nanny agency -terms and conditions

[poppy34]

quick question here re nanny agencies -is it normal for them to offer rebates on fees if the nanny leaves within a certain period etc? Just checking out one near me and says it doesn't offer any rebate at all - strikes me as bit harsh if I pay out their fee adn the nanny leaves within a month for another job

Do they have a clause which offers to find you another nanny if the first leaves within the first 6 weeks or so? (I know au pair agencies do, never used a nanny agency).

If you decide to try and find a nanny without an agency there is a lot of advice on mumsnet..try gumtree.com or nannyjob.co.uk

no they don't and that is what bothers me (have checked out another agency that does so it rang bells with me)..that said I'm erring towards finding one myself -as you say lots of help on here

Think its normal with the agencies i'm with.

They should really offer to replace the nanny within a specified time period, or refund part or all of the fee, otherwise it's an unfair contract.

all the agencies i am with have a clause that if the nanny leaves with 6weeks they refund a percentage of the fee

thanks everyone - will not bother with them unless they change the terms

think you could find one yourself as most nannies registered with agencies tend to advertise themselves as well on gumtree, nannyjob, here etc.

so potentially you could pay agency fees for someone you could have found privately.

ok you need to do the checks but personally even if someone came through an agency would still want to do all those checks anyway.

I think agencies should allow a 'settling in period' and refund a percentage of the fee if things don't work out. I know one agency had a 12 day cooling off period and my old employer phoned them on day 14 and said the nanny was useless (she was!) and they wouldn't find another nanny or refund any money which I think is unfair.

I mean you could make a fortune hiring out the same 'amazing nanny' and have her leave a week later once you'd collected the fees!!!

ebb that is what I thought.. lindseyfox I'm glad you say that as that was where I was coming out -none of the agencies check refs

hi where are you?

south west london