Struggling to find a nanny - Manchester

[chikamunky]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any other websites to suggest to search for a nanny. So far I have only had two applications and unfortunately, they are not ofsted registered which would be needed for help with the childcare costs. I have tried childcare.co.uk, care.com and Yoopies with no luck. I have also signed up with a nanny agency still with no luck. The ad is as follows, maybe there is something putting people off in the ad? Any feedback would be appreciated:

We are currently looking for an experienced OFSTED registered nanny to help with the care of our three children, aged between 2 years and 6 years of age. The main care will be for our youngest daughter but we will also require drop off and pick up of our eldest two boys to the local school, which is within walking distance. We are looking for a nanny experienced with babies and young children, who possesses an energetic, warm and patient personality.
As Dad will be working shifts, the time of the day will vary but will be set at roughly 32 hours per week, though this may be closer to 40 dependant on shifts. The start time will vary (announced every two weeks in advance) but will always be between the hours of 7am-6pm. The hours are expected to be either: 7am-3:00pm or 1pm-6pm and are expected to be 4-5 days per week, dependant on shifts.
The ideal nanny will provide developmentally appropriate activities for the children; while creating a safe and nurturing environment. Cooking and some light housework/cleaning will also be required.

Essential:

•DBS Check
•OFSTED registered
•Highly Flexible
•Non Smoker

Our budget is £10-£12/hour

try here. she says in her listing that she is applying for ofsted, and that was in april so it may be worth contacting her to see if she has obtained this yet x

I’d remove the cleaning reference. Nannies know they need to do nursery duties. Put cooking fir the children.
I also think the shift thing is confusing.
It’s quite a big ask to find someone who is willing to be completely flexible with a less-than full-time position. Make it 40hours at £11/gross.

I’d also put the ages and genders of your children next to each other.

Incidentally, i’ve always found August the worst time to find a nanny.

I see several things that may be issues.

• you don't say whether this is a live-in or live out position
• you want a lot of flexibility from the Nanny - different days/times on a 2 week schedule but you are only offering a part-time job - but sometimes you want full-time hours. It sounds like hassle for the nanny. Why not guarantee 40 hours?
• you say you want OFSTED - but registration benefits you and not the nanny. Are you prepared to pay the registration fee?
• You say that you want housework done. Most nannies will do nursery duties but they are not a cleaner. If you want a nanny/housekeeper your should advertise for one - but the salary would need to be higher.
• you don't say whether the salary is gross or net. Depending on where you live the salary might be rather low.

So you want a PT nanny/housekeeper who's flexible over 11 hours of the day, looking after a 2-year-old and all this for £10-£12/hour and are wondering why you're not getting any takers?

Most nannies will only do nursery duties and cooking for the children.

The 'light housekeeping' never is and is just what it is, housekeeping. So is cleaning.

I used to work as an au pair. I know it's different to a nanny but I saw "light cleaning" in your post and know that would never had been just light cleaning, it would've been cleaning plus sole care of a two year old. Definitely not.

Nannies are happy to tidy up after the children and prepare meals for them but they're not cleaners or housekeepers, that's a different role.

Thank you for the feedback. It really was just a case of any mess the children make needs tidying but I see your point, so thank you :) I've never hired before so the wage thing is difficult for me to gauge, especially since they will essentially be earning more than myself anyway. I will re-word so that the job description is reasonable.

Again, thank you for all feedback. It's really useful as this process is completely alien to me and there is added stress of it being a very sudden change.
Hopefully this sounds more reasonable?:

We are currently looking for an experienced live out OFSTED registered nanny to help with the care of our three children, aged 6, 5 and 2 in Hyde, Manchester. We require someone comfortable with sole charge for our 2 year old daughter in the day but we will also require drop off and pick up of our eldest two boys to the local school, which is within walking distance. The position will be 38 hours per week. We are looking for a nanny experienced with babies and young children, who possesses an energetic, warm and patient personality. The ideal nanny will provide developmentally appropriate activities for the children; while creating a safe and nurturing environment. Some cooking will be required for the children's meals.

Essential:

•DBS Check
•OFSTED registered
•Highly Flexible
•Non Smoker

Our budget is £11/hour (gross)

Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you
Kelly

Why do you ask for a nanny who is experienced with babies when you dont have one?
You have a two year old and school.age children. Maybe you are planning to have another child soon? Maybe make that point.
To be Ofsted Registered a nanny will have a childcare qualification and previously worked as a nanny. So no need to say must be experienced with young children thats a given thing.
You need to say ideally Ofsted Registered or prepared to be registered. You pay this fee, it is £103 and a complete faff and ordeal for the nanny. It can take 6 months to Register and Ofsted are appalling in their communication. There are no benefits to the nanny in being Ofsted Registered. It just a government body confirming the nanny has childcare qualification, first aid and DBS. Most nannies have this and more. The benefit is to you only in claiming childcare vouchers.
But as an experienced nanny I would avoid your job ad. When you ask for 'highly flexible ' this reads as the nanny will be asked to swop.and change at short notice. No regular hours. Therefore not able to organise own social life, exercise classes etc.
Re housework as a nanny I change my charges beds weekly, do all their laundry, cook from raw ingredients healthy meal each day, and batch cook, clean their bedrooms and play rooms as required. Shop for lunch, ran out off items, buy school uniform and shoes, collect parcels. I also walk thr dog. General cleaning is the cleaners role.