Agencies, what to look out for/avoid

[rockybalboa]

After some helpful advice on here and doing some sums, it is apparent that a nanny will be the best option for the DCs after my mat leave next year. I've spoken to 3 local agencies, all of whom say much the same. There is some slight variation in the t&c's such a slight difference in fees and length of refund policy if nanny doesn't work out but I don't know how to choose between them. I don't know anyone locally with a nanny and MN Local hasn't come up with any recommendations/ones to avoid.

How do I decide which to use to find me a nanny? Or do I use several? Do nannies register with more than one agency generally?

Thank you! This is all a whole new world for me so any guidance is appreciated.

Non judgy question but why are you using an agency? If you have specific reasons then choose one which 100% does what you need them to.

Nannies do tend to register with lots of agencies and parents can go with more than one although that can get complex when 2 agencies send the same nanny to you. Some also charge a registration fee to parents to go on the books.

Bear in mind you'll need to interview and check referees yourself anyway, and if you use a payroll company they should help with a contract etc so there are teally very few advantages to agencies over sites like nannyjob or even MN local or netmums. Most nannies will look both via an agency and independently.

Use a local agency who knows the area so knows what commute distance is reasonable (if live out nanny).

Use an agency which understands your need to agree a gross salary.

Nannies in my view will register with a couple of agencies but not every one.

Nom, I have no idea why I'm using an agency other than I didn't know where else to start! How else do you find a nanny? Do nannies prefer not be recruited through an agency?

I'll have a look at nannyjob though, thank you.

To be honest as a nanny I don't find nanny agencies that great. The ones I have dealt with personally. If you rushed for time then yes an agency may be the best route. But if not advertise on childcare.co.uk gumtree (but be prepared for some useless responses) nannyjob greatcare. They are the main sites that nannies will look for a position. Agencies can charge up to a few thousand to recruit a nanny. Just to do your job that you could spend say £100 signing up to a few sites and advertise EVERYWHERE that an agency advertises. You shouldn't get sucked in thinking agencies will have the best of the best candidates and everything they do interviewing checking qualifications ringing references up could be done by you over for a example a two week period
Hope that helped.

We hired our live - in nanny through www.littleoneslondon.co.uk. They were really professional and attentive. We were looking for a bilingual nanny with at least 5 years of experience and qualifications who could also drive (not an easy thing to find ). They understood our requirements and sourced 3 great nannies to interview. Their standards for nannies are much higher than any other agencies we have used before.I highly recommend them.

I paid an agency £3k for a nanny who I had to fire after a week. I recruited her replacement of childcare.co.uk but it took me a very long time!