Nanny preferences - young/older? V experienced / less experienced?

[buzzybee]

Tomorrow I'm meeting nanny agency person who will want to know my preferences regarding a nanny. I'm a newbie at this! Any thoughts regarding whether it is better to have more experience or less, older or younger? I'm going to be at home with the nanny to start with so am leaning towards a younger nanny who is more willing to be flexible and do a range of things other that strictly "caring" for my baby. I'm a bit wary that an older, more experienced nanny may be fairly rigid and also find me being around a bit trying? But on the other hand experience must surely be a good thing!!!?

I agree with your reasons to go for a younger one. More experienced nannies will probably want sole charge (and more money).

I like my nannies in their early twenties and at least a ouple of years of childcare experience with babies/toddlers. I would be happy if that experience was a couple of years in a nursery and then one year as an au pair. I also like them to have experience of having lived in someone elses house.

So long as the nanny is qualified then I think the younger the better, so long as they have some experience. BUT there are pro's and cons with whatever you go for really. I just like the enthusiasm of younger nannies/au-pairs and the fact that they play with the children as well as looking after them. Other people prefer other stuff (eg: younger = boyfriend troubles, maybe less strict adherence to stuff like frequency of changing the kids bedsetc..)

You also need to think about the following:-

• do they need to drive
• How much cooking is required - can you live with someone who just heats up food or do you want someone who can cook properly (our nanny doesn't really go much further than pasta/pesto & omelettes but TBH that's all the children really like to eat anyway... you will need to clarify what you want here. The more you ask for in this area the more you will scare away the younger applicants)
• because you say you need them to do 'other' things, you need to make a clear list of what you want as extras at the start (IME I would advise against: get the nanny to look after the kids and their things, get someone else to do other stuff if needed. BUT I appreciate this can be difficult to organise especially when you are trying to build the hours up into a full-time role)
• how many nights babysitting do you want per week/month and would these nights include Friday or Saturday sometimes (make this a clear requirement upfront if needed because you will never in a million years be able to get these added on once you've found someone)

I am sure there is plenty more you could add to this list....

Oh, and I wouldn't use an agency. But, that isn't really what you asked. I would just look on gumtree, nannyjob, simply childcare, greataupair.com (but you have to weed through lots of au pairs), etc.

I would avoid telling the agency very much at all regarding preferences based on age (think about age discrimination). Instead, tell the agency how much you are prepared to pay (always tell the agency an amount which is less than your actual estimated amount, so that if you get a super applicant, you can offer more). Make sure you understand Tax/NI and Employers NI. Offer only a GROSS salary.

Be very clear with the agency regarding the duties the nanny would have - especially domestic duties - be specific... don't just say 'nursery duties' as I feel that means little. If you want someone to clean, then specify that to the agency. Hours of work are also important, be specific in the working hours if you can, or at least give a reasonable estimate - such as 11 hours per day, or whatever. Also make sure the agency understands that the job is not SOLE CHARGE - as you don't want applicants who only want sole charge, when you will in fact be at home some of the time.

Aim to see a range of applicants, some with baby experience already, others who have more general experience. While specific experience is desirable, the best person will be whomever gels with you, who understands your needs and your child's needs... it often falls down to relationships!

If it is a live-out position, one thing to specify would be how far away someone can live from you... as you really want someone local, not someone who has an hour commute both ways.