contracts available. You also need public liability insurance for your employee - often your house insurer can help with that.

Anyway, that experience with that nanny wasn’t great. Her bringing her child with her just added to the end of day noise and chaos levels! I also felt uncomfortable with the dynamic.

We now host lovely au pairs instead (although the children are getting older so sadly we may be on our last one 🙁.

I would also take a look at nanny job recruitment website.

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

I’ve PMd you @underneaththeash Xx

[EffRam]

We used it very successfully - I paid for one month then cancelled before the next payment was taken as we were inundated with applications. I think we interviewed 6 in person (maybe spoke to 20 on the phone, it was for a nanny share so we each called 10) and there were 3 we would have been happy with, although I am very very pleased with the 1 we chose. She does 3 days nanny share (so looks after mine and my friend's baby together) and 1 day just my boy, as well as our dog!

We signed up with PAYE for nannies, paid for them to draft us contracts and they sort payroll and tax and pension for us. Would recommend.

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

That’s a huge uptake @effram

Are you in London by any chance?

[EffRam]

Yes, sorry, I meant to put that in my post - I know we are spoiled as we are in London!

[SuperDuperJezebel]

I use it as a nanny (currently job hunting at the moment so using it quite actively). I think it's by far the best website for potential employers and nannies out there. I noticed this time round that I can upload my full CV, DBS etc to the website as well, so potential employers can look at them should I choose.

[mylifenow27]

We're looking for a full time nanny too. But thinking about employing an agency might give this a go first!

[Very]

Yes, me! Highly recommend it!

I've used them twice in the last five years, both time at very short notice due to work contracts coming up.

Both times I had half a dozen or so really nice, decent people on my doorstep for interviews within a day or two, and a lovely nanny starting almost immediately. Nearly all had references, DBS and Ofsted credentials etc. I've been singing its praises to lots of friends as it worked so well for me.

Both times they were wonderful nannies who become part of the family, stayed for years and never had any regrets.

I live in London. If it helps, I do think you need your DH/DP there for extra input - but please have faith in your instincts, you just know when someone seems decent/reliable etc. Phoning referees really helped as I think people are pretty candid.

And get Nannytax or one of the similar agencies to look after payroll and tax for your nanny.

Good luck!

[Very]

Oh, and another tip... pay the £20 or whatever it is for 'gold' membership and just cancel within the month.

It probably helps to put up a photo of yourself as nannies like to see what they're getting into...

And for gods sake be specific in your ad! As much detail as you can that way nobody wastes anybodies time. Can't believe the ads on my local FB mums group they don't give any details of hours and location...

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Thank you @very

Starting to wish I’d never fucking left London now

[Very]

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut

[Very]

Have you given it a try? Am hoping it’ll be better than an agency, they’re rubbish and £££££& imho

[fiorentina]

Yes and found it very helpful. Quite a lot of potential nannies despite wanting part time. Found an amazing nanny who we were very pleased with. Took references from previous employers over the phone and they were very helpful, honest and candid.

Used taxing nannies to help with payroll and found them good too.

[FurrySlipperBoots]

I'm a nanny who uses childcare.co.uk. I found my second long term family with them. Please, please reply to any messages you get. I's very frustrating to be left hanging.

Whereabouts in the U K are you?

[DearTeddyRobinson]

Yes found a couple of good nannies on it. I'm in London though so we didn't struggle despite not having huge amounts of time to play with (job starting sooner than expected etc).
It's also worth looking at care.co.uk, similar site

[RolytheRhino]

We found a really good one who turned out to be an acquaintance I knew by sight from baby groups. We used NannyPaye to sort out contracts and all the tax stuff for us. Makes life much easier.

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

I’m just starting out @very so I remain hopeful.

Forked out the £25 for the membership and I’ve had several conversations today, certainly one that could bear fruit in the mid-term.

This gives me hope that we could actually end up as part of a nanny share.

Here in N Scotland it’s such a rare rare thing though. I’m half inclined to write to the children’s old nursery in London and try and poach their old workers by hard selling things like amazing views, shitloads of castles and worlds best fish and chips.

Mightn’t be enough though 😐

[Canyousewcushions]

We did this for an after school position. It was slim pickings in terms of applicants- one who didn't show for interview and there was another who twice asked for an interview and pulled out again both times.

We did manage to recruit someone who seemed lovely, got all set up through a nanny paye place and got them to do the contract as well so we had some legal input into this although it was based on a standard template.

Nanny pulled out by email on 5pm on the Friday before she was due to start on the Monday.

We were left totally up the creek having not had much interest in an after school position anyway- ended up being total hassle. Unsure whether recruiting through an agency would have been any different- the agency I spoke to said to leave plenty of time as the lower hours we were looking for would be a niche thing, which was certainly borne out in our experience.

I guess we'd have done better somewhere busier- we're in a suburban area which also won't have helped.

[Canyousewcushions]

Having read your update I'd also look at au pairs if I were you- we've had good experiences on this front but our youngest is currently too young to leave with one.

You'd definitely find someone who's love to experience views, castles an fish and chips if you can cope with having a live in helper, which has both pros and cons!!