Getting a part-time nanny. IT CAN'T BE THIS HARD CAN IT?!?

[honeyistoosweet]

I live in SW London with a two year old son. I need a nanny from January on a Wednesday and a Thursday 8am - 6:30pm.

I didn't honestly think it would be THIS hard to find one :(

Initially i paid the odd £30 and put an ad on Nannyjob stating the usual - non smoker, current DBS, experience of this age range etc. Had a few replies - maybe 7 or 8 and all were unsuitable for one reason or another - for example, living over an hour away, not having experience etc. There was one that looked hopeful but she wanted three days not two. I didn't end up meeting any of them in person.

I emailed around other friends to see if anyone had heard of a nanny available on the grapevine. Nothing.

I then thought, okay fine.. I might have to stump up some agency fees and contacted three. Not really very impressed by any of them to be honest but that's a separate thread. Two have come back to say there is no one available.

Third I just haven't heard from but as they want £2000 I am rather hoping I don't

So then I succumb to Gumtree. And then I get the bombardment of unsuitable replies. I don't mind sifting, if there is something to sift through for! But if all I am getting is an email saying, 'I like job plz' (and then not even a CV attached) then really... What is the world coming to?!

It is making me go a little bit crazy to be honest and now having tried all the normal routes I don't know what on earth to do.

Surely, surely, SURELY there is someone (and believe me I am not horrendously picky) who would like to come and play with my son a couple of days a week?!

Sorry for massive rant..

or could you add another day tue or fri and you have a 'me' day or even 2.5days?

Your job sounds very desirable. I'm surprised you haven't had more interest.
The only thing I would change Is the 'must have a current DBS check' I would change to 'must be prepared to have a DBS check carried out'.
Just as this will rule out anyone who has an older crb check ( these do not expire) or nannies who have been on maternity leave or who are fairly new to the country. Those who have been in a current job for a long time etc.

The ad looks great, so I don't think it's that. Are you including the salary in the ad?

jen's idea about the DBS check is good.

It isn't the best time of year to be looking because there is usually a big change over around September, so lots of nannies will be in new jobs/have recently found jobs. Plus with Christmas coming up most people are not job hunting right now. You might find it's worth re-advertising in January.

The only other off-putting thing is the days, but if they are fixed, not much you can do about that.

I am in a similar situation. Also looking for a nanny in East London and to be honest, it's been really difficult even getting interviews.

I think you add doesn't seem like there isn't anything wrong with it. I think one problem would be the days you need and the other would be the time of the year. Everything Is starting to slow down now. Schools closing agencies closing down, people going home for Xmas etc.