HELP ME CHOOSE A NANNY!

[balancingact]

Hi Everyone,
Advice needed....looking at hiring a new nanny as current one has given notice...there is 2 really in the running so far (am meeting two more tomorrow but thought i'd get some initial thoughts now)....the position is live-in, sole charge
Nanny 1. Really liked her - warmed to her immediately. Currently looking after 2 kids same age as mine. Does not have NNEB but did degree in Childhood studies and has CRB check and current first aid. She looks like she's going to be quite flexible and fun. However, she will only be taking her driver's exam first week of Sept - she looks to be pretty confident. I need her to drive my eldest to nursery - we live in london - it is a short drive - like 5-10 mins - but even if she were to pass, i'm not sure how worried i should be.... Anyway, apart from that, i really liked her, added bonus that i found her on my own so no agency fees.
Nanny 2. NNEB, driver, and seems to be very qualified and unflappable. i didn't warm to her as instantly as i did with nanny #1 but i did warm to her a bit more as the conversation continued. She seemed a bit more introverted - like when i asked her if she had any questions for me, she said not really. She has good references, one was with a family of nearly 6 years. She will probably be more expensive than nanny #1 by about £30-40 per week (net,so probably £60-70 after taxes and NI), and also i will have to pay nearly £2000 in agency fees as she was put forward by an agency. I'm trying not to make money the biggest issue, but i would like to see views of other mums re nanny #1. or if you would ignore her completely as she will be a new-ish driver.

Sorry to ramble, doing my head in!

I would go with nanny one. The new driver thing is a bit of a worry -- but only a bit. The fact that you warmed to her straight away is a much bigger plus than new driver is a negative. But, you might want to ring your insurance and find out how much a new driver costs before you chalk her up as being more economical.

Also, I would not be very keen on someone who didn't have any questions. I remember when I was interviewing our current nanny and when we got round to talking references she said "right, can I have some references on you from your former nannies". My first reactions was you want what? But, then I thought this girl is on ball. She is coming to a new country to live with people she has never met and of course she wants to know what we are like. So.... a nanny who doesn't have any questions is: 1- not really interested. 2- so desperate for a job she'll take anything 3- nervous. Of course is she's nervous it's understandable. But,I personally, much prefer the cheery confident type of nanny.

Oh, and we all know what I think of agencies. £2000?!?! Blimey!

Thanks for your responses and I'm relieved i'm not mad for considering nanny 1. (I was worried i would have other mums tut-tut-ing saying, i can't believe you would consider a new driver etc!) if you don't mind, i'll keep you posted with the other 2 nannies i am seeing tomorrow - both agency girls - gad, i can't believe how much they charge for emailing me a CV! (well, i know they do more than that, but my word they are expensive!)

Of course we don't mind! We are here to help (especially since work is currently about as exciting as watching paint dry)

Hiya Jura

Jura made a good point. If you live in London, why is it necessary to drive to get to school? I have a 3 and 1 year old. And, come October, nanny will be taking the 3 yr old to preschool on the bus with 1 year old in tow.

Hi,

As a nanny myself I would not advice you to hire a nanny that has just started to drive. Clapham is a very busy area to drive in. I remember when I first passed my test in London years ago I was very nervous in busy areas for months after passing my test. Add a couple of screaming children in the back and the stresslevel would be very high. But I do understand that the agencyfees are terribly high and that you want to avoid them. Have you tried to place an add on www.nannyjob.co.uk. Good luck in your search!

Lene.

Lene, thanks for the feedback. Your concern was essentially what i was thinking about. I suppose i won't know for sure unless a) she's passed the test, and b) see how she drives.
Uwile and Jura, i know , i know, am v. dumb....i actually put her in a nursery that is not walking distance as it is where her v. good friend goes and she's v. happy there. The bus is not THAT convenient and given coming rain and winter months, i didn't want the two kids - one of which is 6 months to be in tow.
Am just praying one of the two candidates tomorrow is like nanny 1, in that i immediately warm to them, as both of them are already drivers.
ARGH!

Oh btw, do any of you have any say on how your nannies keep their quarters? i.e is it the case as it is their room it doesn't matter if it's a complete pig sty? please let me know what is reasonable to expect.....

errrr.....can i poach your nanny jura
Seriously, does she have any friends like her?

Well, funy you should ask about the room. It gets to be something of a pigsty actually. When I see dishes with dried on food stacked, I say something. For the most part I don't mind. It's her room and she can live as she wishes. But, when health and safety come into, then it's a bit much.

My nanny actually prefers not to drive, which is very lucky for me since it means I won't have to rob a bank to pay for a new car. My 3 year old possitively loves taking the bus. In fact when we go to kingston for shopping on the weekends she often tries to persuade me not to go in the car.

This is a big generalisation, but I have noticed from reading comments on here most people seem to say good things about Kiwis and Canadian. They seem willing to sort of muck in wherever necessary. I'm sure other nationalities are lovely as well. But these two stand out in my mind. My nanny is Canadian.

Also, if you do want a driver for sure, then you might might shop the nationalities who are already accustomed to dringing on the wrong (oh I mena left) side of the road.

Thanks Guys.
I have 2 girls coming today - one is Australian and the other is English. Both drivers. The written references of the English nanny is particularly excellent. Very good and creative in entertaining toddlers with lots of role playing etc etc. Oh lordy, please let them one of them be THE ONE. This is harder than finding a husband!

Yes, dirty dishes in the bedroom, know what you mean!

Just to say that I go with Uwila and Jura... don't dismiss Nanny 1 at this stage. However the driving situation could be a problem, but if she's local then she will have been learning to drive in London, so with luck would be used to London traffic. Is she local?

Let us know how the other two interviews go, see if you like either of those better, or the same, as Nanny1.

ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Right, 2 interviews today.
Nanny 3 - Aussie - seemed nice, will be flexible, - has had experience of sole charge positions in australia - a bit more limited here. Last position only lasted 7 mos - as she had to go home to a wedding - and then family only needed her for another month so she decided to pass. Written reference from mum is pretty good - but will call to make sure all ok. Driver. She's in the final, girls, assuming the references hold up. Very minor point - the accent was quite heavy, but i'll get over it.
Nanny 4 - lovely English girl, she had quite a mary poppins look about her, but the written references were all quite strong (to be verified on the phone by me, of course). Driver too. Only snag with her is when i asked her salary expectation, she said 300-350 net pw. Blimey, that's in the much higher end of what we were thinking (thinking 270-300). She told agency she really liked us, told agency to ask if any flex in the money bit.
Nanny 1 - still not dismissing her and believe waiting for our next move. Girls, she learned to drive in Jersey. I've never been there, but i suspect it's less busy than clapham. Husband says if i don't find anyone i click better with, then we'll just give her extra driving tuition.
Nanny 2 - informed agency that maybe we won't be right for her (this was going to be her first nannying job in london and i suspect she wanted a country job - or maybe i was really unknowingly horrible?)

I have a migraine now. That's it, am just calling a vote now.

Nanny 1. The whole "clicked" feeling weighs heabily in her favor.

Also, I would definately bring salary cost into the equation. Look at the cost difference (and I mean total cost to you, not just net wage difference) over a year. If it is considerable, you could put the money into extra driving tuition.

My current nanny had no formal nanny experience before us. She has a degree in childcare, worked in a nursery in Canada, and had been an au pair for a year before coming to us. So, I figured that covered both the childcare and the living-in experience. She has been fab. I think that a good nanny is more dependant on the nanny's personality than it is in her training/experience. Some people just really love being nannies even if they haven't got boatloads of credentials and experience.

However, I would not hire anyone with no experience at all. They must have some. But, do pay attention to your gut feeling.

I've just been to Jersey - top speed anywhere is 40 mph and only one dual carriageway - but St Helier has the most complicated one way system I've ever seen, so she's probably good at spotting traffic signs & making quick decisions about where the hell to go next!

I'd always go for the one you feel most comfortable with. Nannies become a big part of the family and you need to get on with them.

The new driver thing wouldn't worry me - at elast you know her skills are right up to date! some people who passed their test 10/15 years ago are REALLY dangerous!

I would go for Nanny 1. As others have said, gut feeling plus how well you got on at interview are key points. As Uwila said, you can always offer extra driving tuition as a perk... expect most driving instructors would do some sessions following someone passing their test, which would include things such as driving in heavy traffic, dual carriageways and motorways. The AA Driving School call this PASS PLUS, it's a 6 hour course and can save on car insurance. If more training is needed after that, then there are companies that offer Advanced Driver training. This would be more to help put your mind at rest, but has the benefit of making your nanny a better driver.

Nanny 3 could be a second choice, though look at previous positions. From what you have mentioned about her, I would look at level of commitment - not sure why she didn't go back for that last month.

So I say check out Nanny 1 in detail, then offer the position. If she doesn't take it, then look closer at Nanny 3.

ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I just offered Nanny 1 the job and she accepted another job as it was a 4-day week.
I can really cry now.
Help me. I'm reckon i have seen every CV out there.

Oh no. Do you want to go with Nanny 3, or is it back to the drawing board?

Hi
Well, i decided to try to ask the agency to ask nanny 4 if she would accept something lower than 300 net per week. I really liked her too the only snag was the money thing. If there is flex, then we'll go with her.
The more i thought about nanny 3, i think it's not going to work. There just isn't that level of comfort - i felt, nothing i could really put my finger on.
Oh, and obviously, back to trawling through CVs.
Big Sigh
Please send some luck my way....am going back to work this Friday at a new firm and this is so what i don't need. I did tell new firm that once i have a new nanny I am taking 2 weeks off. They were v relaxed about it, so hopefully that's a good sign....