Where do I begin?

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

We have five children ranging from 18 months-9 years. I have been unwell for sometime and my husband has been off work. I found out yesterday that I will be having a major neuro operation in 4-6 weeks and will then need help for at least a month afterwards. My husband's employer has offered to employ a nanny so that he can work knowing that the children are well looked after.

So, how do I look for a nanny? Is it always better to find a nanny through an agency? Can a nanny look after five children? What would the going rate be? (We live in the North). I don't know where to start and really can't think straight right now.

If your partner's employer have offered do they have any have any suggestions /or budgets in mind? You could look for agencies in the area and ask about rates. Do you know anybody locally who employs a nanny?
All th best for your surgery.

I don't know anyone who has a nanny (it's semi-rural where we live so I don't know how appealing it would be to a nanny). I've been told to find out the rate.

Sorry to hear about your situation and wishing you huge success for the surgery most importantly.

I think it's great to hear that your DHs employer is so supportive. It will make a huge difference to you all.

Personally, given that your time to find a nanny and your experience in employing one is limited I would absolutely recommend starting with agencies.

I would suggest calling three agencies, outlining the situation and requirements and asking them to quote accordingly. The quote will be based on hours, responsibilities, ratios, requirements. Take an average of the three prices to give as a guideline to the employer.

The benefits of going through an agency for you are:

1. they have a pool of people from whom they can immediately select those who have relevant qualifications or experience

2. all their candidates should be crb checked and / or ofsted registered

3. they can provide back ups or replacements in the event that your chosen nanny doesn't work out. It's also very important in your situation to know what provision they might have should the nanny go off sick for example.

4. your DHs employer will be far more open to feedback (eg are two people required?) if it's coming from a selection of professional agencies than one or two local contacts.

If you struggle to find an agency locally then try the nearest big city, they may well be able to help. Good luck.

Hi where abouts are you based ? I'm a nanny and may be able to point u out to best agency's etc X

The best place to start is to do a google search for agencies in your area and then give them a call. You can ask them about nanny rates in your area, how popular they think your job will be and what they charge/what service they offer.

You can also look on childcare.co.uk. You can search by postcode to find nannies close to you. You can look at their profiles and see what they're salary expectations are.

Generally, I think that agencies are a waste of money because they don't do anything that you can't do yourself, but in your situation I think it would be money well spent. It will save you a lot of time, stress and faff. If you can afford it I would use an agency. It won't hurt to also have a look on childcare.co.uk as well though. It's free to look and only about £20 to sign up so you can send messages.

SNAP childcare are a good agency that specialise in placing nannies for children with special needs or in families where the parents have disabilities or medical needs. It may be worth speaking to them as they may have someone who can be sensitive to your needs plus supporting the children through what is likely to be a difficult time.

Nannies can look after any number of children (although insurance generally only covers us for up to 6).

Is it just for a month? You'll probably need an agency for something that short term, and would expect to pay an hourly rate that is higher than if you were offering a long term job. Ask the agencies what their fee is, as it's usually a month's salary for a long-term posting, but presumably less for something short term.

I agree that using an agency would be useful as you want someone quickly and you want someone on a short length contract.

www.anauk.org/find-an-agency/

You will also need to do payroll, so outsource that as well to a nanny payroll provider such as NannyPaye (they offer a 6 month subscription length, call 01737 816 320 to have a chat about your requirements).

Agree a Gross salary with the nanny. This helps fix your costs (main costs are Gross salary, Employers National Insurance, Payroll Admin).

Location will make a difference to salary as will the nannies experience and that it is a temporary job. I would be looking at £12 gross per hour or more to make the job attractive. Talk to agency, see if they have a nanny already on their books who they know is in your area and would do a job lasting a few weeks/couple of months.

As short term the nanny may be se as does adhoc jobs

Sorry you need op but lovely that the boss is willing to pay childcare costs.

That will really help

Google nanny agencies in your area

There are worldwide tinies agencies about

You could try sitters

Look on nanny job or childcare co.uk for nannies or place own ad

The agencies would be the quicker route

I have had good service from emergencychildcare.co.uk (who subcontract Tinies in my area) for short term as hoc care of my kids. I think they do a trial subscription for free and it may be worthwhile signing up for any other emergencies. I am also a SAHM with no backup if I get sick so this is my insurance. good luck with the op and so glad your husband's employer is being supportive.