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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

need some advice nannys or mums

4 replies

nanny23 · 17/02/2011 10:05

Ive been searching for a nanny position from say november but yet nothing permanent has to come up. Im starting to feel a bit disheartent and not sure if i should give up all together and just find another career to focus on. Ive been in childcare for over 6 years now working with a range of ages from new born up to primary school age, but yet will post ads send my cv but yet not much has come out of it. Dont know if im looking on the wrong sites or what it may be.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
NannyTreeSally · 17/02/2011 10:13

Don't be disheartened! It would be such a shame to waste your experience! We're finding that there are more jobs than great nannies out there at the moment (in London and the south east).

Send me a message - I might be able to help :)

nannynick · 17/02/2011 10:29

Email me your cv if you would like me to have a look at it and suggest ways to improve it. Make sure it is a cv customised as if applying for a full-time nanny job, say with children aged 3mths to 6yrs old.
Use my spam filtered address [email protected] OpenOffice or PDF format preferred.

ChelseaNannyTree · 17/02/2011 10:30

Don't worry!! You're well experienced and that alone will get you noticed... There are a number of sites and agencies you can use to find work - and at the moment there are so many more jobs than fantastic Nannies!!

Firstly, take a look at your C.V - Is it up to scratch? Try rewriting it from a new perspective, you might find that it puts you in a different light which might give you the edge over another Nanny who applies.

I've found emailing a photo of yourself with your C.V is a nice way for families to know who they will be interviewing before you come along - send a photo where you are well presented and ideally with a little one!

Think about your interview technique - do you address the children first when you go into an interview or the adults? Do you play with the children whilst talking to their parents/Take an interest in what they are doing or their games? If you are offered coffee or tea, do you make a point of making sure it's out of reach of little hands? Do you ask plenty of questions and pick up on any open opportunities to offer friendly advice... Think about the little things which are noticed by parents and will put you in a good light.

When putting out ad's, try and give as much information about you as your interests in relation to the position as possible... are you fun? do you like reading? enjoy singing? love music or baby groups? Like messy play such as painting and craft? - link your interests to how each one can help with sensory/social/educational developments of their children to show you are considering their development and not just their care.

It's all easy things but I have seen some Nannies put:

"Hi I'm Esmeralda, I have been a Nanny for 6years and I am looking for a full time position in Sussex. Please contact me."

No information on interests, qualifications, CRB/First Aid, references! Madness!!

Think from a Mum's perspective and make sure you include all the things relevant to you that you would want from your Nanny!!

Chelsea :) x

SnapFrakkleAndPop · 17/02/2011 12:54

You say you've worked in childcare - is that as a nanny? Do you have relevant qualifications etc?

The market is tough at the moment and even experienced nannies are struggling to find work.

Where are you looking for work - gumtree, nannyjob etc? Are you applying to jobs which fit your profile? Are you limiting yourself unnecessarily by area/age of children etc? Are you registered with agencies? Is your ad giving enough relevant information or are you perhaps giving not enough/too much? Try experimenting with different formats.

Are your CV and ads written in correct English, checked for spelling and grammar? Those are the first impressions parents have so it doesn't look good if you can't be bothered to spellcheck! Are you personalising your responses to ads and highlighting relevant experience or are you just sending a message saying you're interested and attaching your CV?

I see nicks already offered CV help so I won't!

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