On the books

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

A new nanny agency has saved a public library branch in the process of setting up shop. Nanny Search has moved into the upstairs floor of Highgate library in north London, which had been threatened with closure by the local council. Proprietor Amanda Cotton had to agree to repair and refurbish her premises and also another room that is to be used for library-related events. Even in an area with a wealth of nanny-seeking families on its doorstep, Nanny Search is keen to spread its net wider via its website (on www.nanny-search.co.uk) and is also promoting training courses and in-house information resources and has its own baby-changing facilities. Nannies are invited to drop in at 1 Shepherds Hill, London N6 or phone 020 8348 4111. Another agency mining the recruitment possibilities in the north and north-west is Flexible Childcare Solutions, which has had an office in Sheffield for 18 months and opened another in Macclesfield two months ago. Owner Kate Allatt says the accent is on 'flexible' and 'solutions' - 'Whatever you want, we'll try to deliver it.' The agency fills a lot of part-time jobs and also operates creche services. Kate can be contacted on 0114 236 9452 (mobile 07870 674 994).