OK candidate no. 1 - heaps of experience with children of all ages, but mainly babies (although has done older children of similar age to mine). She has to date preferred to temp, with only two long term jobs. She is older and has life experience - which we need, but never done nanny / housekeeping, but I think will rise to the challenge well. She's CRB checked and got her NNEB and first aid qualifications. Very strong character that I will have to make sure doesn't dominate over me, even though i also have a strong character. She is more expensive AND wants more money than we're offering (she's used to temp rates) and has agreed a compromise rate, which I think doesn't bode well for her longer term loyalty - loyalty is key here (need her to stay with us through my chemo treatment and beyond, so at least a year).
Candidate no. 2 - first foray into formal childcare. Looks after a mum at school's DD (babysitting, playing with her to give mum a break occasionally) and looks after her nephews. She also used to work for the same mum in an office job. The Mum says she's hardworking and very loyal and highly recommended her. Her CV shows she's stayed in jobs for good periods of time. She seems kind and got on well with the children. However she's younger, and a bit green to it all. We weren't 100% convinced that she wanted to get into childcare, but we didn't feel she'd not get on well once in it IYSWIM. She's a whopping £8k cheaper than no.1.
DD1 liked candidate nno. 2, DD2 liked no. 1. Typical.
There's the option of choosing neither of course, but we've been looking for 6 weeks now and need someone ASAP.