When should we start advertising?

[slipperandpjsmum]

We have decided to employ a nanny/mothers help when I increase my hours in sept. When do you think we should start looking for someone? I would like them to start in Aug so we can have a good induction period. I will be working from home so they will never be alone in the house. Would like to get it all sorted out as soon as possible really but its to early now isn't it?

Look now..i will be avaliable around August if you would like to tell me more about the role .. Im a British experienced childcarer I have aupair, nanny and nursery experience. Was you looking for a live in or live out? Also Where are you based?

Start the hunt now, as some people will know when they are next available. Then if you find that you have not had a lot of interest, increase the advertising come around May - with the intention of deciding upon someone by June - that way if they need to give notice, they can work for their current employer during July and start with you in August.

SO SORRY TO HIJACK THE THREAD.

My hunt for a good nanny took around 3-4 months but as August is the time when some of the nannies finish working as children go to full time education, it should be easier and most of nannies will know by know whether they would be available from August. Good luck

Nanny nick- what would do as a parent employing a full time nanny to look after a 7/8 month old baby( I also have school going child) do to ease her into job? Any other general adv is appreciated.

SO SORRY TO HIJACK THE THREAD.

My hunt for a good nanny took around 3-4 months but as August is the time when some of the nannies finish working as children go to full time education, it should be easier and most of nannies will know by know whether they would be available from August. Good luck

Nanny nick- what would do as a parent employing a full time nanny to look after a 7/8 month old baby( I also have school going child) do to ease her into job? Any other general adv is appreciated.

You really could start advertising now.. I know already I will be leaving my current job in sept 2010 as my charges start school, so I'm sure many nannies know they will be in a similar position this sept! Can't hurt to start looking anyway!

Sams73, you shouldn't need to ease a nanny into a job. A nanny should be able to just take over where required.
However the baby and older child may appreciate getting to know nanny a bit, so invite them over for Sunday lunch.

agree a nanny shouldnt need easing into a job

slipperandpjmum - dont think you will need a good induction perios, esp if you are working from home (which again may put off many exp nannnies - it would me tbh)

agree start the hunt now and if no one turns up then look again maybe 3 mths before you need someone, whicg gives you a month to find someone/interview/check ref etc, and then that nanny might have to give 2mths notice

Yes I did consider the thought of me being at home may put some people off,(although I will be in the study away from everything) which is why I thought of advertising the position as a mothers help and specifying that qualifications and experience were not required. What does everyone think?

advertising as a mothers help generally means the job has shared care and helps the mum with childcare and housework - rather than a nanny who looks after children and gen is sole charge

Yeah if your going to be around then maybe a mothers help or you could also advertise it as a nanny job and state some shared care some solecare..I know plenty of nannies with stay at home mums and they still classed as a nanny..would you be requring house work tho slipperpjsmum?

I have a cleaner at the mo and I know that it is not within a nannys job description to clean but would it be appropriate for a mothers help to tidy up around communal areas eg kitchen dining room etc?

A nanny would tidy up after herself and the children, keep any rooms they use tidy etc. If you're going to be away in the study then it seems like more of a nanny job than mother's help - maybe a younger/newly qualified nanny wouldn't be so bothered about mum being at home? I know lots of nannies do mind, but equally lots don't.

Yeah when i was a nanny i would always make sure the house was in a clean state when possible for my own peace of mind..and the parents have been working all day nice for them to come back to a clean home..not saying get the hoover and mop bucket out but a general tidy up isnt any harm on the other hand..mothers help/aupair plus would do heavy house work aswell as childcare..are you looking for live in or out?

I am looking for live out. We have a local college and I did wonder about contacting them as childcare students will be qualifying in the summer. What do people think of that? Must say all this advice is really helping! Thanks!!

I agree a good (meaning experienced perhaps) nanny shouldn't need "easing" into a job, maybe just familiarizing with the children a little beforehand. They should know all of the details beforehand of any routine the children may be in, then just hit the ground running. I just did an ad hoc day with a newborn so the mum could get out of the house (we are under a foot and a bit of snow here and freezing, so baby cannot leave the house) and I came in at 8am, mum left at 810, and the next 10 hours I was on my own. But Mum knew I had 10yrs exp and when she came home baby was happy, laundry was done, bottles were sterilized etc. It's my job, and I don't expect any parent to assume I need to be eased into it.

So if you want someone who can slot into your family life without needing much in the way of direction I would go for someone more experienced, or if you want to be able to "train them up" or have them be more of a mother's help with some sole charge a student or younger nanny would work. Horses for courses. Someone out there will be looking for a position just like yours

def worth contacting the college - yes they wont have any exp - but we all had to start somewhere

And just a postscript to nannies on this thread, which I've read with interest as I am in similar position to Slipperand PJsmum ...

... where do experienced nannies, as you all are, look for a job? Nannyjob, Gumtree, maybe on MNet - anywhere else?

Thanks very much, MrsB

tbh i have got all of my jobs bar current one through agencies

current job through gumtree, we both replied to each others ads, mb always said if i hadnt then she would have gone through one of my local gencies as didnt like any of the other applicants who replied to her ad

i keep telling her shes lucky i saved her £1000 fee to find me

i do ad hoc work as only work part time and have ads on nj and netmums and get a lot of work through both

I use netmums and gumtree for jobs.

I found mine on gumtree.Due to start soon.Had good reponses to my ad on netmums as well.

I found mine on gumtree.Due to start soon.Had good reponses to my ad on netmums as well.

That's really helpful - thanks v much, Mrs B

Agency and word of mouth is how I found all my jobs.

My current MB went straight back to work on my 1st day in the job leaving me with her 5month old. I did do the previous sat all day for her so she could be reassured, I also have over 20yrs experiece. So maybe this would be an idea for you.

I tend to contact my local agencies and look on Nannyjob (the agencies also put their ads on Nannyjob, so if I see one I can ask the agency about a specific job).

My last 3 nanny jobs have come via:
Agency, Nannyjob website, Agency

My first 2 jobs (10 yrs ago)were from bulletin boards, my next 2 were from agencies, and I am still with one of those jobs 3 years later, albeit part time, and am now having to turn down work through personal recommendations and word of mouth. It's nice to be wanted but after over ten years in the field I have had to work very hard from the bottom rung of the ladder to get where I am now. Like in any profession you reap what you sow.