why did i decide to go back to work

[lucy01]

Rather a long rant I'm afraid....

4 staff at nursery have been sacked (2 from youngest dd's room and 1 from eldest dd's room) for (well the rumour is) either alcohol or drugs.

Nanny due to start in 3 weeks has just quit (broken up with boyfriend so moving away).

Eldest due to start afternoon nursery school in september so need a driver 4 afternoons to do pick up and drop-offs. Was virtually impossible to get in the first place, now have to do it all over again.

Just want to find a large pile of sand and bury my head in it (permanently!!!) Too tired/exasperated to cry

Does anyone know of a good temporary nanny agency in north london. Alternatively could i have a mother's help to do the afternoon school runs and leave the youngest in nursery all day?

how much time do you have for sifting through the dross? if you have the chance to do this, i would recommend www.gumtree.com. it costs £19.95 to place an ad - i've had lots of responses from there - many awful i should point out - but also some good ones, including the one i hope i am about to hire (after school and holidays). you get responses pretty much immediately ime.

hth.

great idea, issymum. my two best candidates worked in school/pre school. btw - £40 is surely not "throwing money" - compared to agency fees?