Adverts on childcare.co.uk

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Why are they all so vague? How do I know if I can help? Lots of parents just list every single option going as what they are looking for!
Childminder, live in nanny, live out nanny, part time nanny, full time nanny, babysitter, tutor, night nanny, housekeeper, maternity nurse, mother’s help. How can you not even narrow it down a bit?!

Some have no profile at all, or very short sentences, ‘looking for a childminder’. It would be useful to know age of child, times and days if set in stone, say so if you’re flexible. Mention the school if you need a pick up.

Just getting frustrated as I have a space to fill and have no idea if it’s worth paying membership to contact any of these people.

Anyone else a bit frustrated by this?

it is frustrating. I think the website should provide them with sample adverts or suggest that they are more specific with requirements. Putting 'school pickup' without putting the school is a bit vague! We don't know the age of the child, how many days they need, the hours, etc. It is frustrating!

Yes I agree I think there should be specific questions filled in and you can’t submit unless all completed. Basics such as age of child and school name would be a start.

I think some of them are fake. I'm having a horrible time trying to find a new family to nanny for. 7 months it's been since my last long-term job. I have 12 years of experience with all ages, fab references, and I'm really good at what I do. It must be about 50 applications that I've made that have just been blanked (not just through childcare.co.uk though).

I have to admit this is the first time in 9 years I’ve struggled to fill a space. The enquiries I have had have been so unrealistic and not something I can accommodate. For instance they just want a glorified taxi driver to collect their dc from school and drop them home 5 miles away. Or want care from 6am-9pm, 5 days a week plus some weekends, for a baby!

Or they want the service for free because the child is older and will not need much supervision..... and can help with younger children. hahaha.

I am really lucky I have lovely families at the moment but looking for new ones for September, I don't know what's going on with the market it's a bit of a nightmare. I think it's the offer of the 'free' 30 hours of childcare which puts people off as I don't offer it. But people don't realise that nurseries will end up being just as expensive in the long run because of other fees, late fees, extra fees for all sorts of things.

Haha I also have amazing families at the moment and I’m afraid of taking on anything that may upset the applecart. I do offer the 30 hours but no one has even enquiries so they don’t know!

From the other point of view - I wrote a very clear ad saying that I needed someone for a Monday and Tuesday, driver with own car essential.

I got loads of replies that said things like "I'm free on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and I'm starting driving lessons next week"

That’s super annoying too! Though I have in the past had someone calling up asking for full time care, and I reply that I only have two days for them to reply and say ‘oh that might work’. I wouldn’t go out of my way to contact someone to offer something they haven’t asked for though.