having a panic re childcare when I go back to work

[poppy34]

I know this is ridiculously early (baby not due til june and not planning on going back til early new year) but now starting to panic about whether I'm being completely naive to think that I'll find a nanny (or failing that other childcare) when I go back. Given hours husband and I work wanted to opt for nanny to give little one some constant care and option of being at home.

Need some tips/advice on when to start looking, best way to approach finding a nanny, setting a realistic option on working time etc that will work for both of us .

sorry in a flap and need some good mn advice on how to go about this logically!

Call some nanny agencies and ask them about getting a nanny, they will give you an idea of how easy it might be to find someone to suit the hours you will be needing, I used to be a nanny and it could take a few days or a few weeks/months to find the right position.. x

thanks lottiesmummy - was planning on doing that when I finish work.. was thinking it could take up to 3/4 months if its a tricky time.

You need to decide on what duties you will expect a nanny to perform, all nursery duties including baby's laundry, cleaning his/her room, changing bedding, making feeds and solids etc? Hours you will need the nanny to work, days, whether you incorporate an evening's babysitting into the deal (some do) a driver, non smoker etc etc, hope that helps x

oh and .... good luck x

How long it takes you to find childcare/nanny depends on a number of factors.

What area are you in?
Is there many nannies in the area?
The hrs you are needing?
What you are paying? (ie are you competative?)

Def contact a few agencies in your area the sooner its sorted out the more you can relax.
Enjoy rest of pregnany!!!

in southwest london and happy to pay the going rate for live out (ie I know thats scary expensive!). Hours would probably be about 40 -45 or so a week but over 4 days so basically a fulltime job over that time. That concerns me a little as seen some postings that suggest part time care easier to find.

There are a few good agencies locally so will try a few.

Not ness depends on the individual.
Im not in the SW so not sure but expect there will be lots of lovely nannies around. Hope you find someone who you really like to be the added addition to your soon to be bigger family.

Poppy, you sound very organised just thinking about childcare. Way too early to even begin finding a nanny but I would definitely recommend speaking to some agencies about hours etc. I found Tinies in Dulwich were good, as were Wimbledon Nannies - got lots of good advice from them, and they're fairly local to you.

I went back to work in late January this year - it's a funny time of year to try to get a nanny because most who are already employed tend to want to stay with their employer until after Christmas because of bonuses/time off etc. So we weren't overwhelmed with candidates when we started looking in November (though we did find an absolute gem ). Bear in mind most need to give a month's notice - so if you could delay your return to work until, say, late Feb/March then you might find you have lots more candidates.

I think a 10-10.5 hour day isn't unrealistic by any means. Our nanny does 8-6.30 and I think that's fairly normal. She normally does 3 days but we're lucky she's flexible and happy to do 4 if necessary - the drawback of 4 days for a nanny is that they can't then have another job (a lot do 3 days with one family then 2 with another) but I do know nannies who are happy to just do 4 days and have a long weekend.

In terms of hours, though, do try to build in just a little bit more than you think you'll need. In my case, I'm usually home around 6-6.15. That gives me a bit of leeway if I get stuck on the way home, we can have a quick chat on how the day has been, and she can usually get away before 6.30. Everyone's a winner...

Good luck with the baby!!

thanks snickersnack -have already told work that I'll be back sometime early in new year but not giving hard and fast date for just that reason. thinking about it jan always really dull in the office so maybe another good reason to delay

Glad I posted as all this so helpful.

Not sure enjoy is right word given baby has dug her fist into my ribs... but am really looking forward to her arrival.

Are the hours you are wanting at all unusual? For example, are you wanting an early start, or a late finish time? If you say needed a 6am start, then that could well put off some candidates, where as a 8am start is quite usual.
Some nannies may know in advance when they are next available to start a new job, for example a nanny who resigns from their current job. Other nannies may be without work, and thus will be able to start very quickly. No harm putting out initial enquiries now, and then seriously job hunt after your baby is born. It is always possible that following giving birth, you will decide that you don't want to go back to work... or circumstances may be such that your baby needs specialist care. So by all means start an initial look for nanny, but I would suggest waiting until after your baby arrives, before making any firm decisions.

thanks nannynick - hours not too unusual I think but really good point about when baby arrives things may be very different.

Plan is to start making enquiries now but serioulsy hunt later.

But really appreciate view from other side

I was interviewed by pregnant mum and da once, got the job and was happily there for over 5yrs. It can work if you and you partner know what want.
Once you start meeting nannies you will feel much better.