Georgie Jones, co-founder of Like Minders, talks flexible childcare

Georgie Jones co-founded London-based Like Minders, an affordable and flexible babysitting and childcare service, with university friend, Bryony Churchill, in 2009 as a way of giving parents access to great childcare as and when they need it, without the commitment of taking on a full-time nanny or au pair. Since then nursery prices have continued to rise and the business has gone from strength to strength. So what does it take to be a Like Minders nanny? Is a nanny better than a nursery? And how has the nanny industry changed in the last ten years? We caught up with Georgie to find out more.

As with any new business… setting up Like Minders was hard work, but we enjoyed the challenge and now feel that we have a very experienced database of childcarers that we can rely on.

Bryony's background is... all childcare related and she has been nannying on and off since she was 15! It is a very fulfilling job and extremely enjoyable, but as every parent will know, it is hard work and at times exhausting. That's why we now relish the opportunity to give parents that well-earned rest as and when they need it.

Bryony and I met… at Edinburgh University. We had always chatted about going into business together, but when we both started feeling unfulfilled in our day jobs, we decided to take the plunge.

I have always liked children… I have lots of nieces and nephews who I adore. I love their enthusiasm and intrigue in the world. There is nothing like having your own though…

The old idea of a nanny was very much that… she was in charge of the children and all that went with them - ie she had ‘nursery duties'. These days, I think parents are much more open to finding someone who is ‘part of the family' rather than someone who is tucked away and ‘seen but not heard'.

Flexibility is incredibly important when it comes to child care… We believe that good, trustworthy childcare is something that all parents should have access to whenever they need it. Our flexible approach means that our clients have the freedom to change their requirements as and when they need to. By joining Like Minders our clients can have the benefits of a nanny without any long term commitment. The fact that members can book last minute is also of huge benefit to those who lead particularly busy lives.

There are many benefits of using a nanny over a nursery… First and foremost your child will have one-to-one care. Meanwhile, you will have the benefit of knowing that they are in their own home. For families with more than one child it is almost half the cost to have a nanny at home rather than two or more nursery places. And if you live in London, you don't have the issue of waiting lists…

Nanny's can provide the same stimulus for children that a nursery can… Most nanny's enjoy spending time with their other nanny friends and there are so many opportunities for baby and toddler activities (music classes, swimming classes, soft play centres etc) that the child or children they look after not only get one to one care but also stimulus from other children.

Only best childcarers are on our books… All our minders are over 21 years old, hold up to date CRBs and are registered through a stringent screening process. We personally meet each and every candidate for a face to face interview to ensure that our standards remain very high and insist upon a minimum of three references, which we check thoroughly. This allows us to gain a complete understanding of each new childcarer's character and level of experience. I certainly would not use a girl that I wouldn't be entirely comfortable leaving with my own son.

If you're leaving your child/children with a nanny for the first time… make sure you book the childcarer to turn up an hour before you are due to leave. That way you can show them around, advise on what you would like them to do and watch them interact with your child. Take the telephone number of the childcarer and make sure they have yours in case they need to contact you. Ask them to text you at hourly intervals or a few times throughout the day or evening so that you can relax and know everything is ok at home.

Having my own baby, Max, has… confirmed my belief that parents need this kind of childcare. I fully understand how hard it can be to leave the most precious thing in the world with a stranger and so it just highlights our key objectives of only using the very best childcarers.

My favourite maternity shops while present were… Jo Jo Maman bebe, Isabella Oliver and Pretty Pregnant for 7 for all Mankind maternity jeans. Now I shop for Max at Baby Gap, the Little White Company and Baby Ralph Lauren.

If you're a new mother… don't be afraid to ask for help. Being a mum is a huge learning curve and you always need help whether physical or emotional.

In five years time… we hope that Like Minders remains the leading babysitting and childcare agency in London. We would love to take it nationwide so that parents have access to amazing childcare all over the UK.

My favourite website is… Mr and Mrs Smith for a bit of escapism on a rainy day! They always have fantastic reviews and plenty of child-friendly hotels. Just don't forget to book yourself a holiday nanny from Like Minders for the ultimate break!

Emily Jenkinson

18th April 2011