The East Green Way
I was going to call this, what to expect from a nanny agency but then I realised that I don’t know if other agencies work like me! I want to explain the way I work, what you can expect from me, the expectations and standards I have, and why it might help you to find a nanny through a childcare agency rather than ‘going it alone’.
First steps
Let’s start with that initial enquiry. You can either phone me, email me or contact me via the website and then we get to work on finding a nanny for your family.
During that first phone chat, I don’t have a checklist of questions that I ask you about the nanny you need. I like to let the conversation flow – it allows me to create an image of you and your family, which ultimately helps me find you the nanny that fits. It goes without saying that some topics will inevitably be discussed like, do you want part-time or full-time, how many hours, how many children and their ages, and what are you looking for in a nanny.
I’ve met all my nannies and interviewed them at length. As well as knowing their personalities, I carry out the necessary checks too – DBS and driving licences. I know the nannies so well that often, in that first conversation, I’m jotting down names of ‘potentials’. Often, the first name I write down is the nanny you recruit.
If you’ve never had a nanny before, in this call I can explain how it all works. How to manage the day-to-day, how to pay them, what duties you can expect them to perform etc etc. I’m always happy to answer any questions and remember, I have been a nanny too and I’m a mum!
After that there is some admin to do: I’ll send you some forms for information and also my Ts and Cs, and once that’s complete, I’ll send you some suitable nanny CVs.
Meeting nannies
I understand that a nanny’s CV is your only impression of them at this stage, but I’d advise that you’re not too hasty. Meeting people face to face in interview is extremely important – we’ve all met someone and clicked straight away and the same could happen here even if it doesn’t appear that way on paper! However, if there’s someone that you really don’t think is a good fit, don’t take it any further.
The first interview should be without children so that you can carry out the conversation without distraction. This person will be looking after your children so you need to be able to ask all the questions you want, delve into their past experience and also be prepared to answer any questions they might have.
After you’ve interviewed all the nannies, I recommend that you whittle down your pile of CVs to a short list. By all means, give me a call to discuss your thought process and I can help you with any doubts you might have. I offer a tailor-made service to each family and the more I speak to you, the better placed I’ll be to advise.
The second interviews with your short list should be with the children and much more informal. More questions may have come to mind for both you and the nanny so they can be asked now but bear in mind that children may be demanding attention too!
As in any recruitment process, it’s worth remembering that just as you are, perhaps, interviewing a few nannies, the nannies may be meeting other families. I’m not advocating quick decision making, more that you’re not surprised when you discover that the nanny you love has been snapped up by someone else. Often this comes as a shock!
It’s important to consider, as well, that when you’re interviewing for a nanny, it will be for a few weeks’ or even months’ time – at the time of writing, families are interviewing nannies to start in April.
You’ve hired!
You’ve interviewed the nanny twice, maybe met for an informal coffee, they’ve met the children and all went well. You’ve found your nanny – congratulations!
Here are the next steps:
• References – I will check out the references and feedback to you and I welcome you to double check.
• Arrange your nanny’s start date and then we can work back from that.
• Your nanny is likely to be starting quite a long time after meeting the children so it’s a good idea to plan some more meet-ups. It could be that they just drop-in on the way home from their other family or come round for an afternoon. Be mindful that they are doing this in their own time and without payment.
• Plan a handover period. This can be anything from an afternoon to a week and should be close to the start date. Often families want as long a handover as possible; I understand the reasons behind this but do bear in mind that nannies look after children for a living. They are used to working in new surroundings and with new children – they’re great at adapting and thinking on their feet! Children adapt better to new childcare without parents around as well.
• I can help you with the all-important payroll companies, contracts and Ofsted registration
Once all this is complete, you’re ready for your nanny to start! Throughout all of this, I’m always available on the other end of the phone. If this is your first time employing a nanny, I understand that it can be nerve-wracking so feel free to ask me any questions you like!
This is a summary of the service I offer. It’s a very personal service and I take pride in knowing my families and nannies really well. If you’d like to learn more or if you’re looking into recruiting a nanny, just give me a call! 01732 838417
Hazel x