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Original poster

Oh no lost my nanny job

33 replies

MightyMoosh · 16/11/2007 19:05

Just been booted from my live-in job... it took me a year to find this, so any advice on finding a new one most welcome, this time I'll be looking from London so a bit easier I hope to looking from Cornwall!

Reasons for end of job feel genuine, new mum with baby and two toddlers wants to be more hands on and so wants to swap me for a full-time cleaner/housekeeper who is willing to babysit. I have a month to look! Any advice useful, experience with agencies etc

I should also say employer is willing to give good ref, plus any advice in working more with new-borns would be helpful!

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Original poster
MightyMoosh · 20/11/2007 19:46

Chat went very well- problem now arranging a time to meet! Seems a good job for me (on the phone!) jusst had a phone call from a nice lady, due a baby soon which would be good for me I want the expierience but... she has dogs, so no due to allergies. bugger. but I keep looking!

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nannynick · 19/11/2007 23:46

Hope your chat with Yogimum's boss went well. Always good to get jobs via word-of-mouth where possible.

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 19/11/2007 19:21

nannynick, just had a look at your greatcare jobs- have applied to one already, the hampstead one, and with the other agensy too so great minds think alike or something! thanks poppet for taking the time, we all know you're a proper sweetie.

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Original poster
MightyMoosh · 19/11/2007 19:18

Yes thats why I took this job, I had two offers but took this due to baby due- she's now almost 3 months and I've had lots of sole charge of her so good experience. And I'll be speaking to your boss tonight yogimum, shes due to call any minute!

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yogimum · 19/11/2007 11:35

But if you want to work with babies I would look for jobs with babies as this seems to be your area. Most employers want recent experience.

nannynick · 19/11/2007 07:13

Greatcare.co.uk is worth a look for Live-in jobs around London area.

Hampstead - Live-in, £300-£350 npw. Immediate Start. Must Drive.

Clapham Junction - £330-£350, mostly 1 child aged 9, plus occasional care for 20 month old. Jan Start.

Tooting - 3 boys aged 8,6, and 2. Driver essential. Jan Start. £350+

If you prefer Surrey, then
Virginia Water - 2 boys, 7 & 10. £350. Jan Start. The older you are age wise the better!

Seems to be jobs out there, which if you don't mind where you live (as it is live-in) you can get £350 per week, which would enable you to save a lot of your salary, so within a year you are in a position to consider live-out work.

CarGirl · 18/11/2007 18:43

It's too late but I was going to say that Weybridge is a very nice place to live/work so provided the nanny kitty was generous there is loads to do & go to in the area especially with car. Weybridge is a very very expensive place to live though - they mostly have huge mortgages and work in the city, childminding rates are around £6.50 per hour.

I live near Weybridge, will never be able to afford to live in it!

nannyj · 18/11/2007 18:36

Definately get yourself with some agencies as well as the agency can negotiate on your behalf. Have a look on nannyjob as they have loads of agencies on there depending where you are looking. It's really a nannies market at the moment, i was job hunting in the Summer and got lots of really good offers. Good luck

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 18/11/2007 13:18

thanks paddlechick! I have just had the horrible 'sorry but...' conversation with lady offering job, such a shame but she was very understanding. Have just spoken to someone from sussex, big house tennis courts etc, so other end of the spectrum I guess. So prospects are still there. I do post an ad on Gumtree, renew every day or sooner but always vwery few respnces, I usually get more from responding to ads myself. but we'll see...

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Paddlechick666 · 18/11/2007 09:43

MightyMoosh

I'm in West London and there's always people looking for nannies/nanny-shares so I'm sure you'll find something very soon.

I think you've already tried Gumtree, have you set up your own ad or just replied to parents' ads?

Try posting on the Mumsnet Local pages too. Richmond-Upon-Thames is the one most of the W. London crowd use.

WRT to living out, there are tonnes of house-shares at reasonable prices around here. A friend just got a double room in a fabulous place with it's own bathroom for £500pcm incl bills. That's actually top end for this area but of course own bathroom will cost a bit more.

Another friend is renting her loft conversion out (with own bathroom) and would love someone family oriented. Renting in a family home with your own space is a good option, you might get a rent reduction in exchange for a bit of babysitting!

You've got a month and it seems you're well qualified so I'd advise being a bit choosy and finding the right job.

Just wanted to wish you luck adn let you know there are heaps of opportunities in this area.

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 18/11/2007 09:23

I think, after posting this here, and talking it over with parents, I'm going to turn them down. I do feel they over-emphasized how much nursery is, therefore why my wages are low, (why thurs and fri are off, other days full-time) yet thinking about it, the son will be going to boarding school next year which cant be cheap! shame as the are lovely, but I might grow to resent less savings etc and I'd hate that.

Unfortunatly live-in is my only option as I dont yet have enough savings for deposit etc, I found live-in ok to be honest, even in this family! I might look into prices to rent, I never diod that at home (newquay) as its far too dear for a single person, youd have to share.

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nannynick · 18/11/2007 00:10

Parents in Weybridge in my opinion can often afford a lot more than they are offering. Obviously depends on where it is - house price can be a good indicator (did you look up how much houses in their street are worth?).

Personally I would try to avoid live-in work if at all possible - just my preference of course, but you may be better off having a live-out job, and living in a bedsit, so you get more independence. Just a thought.

Hard to calculate total hours, but it is certainly over 40 per week, probably close to 50. So I doubt there is much time to fit in another job. Finding jobs for just a few hours, or just one day is tricky. I used to nanny 3-days per week, and nursery temped 2 days. Nursery temping work can be obtained to fill a day, but it's not consistent work - plus your take home pay will be low, as all your tax allowance will be used by first job.
Better to work 5 days per week, or have longer hours 4 days per week.

See what jobs are about, think about live-out v live-in... you've done some live-in work now, so you know what to expect.

yogimum · 17/11/2007 21:08

I've forwarded your CV to her now.

yogimum · 17/11/2007 21:02

well its very flattering I know but maybe they are having a hard time finding someone. Don't rush as you are very qualified and there are lots of jobs around. Do you know Weybridge?

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 17/11/2007 21:00

Yogimum my email was returned! for some reason my email will not send to yahoo accounts, Ive had this problem before. Does your boss have another email?

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Original poster
MightyMoosh · 17/11/2007 20:57

yes they are providing a car, but that is a good point the school hols, Ive never worked as a nanny for the age that would affect. I think you may be right, it just they were so nice and a job offer on the first day of the hunt was a bit dazzling!

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yogimum · 17/11/2007 20:53

what would they do in school holidays? Also you would have to be at the school gates around three which wouldn't give you many hours to get another job. Personally would look around a bit more before you decide. I think they are finding it hard to fill that post. Are they providing a car?

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 17/11/2007 20:50

just got the email, Ill forward the CV now. Dont mind where I end up really, the problem with agencies is that you have to meet them and so travel is an issue. I am with several agencies, Ive emailed some I was with to re-new, but Ill have to wait till monday for most to open.

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Original poster
MightyMoosh · 17/11/2007 20:47

current job is giving one months notice, as per contract, but says I can leave before then if I want. the second job option was mentioned by them at interview, so as long as im there for pick-ups etc they are fine with it. Ive just never needed to, so its outside my experience!

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yogimum · 17/11/2007 20:41

I think it maybe difficult to find a second job but not impossible but if you are living in they may not like you working somewhere else. Also it may not be worthwhile by the time you pay tax. When does this job finish? She has to give you plenty of notice to find another job.

yogimum · 17/11/2007 20:33

I've e-mailed you back. Can your forward your CV to my boss. I was very impressed with your CV. Dh and I have stayed at bedruthan this year. Good luck with your job search.

Original poster
MightyMoosh · 17/11/2007 19:41

The job is live-in, in weybridge so not central london. I know I can live on 50 punds a week or so, but I guess the quandry is can I be happy knowing I could be earning and therefore saving more in a nother job. the hours are less, 12 hours each mon-wed and half day thurs and school pick-ups thurs and fri until parents home. so less hours,so a chance to get another job. What has been your experience in second jobs, or one day a week jobs, nannynick? easy to come by? worthwhile?

yogimum- have emailed CV, thanks so much!

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yogimum · 17/11/2007 18:51

You can e-mail me at [email protected]

yogimum · 17/11/2007 18:50

well I know my boss would pay more than that but she needs someone very reliable as she is single parent.