Good nanny agency in Surrey, anyone?

[Cakehead]

Just about to start the nanny search. Can anyone recommend a good agency they've used in Surrey area? We're in Wallington, so something near Epsom/Sutton/Wimbledon would be good. Just seen one agency that says that 'live out nannies are more likely to throw a sickie', which doesn't seem the highest endorsement of their candidates...

i have been a nanny for 14years and have not pulled sickies as agency say.If they believe that they have the wrong nannies on their books.GOOD nannies understand that we would be letting down the family which we would not want to do.
I hope you find a agency which respects their nannies and Employers.

That agency is simply stating a statistic. Live-out nannies do take more sick days than live-in. Which does lead one to contemplate whether it is easier to execute pulling a a sickie when you don't live in your employers house. Or perhaps the hassle of getting dressed and getting to work is enough to tip you over and decide to call in sick.

It is a fact in the nanny world that live-in nannies take fewer sick days. I wonder if this is true for live-in emplyees in general and nothing to do with whether or not they are nannies.

Hi

Try Choices in Childcare or TLC. The agencies have just joined forces and are run by Lorraine and Susie who are both very helpful

Something for me to consider... while living in I've never pulled a sickie, even working through bad bad food poisoning. but live out work I havent either, I have been ill but never skipped or faked. Maybe I'm just an angel, or too afraid of being cught!

I'd second the vote for Lorraine at Choices in Childcare, not sure her current coverage area is, but expect you are quite close. Lorraine is Chair of the Association of Nanny Agencies so you can be assured that all the correct procedures for helping you hire an employee will be followed.

So where are these statistics? A weblink is appreciated

As a live-out nanny, I have never had a day sick. I have on ONE occasion been delayed to work (due to car breaking down and not being able to get a hire car until after my usual start time)... so yes to that extent a live-out employee is more likely to experience trouble getting to work, than live-in employee - but that's just common sense... hardly likely to have transport trouble when you live upstairs!

As a parent looking for a nanny, you need to decide if you want a live-out or live-in nanny. Having someone live at your home is not everyone's idea of fun (just read some of the posts on mumsnet about AuPairs).

Should add though... I have never had any work through Choices. Current nanny job I got via NannySelect.co.uk - now about to start my 3rd year in that job.

Anyone know any good nanny agencies for the Twickenham/Richmond area? I need to find someone for a few days a week from September but would prefer recommendations rather than 'google' and start from scratch.

Any info would be appreciated.

DON'T USE HUSH-A-BYE NANNIES based in Surrey - awful experience. I paid GBP600 to hire a nanny, she never showed up but the agency refused to pay back my fee and said they would keep it to find a replacement....which by then was too late. The invoice came through BEFORE the nanny started!!! Never experienced such money grabbing. I would never use again. Better to use childcare.co.uk...the agency offered me exactly the same people I found myself off the website.