Information for Candidates

In order to register with our agency you will first need to send a copy of your CV to: admin@idealnannies.com

Alternatively contact us on 0044 (0)208 994 5888 to discuss a specific role.

Please ensure you provide your contact telephone number on your CV. We will then conduct an informal telephone interview to discuss your employment history and your requirements to ascertain whether we can assist you. If successful, we will arrange a ‘face to face’ interview at one of our offices to meet you.

At the interview, please ensure you provide the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Please ensure your CV is up to date and provide a FULL work history, please also explain any gaps in your employment history and be sure to include the ages of the children you looked after
• A photo we can keep
• Drivers licence
• Passport
• Work visa (if applicable)
• Qualifications/certificates to prove your education history, for example, Childcare qualifications, First Aid certificates, etc
• References – please ensure the contact details are up to date to avoid delays in checking your references. Without checkable references, we will be unable to assist you
• Confirmation of your DBS and your update service reference number or your Ofsted registration
• Proof of address (utility bill, council tax bill, bank statement etc)

Please note, interviews are strictly by appointment only.

If you are unable to make the interview, please call us on 0044 (0)208 994 5888 to re-arrange. Thank you.

For directions, please refer to the Contact Us page of this website.

• General daily care of the children with sole charge Monday to Friday for up to 12 hours a day for a live-in post and up to 11 hours a day for daily. Babysitting and weekend arrangements should be specified for live-in nannies. Normally babysitting is required two nights a week if you live in.
• Duties will include preparing meals, sterilising bottles, preparing feeds etc. Washing, ironing and putting away the children’s clothes, making sure they have appropriate clean clothes available each day. Tidying the children’s bedrooms and playrooms.
• Taking the children to activities during the week. Taking them to school/nursery and picking them up.
• Ensuring the children meet other children for play opportunities regularly.
• Taking the children to the Health Centre for check ups, vaccinations etc and to the dentist when necessary.
• Checking and ensuring that there are sufficient supplies such as bread, milk, nappies, wipes etc for each day, buying items at local shops if necessary, keeping an account of all kitty money spent. Ordering the on-line shopping to come at a convenient time for you.
• Organising birthday parties for the children.
• A live-in nanny should have her own private room and either have a separate bathroom or share with the children.
• If a car is needed one should be provided and the employer should pay tax and insurance. It will be up to the individual employer if the use of the car is extended to out of work hours.
• The salary will vary according to duties, experience, qualifications and how many children are to be cared for. An average live-in wage is from £400 to £650 gross per week. An average daily wage is from £500 to £750 gross per week. The employer is responsible for paying Tax and National Insurance.
• Paid annual holiday is usually four weeks, two weeks of your choice and two weeks of the employer’s.

• For a successful interview a little preparation goes a long way. Dress smartly. Ensure that you arrive on time and have the correct documents, a current CV, copies of references and your drivers licence. Always make sure you have detailed directions to the house especially if you are new to the area.
• Remember the interview is a two way process, you are there to find out if they are a suitable family for you too. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to give your opinion.
• Be prepared to answer broader questions as well as giving specific details about previous work experience. Many topics can arise, such as why you chose to be a nanny, what you enjoy most/least about the job, discipline, activities you feel are suitable, coping in emergencies and your personal life.
• You should try to make sure all the details of the job are discussed so that you can satisfy yourself that the position is right for you. It can be helpful to have a checklist of the points you want to cover.
• Find out about the parents’ views on discipline, television and how the children spend their days. Also if housework is included, however small, it should be clarified to avoid resentment at a later date.
• Find out whether the family encourages nanny circles and play dates in their homes.
• Clarify your hours of work. Live-out nannies will usually have more specific hours while live-in nannies normally have to be more flexible. You obviously need to know though what hours are expected so that you can arrange your life out of work.
• If you are to be live-in, make sure you see the accommodation provided and that you are happy with it. Privacy is very important.
• Discuss any arrangements about cars and driving. If you use their car, will it be available for your use on the weekends and if so, who pays the petrol? If you use your own car, how much will they reimburse you for petrol etc?
• If you are live-in discuss the house rules. Are you able to entertain friends out of work hours and will boyfriends be able to visit? Use of the telephone, TV etc. is important to check too.
• Find out how many weeks you have for paid holiday and when they can be taken. Also discuss whether you are expected to travel with the family on their holidays.
• Remember I will be talking to employers too, and am there to make sure you are a suitable match.

When you are offered and accept a position
We advise that a contract be exchanged between both parties to avoid misunderstandings. It is good for both parties to have something to refer back to if at any point issues get raised. I have samples of contracts if you would like to see one.

A salary must have been agreed upon and it is the employer’s responsibility to pay the appropriate tax and national insurance payments. The gross figure (what you earn in a year) should appear in your contract.

After a short while of employment it is always good to have a meeting with your employer to discuss how the position is going. It gives both of you the chance to raise any questions or discuss any worries that have arisen. Try to be completely honest as small issues can foster resentment. Most things can be worked out if talked through. Remember we are just a phone call away for advice and will keep in touch on a regular basis.