Help please. How do I get a child minder ?

[upandaway]

I have Dh who works away most of the time and have now decided that I really need some help (in more ways than one)!

I would dearly appreciate some advice from you guys as to how to find a Mrs Doubtfire character locally to help me, part time, with older kids and baby.

As I have never had anyone to look after the kids before I am not sure how to do this properly.

What should I say in the advert?
What would be a reasonable pay per hour? (North)
What checks or experience should they have ?
Do they need references.

I have never interviewed someone in my life before. Are there any specific things/ questions I should be looking out for?

All advice greatfully received.

You can get a list of registed childminders in your area from the council.

Thanks anorak. I want someone to come into my house though(important part I forgot to mention).
Will this list include those that would ?

Not sure if you need a childminder or a nanny/aupair? But you can find childminders on this website
www.childcarelink.gov.uk/whitebox/childcaresearch.asp?cisid=5020&csid=502091871

I don't know, I think it's just a list of childminders and they normally work from their own houses.

Perhaps you would have to advertise then. Why don't you get a copy of the Lady magazine and have a look to see what other people say in their ads?

No, it almost certainly won't. As I understand it, new regulations do enable registered childminders to work in someone else's home but usually they work based from their own homes. You want a mother's help or a nanny.

Right, so I advertise for a Mother's Help.
Do the same regulations apply for these people?

No, there are different regulations. Try your local early years department for more information. Mothers' helps are not as regulated as other forms of childcare, I think (they're the only sort I don't know much about, actually).

Currently local authorities do not have to list childcare providers who work in the child's home - thus Nannies, Babysitters. Legislation is changing so that from I think September 2008, Local Authorities will start listing ALL Childcare providers, which will include Nannies and Babysitters. Of course until then we will not know for sure what they will actually list.

To find someone to come to your home, you will need to either Advertise or look on lists of Nannies/Babysitters/Housekeepers who are advertising.

You can use the internet, and also you may find low cost advertising venues in your local neighbourhood.

Just a few of many internet sites are:
www.findasitter.co.uk
www.gumtree.com
www.nannyjob.co.uk

Locally, see where postcard sized adverts are permitted - local newsagents, community centres, school etc. Also you may have local magazines, such as a Parish newsletter, NCT newsletter and other community publications.

What should I say in the advert?

Be as consise and specific as possible.

Include Working Hours, start and finish times plus which days of the week. For example:
Help Required
Childcare & Light Housework

• 3pm to 6pm Mon, Wed, Fri
• Collection of 6 year old from NAME OF SCHOOL
• Preparing Evening Meal for NUMBER children

That sort of thing. Using bullet points can help keep it as consise as possible.
The advert is only to attract attention, it does not need to be a full job description, but it should include major points, so candidates don't get a surprise at interview.

What would be a reasonable pay per hour? (North)

Hard to say. Offer whatever you are able to afford. If less than £81 per week, you won't need to register as an Employer. (Amount may not be accruate, haven't looked it up, but it's around that figure). I suggest you check current employment law.

What checks or experience should they have ?

It will depend on what they are doing. Ideally someone working with children will have:
Childcare related qualification.
First Aid training
Enhanced CRB Disclosure

Do they need references.
You don't know the person so you want to be able to chat with someone (or several people). Even a friend can give a character reference. It need not be written, it can be verbal. Don't put too much emphasis on references however, as they may not give you a full picture of the persons suitability. Try going with your gut insticts... do you get on well with the person, do your chilren like them, do they appear positive about the job etc.

Your ideal candidate may be someone who has been there, done that, worn the t-shirt!

An older mother for example, whose children have left the nest. Certainly don't rule out older candidates as although they may have no formal qualifications, they have lots of wisdom and experience.

To be able to offer you more advice, I really need a clearer understanding of what it is that you are wanting. How old are the children? What childcare is needed? What housework duties will there be? Perhaps start to put together a job description - list the things you want the person to be doing, and when if they are time critical such as colleciton from school, meal at particular time of the day etc.

nannynick you are a marvel.. cant we have you ?!

Well one of the main reasons I would like someone is because the older two are 10 and 8 and the activities they do afterschool are v.limited by having the baby. I feel so mean dragging him out in the dark to collect them from this and that and much prefer to keep to a set bedtime routine.

Also I work one early evening shift a week and just cant take them with me any more.

By the time we have got in, cooked tea, bathed him, bathed them, done the baby and put him to bed. I then need to come down tidy, homework, stories, bedtime etc. Its usually 9pm before I get to sit down and on my own its just exhausting. You know what its like I'm sure.

I need them to just assist with either the big ones or the little one.

So i guess I am I looking for

a good natured, kind, mature lady to work 4 afternoons/wk. Approx 4pm-7pm on a permanent basis.

Duties to include looking after 3 children aged 10,8,1yrs.

Helping with tea and light house work.
(I shouldnt expect them to cook should I do you think?)

A bit of ironing, tidying up, homework, etc.

Does that sound ok or do I still need to be more specific?

It's a good starting point to see what interest you get. If you want someone who can take/collect the older children from activities, if that needs to be done by car, you may need to state that you require a driver (with car) - but this may restrict the number of applicants you get. Initially may be better to keep it rather open and see what interest there is, and then decide if they would be caring more for baby, or for the older children.

You shouldn't really mention gender in an advert. However as the position is 'Domestic' you can decide to select someone based on gender (Sex Discrimination Act does not apply for Domestic positions).