To ask as a parent....

[NurseryNurse10]

Does any of the following put you off a nanny or babysitter?

1. Them being older (35 plus)
2. Very ugly

I'm highly qualified and experienced but never get any of the nanny/babysitting jobs I go for on the bubble childcare or sitters app. I've even put my rates right down to minimum wage. Still nothing. I don't want to go through an agency and not looking for a permanent nanny role at the moment. It's really disheartening.

I didn't have a nanny but I would have thought being over 35 would be more of an advantage than a disadvantage, you know more mature, experienced etc?

Looks certainly wouldn't be a factor in any decision to do with childcare for me

None of that would put me off (unless looks wise teeth were missing?)
If anything those things may well be a positive tbh.

Teeth still in place, none missing.

We are looking for a childminder atm and I’m more inclined towards older ladies. And I think looks count but more in a: does this person look presentable and pleasant kind of way. More interested in the bio than much else! (Most qualifications seem similar or mean nothing to me.)

Mrs Doubtfire was wonderful though.

I’d prefer someone older.

Older is better and I don't care about looks at all. Can you post your profile so people can suggest how to improve it?

My childminder is 42 and she's very pretty tbh but that's not why we choose her, she's absolutely amazing with my son and was knowledgeable and experienced and I knew my son would be safe with her - surely that's all that matters.

To be honest, the fact that someone would think that being over 35 or not being especially attractive would be reasons that decent people wouldn't hire someone, would be a reason for me not to want to hire that person.

I'm just thinking that this could be the only reason why I am not being picked to do jobs.
My profile is just the preguided tick boxes that you do and I always send a friendly and polite note beforehand. It is as I say really disheartening. Put so much effort in to get no results.

We used to use 'Sitters' for babysitters- no photos on there so I wouldn't have had a clue what people looked like. Most of the sitters we had through it were in their 50s or 60s.

Would increasing your wages help? Perhaps parents are wondering why you're charging so less? Looks don't matter for a nanny and I would've thought age over 35 would count as being experienced.

Agree with PP. minimum wage would put me off hiring a nanny as I’d thing that the person doesn’t have enough experience. Ugly/not ugly wouldn’t matter. Older preferred

@NurseryNurse10 have you written a bio? When I look for childcare I like those who write bios about why they love their job and what they do say to day with children etc rather than the
’ I have 10 years experience in childcare’ sort of bios. I look for something personal. And as far as looks go I’d just look for someone who looks happy/kind in the photo.

Absolutely not! Being older is a massive advantage, I don’t hire very young nannies. I use these apps, some tips:
-describe your experience with children (ages/sex/activities/responsibilities etc)
-what you like doing with children
-hours/times available
-other relevant skills (cooking/driving/playing instruments etc)

use a decent professional photo, it’s not a dating app! Don’t use your tinder pic. Be clean, well kept (no funky hair colours or visible tattoos). Send friendly and prompt replies to parents. Maybe share your profile in private and we can help?
I wouldn’t hire a smoker or someone not Covid vaccinated. Also most people need a driver unless you live in Central London.

Looks don't matter to me either I look at experience and in fact look at over 35 but under 50 only because I have a energetic child and would need someone to be able to keep up and physically pick my little boy up if he throws himself on the floor mid tantrum or scoop him out of harms way when out and about.

Do you have any childcare qualifications or infant first aid? Also good to add to your profile. Koru Kids has lovely profiles of nannies, maybe read a few for inspiration.

I'd put your rate up. If I was looking for this service I wouldn't go for the cheapest.

I will try putting my rates up. I assumed I would be in competition with the local teens who charge much less and that a parent would rather go for that option especially if just babysitting

Yes, lots of qualifications, experience, and clean enhanced DBS which I always make clear to parents.

No, not at all! Age would be a bonus actually.

And looks wouldn’t be a factor, if anyone actually thought you were ‘ugly’. You sound very hard/down on yourself. ❤

our childminder is mid 50s! she's an ex nursery manager, extremely experienced and brilliant with our DS. I wouldn't judge a childminder on looks other than were they clean/presentable.

Are you smiling in your picture? I think
that could make a big difference if not. I would be put off by someone who looked grumpy / unapproachable

In my area experienced nannies are £15 ph, even teenagers are charging at least £10. Don’t undersell yourself.