Nanny with own child .. Need advice !

[crazycitychick]

Dear future Employers ..

I am in desperate need of some employers not nannies please !!

I am a qualified nanny with 20 years experience with excellent references ..

I would really like some advice from parents , I have advertised a few times now with nanny with my daughter

As she is 5 months old ..

I really don't understand why I am not getting any responses from parents .. Is it because my baby is too young ?

I would appreciate some constructive criticism where I am going wrong as I know a few nannies in dulwich take their babies to work with them , don't understand why I can't get a job with my baby ! I'm cheap and a hard worker ! And love children , I wouldn't be playing with my baby all day as I have to work !! Not sure if they are worried about that ?

Just really confused why I'm not getting a job :-(

Would really like some advise ..

Many thanks

Clare

[Digbina]

I haven't employed a NWOC, but from what I've heard, employers are convened about how you would be able to give appropriate care to their child and not favour yours e.g. if baby needs lots of naps, will my child be stuck indoors for a lot of the day? What happens if the two children don't get on? Will my child be exposed to extra levels of illness? There are also equipment concerns - where will the baby sleep? Will I need to supply another highchair or carseat? Where will these be stored?

One thing that really put me off when I was looking was that the agency manager told me that I would be liable for any injury sustained to the nanny's child while s/he was in my house. True or not, that was a risk I wasn't prepared to take.

A NWOC arrangement can work well, but I think you are at a disadvantage when competing for jobs with nannies who don't want to bring their child to work as those concerns don't really figure.

[crazycitychick]

Many thanks for your message and advice ..

It is a shame people feel this wY before even meeting me ? I would not favour my baby before my charges ..

That is not very nice and I feel a bit disappointed that most employers feel like that ! and I would never feel that way about someone else's child . I would treat all children fairly .

In an ideal world I would prefer to work alone without my daughter , but I need to work and can't afford childcare !!

I guess I will need to look at a different route !

Many thanks for the advice though xx

[NannyAdelle]

Don't give in. I worked in sales (on double the salary) before I became a nanny with own child. I started when my son was 14months old. And I've always been in work. Some families will see the value of having someone who genuinely loves working with children. Also like you I never understood the concern which I was also asked about how I choose who's needs to put first. If anything my children have had to become more patient but as a rule I put the priority of need first just like in a nanny share or staff in a nursery would when looking after more than one child.

With regards to napping when I went back to work with my second child she just came along to activities and napped in the pram as she would have had to if it was just her and her older brother. Second children get much less pampering IMO. Eg naps in pram instead of in the cot at home.

Are you ofsted registered? Perhaps being ofsted registered may help you. As you have to have your own public liability insurance. (In case the accident thing is true you are covered)

NWOC is not for everyone but there are families that it works great for. I have a group of nanny friends who dont have their own children and I know hand on heart that the service that I offer is just as good, the children all enjoy the same activities, good healthy meals, and a safe and loving environment.

Good luck I hope you find something soon

[sophiar]

If I were looking for a nanny I would be more than happy to consider a nanny with her own child. We've done a nanny share in the past which worked out great and I wouldn't see this as much different. It could perhaps be that your baby being just 5 months at the moment does make it a little more difficult? I would want the children to be roughly similar ages so they can do the same activities, be at a similar stage with eating, sleeping, playing etc and I didn't need childcare until my boy was a bit older. So perhaps it will get easier? Good luck.

[crazycitychick]

Thanks so much for your responses ..

Im going to work alone and get my full rate , my mum is coming down to look after my daughter ..

Completely agree with what your saying .. Really don't understand the huge fuss !! But is fine ,

As contacted Abbeville and Nappy valley nannies and will work for ?11/ ?12 per hour which I know

I can get . She will be a lot older then and I would feel ok leaving her with my mum ..

Appreciate the advice .

Maybe I'll try again when she is 1 , think it's just her age .. X