Urgent: Last minute nanny for a week or two - where would I find someone?

[SalLikesCoffee]

I'm going back to work full time on Monday and have a place in a lovely nursery/childminding practice. Ds (9 months) is however ill (Bronchiatis) and if not better by then, I don't want to send him because a) he might still be contagious and b) don't want him to go out in the cold.

I appreciate that I'll have to pay for both nursery and nanny for the week or two, but feel that I don't really have any choice. I also realise that legally I can stay at home if he is ill, but practically I can't miss this coming week (handover etc).

Where do I start? Is there a good website for on-demand nannies (sorry, not sure what to call the service)? I'm in London, zone 2 btw, so not too difficult for travelling.

Thank you so much.

I can't help feeling that a sick child is not going to want to be with a stranger. Isn't there anyone you know who could help?

I know, it's a really difficult situation. I don't have anyone (no family in country at all), and my friends are either working full time or have babies the same age.

He is luckily very social, and loves going to any person (ended up on the doctor's lap when we saw her this week!)

Problem with work is that it is a new job and I have to be at handover this week. Dh can't work from home this week either - everything just going wrong at the worst possible time.

Try

Sitters (linked in with Tinies I think now) - gave me some great ad hoc help 8 years ago when dd was new

and I've also heard of in this sort of circumstance, but not used, Occasional & Permanent Nannies

I have used Tinies in the past for occasional nannies and they have always had a few nannies who are 'between jobs' who were able to step in at a moments notice.

Oh wonderful, thanks Bink and Soapbox. Will have a look now.

hi there - I'd be interested, if you could leave your email address? then I could send you over my CV and discuss what you need etc

whereabouts in zone 2 are you btw?

www.emergencychildcare.co.uk was part of Tinies but now is a separate company. However you may be better off just calling local nanny agencies, including your nearest Tinies branch, as you may find that some agencies are not open over the New Year period.

Good thinking WWYAWC, hope the OP is at a location you can get to easily.

fingers crossed!
nick - you emailed me a while ago, I'm replying on my phone but am going to email you back later tonight, sorry for the delay
and yes - I am the same one you were thinking of!

I used to live near Greenwich (often watched Punch & Judy shows in the park in the late 70's) as a child. Didn't know the place had been split into West/East now... guess it's grown over the past 20+ years.

WWYAWC - Thought you may be the same person

Small world! I only really mentioned it as for us the tube isn't really of any use - nearest stations are Greenwich overland or the DLR.

Phone Sam Kelly at Kidsmatter (google kidsmatter for the contact numbers).

I know she covers this kind of thing and is much better than Tinies.

good luck

Thanks 5starjo. I'll add this to my list for tomorrow if this not doable for / between me and WWYAWC.

many agencies have cover with ad hoc nannies or part time nannies (like me)

i am with my local agencies and often get asked to step in for ill children who cant go to cm/nursery, so please dont feel bad that you are leaving your child with a stranger - it often happens

i am too far away from you,but hope it works out with wwyawc - promise you she is a nice fab nanny

Blondes, what a kind post, thank you. Makes me feel a little less guilty about going back to work - I have even considered just leaving it all as no family around as backup.

Now someone please go and track down wwyawc!!!

aww welcome!!

i have her mobile number and email - will tell her to come on mn now!!!

Wonderful, thanks!

tis done - lets hope she is glued to her lappy/phone as i am, and will be here soon

really hope it works out for you both - you get a great caring nanny and she gets a few weeks work as her job has just fallen through no fault of her own!!

I'm here!! just about to email you sal!!

i can second contacting sam at kidsmatter www.kidsmatter.uk.com

or also try www.nannyjob.co.uk

I too needed nanny at short notice and I found one on gumtree within 2 days. My son still talks about the nanny who looked after him for those three weeks.

You do get a lot of time wasters applying but I had lots of good applications from nannies who for various reasons would consider temporary work.

My current permanent nanny, is also excellent, and again I found her though gumtree. You could also try Simply Childcare, they are good and have listings of nannies who will do temporary work.

The advantage of using the above is you will avoid extortionate agency fees and rates.

If you live in Greenwich the Cheese Shop on Royal Hill used to have adverts for nannies who are looking for work.

Also meant to say managed to arrange my temporary nanny over a weekend and in a couple of days of posting my advert.

E-mailed you, WWYAWC, thanks!

Lindsayfox and Kafka, appreciate the tips. My husband is now seriously impressed with MN after I've (well, you've, but I have to pretend to be Superwoman, you know) averted a crisis and saved the day (very ) - thanks to you all!

I'll keep an eye on Cheese Shop in future - kind of forgot about that, and it's just down the hill from me.

Wow, aren`t us nannies fab?!!!

Well done girls, it feels like Charlies Angels here!!