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Original poster

So quite clearly no one wants to be my nanny. Do I need to change my requirements?

31 replies

flowerybeanbag · 13/03/2008 10:02

This is getting daft.

I have asked for someone qualified, experienced with babies, to work about 20 hours a week with at least some flexibility about days/times, without wanting to bring own child/husband/gerbil with them.

I realise these are restrictive requirements, and I have been willing to bend on almost all of them.

I have tried gumtree, nannyjob, another website which momentarily escapes me, a rubbish agency and a good agency.

But still no good. Am I on a hiding to nothing here? Do I need to change my requirements? No children/gerbils is not up for discussion, neither is experienced with babies, but the other stuff is, including number of hours.

Any suggestions about how to make being flowery's nanny a more appealing prospect would be more than welcome....

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elliott · 13/03/2008 10:27

hmm I can relate to this, have had a similar issue. I think the problem is that the number of hours you are offering isn't really enough for it to be someone's only job, and if they have another job, then really you need to be able to work your requirements around that. I think if you want availability over say 3 days you would probably need to guarantee a decent day's work for each of them (say 6 hours a day) and then extend if necessary on an ad-hoc basis. That might suit someone to combine with a 2 day a week job. I don't think you're going to find someone who can be flexible across 5 days a week...
I think its quite hard finding part time nanny care.
Or, you could try a share and they could be flexible about taking your dc on one of the other family's days?

Original poster
flowerybeanbag · 13/03/2008 10:23

Regularly check the work wanted section, yes.

I would happily consider someone who only wants to do mornings, and do say that the fixed hours would probably be 3 mornings anyway, but still no one.

I did have someone a friend suggested who could only do 9.30 - 2.30 to fit around the school run. I would consider that as well, until I realised she only wanted term-time working, which clearly wouldn't work for me.

OP posts:
Roastchicken · 13/03/2008 10:19

Why don't you do mornings only - that way it could be combined with an afterschool job. Have you looked at the Work Wanted section on gumtree? I found that better than placing an ad myself as I could see what people were loking for.

Original poster
flowerybeanbag · 13/03/2008 10:09

The good agency is saying don't change requirements yet, after Easter might be more candidates. The rubbish agency has vanished into the ether, in advance of being sacked.

LadyM I am saying probably about 12-15 hours 'fixed', and I am fairly flexible about what hours they actually are. I've said probably 3 mornings, but if a prospective candidate comes along who can't do Wednesdays or whatever, that's fine, or has restrictions about times. But I want probably 20 hours and would like a bit flexibility for at least some of that. I work for myself so would like to give clients at least a bit of an option when I can go to meetings etc

I am starting to feel that an increase in hours but those hours being more or less fixed might increase my chances, but it will cost more and is probably more cover than I actually need or want.

OP posts:
2sugarsagain · 13/03/2008 10:06

What do the agencies say?

LadyMuck · 13/03/2008 10:05

Tell us more about the hours. What are you actually stating as a requirement? Is this a 2 (short) days a week nanny job, or do you want the nanny to be flexible (which is probably the main dealbreaker from how i am reading it).