How can I find more qualified sitters in London than those in the main agencies? I would pay over the going rate...

[HomeIsWhereTheGinIs]

Hi all

Just looking at Sitters, childcare etc and I'm a bit disappointed by what's out there. Most of these agencies only take written and verbal references and appear to offer jobs to people with some childcare experience but they're not really what I'm looking for.

Can anyone help guide me? I'm specifically looking for a maternity nurse or someone with a similar medical qualification or, at the very least, an OFSTED registered and CRB checked nursery nurse or a Norland nanny on her night off with a lot of baby experience. I'd be prepared to pay over the odds for sitters like that, but the main agencies don't seem to have that many of them in my area (SW London). I'm hoping that one of you London mums will be able to put me onto a more boutique agency where they have less candidates, charge more, but offer you more in terms of the qualifications and experiences. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Which town are you in? I am an ofsted registered childminder by day and offer evening sitting. I have worked with sitters before but stopped due to the very low pay and sometimes 'odd' demands from some clients!
I have many years of newborn and Childcare experience plus two children of my own.
At the end of this year I am going to be gaining my maternity nursing qualification so would like I do less childminding and more specialised work with pre and post natel care.
If you are close enough then I would be happy to help you out. Perhaps send me a private message to chat.
Regards
Vicki

Firstly, maternity nurses are not normally medically qualified (although I could see why you might think they are).

Secondly, Ofsted registration doesn't really mean much when it comes to nannies. We aren't inspected or graded. It's really more of a redtape/paperwork thing. Although it should mean that the person is DBS checked, first aid trained and insured.

Maybe look at nanny agencies in your area to find more qualified/experienced nannies.

The best way is to find someone by word of mouth, ask around your local area, speak to other mums, find someone who comes highly recommended.

Also, research what terms like 'maternity nurse' actually mean. There is no point in recruiting when you don't really understandable what you're asking for.

Might be worth checking local nurseries. I've come across quite a few qualified nursery staff that will also babysit. Our nursery the staff have a sign up, and they arrange between them who's available.

Independent nurseries are often better, chains tend to have staff tied into a contract and take a %.

I am a qualified nursery nurse (nneb) with 8 yrs experience in nurseries and 9 as a private nanny looking after babies and children from 1 week plus including twins aged from 6 weeks. I now have my own 20 month old son and am still a nanny, although not ofsted registered as my employer does t get vouchers from their work so no need for us to pay to register me.

Only childminders need to be ofsted registered to work with children not all nannys/ maternity nannies are.

I too live in sw London/ north Surrey and am available for babysitting or know other very experienced nannies who babysit.

I don't belong to an agency as they tend to charge parents less than I do and also take a cut of the money.

If you would like to talk more please do get in touch by pm thanks

What is it that you are actually wanting? An occasional babysitter who has a lot of baby experience?

You would be best recruiting directly yourself, placing ads in various local places and online. Interview people, check references.

What do you consider to be baby experience, if that is what you are seeking. As a nanny in their 40's, I have baby experience but have to say the last baby (under 1 year) I cared for was 2 years ago. Babies grow up, so unless someone is constantly caring for babies, they will have baby experience and could well have over 20 years of experience of babies but it might not be recent.
Think about what it is that you are actually wanting. Once you have that figured out then you can try to find people who fit that criteria.

Suggest you advertise on nappyvalleynet.

Home if you are in SW18 there is a lady that advertises on the SW18 Mums Facebook page who is CRB checked and seems to have great references.

I use people from the nursery that my DCs used to go to.

Have you tried asking around?

A second for nappyvalleynet

Try the agency 'likeminders'

If you're north London I have an evening babysitter who is a qualified nanny and paediatric nurse,currently studying to be a health visitor-she's fantastic! Pm me if you're interested. (Think she can do weekend days too)

Gina's nannies in Wimbledon were good, as were K iwiOz when I last looked for a nanny. This was more than six years ago, though.

I suggest you try an actual nanny agency. Eden nannies are also good if expensive.

I'm a bit puzzled what you are looking for

You state a mn - they rarely bs as work 24/5 or at least nights ie 9pm-7am - tho some work during the day

They are not medically trained

Do you want someone with tons of baby exp

Why a Norland and not a NNEB

Ofsted doesn't mean much with nannies - they only register so that their employers can save money and by with vouchers saving them tax

Any professional nanny worth their salt will be first aid trained - have DBS and public liability insurance

What age children do you have?

Norland Nanny agency here

They don't offer a baby sitting service. And as a Norland nanny in London is so very well paid, I doubt very much they'd be interested in babysitting for an unknown family on a night off.

If you want qualified, DBS-checked people likely to be first aid trained, then your best bet would be to enquire at a local nursery to see if any staff offer private babysitting.

Home I am a part time nanny in SW london but used to work as maternity nurse / still do occasional nights as night nanny and am happy to do babysitting / extra work on my days off.
Pm me if interested

NightNannies is an agency that specialises in people who will take charge of your baby overnight. Is that what you're looking for.

Ours was a midwife for her "day" job, so medically qualified.

I am a qualified children nurse and do maternity night nanny and babysitting work but alas am in the east Midlands.

You may actually find a night nanny or nanny who does babysitting who is a qualified nurse I know a few for financial reasons who took up nannying as it paid more than a newly qualified nurse. I don't think some are in a position to think long term about career progression only pay at that time.

Maybe pop an ad on gumtree saying qualified children nurse or midwife wanted for babysitting be prepared to pay £15 an hr.

Tbh it sounds like you can't face trawling through to find what you want so are happy to pay to outsource it, correct? Then just ring your local nanny agency, tell them what you're looking for and ask if they have anyone on their books like that.

Thanks all, lots of great advice here! Those of you that said I just want someone to sort it for me, you're right. I want a maternity nurse (which I'm having for a month after the birth full time) or a nanny for occasional babysitting only and most of the people I can see on sitters list their qualification as simply being a mother. I'll look through these and see what I can find, thank you all so much for your input!

I doubt MNs will do occasional babysitting - they work hard and need the r&r, and very few stay local. A local nanny is probably your best bet and your local nanny agency is probably the best way to source that :)

Just adding my two cents worth as someone who used to run a chain of nurseries that took babies from 3 months. The best possible qualification any of the staff could have was having been a mother themselves. Hands down beat all the younger staff with recognised qualifications. So don't dismiss people listing their experience as "mother". When I sold the nurseries and needed a part time nanny for my children, I hired a mother with no formal qualifications and never regretted it.

Home if you look on nappyvalleynet babysitting section, there are quite a few nannies who advertise themselves as being available for weekend or evening babysitting. Nursery workers and sometimes nurses too.

For example here is a qualified primary school teacher and nurse.

here is an experienced nanny.

if you can't find exactly what you want, post an ad and I bet you'll find someone.

Your local family information service should have a list of registered child minders and other Ofsted registered folks - you could see if any of them do babysitting.

Home, I am a qualified and experienced nanny in SW London who would be happy to do occasional evening/weekend babysitting. PM me if you think I can help.