
Why use this site & not an agency?
What is a Nanny?
What duties do they do?
What do I pay them and how?
What skill level nanny should I employ?
How do I employ a Nanny?
Employing a live-in Nanny?
How do I interview a Nanny?
How do I screen a Nanny?
What is the difference between a Nanny & Mothers Help?
How do I cancel my account now I've found a Nanny?
If you have a
question that has not been answered here, simply send us an Email by clicking here.
Why use this site & not an agency?
Apart from the
obvious large saving on agency fee's, you get a much wider choice of
nannies, including nannies from abroad. As a nanny agency we have had
many calls from families saying they have registered with agencies
only to never receive anything from them, not even a registration form!
You are in
control of the whole process, and checking a nannies background is
simple to do. You are also in the unique position to have nannies
contact you about your job offer which can also save you a huge
amount of time interviewing nannies that are not really looking for
what your offering.
What
is a Nanny?
A Nanny is a
qualified professional with a sensitive understanding of your childs
needs, as well as your own. The importance of balancing discipline
with love and affection without taking over the parental role. As
they are involved with your child's important formative years it is
her aim to create a happy and caring environment so as to develop
sound foundations for your child's social physical and intellectual development.
A Nanny should
be at least 18 years of age and hold a certificate/diploma in NNEB,
NAMCW, BTec NVQ etc., and have a minimum of 2 years training with
practical and theoretical experience covering a range of child-care
and educational skills including childhealth, development, basic
sociology and first aid, and should be able to cope with sole charge.
Above all, she
must have a genuine love and affection for children, as well as an
abundance of enthusiasm, patience and tolerance.
What
Duties do they do?
The complete
care of children.
Emphasis is
put on nutrition and cookery as a fundamental aspect of every child's health.
Responsibility
of the children's laundry, rooms, as well as their own.
Organization
and supervision of the children's social activities.
What
do I pay them and how?
A residential
Nanny is looking at about £130 plus per week. A daily Nanny is
looking at about £40. plus per day. The salary range can be
between £130 to £600 per week depending on age, experience,
qualifications, location, driver/non driver etc. Mothers Helps and
inexperienced Nannies at the lower end of the scale. When browsing
our site, remember that salaries are always negotiable.
Our members
pages go into detail on how you can pay your Nanny the simple way
without all the hassles of PAYE.
What
skill level nanny should I employ?
On this site
you will find people looking for nanny jobs that vary from no
experience to many years of experience. In making your decision on
what is the minimum level of experience that you are looking for;
something to take into consideration are: salary you are paying, is
there a stay at home parent, age of children, number of children and
number of hours that the nanny will be alone with your children.
Of course, if
there is a stay at home parent and the nanny job can be more of a
"Mothers Help" job. Many parents need an extra pair of
hands to help out with the children. A young and inexperienced person
may do very well in this type of job. If the job involves preschool
age children and there will not be a parent at home, it is important
to have an experienced nanny there. It is critical, if there is a
newborn of infant, that only an experienced nanny be employed. If you
have school-aged children experience may be less important because
they will be able to inform you of what the nanny does.
How do I employ a Nanny?
After you have
found a nanny that you think best suits your family, if she is not
local, it is customary for you to help towards her travel expenses to
come and see you. We suggest that if possible you meet the nanny in
person before employing her. Have her come and spend a weekend, or
have her work a "trial week" before formally employing her.
Some families deduct the traveling expenses from there salary later.
Employing
a live-in Nanny?
Working hours
and free time.
Employment in
a private household is such that it is difficult to define hours of
work and free time. However, an average working day is 10 hours a day
with 1.5 to 2 days free per week and at least one free weekend per
month (usually Friday night to Sunday night, totalling 48 hours).
Normally 2
evenings babysitting per week for residential positions can be expected.
How do I interview a Nanny?
First of all
do a telephone interview to see if you have a rapport with the Nanny.
We suggest that if a Nanny or Nannies seem like they might be a good
fit for your family you should interview her more than once,
preferably by both parents, before offering her the position.
Our members
pages offer help & guidance on interviewing techniques.
How
do I screen a Nanny?
The first
stages of screening a Nanny is the telephone interview. Your
instincts are your best tool in choosing the right Nanny. Next, we
suggest you contact her references to see what those families have to
say. On our members pages we go into more detail on checking a
Nannies background and which companies can help you at very little cost.
What is
the difference between a Nanny & Mothers Help?
A Mothers Help
would have childcare experience but has not taken any formal
childcare qualifications such as NNEB / Btec or NVQ's. If a qualified
Nanny is not within your budget, then a Mothers Help may be a good
alternative. You should Interview and check their working background
in the same way you would a Nanny.
How
do I cancel my account now I've found a Nanny?
You can cancel
your account easily within the members area.