Okay, I've worked out why the responses to the nanny ads have been so paltry...

[HarrietTheSpy]

Anyone seen the posting on Gumtree for the position with a "high profile film industry family" paying GBP 450+ per week net?

www.gumtree.com/london/81/17933381.html

Wait til my part-time job hits the press. Those guys won't stand a chance. [flying pig icon.]

I MUST get offline.

mmm highbury, is Jude on the lookout for a new conquest?

why would you put 'high profile' etc in the ad - surely you are asking to be flooded with timewasters??

I did wonder if a truly high profile person would put high profile?

a truly high profile person would hire an agency I think - and threaten them with sharp and highly dangerous lawyers if anything 'got out'

That's what I would do anyway

How about this one? What a strange ad.

www.nannyjob.co.uk/jobadvert.php?source=1&t=agency&jobID=182504

That's practically foster care.....isn't it?

Gloria that add is shocking!

why the hell did this woman have kids at all, she doesn't want to spend one minute with them!

poor wee souls

TBH, not shocked at all. I know of many families like this. DS was in a cooking class where there were 2 brothers, each with a different nanny, and 2 Bentlys would drop them (and the nannies) off and pick them up. Never saw the parents, or even knew who they were.

Weird. Some people live in a different world. They really do. Maybe we could get them on mumsnet and straighten them out... for a small fee of course.

nanny harem

I like the requirement to 'play on the floor'

small fee

can nannies really earn 700 quid a week net

I'd've thought easily with a high profile couple

Yes, and with the fee we will provide spa days mumsnet nanny employers who are feeling a bit stressed about all the rigmarole that is the nanny hiring process.

You guys didn't notice the film star ad was respond to an agency?! How PISSED would you be to be paying agency fees and they're posting your ad on Gumtree?!

It happens Harriet. One of the reasons I think very little of agencies. You pay them a huge fee and then they go and post ads same places you would have for a lot less.

Well the agency have probably already placed someone to that position but are using it to get more nannies interested in their agency.

As a nanny looking for work I have seen and ignored both these ads. its like the ones where accomadation is within the royal palace, or a personal assistant and chaffaur supplied, or a nanny for each child plus an over-nanny and aupairs! Demanding and tyranical parents! If they care that little to see the children, can you really see weekly/monthly meetings, or any chance to raise a greivance! Dont worry Harriet, the qualified carerr nannies ignore these and leave them to the aupairs who want to be a nanny, or unqualifieds looking for quick cash.

Mighty, I thought you had a job now? What happened?

The nannyjob advert breaks the law - you are no longer allowed to discriminate on the basis of age. "Age group wise the minimum age is 26 and the maximum is late 30?s."

Oh, you are right. I missed that. But, I was concious if it when I wrote mine and whilst I do actually have an age preference I didn't state it.

Oh gloria I do have one, thanks for remembering! Although I do think Ive mentioned it every day for last month... No I meant while I was looking, during this jobhunt I saw both of these ads.

And I do know agencies advertise on gumtree/nannyjob other free sites, as a nanny we dont pay fees but i suppose it is a bit cheeky on parents as I know fees are huge...

Got one interview from gumtree, agency called as I was on the way and when I said where it was and age of baby she said oh thats... their on our books. interview Went terrible- mad mum! but it does mean it goes both ways. had I got that job, even though both of us with agency, suppose no fees paid (do parents pay to join agency, or to place nanny?)

I'm a maternity nurse currently searching for my nanny replacement. It is a high paying position but also is 24/6. Mother is somewhat involved although at no time does she have sole charge of baby(eg my 24 hours off she has two nurses do the shifts, although she last week she did sleep in babies room for first time)! She does not have any confidence in herself and won't let herself gain any, it's a cultural thing as well. I live in a fully staffed household, have driver etc. It's an opportunity that I'll always remember, BUT it does not mean that me or the next nanny are unqualified, non career nannies....sorry MightyMoosh that comment you made was uncalled for(and perhaps uninformed) I'm a qualified, very experienced, professional, career maternity nurse/nanny. There is the right nanny for each family position it just takes time and paitience to get the perfect match.

Sorry nannynz I just meant that high-burnout and 'odd' jobs (you have you're own chauffaur, or an appartment in palace, or 24/7 jobs for school agers etc) seem to mostly be replyed for by nannies looking for quick cash. Not necessarary who GETS the job- if anything more diffecult for someone like me to get it. I just know I have a difficult job- 11 hours, no breaks, sometimes dont leave the house over several days due to requirements- I know I wouldnt be naive enough to think 'oh, good money!' rather than 'holy hell, hard job'

just saying experience leads me to want if not easy life, then easier than demanding parents (seen ads asking for single nannies with no desire for own children, illegal surly!)

Your job seems if not 'normal' (if that exists...) then pretty straitforward, not what I meant by not being of interest to career nannies. I just know my Polish/other nationality nanny friends (most not qualified, my friends not in general!) would jump at the high pay then think about hard work. Also same for aupair friends when working abroad and foreign staff at nurseries.

Didnt mean to offend!