A Working Mum
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Choosing A Nanny
When you're thinking about returning to the working environment you also realise that you'll have to think about childcare options. For information about childcare providers in your area, contact your local authority Family Information Service (FIS).
Your local FIS is a free information service for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 19. They can give information and advice to help you find and choose childcare, and also help you find activities for your children locally.
· England
· Wales
· Scotland
One of the many childcare options available is to use is to employ the services of a nanny.
Before you start looking for a nanny, it’s a good idea to have an idea about what exactly what you need them to do. You will need to work out:
· what duties you wish the nanny to perform
· what hours you will need the nanny to work
· whether you want a live-in or live-out nanny
· whether your nanny may be able to care for any child of their own at your house while looking after your children
· whether you have any special requirements - like them being a non-smoker - or needing to speak a different language
· whether your nanny should like pets, be a driver, own a car, or have experience of children with special needs
· payment details – how you would like to pay them, and how you will reimburse them for money they spend on the children
· terms and conditions of employment
Finding the right person takes time, so try to begin your search plenty of time before you need your nanny to start work. The safest way to find a good nanny is by contacting ananny recruitment agency. There are a wide range of agencies, some dealing with particular needs including sharing a nanny with another family.
Many agencies advertise in magazines and local newspapers. For a fee, an agency will match your requirements with those of suitable candidates who you can then interview.
Even though a good agency should have carefully vetted nannies on their books, you should still ask the agency to tell you precisely what checks they have undertaken.
If you decide not to go through an agency, there are other ways to find a nanny.
You can place an advert in:
· a magazine
· your local newspaper
· notice boards where nannies might look for jobs - like primary schools, your local newsagents, or drop-in centres for mothers and children
Your advert needs to detail hours, duties, ages of children and the area where you live. Include your phone number so applicants can get in touch.
When an applicant contacts you, ask them to send details of their age, experience, qualifications, employment history. It is also a good idea to ask for a covering letter, explaining why the nanny would like to apply for this particular post.
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