Nanny Needed in London? Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes When Hiring
Nanny Needed in London? Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes When Hiring
Nanny needed in London? We’ve got it covered.
Finding the perfect nanny isn’t as easy as posting an ad and crossing your fingers. If you’ve ever typed “nanny needed in London” into Google, chances are you were instantly hit with a wave of choice, confusion, and maybe a tiny bit of panic.
But don’t worry; you’re not alone. At Hummingbird Home Staff, we’ve spent decades helping families across the UK (and beyond) find their perfect nanny match – and we’ve seen all the pitfalls.
So, before you dive into the hiring pool, read on to discover 7 common mistakes families make when hiring a nanny – and how we help you avoid every single one of them.
Nanny Need in London? Avoid these 7 Hiring Mistakes
1. Not Defining What You Really Need
It sounds simple, but it’s the mistake we see most often: families starting the hiring process without a clear idea of what they actually need.
Do you need a full-time, live-in nanny or part-time after-school help? Someone happy to help with homework and activities? Or perhaps a nanny housekeeper who can tidy as they go?
How we can help: When you partner with Hummingbird, we’ll get to know you, your wants and your needs. We’ll ask the right questions from the start and clearly explain all the different options of home-based childcare, helping you pinpoint what your family really needs – even if you’re not quite sure yourself.
2. Overlooking the “Fit Factor”
A sparkling CV is great, but it doesn’t mean much if your nanny and your children don’t click. Personality, energy, values – these are just as crucial as qualifications.
We’ve seen nannies who are exceptional on paper but aren’t quite the right match for a particular family’s lifestyle or parenting approach. And guess what? That mismatch usually ends in frustration (and more recruitment).
How we can help: Think of Hummingbird as your expert nanny matchmakers. By spending time getting to know your family’s vibe, preferences, and quirks, we’ll make sure we find a nanny who truly “gets” you.
3. Skipping Proper Vetting
This is a biggie. And we get it - if you’ve decided you want extra help in the home, you want to get started as soon as possible.
However, when you’re hiring someone to care for your children, you absolutely must check their background, references, and credentials - and you’d be surprised how often this step gets skipped or rushed, leading to a whole heap of problems further down the line.
How we can help: At Hummingbird, we take vetting very seriously. When you work with us, you can rest assured that all our nannies undergo rigorous checks – including enhanced DBS screening and thorough reference reviews – so you can rest easy.
4. Not Thinking Long-Term
Following on from our point above, we often see families focussing on their immediate needs when it comes to hiring a nanny.
But the truth is, it’s just as important to think ahead. Will your childcare needs change in six months or a year? Will your nanny be able to grow with your family? It’s always important to think ahead so you can ensure you find the right nanny for you, both now and in the future.
How we can help: Here at Hummingbird, we’re not about quick wins and short-term solutions. We don’t just place nannies – we plan for the future, helping you think strategically so your nanny is a lasting part of your household.
5. DIY-ing the Process and Getting Overwhelmed
We understand – when you make the decision to hire a nanny, it’s tempting to try and sort everything yourself.
You think, “How hard can it be?” Cue endless job boards, mixed-quality applications, and hours lost to scheduling interviews, chasing references, and writing contracts. Suddenly, hiring a nanny has become your full-time job - when the plan was to take the pressure off, not add to your stress.
How we can help: Our team of expert nanny recruiters will manage the whole process – from candidate search and vetting to interviews and beyond – saving you time, stress, and a few grey hairs along the way.
6. Forgetting the Legal Bits
Many people forget that when you make the decision to hire a nanny, you become an employer. That means contracts, payroll, taxes, holiday pay – and all the delightful responsibilities that come with it.
Over the years, we’ve seen many families who just aren’t prepared for the admin and legalities involved in the process, which can cause trouble down the line.
How we can help: At Hummingbird, you can count on us to guide you through all the legal and contractual obligations. And that’s not all - we can even connect you with payroll experts to take the stress off your plate, too.
7. Not Trusting Your Gut – or Trusting It Too Much
Some families second-guess every decision. Others go with their gut feeling and skip proper due diligence.
But with 35 years of experience in nanny recruitment, we’ve learned that the sweet spot is a bit of both - which means we can find the right nanny for your family, every time.
How we can help: We balance instinct with insight. Our years of experience help us sense when something’s a perfect fit (or when it’s just not quite right), and we’ll always use our knowledge and expertise to help you trust the process without rushing it.
Why Work with Hummingbird?
If you’ve been Googling “nanny needed in London” and feeling overwhelmed – take a deep breath. You’re in the right place.
At Hummingbird Home Staff, we’ve been helping families find nannies who feel like family for over 35 years. We take the time to understand what makes your home tick and connect you with candidates who are experienced, kind, and a joy to have around.
So, whether you need a live-in nanny to support a busy household, an after-school nanny to help with the homework hustle or a superhero-style nanny housekeeper who does it all, we’ve got you covered.
At Hummingbird, we take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters most: welcoming the right person into your home.
So, if you’re thinking “I need a nanny in London”, don’t go it alone. Let us help you find your perfect match – with zero stress and (possibly) a bit of celebratory cake at the end.
Ready to find your dream nanny? Get in touch today and let’s chat.
