Parents who use nannies can I ask some questions please?

[NickNacks]

Do you all look for/prefer a younger nanny with no children?

What qualities would encourage you to choose an older candidate (35+) who has not been a nanny before?

Would someone with their own dependants be a negative?

Do you like a nanny to take over the decisions of the day (activites, lunch, routine etc) or do you like to dictate the day? (Badly worded but hopefully you know what I mean!)

I might be back with some more but thank you for any answers!

Given that we have a nanny because we need a live in then I'm afraid yes we want someone younger with no dependants.

But if we didn't then as long as the nanny was priced to reflect experience/qualifications then I might think that an older nanny, possibly a parent themselves despite the lack of nannying experience, would be an excellent candidate.

I still quite like to dictate the day certainly in terms of meals (I try to meal plan) and scheduled activities.

I'm not going to dictate whether you go see the ducks or play on the swings, or whether you will do painting or sticking!

Qualities that would make me choose someone like that are exactly the same as choosing any other nanny - Are they happy with the package? Do we get on? Do we have the same views on childcare? Do they seem interested and enthusiastic? Does DS like them?

Don't mind nannies age or if they have children but I would expect them to make their own childcare arrangements for their children as the job I would offer would be sole charge of my children.

I would go for an older candidate if they could do what I would like from a nanny - be very reliable and good at timekeeping, be interested in children and have good ideas for activities, be willing to work physically in running around after children and actively play with them, be able to cook healthy food, be sensible in an emergency, have first aid training.

Someone with their own dependants would not be a negative so long as the nanny could commit to the hours of the job.

I like to set out routine but like a nanny to decide on individual activities, like frak says above really.

Not so bothered about age but at the moment a nanny with a good record on attendance likely to appeal more (dd is pre school age and dd2 due Thursday) so am not really keen on anything that would involve nwoc or where kids may appear in holidays etc. that said I can see how would relax on this if kids were older and it was more around wrap around care with school.
Over 35 would depend on what candidates experience was (eg nursery teacher own kids) and their attitude but wouldn't rule it out- interviewed someone like this for position before.

Day to day -I set parameters (eg we discuss broadly what menu should be and I buy with direction from nanny), I also decide on what activities but nanny confirms if ok with timing/location. Generally tho nanny arranges day (eg playdates) but keeps a diary and discusses what is going on with me (I can only think of one occasion where I disagreed with her choice of activity).

Thank you all very much.

I'm currently childminding but I imagine when my youngest starts school I will be ready to get my house back.

I'll have had 12 yrs of being a mum and 8 yrs childminding so thought that might be enough experience even though never been a nanny.

If it helps nicknack your sort of experience would certainly not put me off offering an interview . The cm piece ESP is really valuable (ie you know about organizing a day, first aid, handling kids and appreciate some of parents concerns eg holiday cover , being on time , sick care etc)

We have a young nanny, no dependants. Almost went for one with a child who was older but didn't. I'm a bit more of a control freak than I realised and wanted to dictate quite a lot of DS's day. This worked better with a young inexperienced nanny who didn't have any set ways etc. As DS is older I'm a little more relaxed but still want him to have structure etc.

A nanny transitioning from CMing would be a positive for me. I can totally understand why you'd want your house back but I would view that experience as very valuable.

Thank you, feeling much more positive now!