Our Recruitment Service for Parents
Many parents come to Tigerlily after trying to source a nanny via job boards and finding that they didn't make the best choice. A significant number of our candidates have been known to Tigerlily for many years and most come to us via recommendation. We have the experience, knowledge and time to interview all of our candidates extensively. We also find that candidates are more confident in speaking about their preferences and requirements to an agency than when dealing directly with the family.
By using a reputable agency such as Tigerlily Nannies & Maternity, you are assured that all candidates we recommend have been personally interviewed and thoroughly screened by an experienced childcare consultant. They will also be the closest possible match to your requirements that we are able to find i.e. possess the requisite skills, experience and other key attributes that we will have discussed with you.
Importantly, we will provide you with a selection of suitable candidates to consider for interview.
First Aid & DBS Checks (previously called CRB Checks)
Our policy is that all candidates placed on a permanent basis will have had a DBS check within the 12 months prior to engagement with a family. Those Nannies on the Ofsted Voluntary Register will have undergone a DBS check when they first registered. However, Ofsted do not repeat this check unless given reason to do so. All nannies and home-based childcarers must hold an up to date Paediatric First Aid certificate. Our sister Company Tigerlily Training, specialises in providing Paediatric First Aid Training for nannies and childcarers and discounts are available for our clients and candidates. For further information, please visit www.tigerlilytraining.co.uk or call us on 0300 3020 999.
Reference Checks
All our candidates have been personally interviewed and appropriate references are collected and verified. Copies of these references and the consenting referees will be forwarded to you to assist your selection process. All our branches follow the policies and processes set out by Tigerlily Head Office and REC to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service.
Childcare Options
Tigerlily Childcare is committed to providing the best possible childcare or household staff for you and your family. We specialise in providing the following types of childcare (Click the appropriate role to reveal more information):
Nannies
A Nanny is a professional, qualified and experienced childcarer with the experience and skills to provide, a safe, loving and stimulating environment for your child. A nanny should hold a DBS, excellent references and a paediatric first aid certificate.
The role of a Nanny:
A Nanny is responsible for feeding, washing, clothing, educating and stimulating children. The Nanny should also plan activities that enhance learning and development. Nannies are not usually responsible for general housework or chores, although they should clear up after the children (and themselves!) and you may wish to broaden their role with household tasks – so long as the nanny is prepared, able and happy to perform them.
Nanny hours:
With the change towards flexible working hours, many parents are now looking for part-time nannies. The option is now available to employ a nanny on a part-time basis, as a nanny will often work for more than one family. An average day for a nanny is 8am to 6pm, although many nannies do work a 12 hour day.
Cost considerations:
As the Nanny's employer, you are responsible for payment of their tax and national insurance contributions on top of the net amount your Nanny takes home. Our Nanny Tax section provides more information on these issues.
Nanny qualifications:
There are many different qualifications and childcare courses available to nannies. Please ask us we will be happy to provide you with our "qualifications explained" fact sheet.
Benefits of employing a Nanny:
The benefits of employing a Nanny are numerous. Along with the flexibility and bond your child will build with their Nanny, perhaps the most significant benefit is knowing that your child will feel secure in their own environment and that they are being given one to one specialist attention. You will also have far more control over the development of your child than if they were at Nursery as you will be able to direct and manage your Nanny as required. A good Nanny will also feedback to you on a regular basis about special moments and developmental issues and can easily maintain a diary of these events for you.
Nanny Housekeeper
A Nanny Housekeeper is an experienced nanny who also has good cooking and home management skills plus the flexibility to manage the home and housekeeping - this role usually works best with children of school age.
The role of a Nanny Housekeeper:
As well as the fulfilling the role of a Nanny their duties also include all family washing and ironing, running errands, grocery shopping, changing bed linen, cleaning and generally running the home in the parents' absence.
Nanny Housekeeper hours:
A Nanny Housekeeper will typically work an average of 6 hours a day - often taking care of the household duties prior to collecting the children from school and then carrying out a more child focused role after the school-run and during the school holidays.
Cost considerations:
As the employer of your Nanny Housekeeper, you are responsible for their tax and national insurance contributions on top of the net amount they take home. Our Nanny Tax section provides excellent information on these issues.
Benefits of employing a Nanny Housekeeper:
This role offers great flexibility to working parents with school age children. A Nanny Housekeeper often works less hours during term time and their hours can then be increased during school holidays when the role becomes more child focused. A Nanny Housekeeper is often a nanny who has their own home and understands how to carry out household tasks.
Maternity Nurses
Maternity Nurses are ideal for first time parents. Tigerlily childcare only supply experienced and qualified Maternity Specialists.
Our Maternity Specialists are dedicated to giving help and advice to a mother during the first few weeks following the birth of a new baby.
Maternity Nurses are ideal for first time parents, as they are able to help establish a routine with feeding and sleeping, and generally offering gentle guidance at a very special, but often daunting time.
A Maternity Nurse will give as little or as much hands on help that you need. Many Maternity Nurses offer 24 hour live-in help, and will be happy to take over some night-time feeds, giving parents a well-deserved rest.
A Maternity Nanny specialises in caring for newborn babies with older siblings. They are ideal for a parent who needs extra help, or is going back to work and requires sole charge for a small baby and another young child.
Interviewing Potential Candidates
Preparing for the Interview
Tigerlily Childcare recommend that upwards of 45 minutes is allowed for each interview. The interview should be relaxed but structured and planned in advance. It is advisable to arrange the interviews when children are in bed or otherwise occupied. A nanny will want to give the children her attention but will also want to focus on the interview. Ask some initial open questions to put the nanny at ease and give the nanny your full attention.
- Give the nanny an overview of your family, children's names and ages
- Tell the nanny about the position – let them know your future plans, will the children go to nursery or school in the next year
- Ask the nanny to tell you about themselves, what made them decide on a career in childcare
- Go through the nanny's CV in detail, asking her to describe each childcare position (use structured questions as suggested below)
- Ask the nanny about her interests and hobbies – many nannies have a range of talents such as music or languages. Ask the nanny if she has any specific questions
Ask the candidate about...
- Why did you choose a childcare career, what appealed to them about working as a nanny?
- What do you think are the qualities needed to be a good nanny?
- What do you enjoy most about being a nanny? What are the challenges you face?
- Tell me about your most recent nanny positions. What did you enjoy, how old where the children?
- Why did you leave?
Planning a day - child focused activities
- Could you describe an average day as a nanny?
- In view of our childrens’ ages what areas of development would you be concentrating on and what sort of activities would be suitable?
- How would you plan a typical day? What are your favourite activities with children?
- How would you occupy our children during the day?
- What local groups have you attended in the past?
- Have you had experience of potty training, supervising homework etc?
- How would you occupy the children whilst you were cooking?
- What are your views on children watching TV or using electronic devices?
- When I come home from work I like a tidy house – how would that fit with your expectations
Safety and welfare
- What type of meals would you cook for our children? How would you meal plan for our children?
- If caring for a baby or toddler, ask about experience preparing bottles, using a sterilizer or weaning.
- Do you hold a current paediatric first aid certificate?
- Have you ever had to deal with an emergency?
- How would you plan for an emergency
- What would you do if a child was choking?
Discipline
- What would you do with a child that threw a tantrum?
- Good manners are important to us as a family - How do you introduce good manners to children?
- What would you do if our children were squabbling?
Reliability
- How is your time keeping?
- How many days sick leave have you had in the last year?
Your Expectations
You will need to describe the position that you are offering in detail. Be very clear on your requirement and expectations.
- Start date and hours of work
- Salary - quote gross annual salary
- Required babysitting/night cover if required or oversea travel with family
- Duties and responsibilities, relating to all the children and around the house. In particular if you require something more than nursery duties (e.g. family shopping, laundry etc) this should be mentioned
- Routines that you would like kept - e.g. music groups, swimming lessons, playgroups
- Holidays - in particular discuss whether you require her to take some of her holiday when you take some of your holiday
- House rules such as nannies visiting or use of the phone
- If it is a live in position, describe and show the nanny the accommodation. Also talk about when she can use the kitchen and the other communal areas of the house and what meals will be provided, if any
- Use of a car
- Whether she will be required to prepare all the children's meals or plan meals
- Any issues relating to the children of which the nanny should be aware
At the end of the interview thank the nanny for their time and ask if they have any further questions. Tell them if you have other candidates to see and when you will be making your decision.
Selecting your preferred candidate
Once you have found the nanny you wish to employ, the next stage is to make a formal 'offer of employment' to them.
Tigerlily will be happy to do this for you, however many families prefer to make the offer themselves. The three key elements of the job offer are:
- The date that the nanny will commence employment with you
- The days and hours that the nanny will work
- The salary that the nanny will receive
Once the nanny has accepted the offer, the final stage is to put these details into a Contract of Employment. The Contract of Employment is a legal document that all nannies (as employees) are entitled to and Tigerlily will forward you a draft contract for you to edit / tailor as required. Once this document has been agreed & signed by both parties, the next stage is for the nanny to commence working for you and looking after your child(ren).
Contract of Employment
The law requires a nanny to receive a contract of employment from their employer. Employment Legislation is a complicated and frequently changing area – we strongly recommend that clients use the services of a reputable company that can assist with PAYE, Contracts and Employment Legislation such as Nanny Tax.
Public and Employer's Liability Insurance
As an employer, the family must check that their insurer protects them against possible claims made by their nanny, such as personal injury.
Driving
Whilst some families will provide a car for their employee(s) to use, many will use their own car for school runs and trips out. It is important that if using their own car, the employee has business insurance and that they are compensated with a pence per mile rate to cover petrol and wear and tear. It is the family and employee's joint responsibility to ensure that the car is road worthy and that correct child seats are fitted. You may wish to see their driving licence, MOT and insurance details.
The OFSTED Childcare Register (OCR)
Introduced in April 2007 to replace the Childcare Approval Scheme, the OCR is a voluntary scheme. Parents wishing to take advantage of the childcare element of working tax credits or employer supported childcare vouchers will need their nanny to be registered with OFSTED.
The registration process takes approximately 8 weeks to complete and costs approx £120. As long as the nanny continues with her annual registration her DBS status will remain valid. We always recommended that you check your nanny's Ofsted URN status online to ensure that it is valid. An application can be made on-line and full details of the scheme along with an application form are listed on the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk or you can call 08456 404040 for more information.