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Original poster

Struggling to find a nanny- am I doing something wrong?

31 replies

satsumagirl · 28/04/2019 20:49

We've been having an absolute nightmare with nannies.

Before this we had a lovely nanny for 2+ years. Our kids loved her, we got on great and she was super. Sadly she then got ill and had to leave. However she is back with us doing temp work at the moment until we find someone.

After she left we had a nanny for a few months who was absent a lot (sickness and other issues). She did not pass her probation and then left us abruptly one day. Very unprofessional (despite great references).

So we started looking again. I thought I had found someone great, local and flexible, but she has decided to stay with her current family as they have offered her more hours.

We are in the home counties (I'd rather not say where) and we are definitely paying the market rate). It is a before and after school role and 4 days a week on the holidays. I know these roles are harder to fill. I'm all over Childcare.co.uk and the local mum and nanny Facebook groups, and am registered with some agencies.

It's really getting me down. Are we doing something wrong? Why can't we find someone? After our experience with the nanny who wasn't up to scratch, and then having the nanny who accepted the job change her mind, I'm getting really worried we won't find someone. We both work long hours in senior roles and have no family nearby, hence why we need a nanny.

If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it. At my wits end!

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Hellywelly10 · 28/04/2019 21:57

I would look at childminders as well op.

Original poster
satsumagirl · 28/04/2019 21:54

@nannynick Yes we would pay an annual salary split out into 12 to make it more attractive. Do you think we should say that in the ad?

Re sick children we would ask the nanny if they were available and if they were we pay it at an enhanced rate.

OP posts:
Iggly · 28/04/2019 21:54

Before and after school is cheeky if you expect them to cover when your dcs are ill etc.

We had a nanny for our school aged kids and paid for the whole day

You could try a childminder instead.

Original poster
satsumagirl · 28/04/2019 21:53

Agreed @nannynick, they are tricky ones!

I would love to hear what people think. My guess is that this job would appeal to a nursery worker who is keen to do their first nanny job, someone semi retired or a nanny with their own child. Maybe I need to spell this out in the ad? Our previous nanny had lots of family commitments which was why working part time was ideal for her.

OP posts:
nannynick · 28/04/2019 21:52

Are you proposing an annual salary which is split into 12 equal monthly payments?

What happens if a child is ill, would you expect the nanny to provide care all day at short notice?

nannynick · 28/04/2019 21:39

It's a before and after school role... they are tricky to fill as who does such a job appeal to? As a nanny I far prefer working 10-12 hours per day and doing a few days per week.

I doubt you are doing anything wrong, I think these jobs are almost impossible to fill. I wish I knew who this sort of job did appeal to. So I am interested to see if any nannies will respond on here saying that this is the sort of job they look for and why it fits well for them.

For parents with nannies reading this, if your nanny does before and after school care... why do they do they do it? What are they doing during say 9.30am-2.30pm?