Anyone who has had to look at childcare options knows how traumatic a process it can be – where to start, will it work, how much will it cost and that is before the emotional turmoil of having to juggle work and family. I recently had the pleasure of meeting KoruKids – a new kind of nanny share and after school agency who may just have struck the winning combination of matching parents with (the right kind of) students.
A bit about them:
KoruKids was founded by Rachel Carrell (also a mum from Highgate in North London) after a career at McKinsey and in health technology. When Rachel had her first child (her second is due in December) she came across the age old problem of finding the right childcare at the right price point.
“I saw lots of female friends unable to go back to work, or making career choices they didn’t really want to make, just because they couldn’t find the right childcare. I felt deeply that this was unfair, and bad for society.”
On quitting her job she focused on improving childcare options in London, focusing on three things: really great childcare, as affordable as possible, and as convenient as possible.
Why we love them:
Having gone through the childcare dilemma ourselves we celebrate anyone who will take the pain out trying to do it right. KoruKids accept only 10% of those students who apply making sure that any take forward to meet with families all have excellent references, paediatric first aid training and are DBS checked. The service costs £12 ph which includes everything (nanny wages, taxes, national insurance, their fee, payroll and pension). There are no hidden ongoing fees. Result.
On top of that, having enjoyed the company of the KoruKids principals whilst their lovely nannies looked after my two children, I’d be delighted to use them to search for a childcare solution. The kids were in heaven and the maturity and capabilities of the nannies were clearly evident.
Before you get too excited:
(…and it’s hard not to get too excited about the possibility of an exciting childcare solution, I’m not gonna to lie), I’ve heard from a few parents in SW London who have tried and failed to find a nanny via KoruKids. My view is it’s down to 2 things : 1) the company’s growth so far has been fast and naturally focused on their home turf (North London). It makes sense that part of a sensible ‘matching’ of family and nanny is finding a nanny who doesn’t have to travel too far to get to you each day and 2) the ideal number of after school days to request is 3+.
BUT … before you become despondent DO NOT FEAR, KoruKids say they are currently training 50 nannies a week (yes 50) so if you are on a nanny search it’s definitely worth getting in touch – there’s a good chance you’ll strike it very lucky.
