NanniesOnTheNet.co.uk
For all your Child Care Needs
Information for parents looking to employ a nanny
Finding a nanny that is right for your family and making that process as easy and stress free as possible for you are our main objectives. We believe that setting high standards in the recruitment of our nannies and childcare staff and working closely with parents to understand and meet their requirements are essential to the success of every nanny placement
Our Screening Process
All nannies and childcare staff applying to register with our agency are interviewed personally by us (this is why we only look for placements for nannies living or working in our area or those willing to travel to us for interview). Nannies must be able to prove that they have previous nanny experience or in the case of au pairs or parent’s helps, that they have the right aptitude for the demands of such a position
We undertake identity checks on all nannies and childcare staff by asking to see original documents such as passports, birth certificates etc. And in the case of au pairs from overseas we will check the validity of their documents for working in the UK
Nannies and childcare staff must be able to provide satisfactory employment references and/or character references which can support their application – pre-written references from past employers are not accepted without verification
Nannies and nursery nurses must also produce their original certificates of any qualifications or relevant training
Our agency also recommends that all nannies and other childcare staff registering with us apply for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and we will always discuss this issue fully with parents prior to a nanny starting work with them. We also recommend that nannies and childcare staff hold a current First Aid certificate. Nannies on the Net uses an Umbrella Body to undertake CRB checks on our childcare staff
Finding a nanny, maternity nurse, au pair or parent’s help
The first stage...
If you would like to use our services please complete the on-line Family Registration form; please take some time to fill out this form comprehensively because the information you provide us with here will assist us in finding the right nanny, parent’s help or au pair for your family. There is no fee for registering your nanny, au pair or parent’s help vacancy with us; you only pay if we place a suitable candidate with your family. (Please refer to our Terms of Business and fees). However there is no charge for good advice and if you feel you have some unanswered questions after visiting our website please contact us by phone or e-mail and we will be happy to try and answer your questions
Once we have received your Family Registration form we will contact you to discuss your application in more detail and answer any questions you might have. Once we have all the details we need we will then send you our Terms of Business which will outline the fee you will be liable to pay should we place a nanny, au pair or parent’s help with your family
With all of your details we will approach the nannies, au pairs and parent’s helps registered with the agency; we will only contact you about candidates that fit your criteria and that have expressed an interest in your position. We will not waste your valuable time sending you the details of numerous candidates, thus saving your time (and ours)!
With the first stages of the pre-selection process completed you can then decide if you would like to conduct a telephone interview or face-to-face interview with the suitable candidates. We will organise all of this for you and can even help with interview questions
Second interviews...
We always recommend a second interview where your favourite candidate(s) can meet your children or maybe even meet your current nanny or parent’s help if you are looking for a replacement for a nanny that is moving onto pastures new. This second interview also gives you the opportunity to discuss finer detail such as working hours, salary expectations etc.
We can advise and guide you on all stages of the interview process, helping you with interview questions etc. One of the most common reasons for placements breaking down in the early months is a difference in expectations between the nanny and her new employers; it is imperative then at this stage to be clear about your expectations of your new employee and the candidate about theirs
The final stages...
Our agency will keep in touch with you throughout the whole interview process and assist you in agreeing terms and conditions with the nanny you choose. We will assist you in any way we can to ensure that the process is straightforward and runs as smoothly as possible
After care...
We will always be happy to help families that have used our services and the nannies, au pairs and parent’s helps we have placed especially in the first few months of their commencement of employment with your family
We have nannies with different experience to meet the requirements of different families; we will only introduce your family to nannies who match your requirements
Nannies are an age old form of childcare; look back at novels, royalty and movies and you will see that nannies have been providing childcare for hundreds and hundreds of years. The modern nanny is a skilled and imaginative childcare professional and the right nanny can enhance your child’s development and learning – no matter what age they are. The modern nanny provides high quality childcare that allows families to function in a demanding and fast paced world where parents often work long hours; we believe that today’s nannies are a necessity not a luxury for busy families!
Modern nannies are professional and hardworking and should be rewarded with fair working hours, good salaries and paid time off; many nannies also look for additional packages such as cars and expenses. Every job is different and terms and conditions for nannies reflect this
Types of nannies
Live-out nannies...
Live out or daily nannies usually work fairly long hours between 7.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. each day Monday-Friday or are part-time. A daily nanny may suit your requirements if you work regular hours for example. Most nannies undertake childcare duties only and you will need to negotiate any additional duties such as general housework, ironing etc. before your nanny commences work with your family; although most nannies will see general nursery duties such as cleaning your child’s bedroom and/or play areas, children’s laundry, ironing etc. as part of their job. If you require additional babysitting you will need to discuss this with the nanny before they start work for you and it is very likely that you will have to pay extra for this. Many daily nannies who use their own car for work will expect to be paid mileage allowance and you will also need to budget for activities such as entrance fees, activities etc.
Live-in nannies...
Live-in nannies generally work longer and/or unsociable hours including weekends and suit families where parents work irregular or unsociable hours themselves. Babysitting duties can be included in the salary but it is essential to agree this before a nanny starts working for your family. Accommodation in the form of their own bedroom and private bathroom are standard and the nanny’s everyday living such as food and utilities are included; usually the only bill the nanny is expected to contribute towards is the telephone bill if they use this facility in the family home. Most live-in nannies expect a car to be provided by the family for their work and their personal use off duty
Qualifications...
Nannies may have a combination of experience and qualifications but some nannies may not have formal childcare qualifications. All of our nannies have a qualification and 1 years experience or if they do not hold a formal childcare qualification they must have worked as a nanny for 2 years
Your nanny may hold one of the following qualifications:
National Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB) or BTEC Diploma
CACHE (Diploma in Nursery Nursing)
CACHE (Advanced Diploma in Child Care and Education)
CACHE (Certificate in Childcare and Education)
Norland Diploma
BTEC National Diploma in Childcare Studies
NVQ in Childcare Education Levels 1, 2 or 3
Montessori teaching diploma
NAMCW National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare
City & Guilds Family and Community Care
Maternity Nurse Course (NVQ Level 3)
Accredited First Aid course
Other types of childcare...
There are many forms of childcare to choose from; part of the success of employing someone to look after your children is to consider carefully what your family’s needs are. Maternity nurses, temporary nannies, au pairs and parent’s helps usually undertake short term placements with families. All of our maternity nurses, au pairs and parent’s helps are thoroughly vetted
Maternity nurses...
As the name suggests maternity nurses undertake time limited assignments where a family has a new baby and will look after the welfare of both mother and child in the early weeks/months after the birth of the child; helping to establish routines, help with breastfeeding and other day-to-day childcare duties so the new mother can rest and the whole family settle into life with a new baby. Maternity nurses can only advise on childcare issues and do not give medical advice or nursing care. Some maternity nurses have specialist experience with twins, premature babies or babies with special needs. Maternity nurses usually live-in and carry out nursery duties only
Temporary nannies...
Temporary nannies undertake short term assignments with families usually to cover school holidays or for families who may for a number of reasons only need a nanny for a short period of time. Temporary nannies can be booked for as little as 4 hours through Nannies on the Net; please contact us directly via e-mail or telephone for more information on this service
Au pairs...
An au pair lives as part of your family and provides general domestic and childcare support but does not usually hold any childcare qualifications and their childcare experience is likely to be limited to babysitting or caring for their siblings. Au pairs should work no more than 5 days a week for no more than 5 hours per day and should be allowed time off to study English. An au pair may suit your requirements if for example your children are older and require after school care until you return from work or if you have children and are at home yourself during the day and just need some general help around the house and with your children. In return for providing this help the au pair gets an allowance of approximately £55 per week, accommodation in the form of their own room and their board. We do not recommend an au pair as a sole carer of children i.e. with sole responsibility for long periods of time
Parent’s helps...
Similar to au pairs, parent’s or mother’s helps are usually inexperienced and should only provide general childcare and domestic support within your home and would suit your family if you have young children and are at home with them. A parent’s help may perform duties such as general housework, helping with shopping, helping with trips and activities etc. Our agency asks that all parent’s helps hold a formal childcare qualification
Happy children, happy families
Enhancing their development
