Someone help?

[WickedWitchOfWarwick]

I've worried about this all evening and I'm really hoping that someone on here will be able answer a couple of questions I have about a potential babysitter.

I advertised in the window of the local shop in the vain hope that someone might be foolish enough willing to look after DCs a couple of evenings a month so DH and I can actually see each other once in a while. I was hoping for a local nanny as there are a few around but I'm not on good enough terms with them or anyone who employs one to approach them directly . A few people replied, couple of them definite no-gos but this seemed like a pretty good bet. She sent her CV over, said she was qualified, 1st Aid, CRB etc etc and could provide references. So far, so good. She's not currently working in childcare but as a receptionist in an office which is fair enough as I studied engineering but ended up in HR I spoke to her on the phone today and providing everything checks out we'll meet up.

HOWEVER she said she trained at the Surrey College of Childcare but had 'lost her certificates' and I could contact the college if I wanted to check them. She even gave me a number. Something just seemed a little off about her when she said that, I don't know why. I've googled Surrey College of Childcare but can find no website. I have, however, found a number which is different to the one she gave me. I shall try both numbers tomorrow and numbers of referees to ring but in the meantime I'm driving myself crazy with questions.

Is it normal for people to lose their certificates? Am I impossibly anal because I know where every certificate I ever gained is?
Should I ask her referees if they saw her certificates/checked them?
Will the college even be able to tell me she went there?
Is there anyone else I can check her qualification with?
Has anyone heard of this college? She made it sound a bit like Norland but I've never heard of it, and surely if you're going to invest that much in your training why give up?
Can you fake CRBs and 1st Aids? What should I be looking for to spot a fake certificate?
AIBU about this?

I know I am being a little paranoid but this is the first time I've considered leaving DCs with someone who isn't a relative and it's freaking me out a bit For someone who made a living hiring and firing people you'd think I could do this on my own!

If you don't feel comfortable don't do it. Do you have friends that have babysitters? Have you tried an agency (babysitters?). Is there a uni near you? Sometimes trainee teachers are looking for babysitting. I would do this rather then someone you're not sure of. At least you know the Uni have done some checks and they have some experience (??) It's hard. I don't go out because of this. My neighbour babysits when I do.

Sitters is a great agency, very reasonable rates too.

HHm, I think I'd run a mile, unless it does all check out.
You have to wonder what are her reasons for telling lies, if indeed they are lies. I certainly wouldn't trust someone who I didn't feel was 100% honest.

Sally

Hi WWOW -

Unless she's incredibly seedy it's unlikely that faked her CRB check but very easy to obtain fake childcare and first certificates.

The college would be able (IME) to say whether she attended or not but might be reluctant/ unwilling to do so.

The Childrens information service website (no spaces when you type it in) will have a list of all the local childminders and you'd only need to phone a few before one of them knew a CM that offers this service. The childminder will have all the information you require to see to hand - cos that's the rules for us

Hope you get sorted

Link for Childrens Info Service

Thanks for that shoshe. If I'd wanted to do that I would have had to get DD1 to do it for me

{grin]

Took me a while

Gaaaah!

This is hooey.

Her references will be her friends (mobile numbers, perchance?) and I would be very suspicious about her qualifications.

Phone sitters, or put an ad up in a local nursery school/playgroup.

WWW - I have been a qualified nanny for 17years and I know where my NNEB certicate is!! Always have done - would find it very suss that she had lost it tbh.

Agree very hard to fake a crb, but easy to fake 1st aid, you just give any name when doing the course.

If you have any doubts, then DONT use her - either readvertise yourself, or put an ad on netmums/NJ or contcat local sitters or a nanny agency local to you.

Us nannies, are often nice(well i am) so if you know one, go and say hi, and ask if you they bs or can reconmend anyone they know who wants to

good luck

I can vouch for Surrye School of Childcare as I did a course there many many years ago but I'm not sure the place is still in existence.

To be honest have regretted it ever since because it was a private college newly up and running which took lots of money from me and assured me my certificate would be recognised and accreddited...it wasn't but that's not to say it wasn't a very thorough course covering just as much as the NNEB my friend did.

Personally I'd meet this girl, go with your gut feeling and then check out her references very thoroughly. If, on meeting her you're still wary then keep looking for someone else - deoending on the age of your children what about a local college with current childcare students/university with student teachers?

Hope you find someone you're comfortable with.

Thanks for all the help people.

I'm off to phone the college and references now and fingers crossed.

I don't particularly want to use an agency as I'd like to check out the person myself (oops, paranoia showing! ) but the idea about a local childminder is a good one! I might even pluck up enough courage to approach a local nanny later. I'd really like someone with at least some experience, preferably qualifications and definitely first aid because my DD is 2.5 and DS is just 8 months.

imananny What is NJ?

hi - NJ is nannyjob - a website mainly for nannies to find jobs and mums and agencies can advertise jobs/bs etc - www.nannyjob.co.uk

the bs link is www.nannyjob.co.uk/pages/babysitters.htm