What should I do?!

[globex]

Hello - I've got a bit of a problem. I'm not sure anyone can help but maybe just typing it out will help me.

I'm due to go back to work next week but I haven't got any childcare lined up. I know I'm an idiot but I thought we'd have moved house by now. Now two house sales have fallen through.

Do childminders take short term placements? I would need somewhere for 2-6 weeks - isn't it holiday time? I have called a few that were listed as having vacancies but they haven't been interested. I'm not sure if I should start looking further afield or hire a daytime babysitter.

Should I advertise on gumtree? I have no idea how to word the ad. All the other ads seem so aggressive - MUST SPEAK FLUENT FRENCH AND GERMAN, MUST BE ABLE TO DO HOMEWORK, FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE - that I'm worried anything less assertive will bring out the lunatics. All I really need is a kind, responsible student who likes babies.

Ergh - this is getting waffly. If anyone has any advice, please let me know..

some cms will take on short term placements, where are you, there may be a cm on here that can help.

i would also say keep phoning people on the list, post on gumtree, just say what you are looking for, but then make sure you fully check up on them

hth

I don't do short termers, but thats just my rule, don't think it's great for continuity, but obv you havn't got a choice if your moving. I know some cm's do though, try putting an add on here as leonifay says you might get someone that can help.

Thank you.
I completely understand why you wouldn't do short termers.
I put an ad on gumtree and netmums. I hope someone will answer!
Someone who isn't crazy.

I would see if any local ads on gumtree posted by uni students looking for some summer work as they dont go back to uni til end sept/beg oct and on my local gumtrees (leicester, nottingham and derby) there are a few students looking for this sort of work who have experience with babies/children and are doing childcare related degree or things like pyschology.

OMG - I posted on gumtree and I've had nearly ten replies. Thats in less than an hour.

They range from the scarily qualified to school students so I'm really spolit for choice. I feel weirdly grateful for all of them!

One thing - I stated an hourly rate but I didn't think about the tax thing. Would a 'proper' nanny definitely need the tax paying while a student might be happy with cash? Or maybe not cash but they pay their tax FROM the £blah per hour?

Think I have applied for this position!!!!

Hi lemonpuff - I wonder who you are..
Can you give me a clue?
I'm not sure this job is right for proper nannies - we are very disorganised, messy and unglamourous - not to mention poor.

HMRC: Student Employees form P38(s)

For a general guide to PAYE see HMRC: PAYE Introduction

i would also look on your local netmums - often nannys are avaiable for temp work in summer as their normal familys are away

i am doing a temp job this week, next and week after after as my perm family are away and the extra cash is nice before i go away

or call an agency but then you have to pay fees - normally about £10/15 per day

Nannies don't need highly, organised and tidy. I like mess!

Hi

I'm poor too!! Temp work suits me fine. Please call if you do have my CV 00771