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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Boff needs chocolate. Nanny has just resigned.

185 replies

SnowyBoff · 03/12/2009 21:38

So folks, there we were being nice, supportive employers to someone who frankly with hindsight has a major attitude problem, and she's just resigned on us and leaves in a fortnight. I am sure Christmas is a brilliant time to look for a new one (not).

This nanny thing is so angst-ridden it's untrue. It also means we may have sacrificed another agency fee for a mere 10 weeks' work as well. And the kids will be really upset and go all funny on us for a bit because they will be so confused about everything.

I am not a happy Boff.

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lemonpuff · 16/12/2009 11:10

Morning , cannot see your add on Gumtree, been without my laptop for the past 3 weeks!!would love to speak to you. Don't meet all your needs, not ofsted reg, non driver, but willing to walk etc, nneb trained etc. my email address is [email protected]

AtheneNoctua · 16/12/2009 10:29

Boff, is this position live-in? If so, have you tried greataupair.com? (unless you specifically want a British nanny)

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 16/12/2009 10:10

I've got two versions of ads out there at the moment - one terribly sensible and formal, the other jokey. The jokey one has been an unmitigated disaster with only inexperienced teenagers contacting me. The formal one has attracted one or two decent nannies, but who only want four days a week and so on (which as it states the job is full-time, makes you wonder if they can read).

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MarshaBrady · 16/12/2009 10:01

I'm really sorry you are having a tough time. Must be very stressful.

I hope you don't mind me saying but I think your advert could be attracting younger candidates. The mention of Guitar Hero, and mean boy racing machine, Wii fit etc.

I am not a nanny, have never done childcare in my life (so feel free to ignore) but am 35 and have never played Wii or Guitar Hero.

I know it's tongue-in-cheek to communicate what a lovely family you are but as a career nanny I would want a serious description of my role. I'd look for other good things, like sensible parents, who are good at communication, plus all the other perks nannies look for.

Obviously could be wildly wrong and you've had loads of replies in desired age bracket!

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 16/12/2009 09:52
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Tavvy · 15/12/2009 21:48

Agree with all that newborn nanny + others

thenewbornnanny · 15/12/2009 20:24

I don't believe "fun" is an essential component! Some days are most definitely not fun at all! That's just how life is. Instead I make sure my charges are loved and secure, everything I do is for their wellbeing (not necessarily their happiness though - telling them to eat their veg for example LOL) and if they (or I) have a crappy day then we hug and it's forgotten and there's a clean slate the next day. I could not be happy happy joy joy 24/7 and so I do not expect my charges to be. I encourage positivity and enthusiasm for sure, and dealing with negative emotions in a healthy way, which means letting kids experience boredom, disappointment, anger etc. Children need a balanced day not a sugary sacharin sweet life is perfect day.

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/12/2009 18:18
Original poster
SnowyBoff · 15/12/2009 17:03
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theoriginalmummypoppins · 15/12/2009 16:59

Sb. I couldnt agree more. Fun is an added bonus. Why do young girls pitch up for an interview to earn 24k a year ( which is a bloody good wage in the country ) and think that all parents want to hear is that she will be fun....GGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Hope somebody fab comes along soon and in the mean time I pass a large G and T.

As a working mother this time of the year is horrendous enough as it is with everything that has to be done and not having your childcare sorted is a nightmare.

MP

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 15/12/2009 15:27

Not if they're being fed crap off a dirty floor while you speak to them in a 'fun' sing song voice , having their bibs ripped off their little necks in a 'fun' but impatient way, leaving red welts , fed 'fun' practically raw burgers , and not if they're crying with cold in the winter weather because they haven't enough layers on for the 'fun' walk you were supposed to be taking them on, it's not . Nor is going out with one of the older ones for a 'fun' cinema trip and forgetting you have to be back on time to collect his brother, leaving his brother upset and disorientated because nobody came to get him from school . That's not 'fun'.

You have to get the basic biological needs met properly before moving onto to 'fun'. 'Fun' is no subsistute for proper care.

I worked for a Head Teacher once who said on a training day "Every lesson should be fun". Well, I think the modern obsession with fun is misplaced. I think every lesson in school should be worthwhile. That is very different from fun. And I want my kids warm, safe and comfortable, ticking over in a homely way, with occasional amusing and interesting experiences that punctuate their days.

As Blondes says, fun is a desirable bonus.

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LovelyNanny · 15/12/2009 14:03

Since your nanny will be spending more waking hours per week with your children than you will, enjoying nanny's company and having fun with her is essential to their well-being .

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/12/2009 11:42

alive, fed and clean - pmsl - true, but fun is also a bonus

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 14/12/2009 17:27

Good idea, Frannikin, I will post it in London as well.

Had another reply from someone who has just left school with a couple of A Levels and again, likes babysitting now and then, and will make sure 'my children have a lot of fun'. I thought that was my job, and theirs was to keep the kids alive, fed and clean when I am not there. Have I got that wrong??????

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Blondeshavemorefun · 14/12/2009 13:01

really suprised you havent had more interest

keep renewing ad daily/every few days as if others post ads yours will go to page 2/3 etc

frakkinaroundthechristmastree · 14/12/2009 12:31

Have you tried advertising on other Gumtrees as it can be a live in job?

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 14/12/2009 11:07

Only 2 replies, one from an au pair with qualifications in travel and tourism (really useful if the kids want to book a package holiday, methinks ) and one from a girl with no nannying experience but who looked after some children one school holidays and who is sure the mother would write her a reference for her.

'Snot great, is it really.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 12/12/2009 16:18

any replies to your ad?

thenewbornnanny · 12/12/2009 07:35

Oooh are you Squiffy?! I would love a beer I have so little time off that to actually make plans to meet another human bean is very exciting LOL (God how tragic that makes me sound... I'm not that sad I just work mostly 6 day weeks, and travel to NYC and other fun places a lot too)

I'm back from my (I can't believe I have) 2.5 weeks vacation on the 4th, so definitely get in touch when you're in and settled!

Sorry for the slight hijack Boff

StillSquiffy · 12/12/2009 00:44

Never mind him.... I am out in Amsterdam for three months come Jan (Amstelveen I think the exact place)... fancy a beer?

thenewbornnanny · 11/12/2009 23:05

Gosh I would love a nice Swede male "assistant" to help me in my job! I have to do/organize so much household stuff... I could do with a bloke around ... hmmmm how does he feel about Amsterdam?

Tavvy · 11/12/2009 22:50

Loved the funny ad I meant to say
Oh to work for a family with a sense of humour

Tavvy · 11/12/2009 22:49

Given the hours some nannies work meeting men can be difficult if not impossible. Would work as a perk but wouldn't lead to any work if you catch my drift. SOunds like a good distraction.

Original poster
SnowyBoff · 11/12/2009 21:40

Oooh, oooh, oooh, another thought, I could possibly hire Chris the Swede as a recruitment perk for the nannies!!!!!!!! Bait, if you like!!!!!!!

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Original poster
SnowyBoff · 11/12/2009 21:39

Hey Squiffs, can SuperSwede drive, because there are no nurseries within walking distance here any more, and do you think he would have a problem being in Cambridge rather than Kent?

I am a bit nervous about the nursery thing because I don't want DS3 institutionalised just yet. They come home caked in old food, smelling of cabbage and disinfectant, having been fed biscuits all afternoon, forced to wait their turn for cuddles, and in a funny routine where they have their lunch well before 11 and their tea at 3. I didn't like doing it with the other two and I was hoping to avoid it with this one. I like my baby smelling of me and my house, for a start, eating nice special puree things and keeping normal human hours.

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