help! I need a nanny!

[sarahjmum]

I am trying to find a nanny and have tried all sorts - gumtree, simplychildcare, numerous agencies but have drawn a blank. Does anyone have any ideas? Can't decide if there's a shortage of nannies in west london or if I am asking too much (3 11hr days). Any ideas?

It's true there aren't as many Nannies around as there used to be.

Have you tried Nannyjob website, putting an ad in The Lady magazine, local M&T group notice board?

Every time I look for a nanny I have a million options so I can never quite get my head round these threads. Tell us more about the position:

Live in?
number of kids?
Ages?
Driver?

Maybe it's because I offer live-in full time that I have an easier time. (although I suspect my nanny would be delighted if she only had to work 4 days per week)

If you are offering live-in, have you tried greataupair.com?

In my experience it has always been easier to fill live-out positions.....sadly,a lot comes down to money these days.

hmmm... I doubt I have the upper hand when it comes to money.

might be because it is part time - have you thought about a nanny share?

We found a nanny willing to work a 3 day week (in W London too) but she was studying part time so quite happy to do 3 days. otherwise you are looking for a nanny who is willing to find herself another odd two days (can be tricky not least tax wise) or doubling up with another family for the week. How many children do you have?

Hi,

Where abouts in West London are you?

I know an amazing nanny who is just about to start looking for work.. she used to nanny for my 2 boys when they were young and is only leaving her current job as the family are moving out of London.

She is about 28, English, qualified, has first aid and loads of exp refs...she was totally fab with my two and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.

If you want me to pass on her details email me on bearlybabies@yahoo dot co dot uk

Kind Regards
Jenna

Have you tried nannyjob or nannyselect?

Tell us some more about the job - I have an ex-nanny in west london, she may have nanny friends who might be interested.

I've noticed that my most local nanny agency is advertising jobs at £1 an hour (net) less than last year so I assumed that there were too many nannies now and too few jobs!
Having said that - my nanny wouldn't do 11 hour days unless they started v early and finished at 6. 10 hour days is more normal for a live-out.
Agree about looking for a nanny share too - try sharingcare.co.uk or thenannysharers.co.uk (think you can do a free search on both of these to see if there are any likely candidate families before you commit).

I live in acton (shepherd's bush end) and have 2 girls (7months and 3yrs, the post is live-out (no room for anyone living in) and don't need a driver, in case anyone knows of ex-nannies looking for work. Haven't tried nannyjob, nannyselect or The Lady so that's useful info. Have tentively looked into sharing but always seems to involve complicated nursery drop-offs, etc. and then I lose interest.

Was thinking about nanny sharing more as a 'time share' so that you have use of nanny for your 3 days and you team up with another family who will use him/her for the other days. Then you can advertise for a full time job and hopefully get more applicants.
Have you tried the 135 group (it's a parents group for families in postcodes W13 W3 and W5). You can either advertise in their newsletter or join the nanny share register (a list of group members who are looking for a family to share their nanny with). www.ealing135.org.uk

Hi

I am a nanny based in Croydon who is looking for part time work. I dont drive - but getting to Twickenham isnt a problem

If interested please email me on [email protected]

Julie

Sorry, got the wrong end of the stick Millarkie. A full-time post is probably more appealing. Have heard of the 135 group but not tried it, will add it to the list.

Julie, I think Croydon is probably a bit far, especially given how rubbish public transport can be. My commute is frequently longer than it should be.

Have you been advertising a rate of pay? Could that be the problem?

No have been pretty open to suggestions on the pay front, just cannot seem to find anyone who lives in west london!

Can you show us your ad? Maybe there's something in it you should be changing?

We live in Barnes and have had exactly the same problem - we've been looking since January and haven't managed to find anyone yet...and my kids aren't THAT terrible!

The whole thing is v.frustrating,eg. arranging interviews which are then cancelled the next day by the interviewee, sometimes by text (that really irritated me), very bizarre responses to gumtree ad, chasing refs, etc. Whole thing makes me doubtful about working, which I actually enjoy.

Re. my ad it is just factual with days, times, kids' ages, location, salary negotiable, that's about it. .....

Another thing I've done is used the message boards on nannyjob to ask the nannys to recommend good agencies in the area - they have been really helpful.

We found our fab nanny through advert on bestbear website don't know if you have tried that? Also asking everyone you know who has a nanny to ask their nanny to ask her friends etc-our nanny says the agencies were a bit rubbish and didn't put her up for jobs she would have liked and sent her for jobs she wasn't interested in etc