Which candidate to hire? Or keep looking?

[HarrietTheSpy]

Have spent the last two to three weeks interviewing people - have had tens of cvs via Gumtree and Simply Childcare. Loads of what I would consider to be au pair types about - some English, some babysitting experience - wanting nanny salaries. Loads of women with savagely plucked eyebrows - bordering on the self-harming. What's the deal??

The three left standing are:

1. A Hungarian, ex-au pair, child psychology student. Very well-spoken, sweet girl, quite gentle. Had second interview today where she met DD, seemed okay. Not sure I can cope with the darkness of her central European soul though which seemed to be emerging today. Can't quite decide about it. Plus points - salary fits well with our requirements, can comfortably cover it w/o super stress, including tax and NI. Wants a contract. Seems responsible etc. Loves cooking. Negative: has onl yreally looked after children for 4-5 hour stretches, a ten hour day is another matter.

2. A Kiwi, also graduated in child psych. Seems cheery - again, not vast experience with children but has been a carer for sick people for the past year so knows what long days caring are like. A 10 hour day won't be a shock, a child will be a doddle relative. Well trained in first aid - managed thorugh a choking situation with a child once!! I believe the story, it had credible detail. Quite a funky little dresser, not sure she could deal with the gossipy mums at the preschool who might find her 'interesting' looking. it's not like she has mohawk or anything, but these mums can be pretty cliquey.

3. A university grad with years of experience (S African) who would basically be like a private home tutor to our daughter. It's our job or managing two nurseries, she's that experienced!! But she seems to really like DD, she's unbelieveably experienced and talented...downside...not sure we can afford her. I mean, priced for us to be on beans and toast for the forseeable future. It would probably stress me out, but but but she's SOOO GOOD, I'm wondering if we should just do it. Negatives: bandying about being self-employed. I'm sure she's doing this to motivate us to pay her very very high daily rate. Also, she might have to move back to SA in teh near future...

What do you think? Keep looking?

"just don't want to throw out a fridge full of organic veg because nanny couldn't be bothered "

Oh now THAT sounds familiar. sigh....

It's sooo irritating. This is the nanny who expected us to cook and freeze over the weekend so she could microwave stuff up - but had plenty of time to spend chatting with her daughter.

The steam is coming out of my ears already, better stop now.

Hmm, the only thing I would say about keeping interviewing is that it becomes a bit of a quest for the holy grail and the perfect becomes the enemy of the good.

You think there will be someone out there who ticks every single box, then you get a bit disillusioned because (of course) there isn't. Then you find that the one you saw earlier, who in retrospect was really quite good, has now been snapped up.

There will always be something wrong with a candidate. Not being very good at cooking and wearing a jaunty hat are very liveable with, IMO.

The thing is despite the large volume of CVs we've had there haven't been THAT many suitable for various reasons, we've spoken to about eight people in total, not like thirty and still unsatisfied. So, from that point of view, maybe it's worth it to look a bit further.

the hat is obviously not the key thing for me, cooking is more important though. We'll see.

I think that if you have to start a thread to ask which one, then none of them are right.
It is 80% gut feel I think, and it doesn't sound like any of these have engaged your gut....
Hang on in there and someone will apply who justs shine out

Has Kiwi been yet? What are you thinking now??

lol at what you wrote about the Szabo book - I read it and felt utterly drained.. if Hungarian candidate is reminiscent of that I would def say no...

Not yet Spink. Imminent. But not another EMERENCE (let's hope).

SA nanny just pulled out...she's taking the job at the nursery. But was really lovely though...I think it's the right decision for her -she said I feel selfish asking for as much money as she wanted!! But she can't feel like that, she's got hte experience and deserves her salary. Kiwi is late, tube trouble.

Hey minty. How's the head? All recovered? And how is your lovely new nanny?

DOn't rub it in re lovely new nannies ExpLEUSIveS!! At least until I find one.

Don't feel bad Harriet. Her nanny is 30ish and has a fiance. Now, if you ask me, that spells pending maternity leave.

he he he
my head is A-OK, thanks very much. Lovely new nanny is great but has to have a minor op next week and TWO WEEKS off work! Aurgh! Luckily the agent who found her for me has produced another lovely nanny who is going to cover so thats a relief as I'm sweating the books at the mo in preparation for going back to work in a month

Also new nanny isn't going to get married for at least a year so I'm hoping the maternity leave won't happen until 2009

how are things with you eleusis?

Oh, that's exciting. Your going back to work in a month? I didn't know they had any jobs out there in Wilts.

Glad to hear your head is better!

Are you still coming to the Christmas meet-up?

I'll be working mostly in Oxford
Not sure about meetup, I'm booked for it but will have to play it by ear...

has she been yet? I want a verdict

Spink - the Kiwi has closed the deal!!! She is lovely, I was really surprised actually how certain I felt when I saw her with DD. DD responded the best to her BY FAR - call it a mum's instinct, but I did have that feeling!!! And I feel really comfortable around her. She is most definitely a funky dresser though. I hope she's not the sensitive type because the mums will find it hard to relate and the battle axe at the pre-school may comment. But tough, I feel good about the choice. Seems super caring and patient. The girl has worked from 7 am to 11 at night with people who needed all manner of help getting around, bodily functions, etc. She's up to potty training. I think cooking will be okay too.

Will let you know how it goes.

Yay! I like the sound of her ...
... and if her personality matches her clothes, doesn't sound like she'll have much trouble dealing with mum-cliques

Look forward to hearing updates!

sounds excellent
if she is a funky dresser she won't care what anyone else thinks. and why should the mums comment? well done, hope it goes really well

really?? Why will the mums comment? I have spent the last 6 years at school gates daily and have never heard anyone comment on another mums clothing! I obviously don't move in the right cliques

hopefully funky independent kiwi will not care what a bunch of boring small minded middle aged women think of her

Snotty
You would not believe the curtain twitchers we have around here. One neighbour only EVER rang me to say something (negative) about the previous nanny or to otherwise discuss my childcare arrangements. The hilarious thing was right before the nanny left us, the woman offered her a job one day a week! I don't think this was part of her strategy all along, I think she'd taken leave of her brain at one point and blurted. Too bizarre, but don't expect her to stop now. There is a small coterie of similar people on the street. And nannies aren't common where we live. Anyway, we'll see.

good luck with the new nannie harriet

Harriettthespy

My ex english qualified and adorable nanny is jobhunting..shes in west London if you are commutable from there...she is amazing!!

Email me if you want her contact details
Jenna

[email protected]

i am a "funky-dressed" nanny (and mother) and i dont CARE how/why the middle-class middle-aged mums look at me. But they do.

They are just jealous that they are no long er in their 20s and can fit into 14yr olds' clothes like moi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your nanny wont give a crap what anyone thinks, i shouldnt imagine!

If it helps, my (unbelievably fab) nanny has purple 'chunks' in her hair and wears fairly eye-raising clothers to boot (not tarty, just mad colours, odd mixes and stuff). She's early 20's and definately raises the eyebrows at the pre-prep when she takes DS!