OMG I have had 80 replies in 48hrs to a nanny ad, how do I begin to sift through them?

[PPH]

This is completely mad. It is for a temp nanny job to cover my nanny's honeymoon. I have emails from over 80 people. I'd say on a first read through probably 60 of them would be absolutely fine, probably 10 would be great, probably 1 or 2 are super fantastic lovely perfect Mary Poppins types.
But I don't need superfantastic, I just need someone nice to have around and competant and fun and trustworthy for a couple of weeks. She won't even be in sole charge. How do I START to sift through them?

But then again if you can easily afford to pay more (and I think you can) than no harm in paying more. But I definately don't think you NEED to pay more to attract a qualified person to go with you.

If you cost-cut you'll still get the clueless ones who thought WOW when they looked at your ad, but you might lose the sensible ones who've got an idea of what they're getting into. £300 sounds reasonable - if you pay that then you can rely on her being ready to help out generally without watching the clock.

Can you send a standard-form email to the 20 best, saying you've got masses of responses and what can they specially offer? In your place (wish I were) I'd be trawling for special talents - swimming-teaching qualifications, let's say.

Oh mammy, you have picked out one comment and totally misjudged PPH. I am the slave driver on this boad. So deffinately NOT PPH. So, on her bahalf, I'm going to have to say back off.

GBP 300 is what a primary school teacher earns in a month in Slovakia, PPH!

Oh, good idea Bink. A swimmer with life saving skills would be a good idea.

Jeez..keep your hair on.. I was only asking!! Will slink away now... after you spit my head out of your mouth!

Because a Slovakian living in Slovakia has a SLIGHTLY different cost of living to an Australian renting a flat in London, and accordingly would consider a lower amount of money a fair wage.

I don't mind you calling me a skinflint but assuming that I'm a racist is a LITTLE out of line... I know, I'll call you a numbskull for your sad lack of knowledge of differing local economies and we can call it quits.

The hours would actually be sort of long, because we keep med. hours (so dinner at midnight sort of thing) - which I why I need a nanny, because the baby won't be up that late. and also because she also won't be sunning hersefl much on the beach at 5 months.

others are 8 5 and almost3

swimmer is good. all the aussies seem to have lifesaving certs. one is a tennis coach! but sadly no tennis court there so not much use

still slightly hanker after the slovenian gardening secret agent though

I didn't call you a racist but gracefully accept the title of numbskull for my sad lack of knowledge of differing local economies

Wotcha PPH.

We are onto our third Antipodean nanny, all wonderful. Our current nanny is an ex-NZ primary school teacher. I think an Aussie school teacher will be fabulous for the three older peaheads, but may find caring for a baby more tricky unless she happens to have some experience with babies. Another consideration is whether an Aussie teacher may fit more easily into your party as there will be fewer cultural or linguistic barriers.

Completely off topic, but there is something a little strange about sitting in a hotel room in central Tokyo worrying about PPH's holiday nanny for Greece.

What about a competely different prospect..like a youngish grandma who would love to spend a few weeks in Greece?

oh fgs arent here any super fit men ont he list pph?
get a hunk
job done

PPH, I just thought of something. If you hire someone from say Slovakia to work in Greece for three weeks, in which country have you employed her? Is she a UK employee? Or do you have to pay taxes in Greece? I wonder if she needs to travel with you to be considered a UK domestic employee. I really don't know the answer. But, I expect nannypaye or nannytax or whomever you use would know.

Another thing you might want to think about is if you want the nanny there to help with the kids in the airport and on the plane. If she meets you in Greece you obviously won't have that. But then Greece isn't a very long flight so maybe that's not important to you.

helloooooo issy! tokyo, hm? eat some kobe beef for me.

uwila, I'm afraid to say that I am not really going to bother about the tax side of things for a fortnight. I shall give whoever it is cash and they can do what they will with it, declare it or not. I am a model PAYE scheme owning citizen, but when it comes to 2 weeks in the sun and double tax treaties between slovenia and greece.... well, you see my point!

flight is a short one, I can manage that without help I think.

I think I'm going to look for an aussie primary school teacher with baby experience as the ideal. I've got about 10 to choose from but I'll see who knows the up of a baby from the down.

since I started this thread I've had 15 more replies - must be close to 100 responses now! Including 2 from India - I wonder if they have any idea how much the flight alone would cost from India

I'm in slight shock.

zippi, I've got a youngish grandma there already... my mother!

but she is staying in a different house and has other grandchildren around and a good social life etc etc

PPH - curious about the huge number of responses - where did you post the job?

that's a pity

PPH I'll come and do it LOL

So will I, I have just advertised my services for the summer hols as I am free from the 13/7 until the 5/9 and haven;t anything to do!

I need to raise £5000 for my Education in China tour next year, open to offers!

DS away, DD away, DH working!

My dear Great Aunt (sadly departed last year) used to do exactly the same thing. She'd have a holiday every year in Greece helping a family look after their kids. They didn't pay her but, being married to a skinflint with a mistress, she was glad of a few weeks away, all expenses paid. It was the highlight of her year. She was the height of discretion. Does your Mum have any friends that need a holiday?

Also my Canadia AP did the same thing last year - had 6 weeks in Greece, flight paid for and she was happy with minimal pocket money. She loved it and was glad of the paid break (and meeting the wonderful Greek people).

earlybird, on gumtree.

I'm up to about 115 responses. have been ruthless today, spent about an hour sending "thank you so much, sorry, no" responses to people and have still been left with a shortlist of about 25. need to do a second pass.

flights are v expensive (£500 ish) - making a slovakian on a train looking more and more appealing!

Face it, PPH, the job is just too good. Everyone want to work for you. 25 is managable. Good luck with sifting through them. And have alovely time in Greece. It sounds like a great holiday.

Just had a thought. My old Canadian AP is now a Nanny looking after a 10 month old and would fit your criteria exactly. Her family had a week in Greece last week but didn't take her so she was at a lose end for the week. Roughly when do you need someone? I can highly recommend her. And 2 weeks in beautiful Greece would be right up her street.

Are you charging commission, MrsR?

very sad you didn't want me..I'm cheap