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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Part-Time au-pair/nannie/mother's help (with no housework) needed!!!!

15 replies

carloulee · 08/05/2009 09:36

Hi,
As you can probably tell from my title I'm 'recruiting' for the first time! I have two sons, a 7 year old and a 4 month old. I'm returning to work on 1st July and just need someone to help out on Mondays and Tuesdays.
I'm only going to be at the office in the morning and will work from home afternoons but obviously still need someone around to watch our youngest and pick eldest up from school (which is 5 mins away) so the hours would be 8.30ish to 5/5.30 and can honestly say this job will be a walk in the park!!
I don't mind if the person is male or female and am open to the suggestion of them bringing their own child if necessary.
We live in Chessington, Surrey. If you are interested or know anyone who may be please let me know.
Thanks

OP posts:

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Laquitar · 08/05/2009 09:54

So is the 4 months old going to be looked after 'sole charge' in the mornings?

PixiNanny · 08/05/2009 10:25

You shouldn't hire an AP if you'll be leaving an under two with them sole charge. Pretty much a bad idea.

A qualified nanny is the way forward however, I'm under the impression that you're looking to pay au pair wages (as you're advertising for "Part-Time au-pair/nannie/mother's help" which says to me that you actually want somebody at the cheaper end of the market), in which case you won't get a nanny.

A mother's help would be an idea though, but again, they would require a semi-decent wage, so again, down to money.

Part time work is usually more expensive as well (from my experience of looking for work that is, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!)

How much are you willing to pay for this care? What level of experience do you want and do you want somebody who is qualified? Live in or out? Have you considered other childcare options such as family looking after the child as that may be more benefitial for two mornings a week? Etc.

frannikin · 08/05/2009 10:28

Does it need to be in-home care or would you consider a childminder?

I agree for sole charge of a baby you want someone experienced as a minimum and preferably with a qualification. A nanny with own child may be a good option for you, or a nanny share.

Original poster

carloulee · 08/05/2009 10:49

Hi all, God I clearly haven't thought this through as much as I thought!
I do want it be in-house care and live-out as I will be there in the aftenoons so thanks all for your points about the qualifications I don't mind paying a higher rate for these in fact not sure why I said au pair as I read somewhere else about that.
We are also getting help from family the rest of the week it's just these two days we're stuck on. I'm just being a bit tight really trying my luck on here before going to an agency with all their fees!! Thanks for all your points, much appreciated. Now looking for a part time nannie/mother's help ;0)

OP posts:

Laquitar · 08/05/2009 10:57

so how much are you paying and are you in London or other part of the country?

nbee84 · 08/05/2009 10:58

Before you go to an agency try advertising on Gumtree and Nannyjob.

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/05/2009 11:09

i find the term mothers help means that the mum will be around and shared care

if you are out am, and working at home pm,but wont interfere then you need and want a sole charge nanny

put an ad on netmums, nj and gumtree and see what replies you get - then go down agency route

PixiNanny · 08/05/2009 11:23

Too much to think about, but be careful, some nanny's get offended by the bulking of au apir and nanny in the same sentence lol

Live-out in house care would be nanny or mother's help then, some nannies don't like the idea of working with a parent at home though many girlsjust starting out would be interested in having sole charge of a baby, I'm a live-in nanny-in-training (lol), currently just browsing for MH jobs around here so that I can get some under-2's experience without being thrown into the deep end . Have you tried contacting your local college to see if they have students in need of placements?

Also, you could ask over at nannyjob if there are interested ladies, and use free sites to advertise (and gumtree! That is a gem for nannies!)

frannikin · 08/05/2009 11:37

Re: student placements - you can't leave a trainee in sole charge because the college's insurance wouldn't cover anything happening (except nipping to the loo etc) so a full morning and working from home in the afternoons means a student isn't a viable option.

There is a lot to think about! We haven't even started on whether you want your nanny to be OFSTED registered, contracts, tax/NI, making sure you agree a gross salary when most nannies will quote their pay expectations in net...

But we are here to help. The MN guide to in home childcare!

PixiNanny · 08/05/2009 12:14

Oo, I didn't know that. My friend is at university and was placed with a family and left sole charge with the baby on numerous occasions! I'll have to let her know that.

Laquitar · 08/05/2009 14:42

Where is the OP?

KatyKatyKaty · 08/05/2009 15:58

Hi Carloulee, i'm a registered childminder near your area, maybe I could help? Are your hours / days flexible at all? Email me [email protected] if you would like a chat.

frannikin · 08/05/2009 17:36

Faints in horror

I hope she had her own insurance. Hate to imagine what would have happened had something gone wrong. Students aren't a substitute for professional childcare, childcare students I mean, they're supposed to be observing and learning in a supported environment not left in sole charge the whole time. Also as a student it's nice to have another person there to talk things through with because it just enriches the whole learning experience.

PixiNanny · 08/05/2009 18:12

Well, I was under the impression that if we were CRB checked we were fine when I was there! Though admittedly that was in a school setting and not a home setting (I dropped out whilst she stayed on the course. It was supposed to be a mothers help role (the Mum had called the college and asked for childcare help) but she was frequently left alone with the baby... I thought that it was okay to do that, she thought the mother was allowed to do that as well!

All I can say is, university of Essex shouldn't run the childcare degree! The teachers are idiots who know nothing and the whole thing ends up becoming student-led in a crappy little college in colchester because the actual uni doesn't run the course, it just 'supports' it (even though we werent allowed to use university facilities).

frannikin · 08/05/2009 18:38

Left alone as in left in the same room while mother is in kitchen? That would probably be okay. Left alone as in left in the house alone? No way. Not on. Not fair on the student, who doesn't necessarily know what they're doing. Not fair on the child. Not fair on the parents.

As for the abovementioned university - can't comment!

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