Dorridge, Solihull and need advice as to where/how to find a nanny/ housekeeper

[jbakedbean]

Afternoon Mumsnetters,

I have recently moved to Dorridge, Solihull and as I work long hours and so does my partner it is critical that I find some flexible childcare and home help very fast. I wondered if people knew the best places to advertise, or search? Any advice greatly appreciated. I have been told it might suit teaching assistants, or nursery workers as the hours are outside the standard school hours, but where and how do I reach out to them?

Urgently need to find the right person to start first week in May. How do I screen, should I only consider people with qualifications and a crb check? I just don't know where to start. Is it even possible to find someone happy to do the nursery runs, child care and housekeeping?

Please help,

with thanks

I can't think of an answer but wanted to say hello as I grew up in Dorridge.

I worked in Hockley Heath as a nanny for five years. I got that job through The Lady magazine, although I don't think jobs are advertised in there as much.

Try gumtree, being really specific about what you want, and then can weed people out really quickly. There are also quite a few sixth forms and colleges in Solihull and Stratford, so advertise there for students just finishing Childcare training.

If children are in nursery currently, you could try asking staff if they have any friends interested. Try and give them a printed out job description as they can then give it to someone else.

The family I nannied for are at St Martins - it might be worth contacting there, Solihull School etc and seeing if they have a job board for 6th form students. That way, teachers and nursery staff may see it too. The library is good as well for job adverts

HTH

What's your current childcare setup? How old are your DC?

For a nanny as time is short us be inclined to contact an agency. The only one I knew of there has closed but Tinies have a branch and the larger London agencies will have an out of London desk.

You can also put up ads yourself either locally or on the Internet - Gumtree as mentioned, your netmums local childcare board, MN local and nannyjob would be good starts.

I would only accept people with a CRB in place and relatively recent. Qualifications are for you to decide, it depends what you need them to do but qualified nannies are often less keen on housekeeping. First Aid certificate and liability insurance would be musts for me.

Do you plan to use vouchers or any other kind of help for which you'll need registered childcare? If so you'll need someone OFSTED registered.

I'm a nanny in the Midlands, for me the best place to find work is Childcare.co.uk, Tinies and Tigerlily.

Be honest with your ad, state exactly what you are looking for and expect. Look for nannies with qualifications, experience, up to date 1st aid and has been CRB checked.

Good luck!

Thank you, I'm trying childcare and gum tree. My children are 2.5yrs and 4yrs, both full time at nursery, but i try to take 2 afternoons a week off to be with them but book the nursery just in case as my work is unpredictable and very demanding.

A friend suggested the lady but I don't think it has the same readership as it used to.

Jbakedbean, i live in dorridge n just recently advertised n found a nanny - i used childcare.co.uk, nanny job, and gumtree. It is quite a strange childcare market though, compared to what i was used to before (used to live in the south-east. If u want to PM me, i am happy to have a chat if u like, there were 1-2 nannies that i interviewed who are still looking for jobs, ( i only needed a temp nanny). am happy to put you in touch with them if that helps.

Hi jbakedbean

I have a friend who works in childcare and lives in your area, I don't think she would be suitable as she has 2 children of her own but she knows lots of people so PM me if you like and I can put you in touch.

I agree with PP it is a totally different market compared to where I am in South East and there are fewer nannies

Windy

Thank you for your messages, I'm not sure how to pm though on this?