As a nanny getting a job through an agency, you don't work for the agency. In the same way that a parent who uses an agency to find a nanny does not work for the agency.
Us nannies - me included - recommend things all the time. We however are doing so as service users, not as owners of the company, or working in a management position in the company. We also don't pretend to be parents who are happy with the service (yet work for the company providing the service). We don't have financial gain by recommending a particular service.
As nannies we may do evening babysitting and thus mention that. I know in the past people have complained about me doing that. Thus these days that sort of thing tends to go on one particular message thread.
The boards are policed by it's users... we all play a part in keeping things in line. You may not agree with me but I feel that over the past couple of days, some individuals have been posting on the site recommending agencies which they in fact run themselves. They haven't just said - hey I can help provide a nanny/babysitter in that area - instead they have pretended to be a parent recommending the agency, which I feel (rightly or wrongly) is against the community spirit.
If agencies took more of an active part on the boards, contributing to discussions, then we would get to know them, get to value them as members. Just posting the occasional advert isn't helpful, in my view.
microserf, sorry for adding to the thread you started. Given the attitude of the staff at your toddler's nursery I can quite see why you will not be using them. Having a babysitter who already knows your child is useful but you don't want to start getting involved in nursery politics. Asking for recommendations of agencies is fine, however this is a public board and anyone can post, so unfortunately agencies themselves will sometimes post on here pretending to be a parent. That I believe has been happening (MumsnetHQ have been informed, so their posts may or may not depending on MumsnetHQ's decision be removed). I expect that the last thing you want is for someone on here to recommend a particular agency and then later on for you to find out that the person actually ran that agency. It's not really a useful recommendation then is it?
Given that Mumsnet currently has Childcare.co.uk advertising, how about using that service to find a local childcarer who could babysit for you. By using the same person each time, your children can get to know them. You can also arrange to meet them before going out for the first time. You don't need to use an agency, you just need to meet the right person who you are happy to care for your children and your home.