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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Nanny references

18 replies

matilde · 15/08/2006 12:21

Anyone employed nanny without references? Really liked the person but she only has temp experience and reference from agency only. Has NNEB qualification and CRB check though

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Uwila · 15/08/2006 12:39

Absofrickenlitely no bloomin way! If I can't TALK to a former emplyer than forget it, even if I have to get a translator to find out what they said.

Original poster

matilde · 15/08/2006 13:04

I know, I know...even as I typed it i knew it sounded ridiculous! She's worked in a nursery before and then has done temp work for a few months

OP posts:

elliott · 15/08/2006 13:06

Should be easy to get a reference, what's the problem?
Though I must admit although I ahve religiously talked to at least two referees from anyone I was considering, in honesty, I am not sure that it told me anything very useful.

Uwila · 15/08/2006 13:07

So, do you have the nursery recommendation? Have you spoken to the person whote wrote it? What is the position you are offering? Fulltime? Line-in? Your kids ages?

Original poster

matilde · 15/08/2006 13:08

Am going through an agency and they have done some verbal checks although was not childcare related. I want childcare related ones

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Uwila · 15/08/2006 13:08

Eh? You are going to pay an agency fee for someone with no references? Think I smell a dead fish.

Uwila · 15/08/2006 13:09

wheelsonthebus · 15/08/2006 13:09

we got references for a temp nanny and when i took them up, one of the referees complained about her (lazy, bad time keeping etc) and the other referee didn't exist! needless to say, we didn't employ her tho the agency said they rated her highly

elliott · 15/08/2006 13:10

So, you just ask her for names and numbers of people you can talk to who she has worked for in a childcare capacity.
I used an agency, maybe it was a different set up, but once they had identified someone I did the interviewing and taking up referencese myself.

Original poster

matilde · 15/08/2006 13:21

am in process of getting nursery reference. it's a part time positiong and try as i might through gumtree, my own adverts or nannyjob or anything else, haven't found anyone who could fit into my hours as it's from lunchtime.

OP posts:

annh · 15/08/2006 14:07

It would be a big NO in my book. If she has worked in a nursery, surely they should be able to provide a reference? Or why not any of the temp positions - even if it was for a week?

jura · 15/08/2006 18:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MatNanPlus · 15/08/2006 18:57

I'm a temp nanny and maternity nanny and have a letter or a card from many of my employers, some of which i only did a day there.

She should be able to give you names.

Very suspious(?) otherwise.

Ladymuck · 15/08/2006 19:09

Agree with Uwila - you shoudl be able to phone the nursery and talk to someone. Not sure if I have written references for my current nanny but i defintiely spoke with 3 previous employers. Tell the agency to get itself sorted - very poor performance to be frank.

Personally I think that the CRB check is useless - how do you know she has given the correct info in the first place.

Hamandcheese · 15/08/2006 20:04

I employed a first-time nanny, and followed up refs from her nursery position (telephone) and her college tutor (phone and email), plus the family she did a college placement and subsequent babysitting for (phone). Other first-time nannies I interviewed had refs from their placement families and / or people they babysat for. It should be possible to get refs for this person.
I found agencies more or less useless at taking up / checking refs. Found agencies pretty useless at anything.

Original poster

matilde · 15/08/2006 20:33

Thanks everyone - have refs coming through now from past employers and have appointments set up to speak to couple later in the week. Happier!

OP posts:

madchad · 18/08/2006 16:30

Matilde, our nanny was the same-had scant references as she was inexperienced but was qualified. We spoke to her college tutor and placement family, whio spoke really highly of her
She is absolutely A1.They all have to start somewhare. I am at home at present so have hada c hance to see her first hand, plus there is no real sole charge at first.
The previous one had glowing references and experience, and qualifications, but really didn't suit our family (read into that what you will) and she was, shall we say kindly, less than 'accurate' with expenses.
I would also say beware of the prewritten references-she had them and I'd dispute the accuracy of several assertions.

WishICouldGiveUpWork · 18/08/2006 16:48

I did the same as Hamandcheese and personally wouldn't take any written reference as gospel.
I ALWAYS speak to previous employers and ask very pointed questions.
I had a temp nanny for 4 weeks and must have had a dozen calls from prospective employers and agencies since and am always happy to give a verbal reference.
I am with Uwila wrt agencies (grrr)

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