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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

How far in advance do I need to start looking for a nanny?

11 replies

tiredandgrumpy · 20/02/2008 20:38

I'm probably going to have to take dd out of nursery and get a nanny when ds starts school in September. I'll need cover for 3 days a week. How far in advance do I need to start looking/booking something up?

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nannynick · 20/02/2008 20:43

I've been told by agencies to expect September jobs to start coming in around June. However an agency I saw on Saturday, said they already had jobs coming in for September.
I suppose it depends on if you want a nanny who is already in work, or not... as those currently in work, will need to work a notice period. Some nannies will leave a job without another to go to, thus will be available immediately... but they may not be the best nannies. It's all a bit variable.
If recruiting yourself, no harm starting as early as you can.

BirdyArms · 21/02/2008 09:50

I started about 2 months before I needed a nanny - my logic being that most nannies are on 4 weeks notice so aren't going to be looking a long way in advance. But I wished I'd started a month earlier. I advertised on gumtree and the whole process, from receiving 100's of responses to making an offer took around a month. I ended up with the best of a mixed bunch - she is great with the children but not really my kind of peron. If I'd have had time I would have done another advert and round of interviews but with only a month to go I was worried I wouldn't find anyone.

sprogger · 23/02/2008 00:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BirdyArms · 26/02/2008 22:52

Sorry Sprogger, not checked back until now. I had a lot of responses - but with hindsight would have made my add a bit more specific. Anyone who looked promising I sent a long list of questions which I found on here - Eleusis's list - she could point you to it. That was really helpful, both because only serious candidates can be bothered to fill it in and used that to decide who to interview. I interviewed five I think.

HarrietTheSpy · 26/02/2008 23:08

I have now used Gumtree twice. We had 100s of replies the first time too. The first time, I was really convinced we wouldn't get anyone in our area, so the ad was really broad. As Birdy says, you have to be more specific otherwise at certain times of the year, or I suspect if you live in certain areas, etc you could be deluged too.

The first criteria we used to narrow was travel - teh first time we had people sending their cvs who would have had a 2 hr commute each way and we were (perhpas too) specific about where we lived, they hadn't even bothered to check the distance. This seemed to work, we did actually get a pool of locals. All the other stuff we specified - UK references, etc - many candidates chose to ignore anyway. NOt to be contrarian, but I'm not sure I'd send the questions out. Some of hte best people we have interviewed spoke great English but their written wouldn't have been up to it and I think it might have put them off. But then we personally didn't feel we needed someone with great written English, spoken yes.

Interviewed around five first round, two met DD at second interview.

Took me two weeks to recruit the last one, but I htink we got lucky.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 26/02/2008 23:13

I started in December and got someone who could start in April, by word of mouth in the end.

blueskieswhitesnow · 26/02/2008 23:20

I start looking for new jobs (when I need them which thank goodness is rare, especially as it seems so many nannies are having problems finding jobs at the mo!) about 3 months before I want to start. That gives a few weeks for interviews, then plenty of time to work my 4-6 week notice period. So I would say start looking in earnest in May/June.

eleusis · 27/02/2008 08:32

I have found that if I start too early I am fed up with the nanny hunt before nannies really start looking, which results in a smaller market to choose from.

The more specific your ad, the fewer you replies will be. Gumtree seems to atract a lot of responses from unsuitable applicant.

I have just hired a new nanny. I advertised on gumtree, greataupair, and nannyjob. Can't remember which one attracted her to the position.

I can send you the questionnaire if you CAT me.

sally84 · 27/02/2008 11:27

Message deleted

ShinyDysonHereICome · 27/02/2008 11:30

The area you're in also makes a bit of a difference I think as there are less candidates in certain areas. I would start looking 3 months before- some of my nanny friends have to give 2 month's notice!

missiesparkles · 27/02/2008 12:03

"some nannies will leave a job without another to go to, thus will be available immediately... but they may not be the best nannies"

ahem nannynick I am slightly offended by that comment! some of us have just been unlucky...

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