Would like a position as an after school nanny. Am I too old?

agree not too old and has vast experience esp with special needs, and can cook and clean

but take out your ages of children

why do you want just after school work - and not say 2/3day job

but in my area you would be snapped up - there are loads of after school nanny jobs and tbh people my age dont want them as doesnt pay enough money and want younger children during the day as this is the career i trained for 2 years

have you tried placing an ad on netmums/nanny job

You go for it! My au pair recently left (thank god) and I now have a 61 year old lady, also with grown up children, helping out picking up my teenagers from school when I am at work, cooking tea and walking our dogs. It is sooo much better having a mature adult in the house than an overgrown teen. I expect you will be in great demand

If I could ever afford a nanny I would love one who was your age instead of a younger girl. More experience probably more reliable and sensible. I would think it an asset!

Absolutely not too old but how about doing the OCN common core skills course so you could be registered with OFSTED if necessary? That would be a big plus point for many parents who might see your profile and think 'drat, perfect but can't use my vouchers'.

Also nannyjob.co.uk and the local boards on netmums (sorry)

Some schools have notice boards. Mine does. Often after school childminders put up a notice on the board in the parent's room near the office where the list property cupboard is and where you wait to see the HT if you are called in to see him.

If you were near me, I'd snap you up in a second!

Im 53 and work as a full time (well term time) nanny so not too old.

All my work has come through Childcare.co.uk.

In Somerset / Bristol there's an agency who specifically advertise for older mums who've had their own kids and offer a 'second mum' type help to families ie. childcare / cooking / housework. I assume there must be a demand for it. I'm sure you'll be snapped up in no time.

Yup. Never again. Trying to get the money back through charge back on my credit card.

Ouch Celine! I did read some comments like that and was a bit worried when I set up my account but they cancelled it immediately

Don't get downhearted! Loads of people (as you can see from the responses here) would consider your age and life experience a huge asset - we employed a part time nanny a few years ago who was about your age and she was absolutely wonderful. I think the idea of putting cards up locally might be a good one - ask in your local school if there's any way of advertising there. They may have a newsletter that goes out to parents....

I wouldn't necessarily read anything into your lack of luck with applications so far - when we advertised on gumtree we had millions of responses and couldn't interview everybody, even though many of them were excellent on paper. If anything comes up that is very local to you, maybe you could stress that your proximity would be a real asset - you could be available to be called on during the school day if a child became ill or whatever.

That's true Dowagers. It was when the bastards company wouldn't cancel the account despite requesting twice and charged me £75 for absolutely nothing that I felt a bit aggrieved. I just post on the local group for netmums or similar now.

£25 was well worth me finding someone whereas the money I paid to childcare.co.uk was a total waste.

It really isn't a lot if you find someone within a month IMO :)

In my bit of SE London I would expect you to be snapped up. I would love you if I had the right age children.

Would you do mornings too? There someone on here the other day despairing of ever finding the right childcare to do a return to nursing course, and someone like you was exactly what was discussed as ideal. I would expect that there are more out there like her.

Have you thought about popping along to some local playgroups and asking where they/their friends find childcare? Slightly the wrong age group, but they would have local knowledge. If you can borrow a child to take along, so much the better.

Find a babysitter charge an extortionate fee for parents to contact a potential childcarer (£25 per month!) and IME their customer service is crappola.

I found my afterschool nanny through childcare.co.uk. They were few and far between and I wouldn't have been put off by your age in the slighest.

Are you maybe advertising in the wrong places? Our nanny is in her late 30s and I specifically wanted someone not in their late teens/early 20s.

I would try FindaBabysitter too - it's free to advertise. I had plenty of applicants from women your age when I was trying to find someone for DS - I wanted someone young because it's only a couple of hours and really he wants someone to play with (only child) but if I had a clutch of kids, I would definitely prefer an older person!

My friend has a p-t nanny/helper for her DD who is severely disabled and she is in her 50s and has worked with them for years. She's absolutely wonderful with her DD. I would definitely put your experience with your children with LDs down on your profile - I'm sure that you'll get people biting your hand off :)

x-posted. That recent experience and disability experience are massive plus points. Make sure you include them.

I am thinking you would be able to get a reference from the volunteering too?

I think you need to sell yourself and let parents come to you!

And if you're in SW London please PM me!

If you are in London then I would stop applying for specific jobs and start doing things like putting up cards in newsagent's windows, school noticeboards, children's centres, play cafes or anywhere else they will let you and there are parents stating that you are looking for work as an after school nanny (pos a mother's help if prepared to clean).

Include the following:

You have brought up 4 children
You are a graduate
You have an enhanced CRB
You have a clean driving licence
You can cook and clean (only if you're prepared to do both on the job, otherwise just cooking)
You have a first aid qualification
You speak English fluently
You have a good standard of numeracy and literacy
Any musical ability you might have
Any relevant voluntary work you have done

Also include the hourly rate you are looking for and that you can supply references. Who would be your references? Do you not have any recent experience at all? It doesn't have to be paid.

Just to add, after cross-posting, that IME paper quals in childcare are worth squat. Not one nanny I've met with "qualifications" has given me confidence that they could apply the necessary combination of loving care, fun and responsibility that is needed.

How have you been responding to ads? I really appreciate responses where the candidate tries to explain how their experience, skills and preferences suit the role. Your post here is chatty but to the point about what you have - formalise that a bit for the target audience, match it to their advert, and I'd have thought you would definitely be invited!

I'd focus on your children (experience, plus now freedom to be flexible) plus your background (graduate etc) means you can treat the children how the parents would like, help with homework etc, plus you have the formalities of CRB/first aid.

Like other posters, I'd be keen to meet you too!
Maybe advertise on Mumsnet Local?