Why is it so difficult...? PLEASE HELP =[

What qualification is it that you will be getting? (sorry if I missed that bit)

The Mark Warner thing sounds really appealing. I wish I had done something like that when I was your age.

You are right about the contracts nannynick though this is the 1st time in 20 years I've had a problem with one which resulted in me not wanting the job AND the job offer being withdrawn!

Tash - link to Mark Warner childcare jobs - says nannying positions still available for this year - Greece, Corsica etc.. There's not just Mark Warner - other all-inclusives do childcare too - have a search on web. (It can be fairly full-on as a job, but you'd get away from that sofa!)

I'm not in your area - I'm in Herts. I've registered with Tinies and Hawthornes - both have lovely staff and are very helpful.

Job hunting does get depressing. Even once you find a job, negotiating the contract can be problematic and stressful. You just have to keep at it and think positively. I remember being told on a training course once that PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) helps a lot, as it makes you come across much better at interviews.

I was like that 2 weeks ago. Had a job all set up, sounded ideal. Then we hit a few snags over the contract and things went pear shaped. Felt very disheartened.

So I registered with an agency and have been looking at job ads all over the net. I have 2 interviews tomorrow and 1 on Wednesday.

So what I'm saying is keep looking - something will turn up.

Would you consider another Mother's help job? Some of them in my area are paying very close to nanny rates.

You're just the right age for doing a summer with one of the Mark Warner type childcare-inclusive holidays - would that give you a lift maybe? Season starts quite soon.

Your work with special needs children can be very useful to summer playschemes. If you enjoy working with children who have additional needs, then you could help on a playscheme specifically designed for them. Your local council may have a list by now of summer playschemes... also local charities, such as local NAS branch. You may find that they will even pay you, if your qualification is at level 3 and has come through by then - as it means you can be in-ratio, rather than just extra help. Even as a volunteer you may get 'pay'... such as a voucher at the end.

Ah don't let it get you down... just think about how you can sell yourself better. Think about what you have done in the past, which could count as experience.
What did you do during your senior school years for example... did you do any babysitting, did you help with any youth groups?

Chucks up a p!!!

Chin u

We all started somewhere.

nannynick has made some very good suggestions to help you - especially volunteering at a creche or summer holiday scheme. You'll get some experienc with that and hopefully some glowing references too.

I think we have to be harsh to be kind. It surely will help you to know what others think, from the information you provide.

The family you were living with, was not in my view sole charge all the time, as the mother was on maternity leave for part of it. An employer may look at it that way as well - so on your CV, say a lot about what your role was, what you did. I would suggest having a good paragraph (or even a bit more) for every job you have done, explaining what you did.
I've re-worked nannies CV's in the past, putting details along with the dates for jobs... and it does seem to work well as a way of getting an interview. It tells parents what you have been doing, so shows the experience you have and helps the parents to talk to you at interview about the job.

Experience can make quite a big difference. It does not need to be nannying experience as such, more general experience working with children. Some employers will want someone who has been a nanny previously, while others will be happy with nursery experience.
I've probably cared for over 100 children personally (though nannying and babysitting), plus countless more as part of group settings. That means that I am I suspect far more prepared for whatever happens, as every child is an individual.
Amount of time in a job is also something parents may look at, as they will probably be wanting a nanny who will stay a while. Your age is against you for that, as you won't have been working for that long since leaving college. Getting the first few jobs is always going to be tricky... but once in a job, try to stick at it for a couple of years, so that future employers can see that you have commitment.

and gumtree

put an ad in Simply Childcare

Sorry, didn't realise it was mornings only in which case the money is not too bad. I am a nanny employer, not a nanny so I can't really advise about agencies (personally I've never used them and people have mixed views)but if you are serious about looking for work, I am amazed that you haven't registered with every one in London! Do you have an ad on Nannyjob, Gumtree, Nanny Select, here on Mumsnet?

Being brutally honest, you are very young and I probably wouldn't feel confident leaving my children in your sole charge - have you considered applying for mother's help roles in order to build up your experience? My feeling is that there are quite a number of nannies looking for work atm so you are probably competing with nannies who have 5+ years experience. Actually, if you have been working for 18 months do you also have childcare qualifications?

Hi Tash, have you tried a company called Sitters. They take on only people who work with children professionally & although all the work i got thru them was for evening babysitting,they would often ask if I was available to do daytime childcare.You get to choose when you work & the hours.They are a national company & I got a lot of work when I lived down South.Failing that you should contact as many nanny agencies as possible.