Why can't I find a nanny?!

[BooChunky]

I've been looking for a nanny for four days a week (Wednesday's off) because I'm going back to uni. Every nanny we've spoken to we've stressed that I'm not sure what my schedule will be exactly so we're happy to agree to a daily rate now, so that if I end up home early everyday and let them go, they're not going to be out of pocket. We do have a dog but I'm putting him in doggy day care every nanny day so he won't be an issue for anyone and she won't have to take care of him. We've been really informally interviewing, and during the interview had agreed to 10ph and four weeks holiday, all bank holidays etc... So we really loved 2 of the nannies and invited them back to meet our 2 children and see how they got on. (Though I know this could go badly just because children are unpredictable!)

So, we loved Nanny 1. She was so sweet, my youngest child really took to her (nearly 2, and very clingy to me) and she agreed to the money.... I wanted to offer her the job on the spot, but we had already arranged to see nanny 2 the next day.

So Nanny 2 arrives (after me raving about her to DH about her 10 years experience and how easy it was to chat to her) and it was completely awkward. Then she started on her demands... She wants her 4 weeks holiday and all bank holidays, but also Easter holidays and mid December until January 3rd... Paid. We need someone 4 days a week with Wednesday's off, this was specified a lot and mentioned in our profile, on the phone and at her first interview. Well, she doesn't want that. She's decided she wants Fridays off because she just loves to take long weekends. And if she 'liked the family enough' she would agree to their schedule but she doesn't feel she can at the moment - oh dear! She won't use her own car (although her profile says she will), and needs to authorise the car we want her to use, as we may not have considered it's safety for children. She also wants to be paid 45p a mile for local driving even though we would have to cover all car expenses. She reminds us how great she is, and how wonderful a nanny she would be... A lot. She tells us she's going straight off to another interview so we need to hurry if we want her.

Well, um, we don't anymore!

So Nanny 1... she's very young, she only has 8 months experience and her spelling etc on her cv was awful! But she was so so sweet and lovely and we really wanted to give her a chance because she was just so likeable. She already agreed to 10ph and 4 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas week so we called and offered her the job...

She comes back to us saying she's changed her mind. She wants £14ph. Minimum.

Fuck.

We really like her so we write a long message saying that my oldest will be at school all day, My youngest will start nursery next year and the following year full time school, so as a long term job it will get easier and easier, the children loved you, we loved you but financially we just can't do £14... We can look to review it in 6 months but for now we can only do 12ph but we've got to look at some finances.

She comes back to us saying that actually, even 12 - 14 wouldn't be enough.

Back to the drawing board.

It must be me?! What are we doing wrong? Is this ridiculously cheap for a nanny? Is 4 days a week weird? Is the 2 meeting process odd?

[areyoutheregoditsmemargaret]

You've only seen two nannies! From my nanny interviewing days, now - happily - over, I've had all sorts of ridiculous demands from candidates like can I bring my boyfriend to work, people showing me false passports, people desperately wanting the job then dropping out at the last moment
and giving ludicrous reasons or simply disappearing off the face of the earth (obviously they've found a better offer). I've employed Mary Poppinses who turned out to be witches and I've employed a handful who have been an absolute joy. You 'll get there. You have to kiss a lot of frogs that's all.

[foreverondiet]

I think need to interview a lot more than 2 people. Doesn't sound unreasonable; its 40 hours so basically full time, and £10 per hour net is fair although better to quote gross annual wage.

If you have space I would go for a live in, can find a slightly older au pair with experience, which would be fine for sole charge of a 2 year old, but best to structure it like a nannying arrangement, with employment contract and payslips. I would guess that £200 a week would be fair for an "au pair plus" with those hours and even with small room you'll have no trouble finding someone.

[grobagsforever]

Hi OP

I live in Surrey and have a nanny four days, Wednesdays off. She is also contracted to do five hours babysitting on top. She gets 11 pound per hour gross. She's fantastic, degree educated, OFSTED registered etc. I had loads of good applicants. So sounds like you've just been unlucky so far!

[PoohBearsHole]

patapouf you called me up on my nanny "sorting" her own taxes. As it happens she only works one day a week now (for me) and therefore I suspect falls under the threshold, however that is her business. Unlike many people I know that she does this "job" for me because she adores the DC and we treat her like family. I also don't pay her holidays, or when I am on holiday but we make up the days when it is school holidays so often she would be working a little more then. I would like to point out that these were her demands, I asked her if she'd be willing she came up with the sums! As I know her well you could think this was a cash in hand arrangement BUT it isn't, I just know this without having to go into it as it is her business not mine //smile

As I said, I fell on my feet with someone who is more family than not, schools emergency contact, treated ver well and treats us very well. it's a nice working environment I guess and I know she feels she is too old to go back to nursery work (she isn't she just thinks that some of them are super young so has not much in common with them //grin).

[PoohBearsHole]

shows how long it's been since I've been on here

[BooChunky]

I did interview more than two, I interviewed 5 but those two seemed the nicest and fit in with what we wanted and my youngest child seemed to take to them..

I'm lining up a few more for this weekend...

[Misty9]

I feel your pain op - we were looking for a part time nanny a while back and, after three nannies cancelling interviews due to illness, we gave up and opted for nursery care. But dd isn't settling well so looks like we'll be back to searching again soon.. :(

Good luck!

[0x530x610x750x630x79]

I am also searching for a nanny, but haven't had 1 applicant so far, glad we are sorted until September.

[Patapouf]

pooh Even if she falls under the threshold it still has to be declared, and as she's a nanny, not a childminder she is your employee not self employed. I'm afraid that makes it your responsibility so it is indeed a cash in hand situation after all.

Good luck interviewing OP!

[PoohBearsHole]

patapouf I refer to her as a "nanny" however she doesn't refer to herself as this. I know she pays tax on her income, therefore it isn't cash in hand - to go into further detail would be unfair as I am not her . It is all declared via an accountant and tax paid.

Regardless of my situation, £14p/h net for a non/newly experienced Nanny is a seemingly large amount when compared to other quoted nanny salaries.

OP I'm sure something will work itself out, if you opt for the uni nursery at least you would be onsite? Quite often work place nurseries etc are much better than chains or standalones, as it is in the company/uni interest to keep the employee/ students happy