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.
Where can I find a nanny?
Contact a nanny agency, many of which advertise in various specialist magazines and are available from the larger newsagents, or search the directory for nannies or au pairs. 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.
Place an advertisement in a magazine or your local paper.
Contact local further education colleges 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.
Put an advertisement on local notice boards where potential nannies might look for new jobs, e.g. primary schools and drop-in clubs for parents, nannies and children.
Talk to other parents or join local parents' organisations, like the National Childbirth Trust (for your local branch call the NCT enquiry line on 0300 330 0700).
Writing an advertisement
Your advertisement needs to detail:
- Hours
- Duties
- Age(s) of children
- Area where you live
Do not include the names of your children or your actual address.
It may be preferable to ask potential nannies to write to a box number (your local post office can 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.
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.