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:
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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.
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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.
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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?