Business Details
27 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care Services in Oxfordshire
Established in 1999 by Emma Kavanagh, Mum's the Word is a family-run childcare agency dedicated to connecting families with thoroughly vetted professionals. Our rigorous selection process ensures all candidates undergo personal interviews, DBS checks, and reference verification. With over two decades of experience in the childcare sector, we specialise in matching families across the UK with nannies, housekeepers, and domestic helpers tailored to their specific needs. Our team's extensive industry knowledge spans various childcare roles, including maternity nurses, au pairs, and special educational needs support.We maintain a strong focus on discretion and professionalism, particularly for high-profile clients, while providing comprehensive guidance on employment legalities and tax obligations. Our regional branches, managed by experienced childcare professionals, ensure localised service delivery while maintaining national standards.
Services
Nanny Placement
Domestic Help
Childcare Recruitment
DBS Vetting
Franchise Opportunities
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- Over 20 years of experience in childcare recruitment
- DBS and reference checked candidates
- Personalised matching process for family needs
- Nationwide coverage with local expertise
- Comprehensive employment guidance for clients
What people say
Thorough vetting process
Exceptional candidate quality
Responsive service
Professional support
Personal approach
Services
Nanny Placement
We specialise in matching families with qualified nannies through a rigorous selection process. Our candidates undergo personal interviews, DBS checks, and reference verification. Services cater to temporary, part-time, and permanent childcare requirements across the UK.
Domestic Help
Providing vetted housekeepers, cleaners, and domestic assistants for private households. Our candidates meet strict security and experience criteria, ensuring reliable support for daily household management needs.
DBS Vetting
Comprehensive vetting process including Disclosure and Barring Service checks, reference verification, and document validation. Ensures all candidates meet legal and safety requirements for childcare and domestic roles.
Franchise Opportunities
Offering established franchise models for childcare recruitment agencies. Includes training, operational support, and brand licensing for entrepreneurs seeking to establish local branches across the UK.
Childcare Recruitment
Connecting families with qualified childcare professionals including maternity nurses, nursery nurses, and special educational needs assistants. Personalised matching based on specific family requirements and candidate expertise.
People
Emma Kavanagh
Founder & Director
With over two decades of childcare experience, Emma established Mum's the Word in 1999. She oversees operations across Oxfordshire and London, combining practical nanny experience with strategic leadership.
Sophie Jennes
Berkshire & Surrey Manager
Childcare professional with 15+ years' experience spanning nannying and nursery roles. Manages placements across Berkshire and Surrey regions with specialist local knowledge.
Sasha Booth
Kent Manager
Recruitment specialist with extensive childcare sector experience, including nursery work and tutoring. Oversees Kent branch operations with focus on candidate quality and client satisfaction.
Kirstie Dawkins
Buckinghamshire Manager
Childcare expert with 16 years' experience across private nurseries and nannying roles. Provides localised recruitment solutions in Buckinghamshire with deep industry understanding.
Caroline Waldron
Sussex & Hampshire Manager
Seasoned childcare professional with 30+ years' experience covering nannying, special educational needs support, and teaching roles. Manages placements across Sussex and Hampshire regions.
Questions
What childcare services do you offer?
We provide nanny placements, domestic help, and childcare staff recruitment across the UK, including special educational needs support and temporary cover.
How do you vet candidates?
All candidates undergo DBS checks, reference verification, document validation, and personal interviews to ensure they meet our strict security and quality standards.
Can you help with short-term placements?
Yes, we provide temporary childcare solutions ranging from single evening cover to extended placements, with candidates available at short notice.
Do you operate nationwide?
We cover all UK regions including London, with local branch managers providing tailored services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent, and other counties.
What support do you offer employers?
We provide employment contract guidance, tax compliance information, and ongoing support throughout the placement process for all our clients.
Are franchise opportunities available?
Yes, we offer established childcare agency franchises with training, operational support, and brand licensing across various UK regions.
Reviews (4)
Becki Philp
Jan 26, 2022
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness
Emma is amazing and found me the perfect nanny job. She always answers emails quickly and is brilliant xx
Emma is amazing and found me the perfect nanny job. She always answers emails quickly and is brilliant xx
Mill House
May 20, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability,Responsiveness,Value
Emma has been so helpful with the process of us finding a new housekeeper - proven to be reliable and professional! 2 weeks in and we're so happy with our new member of the team! Thanks so much, Emma!
Emma has been so helpful with the process of us finding a new housekeeper - proven to be reliable and professional! 2 weeks in and we're so happy with our new member of the team! Thanks so much, Emma!
Patricia Sturgess Nee Woods
Mar 23, 2021
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I used Mums the Word when we moved to a new area, to find a nanny for two young children due to going back to work full-time. Emma was professional and responsive on the phone and shared excellent candidates that were suitable for our family circumstances. She had clearly listened to our requirements. We interviewed and chose our favourite and have had our nanny for nearly six months now and she has proved to be invaluable and trustworthy. Worth every penny for the peace of mind.
Jennifer Byford
Feb 15, 2021
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Positive:Reliability,Value
Emma found me a great family who I am very happy with. She's very good at keeping you updated with any changes during the process of looking for the right family
Emma found me a great family who I am very happy with. She's very good at keeping you updated with any changes during the process of looking for the right family
