Is there a nanny shortage or are we doing something wrong?

[GuernseyCow]

I'm an Oxford-based mum of 3yo DD and 6 mo DD, returning to work in June and had blithely been assuming that we'd be able to find a nanny-share to start in June. We've tried three agencies, (one of which didn't even bother to return my calls) and advertised on Gumtree but only received two CVs, both of whom have found other work in the meanwhile.

So what I want to know is whether our share arrangements are just fundamentally unattractive, or whether there just aren't many unemployed nannies outside London.

The job would be 8-5 Monday-Thursday, 8.30-4.30 on Friday. Nanny would have sole care of my youngest and neighbour's 2.5 yo DS (who will start at pre-school in September), as well as collection and after-school/some holiday care for our two older girls, 3 yo and 4 yo who are best friends. We live in a pretty village on the outskirts of central Oxford and are willing to pay a decent salary as well as doing everything by the book. Is this really such an unattractive position or are there simply just not enough nannies to go round despite the recession?

It may just be your location - there are fewer nannies outside big cities. And 4 under 5s is quite a lot.

keep putting on gumtree, try nannyjob too.

I think it's a combination of your location and having 4 children under age 5 after school and on holidays. Can you imagine taking a 6mo and 2.5yo out every day to collect a 3 yo and 4yo? Sure it's possible, but if I had another option with only one family I would take that in a minute.

I see where you're coming from, but I thought that the whole reason that nannies get paid more for a nanny share was because they are harder work. And the nanny share will only be needed 3 days a week. But maybe we're just going to have to reconsider .

How far from Oxford are you... I would wonder if it's to do with location. Is it a small village with high house costs, thus the nanny would be living some distance away? Are you providing a car, may be tricky for a nanny to transport 4 under 5's unless they have a large car - 4 car seats won't easily fit in most small cars,
Time of year also may be a factor, June start may not suit that many people who are planning ahead, so you may only be getting applications from those who don't currently have a job, rather than those nannies looking to move on - is that the case with the applications you have so far?

I don't see the problem taking out a 6mth and 2.5 to school pick ups every day

I did this about a year ago

agree 4 under 5 is hard work in holidays but certainly doable. Plus is only 4 for 3 days

a work car is a must as will need 4 proper car seats

may be worth placing an ad for just your job and see if you get any replied. Or does job have to be a share fir your finances?

Look on netmums and nannyjob.

Suprised agencys were not more helpful

Which agencies have you tried? I may know some other local ones (that used to be my neck of the woods).

I agree location is likely to be a factor as Oxon housing is pretty steep. Plus as it's a share you're ruling out a nanny with own child unless you find someone who's a registered childminder. A work car will be an absolute must.

Have you tried contacting people from their CVs on Gumtree or Nannyjob? Netmums local childcare section is also worth a try.

"I am a fully qualified nanny looking for 40 hours plus a week either live in or out in Oxfordshire & Berkshire.
Qualifications/Certificates

• CACHE National Diploma in Childcare & Education

 OFSTED Registered  CRB Check  OCN Maternity Practitioner Award  Paediatric First Aid  Food Hygiene

Please email me if you would like more information :-)

Read more: www.netmums.com/h/f/BOARDS/childcare/#ixzz0jGp1HqDP
Netmums - the local parenting network"

is the first post. There are other nannies but they seem to have their own children that they want to bring which wouldn't be feasible with a share.

Can you post your job description so we can help you improve it? And how picky are you being in terms of qualifications, experience etc? Is it worth contacting local colleges and seeing whether a newly qualified nanny would be interested in starting as soon as they finish?

Thank you so much for the excellent feedback. We will certainly be providing a car for work use, and are actually within the Oxford ring road so are not too remote. But the points about timing, house prices and 'pickiness' are well-made.

We'd already thought that we might try re-advertising on Gumtree next week with much less detail to leave more room for negotiation. But any suggestions would be very welcome! Currently we'd asked for:
Full Time Sole Chare Nanny Share between 2 families based in Oxford starting 1st June 2010.

A full time live out experienced nanny is required for two professional families who are neighbours. You will be required to work 40 -46 hours over 5 days looking after one baby and one 2.5 year old, plus post school and some holiday care for two older siblings (aged 3 and 4) who are all close friends. You must be able to offer commitment, reliability and experience in this role. You must be loving, caring and patient and have at least 3 years childcare/nannying experience. You must be happy to expose the children to a range of activities including outdoor and be happy to plan your own days. You will be part of a village community with a children?s park playground and swimming pool close by.

A nanny who is currently Ofsted Registered would be a priority however the families are happy to accept candidates who are willing to become registered. You must have recent CRB and references. You will be allocated 4 weeks holidays pro rata and bank holidays. You must be a driver (car provided) and be happy to collect the children from pre-school. Salary to be discussed dependent on the candidate and experience.

Can't believe I didn't try Netmums , will certainly do so now!

If you don't mind me saying, the ad doesn't come across as very friendly - maybe that's off-putting for some nannies? Lots of "you must/you will...".

Also, not stating a salary may be off-putting. I don't respond to ads with no mention of money - have been burned in the past finding a "perfect" job then discovering at the interview that they want to pay peanuts!

Thanks Missus84, don't mind you saying that at all! Am used to very formal job adverts in my 'other life' so hadn't thought how this wording would come across in this context. Will certainly change that. Will think about adding salary; maybe we could add a range as that allows room for negotiation (on both sides!)

Yes it is a lot of children, so you must mention the car in the advert (most normal size cars will not fit 4 car seats) and also the salary. Obviously you will have to be offering a higher salary than usual for one family and you should make this clear to attract candidates.

I would probably not respond to your ad in its current form as a) my car can't safely seat 4 young children and b) I would want to know I was going to be paid well for havung so many young ones. You maybe don't appreciate just how hard this job will be!

you probably wont like to hear this, but to be honest it just looks like a lot of hard work. Having worked as a nanny and having lots of nanny friends, if id been looking for work and seen this i'd have dismissed it straight away. It doesnt sound friendly and theres a lot of expectations. A lot of nannies are younger women who may be wary of taking a post with four children. Perhaps if your advert was more relaxed, along the lines of help needed in busy household you may get a better response. you can save the detils until you have applicants.

i dont think the ad is that bad - seen a lot worse

you are just stating what you want

tbh wish other parents did as well

you may want to say that the share is only 3 days and 2 days will be just 2 children (yours) as some nannies may be put off by the thought of 4 children every day

what salary are you offereing?obv dpeneding on age/exp of nanny?

Your ad is good, tho would detail to the share is only 3 of the days. Salary depending on age & experience.