Finding A Nanny
What is a nanny agency?
A nanny agency is an employment agency for nannies. They recruit, vet, interview, screen, run police checks, check a candidate's references, and do all of these things for you. If you're a first-time mum or dad, using a nanny agency can sometimes be good for piece of mind because a nanny agency knows what they're doing when they're looking for someone to give your children a new home. They have lots of experience, so rather than placing an ad on a newspaper or on a website, if using a nanny agency you know that they're going to know what they're doing and that your children will be safe with that nanny.
Where can I find a nanny?
To find a nanny, there are several different avenues you can take. You can go to a nanny agency, who will send you profiles of lots of different candidates that fit what you are looking for. You can place an ad in a newspaper, which is a little bit more risky, because you don't know who might contact you. There are also websites like findababysitter.com, where nannies advertise themselves. You can go through the profiles and pick girls to contact who are exactly what you are looking for. You can also ask your friends who have children if they have a nanny. That nanny might have a friend, and that's quite a good avenue to go through as well, because it's through word of mouth and you might feel like you can trust that person more.
How do I advertise for a nanny?
You can advertise for a nanny by registering with a nanny agency. They'll advertise your job on their website and several other recruitment websites. You can also go to places like the GumTree website, or websites like Findababysitter. There are also the traditional nanny search magazines called The Lady and Nursery World, where you can place an ad in those also. A lot of older nannies will use those publicications because they' re not internet savvy, so if you're looking for something a little more mature that's probably a good place to go to.
How can I search for a nanny on the internet?
There are websites popping up at the moment which allow you to, rather than placing an ad for a nanny, you can search for child carers who are advertising their services. It can sometimes be a beaten road, because if you place an ad on something like Gumtree, you might get 200 responses that you have to sift through, whereas if you go to NannyJob.co.uk or FindABabysitter.com, you can select a few girls that you really want to contact. It saves you a lot of time.
Where shouldn't you advertise for a nanny?
You probably shouldn't rely on a shop window for an advertisement, even though it may seem like a good idea because it's local. It's just that anyone could call you. If you're going to publications that nannies look in, it's much safer because usually it's a professional that's going to contact you that way, rather than just anyone off the road.
