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Original poster

Finding/vetting a nanny in Spain!

39 replies

MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 10:12

I have a wedding in Spain (Marbella) next year. Kids aren't invited so need to find a nanny out there to look after my two (both under 5) on the wedding day. The problem is I have no idea what questions to ask to vet them! What's the Spanish equivalent of a DBS check? What are the different childcare qualifications I should ask about?
Help from any Spanish mums, holiday-goers or expats in Spain would be much appreciated. feeling quite intimidated by the whole prospect as have only ever left my DSs with people I know really well!

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simonell · 11/08/2023 08:55

The Marbella nanny agency haven't used them but my friend has and was pleased with them. You can find them on Facebook they are English speaking so you could send them a message about the background checks etc 🥰

EvelynBeatrice · 11/08/2023 08:51

There are many high end hotels in the area, some of which at least are likely to have childcare providers with verifiable qualifications and possibly ‘approved’ by British travel operators. You could approach them for advice - they might take your children for a fee even if you’re not staying at the hotel or at least be able to recommend someone. Personally, I wouldn’t do it, but appreciate your situation is difficult.

StillWantingADog · 11/08/2023 08:45

when we have pushed back on the issue it has caused a lot of upset.

as I asked before what exactly do they expect you to do?
they are insisting on a child free wedding, and the only people you trust to look after the children will be at the wedding. It’s such a non-starter. You tell them there is no practical solution other than to bring the children to the wedding, or not go.

roses2 · 11/08/2023 08:43

Where in Spain? I used to use au pairs (until Brexit!) and have 3 au pairs who I still keep in touch with from different regions in Spain. I could pass on their details to you? Or I'm sure someone else must have had a Spanish au pair - this was a popular country where many came to the UK - someone must know someone they can recommend!

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/08/2023 08:42

NotMyDayJob · 11/08/2023 07:10

It's not specifically childcare and I didn't use them as such but when I went to Spain last year to the area I spoke to a company called Everything Under the Sun Marbella, they're a sort of concierge service and help organise pretty much anything you could want. Lady who runs it is British and works with mostly Brits in Spain who offer various services (private chefs, beauty appointments, car hire, tourist activities and what not). Might be worth asking, you can find them on Facebook

There was also same company names in tenerife as well - run by imogen. Wonder if same lady

Was fab. We hired all baby /toddler stuff for mini blondes from toys , steriliser , bouncer , cot etx

Wenfy · 11/08/2023 08:33

Fly a nanny from the UK. You would pay for accomodation and flight but can then negotiate the hourly rate. If anyone else is taking kids you could share the nanny

Original poster
MyKidsThrowFood · 11/08/2023 08:30

@SunnyFrost - I know what you mean. I think it's a big ask from the bride and groom and they just don't get it. But they are close family and when we have pushed back on the issue it has caused a lot of upset. They want their big day to be exactly how they want it and I want to avoid upsetting them as much as possible. But also obviously need to prioritise my children's well-being over everything else! I therefore do feel I need to explore all options at the very least.

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MyKidsThrowFood · 11/08/2023 08:28

Thank you @NotMyDayJob

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NotMyDayJob · 11/08/2023 07:10

It's not specifically childcare and I didn't use them as such but when I went to Spain last year to the area I spoke to a company called Everything Under the Sun Marbella, they're a sort of concierge service and help organise pretty much anything you could want. Lady who runs it is British and works with mostly Brits in Spain who offer various services (private chefs, beauty appointments, car hire, tourist activities and what not). Might be worth asking, you can find them on Facebook

Blondeshavemorefun · 11/08/2023 06:39

If it was tenerife I could reconmend a childcare company as my friend owns /runs one

SunnyFrost · 09/08/2023 16:46

Sorry but it simply wouldn’t occur to me to leave my small children with a complete unknown stranger in another country. Being asked to be part of a wedding party doesn’t obligate you to stop putting your children’s best interests first. You can say ‘I’d love to but we’ll need to bring the children, as you know all our childcare options are at the wedding - we’ll leave it up to you.’ You sound like you think being part of the wedding party means this has to happen!

I realise it’s not what you asked but do you actually want to do this? Because it doesn’t sound like you do at all. Unsurprisingly, because I don’t think many parents would consider it.

Clymene · 09/08/2023 16:42

Ha! I thought I'd read a date in June but I imagined it!

Fair point @adriftabroad - maybe the best bet is to take someone.

adriftabroad · 09/08/2023 16:39

Clymene · 09/08/2023 16:35

The wedding is the Saturday after the end of term isn't it?

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No idea. OP says June 2024.
End of term, well end of school year for DC is end of June. Teachers obviously work through the whole of June and usually July (summer clubs)

June is the most hectic month.

adriftabroad · 09/08/2023 16:36

CarolineKnappSchappeyShipwright · 09/08/2023 16:08

Hi - just to add that the equivalent of a DBS is called the Certificado de Delitos Sexuales and it’s a requirement for anyone working with children.

I’m head of department in a Spanish school and work for an exam board and we can’t hire anyone without them, even just to invigilate an exam. They’re easy to get from the police, and free, so don’t be worried about asking for it.

Thanks for that! I am about to set up my own school and it was on my list of things to sort out.

Nobody asks for it in my province but I want/need to have it for my own peace of mind (I have an English one)

Clymene · 09/08/2023 16:35

adriftabroad · 09/08/2023 16:22

June is end of term in Spain. No way a TEFL teacher will be able to do it. Or any teacher!

I thought it was YOUR wedding OP!

I would not be going. What a palavar. No way.

The wedding is the Saturday after the end of term isn't it?

StillWantingADog · 09/08/2023 16:31

…and it absolutely is an option to not go at all!

adriftabroad · 09/08/2023 16:22

June is end of term in Spain. No way a TEFL teacher will be able to do it. Or any teacher!

I thought it was YOUR wedding OP!

I would not be going. What a palavar. No way.

Clymene · 09/08/2023 16:20

As it's so far in advance I'd join a couple of local expat forums and ask. You could fly out a couple of days early to meet someone? A TEFL teacher might do it to earn a bit of extra cash?

CarolineKnappSchappeyShipwright · 09/08/2023 16:08

Hi - just to add that the equivalent of a DBS is called the Certificado de Delitos Sexuales and it’s a requirement for anyone working with children.

I’m head of department in a Spanish school and work for an exam board and we can’t hire anyone without them, even just to invigilate an exam. They’re easy to get from the police, and free, so don’t be worried about asking for it.

Original poster
MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 16:06

Maybe should have posted this on AIBU Hmm

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Original poster
MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 16:06

To be fair, we had no kids at our wedding so can't judge. But it was in the U.K. and no one coming from abroad had kids, so didn't seem like such a big ask to get a babysitter.

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Original poster
MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 16:04

Yes I think it's exactly that. They don't have kids so don't see the issue. When we've raised the issue it has caused tension as they obviously don't want to worry about our kids in relation to their big day. Fair enough I guess but inevitably we will want to prioritise what's best for our kids over anything else.

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StillWantingADog · 09/08/2023 14:50

MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 14:48

@StillWantingADog we are part of the wedding party so not an option not to go. Family are either at the wedding or not young/well/brave enough to look after two under-5s for a long weekend!

Fair enough but I do wonder what the B&G expect you to do. guess they don’t have kids or their own yet so reckon just finding some sort of babysitter you’d be happy with will be easy….not likely

Original poster
MyKidsThrowFood · 09/08/2023 14:48

@StillWantingADog we are part of the wedding party so not an option not to go. Family are either at the wedding or not young/well/brave enough to look after two under-5s for a long weekend!

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