Oh b*gger all going pear shaped

I found her on nannyjob.co.uk. No, I haven't met her in person, but we've e-mailed and talked on the phone a couple of times. Even after offering her the job we've kept in touch on e-mail. Sometimes about the job, but also just casual chatting to sort of get to know one another.

Yes, I think she's fab too.

Jura, sorry to say I have to agree with nannynick. If there is one thing I have learned as a nanny employer it is that some traits/activities have to be sought out in a candidate and can't be taught/instructed later. And being proactive about interacting with the toddler is one of them! If she doesn't do this when you are there, just how is going to be when you aren't there. And how would you ever know?

I like your website nick, very professional.

"she just didn't interact at all with the children"

That's the key... something else I hate about agencies is that they would tell parents to interview prospective nannies without having the children present! How daft... how can you tell how well someone is going to interact with your children, unless you get to watch it happen.
Ok, I know second interviews sometimes happen though as yet, I've never had one! First impressions is what counts and if a prospective childcarer does not interact with your children... they should be on the dump list very quickly.

I had an interview recently and I was interacting with one of the children even before I had got to the front door (well he was dressed as Robin Hood, aiming pretend arrows at me!). Once I had met parents and other children, I quickly interacted with baby (yes, even holding baby after only a short time) and gently persuading shy toddler to interact with me. Did it clench the job... sure it did - and it would have been very much different if the children were not there!

Alas Jura, I think you are back to square one... you don't want a childcarer who won't interact with your children, you want someone who will entertain them, teach them, guide them, be the big sister/brother perhaps.

uwila, have to agree with you, I do wonder at times what agencies do for their money. Certainly some agencies find it very hard to put forward the most suitable candidate for jobs, just because there is a gender issue. Maybe those in agencies need to practice their sales skills a bit better and learn to sell candidates to parents - with agencies I was dealing with, some had trouble with approaching parents with my details as I'm male... so I told them - don't tell them that I'm male, sell the positive things... only tell them that I'm male once you've pre-sold me to them! Yet very few agencies would do this... they felt that they should mention gender first, before more important things such as experience.

Issy, I found my new job via NannyJob and NannySelect so those are both good places.

Other places to try include more local things such as a local paper, school newsletters and just mentioning that you are looking to everyone you meet. After all, word of mouth is an excellent way of getting a new nanny and very cost effective!

PHDMof1,
You are legally bound to extract the money from her paycheque and send it off to the IR (quarterly) on her behalf. Nannypaye or nannytax can arrange the sums for you.

As for where to look, Issy, I always use the websites you mentioned. Of course, there's word of mouth as well... One of the nanny schhols (chiltern maybe? or is it Norland?) runs a placement agency too. Might check them out. I personally steer clear of agencies because I'm not convined that they contribute enough to justify their cost. But of course that's not everyones view.

How's it going, Jura? Any prospects?

Ah, yes. I too hire in a gross figure. Wouldn't do it any other way.

I only meant that hypothetically that would be the fair way to do it. But I realise full well that the way I think things ought to be and the way they are can be two very different things.

Sorry for confusion.

Tax can be such a confusing thing, especially if a Net wage is agreed... over a tax year, there can be changes, which could leave the employer (who agreed a Net wage) out of pocket.

For my new nanny job, a Gross wage has been agreed - makes it much easier for both my new employer and myself.

Would love to know the outcome of your enquiry with Nannytax PhDMumof1, so looking forward to you posting what you find out.

whilst I would like to agree with Jura I think it doesn't work that way. Because, legally, you have paid the tax/NI on behalf of your nanny (it's her liability not yours) any repayment must be hers (as she overpaid not you). The fact that you agreed a net contract is not relevant here - you haven't also agreed to underwrite her tax position as an individual ie including non schedule E items.

Doesn't stop it feeling wrong though - and I speak as a nanny employer