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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Hired or Fired? Nanny candidates...

108 replies

WhatTheWhat · 26/05/2012 20:17

We have two possible nanny candidates, are they Hired or Fired, in your view?

Job is looking after little boy twins (1 yr) sole charge three days and shared care of the twins plus older sister (3yrs) on two days. Total hours 60. Salary is at the top of the local range. Position is live-in or live-out, but no change to salary either way. Must be able to cook. Nursery duties only. We'd like our nanny to stay with us for several years.

Candidate One: energetic, seems keen on the job, wants to move to our area to be near family, has held two long-term jobs, great references, wants 'at least' the top of our salary band, wants the hours to be reduced to 50 per week, isn't entirely happy with the shared care element, it's not entirely clear whether she can cook - the thing she made at interview was pretty vile, but who knows whether that's usual, seemed to be good at playing with the kids.

Candidate Two: mature candidate, has experience with twins, really keen on the job, happy with the salary, happy with the hours, not yet sure if she can cook as awaiting final interview, happy to live-in and rent out her place, happy to work on a shared care basis, not very sparky and seemed more of a 'soft-play' kind of nanny than a 'finger painting at home' nanny. Although she said she really wants to work closer to home, the agency has said she's not the type to job-hop. Great references and one long-term post. Currently unemployed and working in a hotel.

So: Hired or Fired?

OP posts:
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WhatTheWhat · 26/05/2012 20:56

Thanks all.
My only reservation about number two is that she didn't really seem very enthusiastic, and she'll be looking after two active little boys. Needs energy!
Number one is tricky - she seemed to have lots of energy and at one point we felt almost ready to offer her the job there and then, but she really put me off with her repeated questions about the job hours changing - despite me saying more than once that she had to assume it would not change. Chances are that the hours will in fact reduce over time, but I certainly can't promise!
They were both nice people, although in very different ways.

OP posts:
catepilarr · 26/05/2012 20:56

agree nanny looks unsuitable to your needs. btw what did she do at the interview?
nanny 2 - do you think her approach is more of watching the children rather than actively play with them? or is she not arty crafty as muchas you would like her to be?

KatieMiddleton · 26/05/2012 20:29

Did I? Glad to be of service Grin

Gigondas · 26/05/2012 20:25

Waves at Katie - you gave me good advice re our nanny which hopefully has fixed issue.

JellyMould · 26/05/2012 20:25

I agree number 1 sounds like it wouldn't work out. Number 2 sounds definitely possible.

KatieMiddleton · 26/05/2012 20:23

Yes I also felt the op wasn't wildly impressed by the second either. May be best to keep looking.

KatieMiddleton · 26/05/2012 20:22

Second one. The first one already has issues and wants to change non-negotiables so I don't really see why you'd even consider her tbh.

Gigondas · 26/05/2012 20:21

Neither sound ideal but candidate one no. The job spec and hours ime are non negotiable . If you start like that what next.

Candidate two may be ok but depends on what you mean by soft play nanny. Are you implying she has fundamental differences on child care approach in which case keep looking.