Advertising for a nanny

When should I start?

Finding the right person does take time, so do try to begin your search at least twelve weeks before you need your nanny to start work.

What should I consider before advertising for a nanny?

You will need to decide:

• what duties you wish the nanny to perform
• what hours you will need the nanny to work
• whether you want a live-in or daily 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 - are you occasionally away from home overnight? Will your children need baby-sitting? Do you want a non-smoker? Is more than one language spoken in your home?
• whether your nanny should - like pets; be a driver; own a car; have experience of children with special needs
• how much you intend to pay - in wages or salary; in any extra costs that are associated with employing a nanny, e.g. for outings and leisure activities, which your nanny will organise for your child, or mileage expenses for a nanny using her own car whilst performing her duties
• on the terms and conditions of employment.

How do I advertise for a nanny?

By contacting a nanny recruitment agency

Many advertise in various specialist magazines and are available from the larger newsagents. For a fee, an agency will match your specifications with those of suitable candidates who you will then interview. Even though a reputable agency should have carefully vetted potential nannies you should still ask the agency to tell you precisely what checks they have undertaken. Ultimately, you must rely on your own judgement of a prospective nanny*.

Placing an advert yourself

You can place an advert in:

• a magazine
• your local paper
• local notice boards where potential nannies might look for new jobs, e.g. primary schools and drop-in clubs for parents, nannies and children.

Your advert needs to detail hours, duties, ages of children (for safety reasons not their names) and the area where you live (not your actual address). It should ask respondents to send details of their age, experience, qualifications, employment history and a covering letter explaining why the nanny would like to apply for this particular post.

It may be preferable to ask potential nannies to write to a box number (your local post office will tell you how to get one) rather than you giving out your telephone number, although this may reduce the number of applications that you receive.

Contact local colleges of further education that offer courses in childcare

If you are prepared to take on someone straight from college, training usually ends in June. Newly trained nannies will be relatively inexperienced and may not be especially suited to looking after very young babies.

Talk to other parents or join local parents organisations

Other parents or organisations like the National Childbirth Trust (for your local branch call the NCT enquiry line on 08704 448707) may be able to offer suitable recommendations.

* The Sure Start Unit has been working on some guidance for nanny agencies. These agencies are expected to interview the nannies on their books, carry out the relevant Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), qualification and background checks and ensure that they are properly qualified to work with children.