Agency fees - are these reasonable?

[itswinetimealready]

I've been let down lately by my long term nanny, I've enquired with lots of agencies and one thing I've been noticing is how they all charge such different amounts. Anything from 12%-20% of the nannies salary (that's a different of around £4k!)

Am I right to go for the cheapest 12% option? Or is it worth paying the premium?? Advice needed!

I'd forget the agency altogether. Go to childcare.co.uk and do your own checks. As a nanny, I have found the agency route generally not great. They tend to try and push you into positions you don't want because there is a real lack of decent nannies around. Obviously, it's more work for you, but you can be very specific in your ad, find childcarers very local to you and save a small fortune.

Totally agree with @Stroppyshite Any nanny with an agency will also be on childcare.co.uk

Also a lot of the agency's don't really know the nannies at all. When I signed up to a few when looking for a new position all they do is email for a photocopy of your documents and get references.

Presumably you will want to check documents and references yourself anyway so I don't really see the point in them. Also they offer every job to any nanny on their books because they want the commission! I really can't believe how they charge so much!

I’m a nanny of twelve years and finding agencies a bit rubbish at the moment. Jobs I’m applying for and not being put forward for. Jobs local to me that I’m over experienced for I’m not being put forward for. If you have time put an ad on your local Facebook groups/childcare.co.uk/nanny job they are were most nannies look for jobs. And do all the checks so a few references first aid dbs check etc.

childcare.co.uk

The best site!

Some agencies do a set fee

Others a %

Yes £4K is insane !

Try a diff agency. Look at their t&c

You can also look on nanny job and childcare .co.uk

Thank you everyone! I have decided to go with an agency called The Temp Nanny Co (they have 20% off their fees at the moment) plus I will be honest, sifting through childcare.co.uk seems to be a full time job in itself!

What do they charge out of curiosity

A flat fee

Or %of nanny salary

I’ve paid about 16.5% gross annual salary plus vat in the past. It’s a huge amount of money. But we needed to go through an agency (specialist role), and have had some excellent candidates.

I think it’s a employers market right mow though, so you may be able to negotiate a better rate? I’ve received a better rate more recently as a repeat customer.