Would I get more / better nanny applicants via an agency?

[DollyDaisy]

I have recently advertised a Nanny position on nannyjob.co.uk and was slightly surprised by the response considering everything I'm hearing about how many nannies are out there looking for work. I did a bit of groundwork first and am confident that the role is attractive in terms of scope and pay. I received about 15 replies but having done some very basic sifting, only about 4 matched my requirements.

Is this good or should I be expecting to hear from more applicants. Do a lot of nannies only ever apply for roles via agencies? Or is is just too soon to be advertising (the position would start in January).

We are not against using a specialist nanny agency, but didn't think they offered an awful lot for over £1000 and so we decide to go it alone. Should we reconsider?

Thanks in advance

Well that depends whether nannies view your job as attractive. Could you give us a link or put the wording with personal details excluded on here?

You should in theory get better results from an agency but worth another stab at self-recruitment first.

4 who meet requirements I feel is quite good. Surprised a bit that you got 11 replies from people who didn't meet requirement, though maybe they are close to meeting it so throught it worth a try.

An agency I would have expected to put forward 2 maybe 3 candidates who met your requirement, or maybe only 1 if they only have 1 that meets your requirements.

You seem to be expecting a lot of nannies to meet your requirements - is that the case? What are your requirements?

Currently you have 4 possibles, so decide if they are worth interviewing and start that process.

January is not far off. I would start looking for a job some 5-6 months prior. Think my current job was all sorted out before end of April and didn't start til mid July (it was a few years ago now) - so 2+ months of time between agreeing the job to actually starting.

Thanks for your comments so far. I am definitely confident that the role is an attractive one as have road-tested with some agencies and a couple of nannies of friends (just to check ad OK.....not to poach obviously!)

The key reasons for eliminating the others so far are

1. no / limited experience of nannying (an essential for me)
2. wanting to bring their own children with them to work
3. Living over 40 mins drive from us

I guess I'm just really wanting to know if I'm missing out on some good candidates because they will only look for work through agencies?? I did wonder if some nannies would be suspicious of parents advertising themselves....i.e might think I'm a bit of a tight-wad!!!

Maybe widen search onto other sites too? Netmums , gumtree or have you looked on nannies looking for work here?

Also sounds like it may be your requirements that limiting (not saying that isn't unreasonable to have those expectations just that Its obviously going to limit the pool of candidates)

As a nanny I use a couple of agencies and look online. So I'm not sure you would miss the good people, as I would expect they would be looking at nannyjob as well as being with an agency.

I agree with Nick ,when I am looking for a new job I look everywhere, from the local paper and on line at nannyjob ,gumtree and on mumsnet and agency websites as well as registering with local agencies .

Not sure why (if?) living 40 mins drive away is a problem. I did this commute for two years for a nanny job without any issues.

I've always had much more success on gumtree than nannyjob, although some candidates did reply on both. All three of my nannies I've found through gumtree and they've all been excellent. Although when I last advertised in August I did get less good candidates than I've previously had.
I would exclude on those criteria too.
You do need to be really, really specific on gumtree though.

I am currently looking for a nanny position and I check nannyjob, gumtree, netmums and best bear.

If I don't think the position is for me then I don't apply. I have been a nanny for 25 years and I have found positions in The Lady, the local paper, nanny job and through agencies, I wouldn't think you were a "tight-wad" for doing it yourself! I register with agencies just to make sure I get a wide range of positions put to me but I do think SOME of them do not do what they are paid for and that parents could do the same for free (or a little checking)

I would think that interviewing the four you have should be enough, but if you find that you don't click with any of them, carry on looking. Or if you need someone sooner, repost your advert to see who else comes up. Try Gumtree, net mums, childcare.co.uk (although I don't check there as I find it too labourious to go through!) I know that you have to pay for these sites but it's much less than an agency.

Good luck, I hope you find a wonderful nanny for your child/ren!

i prefer to find work privately than through agencies. As a nanny i find agencies post very attractive jobs to 'bait' nannies to register, then 'oh no, the job you applied for has been filled, we will be in touch if we get more jobs in' pfft.
My first job i found privately on Nannyjob, i stayed for 20 months
my second job(part time job), i found on netmums and still work with them
my nanny share, i found on gumtree/ nannyshare.com, and i still work with these families

Good luck in your search!

i look everywhere when job searching

i personally wouldnt drive 40mins to work, but know several nannies who do - no dount you have an hours commute if by train to work, so why shouldnt a nanny commute

yes on top of a 11hr days - it makes it to a 12/13 hr one but sureky that is the nannies choice

can you link the ad?

and we can give you years of experience