Is a temp agency going to laugh at me?

[KatyMac]

I'm S/E, a childminder - I run a large CM setting with no very few children

In order to keep my staff on until things pick up pipe dream I am going to try 7 get temp work

Is this a silly reason to find temp work, will they laugh? Should I come up with a different reason for looking for work?

[dingdong05]

Do you mean you're going to get 7 cm's temp work?
I'm not sure what you think the temp agency will do. Best thing to do is talk to them, but I reckon your staff will have to join up with the agency individually and the work they'll get will be dependant on their skills and available hours etc.
If you're thinking that their wages will go to you and subsidise the wages for the cminding them I doubt that'll happen, but i'm no expert!
Of course if they get other work you run the risk that they won't want to come back to you!

[Anna8888]

Why do you have no children, KatyMac? I thought there was a national shortage of CMs.

[Flibbertyjibbet]

i know a girl that does agency work at nurseries. She was a c/m but stopped when her 2nd child was born. Now she is back at work but has opted for temp work at nurseries instead of other peoples children in her own home.
She always has work on - usually covering mat leaves and sickness at nurseries. Doesn't pay well though - you can imagine that agency fees are much higher than nurseries usually pay staff, as they have to include agency cut, employers NI and possibly vat?

Why do you have no children I thought your business was going well and you were buying premises?

[Millarkie]

When I temp'ed I can't remember any agency asking why I wanted to earn money - they just assessed skills and offered jobs.

(DingDong - I think the 7 was a typo and was meant to be '&')

[KatyMac]

dingdong05...typo '&'

Anna8888 - 5 children centres opened in 3 yrs plus a bit in the birth rate between 2005 & 2007

Flibbertyjibbet - I was until the last children centre opened in April

Millarkie - thanks - so they don't care?

[Millarkie]

KatyMac - I think if you don't volunteer the info they won't ask - but obviously you will have to have some form of cv which mentions that you manage(d) a childminding business. (No need to go into the detail that you are continuing to manage it whilst seeking other work I would think.)

[KatyMac]

Hmm thanks

I guess the current CV is still one side of A4, nice font black ink and no frills?

I can do that

[Flibbertyjibbet]

I am surprised at the children's centres affecting you. Here they are not seen as the best nurseries, all the parents I know send their children to private nurseries or cms rather than the childrens centres for various reasons even though the cc's might be a bit cheaper.

The ones near here tend to do half days at set rate but charge extra for lunch if the child is there all day so its not as cheap as the parents think at first.

I have temped many times in office jobs. Temp agencies don't really care about why a qualified experienced person is walking through the door, they just see £££ signs as those workers are easier to place.

[KatyMac]

It is heavily subsidised (they often are in yrs 1-3) Brand new & the site is lovely

Thanks for the info about temping (not sure I'm qualified tbh)

[bigspender30]

I used to work for a recruitment agency. I think you should sign up with them and see what they have for you.

[bigspender30]

I used to work for a recruitment agency. I think you should sign up with them and see what they have for you.

[KatyMac]

Thanks

I was supposed to ring today but I got sidetracked (by a TV interview - of which I am unduely proud)

I will try tomorrow

[bigspender30]

a tv interview? Were you being interviewed?
Don't worry too much about a cv as they usually have their own application forms

[KatyMac]

Yep all about C/Ming & EYFS - on BBC1 no less

I have come over all giggly about it

[bigspender30]

ooh -you are famous!!!!!
Can I have your autograph Mrs?
So whats happening with your nursery?

[KatyMac]

Nothing really

There are no children;they have all gone to the newly opened children's centre

There is no money;the bank won't lend in the current economic climate

It is very sad

[SueW]

IME temp agencies just book you an appointment to do typing and computer tests and then hire you out at the best price they can get.

(I got told at one they thought I was a mystery shopper cos I scored 100% on all tests. They wanted me to take a well-paid full-time job but I only wanted p-t temp work)

[KatyMac]

I have to do a TEST

I never used to do a test - bloody progress

Is it accuracy or speed that matters (prob both)

What sort of Computer test?

Oh poop I'm scared now

[TheProvincialLady]

KatyMac was that really you on BBC breakfast this morning? Were you the lady with the dark hair?

[KatyMac]

Umm maybe was I she any good?

[TheProvincialLady]

Oh you were lovely (and I am glad you weren't the other lady as she was a bit bossy and kept interrupting forthright.

[TheProvincialLady]

I like your hair too.

[KatyMac]

I had glasses & I talked about a baby walking for the first time



If it was I dyed my hair on Sunday & I wasn't sure if it was too dark? The make-up lady said it was a nice cut & it 'fell' into place (which pleased my friend who cut it for me) so thank you

Imagine me!! having make-up

[SueW]

Wow - congrats on TV appearance.

Tests - copy type something. Tests for speed and accuracy.

Spelling test - choose correct spelling.

Also at Reed, iirc, a maths test.

Haven't been to an agency for years though so may have changed now. I guess it depends what you are looking for, workwise.

Can you really afford to pay all your staff with no income? Surely you need to make them redundant sooner rather than later?

[KatyMac]

Thanks

If I get some temping I can hold out another month or 6 weeks

If we don't have children then....

Maths could be good - Spelling - typing....well [hmm[ again

I guess admin stuff