What next?

[MrsMattie]

Going back to work next week. Need to find childcare a.s.a.p (my mum will do 'emergency' childcare for me until I find someone, but she does study part time and do a bit of freelance work, so this isn't an ideal situation for her at all...)

We had 13 responses to an ad on Nannyjob. Narrowed it down to 5 that seemed OK - lived not too far away, had childcare quals and decent experience etc. Two of them have already been offered other jobs. One mucked me around and never turned up. Got two coming this week...but feeling really nervous about the whole thing now. If neither of these are suitable, what next?

Have also rung every single childminder on the borough list on the off chance they might be able to do something for us, too. Only one who has to get back to me, and another who can take my DD from August and possibly do school pick ups for my DS from Sept, but has to check with Ofsted re: her numbers, or summat.

What am I going to do????

although you need childcare, dont rush and pick any nanny just so you have cover, esp if you have doubts

if you dont like/gel with the other 2, then get a temp in ( agencies/nj/netmums good to find theses) while you find the right nanny/cm for your family

what area are you in mrs mattie?

I'm in Barnet, north London.

We're looking for someone 3 days a week, 7.45am-6.30pm.
The two nannies that are coming on Friday do both look good on paper and sound lovely, but just worried that we don't have many options now....

Thanks for your advice, though, Blondes. Will look into the temp thing as back up.

oh, not really near me - or was going to offer my services on a thur/fri till you were sorted

my friend wwow is in london and i know she has helped a few ladies on here, she might be able to help till you find someone if you are stuck?

what 3 days?

I may know of someone if it is mon, tues and fri

have you only advertised on nanny job?

try childcare.co.uk ,netmums and gumtree too

good luck
x

Thanks all.

Tried gumtree. Got two replies both from young girls that were looking for au pair jobs. I am desperate, but cannot fathom leaving my 6 mth odl for 3 long days with an unqualified girl . Put up an ad on netmums last night, so fingers crossed...

Mon-Wed, preferably@Paula. Needs to be three consectuive days, whatever.

Thanks, Blondes . You're a star for even thinking of it. Nevermind!

Gotta think positive. Mary Poppins must be out there somewhere

"I am desperate, but cannot fathom leaving my 6 mth odl for 3 long days with an unqualified girl"

nothing wrong with that - your baby is your life and she needs to have someone caring for her who knows what she is doing

i would advise getting a temp in for maybe a month to give you more time

Thanks Blondes. People keep saying I am mad not to get an au pair, but I just don't think it would be fair - on the kids or on some poor young woman coming here to learn English and getting lumbered with a baby and a toddler for long stretches of time. I know how hard I find it.

The temp thing sounds like it might be a good option. Really appreciate your advice, thank you x

Hi there,

I am a cm in Barnet but sadly do not have any vacancies at the moment. Have you not received details of the speedminding event in June (on the 13th I think) - the Barnet CIS should be able to let you have full details. Lots of cm with vacancies get together in one room and you are able to go round and talk to them all - I went to one several years ago when they first started them up - it works well and you get to meet a lot of people at once and can then follow up the ones you like.

Have you contacted all the cm's in Barnet as oppossed to those who are only on the vacancy list? I am rubbish at letting the CIS know when I have vacancies as I tend to fill them by word of mouth. You could try emailing/ringing all the childminders in the area who are on the CIS website - might prompt some response. Otherwise try contacting the childminding network - again CIS should be able to let you have details.

Hope this helps - good luck!

tech i dont think aps, could work those long hours of yours, and personally i wouldnt want a young girl who couldnt speak english looking after my baby

you are welcome xx

If you have a room for an au pair, then I know someone who may be looking, she is currently an au pair for one of the boys in DS's class (DS is 4), the family are moving overseas at start of July. Although she has no formal qualifications she can speak English pretty well (ie enough to hold a proper conversation in the school queue) and her employer family rave about her, she has been looking after their 18 month old full time plus 3 year old DS full time in holidays and before/after school. CAT me if interested

"I am desperate, but cannot fathom leaving my 6 mth odl for 3 long days with an unqualified girl"

Good on you! I disagree completely with APs looking after babies that young. People really take advantage of them like that! I think APs are a brilliant solution, but not in situations with under 2's unless they have huge amounts of experience.