I need help! Any advice for a wannabe nannying mum?

[cazmum]

I've been in childcare for over 20 yrs and eventually had my own child in Dec. last year. I'm trying to get back into nannying on a part time basis but want to take my son to work with me. I've put an ad. on Mumsnet, with Simply Childcare and have just put a couple of signs up locally. Does any one have any more ideas for me and advice on what I should be charging? I only returned to England last year and moved to a new area of London, being East, so am a bit out of the loop. Are there any agencies worth trying? The ones I've spoken to don't deal with a child accompanying their mum to work. Any help, tips,advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

As you are looking for work, agencies are worth contacting. Good agencies will give you their view as to if they feel they have a hope of placing you with a family, or not, once they know your experience, qualifications, know that you will be taking your child with you etc.

As you have spoken to some agencies already, not sure what to suggest, except to try more agencies. Also reply to ads you see on Gumtree, NannyJob, Greatcare etc for which you are a good fit (area, experience, etc).

I do wonder what is harder for an agency to place, a nanny with a child, or a male nanny. Think both of us have issues over getting agencies to place us... in my case it's gender, in your case it's having a child in tow. Good luck, there are employers out there who consider a nanny with a child.

are you in east London? where are you? have you tried putting up a note in hackney city farm?

I was in a similar position and decided to become a CM instead of nannying as I really struggled to find a nanny job. Although my ds is a bit older than yours (nearly 5 now). With hindsight it was the best choice for me, not sure if this'd be an option for you?

may i recommend you focus on before/after school/holiday type care. it is very hard to get this type of care so if you were prepared to offer these hours i think you would have a compensating advantage for the fact your baby would be with you.

agree, the more flexible you can be the better. Parents don't always want full-time nannies these days, they can want a few days per week, afternoon only hours, or things to cover shifts such as two weeks working 5-days then 2 weeks of no work. Thinking of which, any hospitals or airports near you? Those are places to find shift workers, who may require unusual hours childcare.

Thanks for the replies. I'm completely flexible with hours and happy to work with all ages.
I've looked into Childminding but the waiting list to do the course and get registered with Ofsted in my area. being Walthanstow, is crazy.
Any ideas into where I should look or where I should advertise myself?
Thanks for your ideas already given, I'll look into them.

For those checking out my profile, obviously the bit where it says I do not have a child is wrong, I just don't seem to be able to change it.

Why don't you try putting ads up at local toddler groups, play centres, Tescos, etc.

I would focus your ads on mothers of 4 year olds who are about to start school - can you try local nurseries? School is a real challenge for childcare, so if you could do school holidays and after school I reckon you'd be a local hero!

I thnk Bossykate's idea is a good one - but when I had a nanny I snapped up the person who brought her own baby (from SimplyChildcare)- her baby was exactly the same age as mine, they became v close friends, did the same activities etc, and we didn't want 5 days a week. We did pay a bit below the going rate, because she was effectively doing her own childcare, too - that made a nanny affordable for us. If i remember her ad was v upfront about her baby - she advertised herself and her baby as looking for another baby the same age, I think.