What's the best way to find a nanny?

[no1fan]

I am looking for a nanny for 3 days per week. I have tried a couple of agencies but they seem to have a tiny selection of suitable candidates who don't seem to be any different to the usual gumtree candidates. They are fine but I don't seem to get any responses from "professional" nannies: people who have trained and have genuinely chosen nannying as a career, rather than a convenience. Might this be because the post is only part-time?

I had a tough time finding a 3 day nanny too. I think it's part time that's an issue, because you are holding out for a 'professional nanny' who is either; working for someone else for 2 days, studying part time, a mum herself, or has no financial incentive to need a full time job.

It's taken me ages but think I've finally struck gold. It was via gumtree but I had to work my way through hundreds (literally) of unsuitable candidates first.

In the unlikely event that you are in the Herts/Beds area I know a fabulous nanny who is looking for a 3 day a week post (mon-weds). She looks after my ds2 one morning a week so I can vouch for her if need be.

What's the best way to find a nanny? What ever way works - there is no best way.

Professional nannies will in my view register with an agency, so it could be that you have just chosen the wrong agencies... or that all the great people at the moment have jobs.

Part-time can be part of the issue, though several of us MNPNs' (Mumsnet Professional Nannies) have 4-day a week jobs... which to some would mean part-time as they are not 5 day jobs.

Is adding another day a possibility? Could give you a day to do what you like... though it will cost a lot. 4-day a week job could well appeal to a professional nanny, whereas 3 days may be harder to fill.

Have you tried an advert on NannyJob? Won't get as many replies - may not get any... but may be worth a try to get someone suitable.

gumtree was OK for me, but there's a lot of sifting to be done. Do phone interviews first as a way of filtering, and make sure there are some good questions that will allow you to pick what you need.

My nanny is trained for another childcare career including responsibility, with similar-ish aged kids, and I thought her skills were transferable (and they have been, though there was a learning curve).

Good luck anyway..