Why is it so difficult...? PLEASE HELP =[

[Tash89Islington]

I really don't understand. I have been trying to find a Nanny position for over two months now and to no avail

Let me explain. I was working for a lovely family for six months, living with them. After three months, the mother of the family had a baby. I stayed for three months more (although my contract was only for those three months) until she felt ready and able to handle everything alone.

Since then, I have moved back home (more painful than you can imagine) and worked two mornings a week for the lovely family. I have been searching since then for a new job, but for some reason have only been able to secure the odd night's babysitting.

Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to babysit, but as I mentioned above, living at home is a real pain! Very big family, very small house, two months on the sofa.

I found a job which I thought was perfect, until the woman decided that she didn't have to pay me - don't even get me started.

My point is, I am so desperate to start working properly again! Children are my passion, always have been. I have over 18 months experience with children of all ages, am CRB checked, have a first aid certificate and am soon going to be OFSTED registered, so why oh why is it so difficult for me to find work?

I know you're all probably used to posting sympathetic responses to poor mothers, but I really feel lost right now and would love some help!

I live in Hackney, on London Fields. I am more than happy to work in surrounding areas (Stoke Newington, Clapton, Newington Green, Bethnal Green, Islington etc.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

From your message, it sounds like you are looking for another live-in position in order to move out of home? So, would you not consider areas other than the ones mentioned in your post? TBH, it's tough times for everyone right now and you may need to be very flexible on your location, particularly in London where a lot of high-fliers seem to be losing their job.

The thing is, I'm really not looking for another live in. I come from a family of six children and so I really just want my own space now.

I am really flexible about the areas, the ones I mentioned were just examples really.

It sucks so bad, especially as I'm paying 75 p/w to sleep on the sofa, but earning 42 p/w from the two days I work...

Not expecting miracles, but SOMETHING

So if you're not looking for another live in, what are you looking for? Only your opening post makes it sound like you are as it is too crowded at home for you.

I am looking for my own place.

And a live out Nanny job.

Sorry if that was unclear.

If you are earning £21 per day from working as a nanny that's shocking but probably another topic ... in the meantime, where have you advertised yourself - websites, noticeboards, magazines, which agencies are you registered with? TBH, 18 months is not a huge amount of experience, would you consider working in a nursery, even supply, in order to earn some money and get more experience? I know it's not every nanny's desire but might help short-term. Have you had ANY interviews in this time and if so, what was the response? Go in to the agencies you are registered with and ask them what you can do to improve your chances?

Well it's 7 p/h, I do three hours in the morning on the two days. I have no problems with that at all, it's just that I need more work.

I understand that it's not a huge amount of experience, but I am actually only 18, so it's as much as I could have.

I'm not registered with any agencies, do you think that would be very beneficial?

I have had a few interviews, they all tell me that they think I'm lovely, wonderful with their children etc. but it never amounts to anything (except for the one woman).

I've had some nursery experience and I'm willing to do anything at this time tbh, it's just that nobody seems to be interested.

I've applied for well over twenty different things since I've been back at home, but I've had little or no response.

I would agree I'm afraid with regard to the amount of experience you have. You will be competing against other nannies who may have many years of experience working with children one way of another - be it nursery, playgroup, crèche, cubs, brownies, live-in/live-out nanny, babysitting etc.

Are you finding that you get interviews, but not given the job... or are you not even getting interviews? Is there a market in the area you are looking for live-out nannies?

Well it differs, sometimes I get an interview, sometimes no response at all. It's so difficult because I can't gain more experience if nobody will hire me.

This is what I want to do so badly and to be honest it's really starting to get me down.

Your age is another factor... I am in my 30's and parents I am finding now seem to quite like the idea of having a nanny who is a similar age to themselves.

Registering with agencies is bound to help. They may be able to give you tips for how to present yourself at interviews, how to organise a portfolio/CV.

Also while job-hunting, you may want to consider voluntary work. Back in my college days, I used to volunteer at a local playgroup and crèche. Last summer (in my current job I get very long summer holidays) I volunteered on a playscheme.

Hi Tash, have you tried a company called Sitters. They take on only people who work with children professionally & although all the work i got thru them was for evening babysitting,they would often ask if I was available to do daytime childcare.You get to choose when you work & the hours.They are a national company & I got a lot of work when I lived down South.Failing that you should contact as many nanny agencies as possible.

Sorry, didn't realise it was mornings only in which case the money is not too bad. I am a nanny employer, not a nanny so I can't really advise about agencies (personally I've never used them and people have mixed views)but if you are serious about looking for work, I am amazed that you haven't registered with every one in London! Do you have an ad on Nannyjob, Gumtree, Nanny Select, here on Mumsnet?

Being brutally honest, you are very young and I probably wouldn't feel confident leaving my children in your sole charge - have you considered applying for mother's help roles in order to build up your experience? My feeling is that there are quite a number of nannies looking for work atm so you are probably competing with nannies who have 5+ years experience. Actually, if you have been working for 18 months do you also have childcare qualifications?

put an ad in Simply Childcare

and gumtree

Well, I have just applied to be registered with Sitters. We'll see if that goes well.

Can anyone recommend any other agencies?

I didn't realise it made such a difference?

I've posted ads everywhere I can, including all of those places mentioned above!

I don't have the qualifications, but I will have by the 20th June.

Kinda harsh annh. I have a year of sole charge experience with a family who have six children, one of which was newborn at first and two of which had special needs.

If you think about it, fir an eighteen year old, my experience is quite good.

I'll look into as many agencies as I can now though.

Experience can make quite a big difference. It does not need to be nannying experience as such, more general experience working with children. Some employers will want someone who has been a nanny previously, while others will be happy with nursery experience.
I've probably cared for over 100 children personally (though nannying and babysitting), plus countless more as part of group settings. That means that I am I suspect far more prepared for whatever happens, as every child is an individual.
Amount of time in a job is also something parents may look at, as they will probably be wanting a nanny who will stay a while. Your age is against you for that, as you won't have been working for that long since leaving college. Getting the first few jobs is always going to be tricky... but once in a job, try to stick at it for a couple of years, so that future employers can see that you have commitment.

I'm depressed

I think we have to be harsh to be kind. It surely will help you to know what others think, from the information you provide.

The family you were living with, was not in my view sole charge all the time, as the mother was on maternity leave for part of it. An employer may look at it that way as well - so on your CV, say a lot about what your role was, what you did. I would suggest having a good paragraph (or even a bit more) for every job you have done, explaining what you did.
I've re-worked nannies CV's in the past, putting details along with the dates for jobs... and it does seem to work well as a way of getting an interview. It tells parents what you have been doing, so shows the experience you have and helps the parents to talk to you at interview about the job.

Chin u

We all started somewhere.

nannynick has made some very good suggestions to help you - especially volunteering at a creche or summer holiday scheme. You'll get some experienc with that and hopefully some glowing references too.

Chucks up a p!!!

Ah don't let it get you down... just think about how you can sell yourself better. Think about what you have done in the past, which could count as experience.
What did you do during your senior school years for example... did you do any babysitting, did you help with any youth groups?

The sole charge I referred to was not live in.

I will try to rework my CV so that it works better for me.

I am taking everything you're all saying on board, but I am incredibly downhearted.

Kinda feel like crying.

Your work with special needs children can be very useful to summer playschemes. If you enjoy working with children who have additional needs, then you could help on a playscheme specifically designed for them. Your local council may have a list by now of summer playschemes... also local charities, such as local NAS branch. You may find that they will even pay you, if your qualification is at level 3 and has come through by then - as it means you can be in-ratio, rather than just extra help. Even as a volunteer you may get 'pay'... such as a voucher at the end.

You're just the right age for doing a summer with one of the Mark Warner type childcare-inclusive holidays - would that give you a lift maybe? Season starts quite soon.

I was like that 2 weeks ago. Had a job all set up, sounded ideal. Then we hit a few snags over the contract and things went pear shaped. Felt very disheartened.

So I registered with an agency and have been looking at job ads all over the net. I have 2 interviews tomorrow and 1 on Wednesday.

So what I'm saying is keep looking - something will turn up.

Would you consider another Mother's help job? Some of them in my area are paying very close to nanny rates.