First time mum - really basic/silly question- how long does it take to find a nanny?

[poppy34]

Hi

Really silly question but I'm pregnant with my first baby and trying to get my head round when to do stuff/how long it takes in advance of the big event..

I know that there is probably no one answer but how long does it usually take to find a nanny in the London area? I am trying to allow for stuff like registering with agencies/scannig ads, waiting time for right people to come along, notice period etc? Also presumably you need to factor in some time where you"handover' (by that I mean you don't disappear off to work the minute she/he starts!).

Sorry - I know I must sound hopelessly naive but wanted to pick the brains of people who'd been there/done it.

My first nanny probably took about three/four months to find and the same for my fabby second nanny. I found her too early so employed her full time for about two months before I went to go back to work.

One month too little, six months too much i would say.

Nannies normally get one months notice, at top's three months notice so will then start looking for next job. I would say two weeks is enough to settle nanny into job - you will no doubt feel comfortable with them looking after your baby. And, they will know so much more about babies than you do

How to find the perfect nanny thats a whole other thread . Don't get stressed though, there are some brilliant nannies out there.

thanks kaz -that is really helpful... have so many questions so not stressing is good advice!

I would say 2-3 before you want her to start is the right time to place the ad. Have a seach through old threads for things like where to advertise, questions to ask, interview tips, etc.

2-3 months

I agree - 2 - 3 months. I went back quickly so we hired someone before I stopped work with a start date for when I was going back to work with a bit of flexibility because of not knowing when the baby would arrive. It did mean she could come as a visitor just after the birth which was lovely and know the baby right from the start. I think we had to pay for an extra week before she started because of not knowing precisely when the first baby would arrive.

Handover depends on how you feel. I think the most I had was a week with me doing half days at work but actually most nannies prefer sole charge and not being fussed or watched over and it can be a bit hard to have you around and her around so I wouldnt' worry too much about long handover periods.

It was never as hard as I thought and worried about.

I love that you put "she/he"... wish more parents (and parents-to-be) would remember that male nannies exist.

I like to plan in advance, so I like it when parents start looking for a nanny many months before they require the nanny to start.

However I would agree with the others who have posted, 2 to 3 months is a reasonable time period.

I would def agree with the others 2-3 months. I have to give 6 weeks notice in my job so by the time you register etc that amount of time seems about right and i would say a week is a good amount of time for a handover so it can happen gradually and you can have some time to yourself before you go back to work. Hope the pregnancy goes well.

my new boss found me in June but I did not want to start until September, so i didnt start until Sepetember.

also i have never done more than a few hours handover

Once you have found the right person you should be confident enough that with basic instructions of the routine your child follows, and a quick guide around your house and kitchen that they can pretty much 'get on with it'!

Thanks this is all really helpful - just didn't want to be leave myself short of time finding the right person