To wonder if nannies are more a "London" thing?

[jessica29054]

Nannies are often suggested on here as childcare but I don't even know one person with a nanny for their children and I live in the frozen north :) It's childminder or nursery here.

So I am idly wondering if nannies are more of a London/south east thing?

I wouldn't mind a nanny for DC (9 months) but I really don't think it's a 'thang' in these 'ere parts!

Not rural particularly, no (Warrington.)

It's entirely possible I just haven't noticed any.

My/our circle is insurance and doctors and teachers and nurses and people with their own businesses so a range.

It could be I've just never noticed nanny agencies, in the same way you often don't notice things until you need them!

I'm from the North, but lived in the South for 20 years, having a nanny for 6 years. My observation comparing my friends in The North with the SE is that the commute that most people in London/SE have makes a big difference. With the length and unpredictability of my commute, using a nursery or a childminder was not a practical solution, whereas the majority of my friends in the north had far shorter journeys, less bound by public transport, meaning that nursery/cm was an option.

Also, without generalizing too much, more of my friends outside London/SE are geographically closer to grandparents, not necessarily for full time childcare, but with the ability to do school runs, look after poorly children, step in when the CM is on holiday etc.

Most nanny agencies are run by previous nannies from their homes or a small office in a large building. Most of the agencies I have been to don't have signs outside. Including a lot of the London agencies, maybe a small sign on the entry system.

You wouldn't 'notice' a nanny agency - TBH I'm not sure if nowadays they'd tend to have much physical presence. I honestly can't remember how we found the one which came up with our gem of a nanny - might have been internet but back then could have been Yellow Pages.

a google for 'nanny agency warrington' will reveal some to you.

relatively low income part of southern town here: the common options childminders, relatives or two parents working in shifts

nannies and nurseries are both beyond most people's budgets