Best place to find experienced nanny?

[litdog]

We have three children - a 4yo with developmental delay (she can't talk), and a 3yo and baby who are fine.

We are looking to find a nice and EXPERIENCED nanny so I can go back to work eventually, and I don't know where the best place to look is.

We have had lovely au pairs til now, but if I am to go back to work we really need someone with experience and maybe even qualifications - ie a poorly paid foreigner, no matter how lovely, just won't do. We need someone to take our daughter to hospital appointments etc, so it's a responsible position.

Where should I look? When I've registered with the odd agency before they just sent me crappy CVs and I've always had better luck on gumtree. But we've never had an above board, proper 'nanny' before, and I don't know where to start.

Has anyone got any tips/recommendations please?

Thanks so much!

The nanny, au pair and childminders board might be able to help you. There are sometimes nannies posting there who can help.

SNAP childcare deals in nannies experienced in SN.

they are very helpful (I have used them beofre to find tutors for my dd1 who is ASD)

Ask around - the best nannies come through personal recommendation, so you're doing the right thing by coming on here. Maybe try an advert in a local residents' association newsletter (if any)? we found an amazing nanny that way.

You can use a local agency, but bear in mind that there will be a fee (usually several hundred pounds).

As well as agencies I have also used www.nannyjob.co.uk, which I found good. You need to vet references etc yourself (but I would do that with a nanny introduced by an agency anyway).

Nannies post their CV's on this site but I would recommend you post your own advert - I got 15 replies, none of whom had posted their CV's on the site. You'll need to wade through unsuitable CV's - my experience was 3 were potential fits for me and the one I chose has been v. successful, 2 years in).

I think it cost £10 to post an advert, so it's worth a shot even if no-one suitable replies. I would suggest you put a brief description of your family and hours, including things that are important to you (eg X years' experience). Put salary tba, so you are not boxed in!

Sorry if I've rambled on a bit - hope that helps.

Many thanks all, I will look into those. That's v helpful x