Booking an emergency nanny, nursery or childminder space
Emergency nannies you book with us are sourced via our collaboration with reputable nanny agencies nationwide. You can also search for your closest nurseries and childminders, save your favourites, and book when you need.
Whichever childcare option you choose, it all starts with a simple search.
Your FIS subsidy
As an employee of FIS you may use up to 5 days per year (for each child / dependant), (renewing each January). The days can be used across Emergency Childcare, School Holiday Cover and Backup Adult & Eldercare.
The FIS contribution to your childcare costs will clearly be shown when booking. To make use of the subsidy, you must book care through the website and not directly with a childcare provider.
Getting in touch
Choosing childcare is an emotional and complex decision. We pride ourselves on always being on hand to answer any questions or concerns parents may have.
If you have a question, please get in touch with our team on fis@myfamilycare.co.uk or 0345 241 5306.
We're available 7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Start by selecting nanny in our search
1) Enter the day(s) you need an emergency nanny
2) Choose the hours your require
Please note there's a minimum booking time of 4 hours for an emergency nanny.
3) Confirm any childcare options
If you have specific requirements, whatever they may be, please remember to let us (and therefore your local nanny agency) know. For example, your child may be mildly ill, or you may have specific activities in mind for them.
4) Check details
The FIS contribution to your care costs will clearly be shown on the booking form.
If you're booking for personal reasons (or if your subsidy for the year has been used), you can pay yourself using a credit/debit card - we only take payment once we have secured a nanny for your booking.
What happens after requesting a nanny?
1) Your local nanny agency is alerted
A local consultant receives a text message and email. The agencies we work with have emergency mobile phones switched on during office hours (7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday).
If a booking for an emergency nanny is made in the evening it will be received first thing in the morning. The email will include all of your registration details and any other information you deem relevant for the booking.
2) An appropriate nanny is sourced
Once they've sourced someone, your local agency consultant will call you to discuss the nanny. Due to the often sensitive nature of emergency nanny bookings the nannies will all be of an exceptionally high standard.
We expect our emergency nannies to be: over 21, experienced, DBS/PVG police checked, have a First Aid certificate, fully referenced and interviewed. If for any reason one of these promises can't be met, this information will be relayed to you and you can make the decision on whether you deem the proposed candidate appropriate or not.
3) Your nanny booking takes place
4) After your booking has taken place
Once the nanny booking has been completed, only then will your final booking hours be finalised. This allows flexibility of hours (i.e. you may require the emergency nanny for more/less hours than previously expected) and also ensures that you are happy with the service provided.
5) Let us know how we did
We'll send you an email asking for some feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your booking. We measure ourselves by the feedback we receive from parents.
Questions about emergency nannies
Our Frequently Asked Questions has a section on our emergency nannies. We're often asked what parents can expect from their nanny, when they can book, and what happens if they want to hire the nanny full time!
Hopefully all your questions are answered in our FAQs.
Start by selecting nursery in our search
1) Local nurseries are listed
Nurseries are shown in order of proximity (as the crow flies) to the postcode entered. Click on a nursery name for more information.
2) Read the nursery's profile
If you're unfamiliar with the nursery, you can read a little about them, their opening times and facilities. We add answers to questions we get asked a lot from parents in a Commonly Asked Questions tab. It's a handy a way to check if you're unsure about something.
3) Enter the day(s) you'd like to request, and for which child
Subject to availability you can book the days you require, up to 3 months in advance or up until 1 hour before the nursery opens that morning. If you need a nursery space on the same day, you may prefer speaking to our team on 0345 241 5306 (7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday).
4) Confirm any childcare options
Please specify who will pick up your child from the nursery, and set a collection password (a phrase you and the nursery will know). If you have any specific requirements, whatever they may be, please remember to let us (and therefore the nursery) know at this stage.
5) Check details
The FIS contribution to your care costs will clearly be shown on the booking form.
If you're booking for personal reasons (or if your subsidy for the year has been used), you can pay yourself using a credit/debit card.
6) Check the confirmation details
You'll be shown details on the screen and an email will be sent to you. The confirmation email includes: opening times of the nursery, a map link on how to get there, a checklist of things which you may need to bring, as well as a medical disclaimer which you will need to print off and sign.
7) Alternative nurseries
Once you've completed your request, we ask for your alternative nursery preferences in the unlikely event that the one you've selected doesn't have availability. We can then book with your alternative choices on your behalf.
What happens after requesting a nursery space?
1) The nursery and our team are alerted
The nursery receives a text message and email. They also receive a form corresponding to the one parents get, ensuring that no important issues are overlooked and your child has everything needed for the day.
2) Availability is checked
Our team and system will check with the nursery if there's availability.
3) Your booking is confirmed
Our team will let you know that the nursery has accepted your request, and will be able to take the booking.
In the unlikely event the nursery doesn't have availability our team will book with one of your alternative preferences. You'll be kept informed at every stage of the booking.
4) Your nursery booking takes place
5) Let us know how we did
We'll send you an email asking for some feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your booking. We measure ourselves by the feedback we receive from parents.
Start by selecting childminder in our search
1) Local registered childminders are listed
Childminders are shown in order of proximity (as the crow flies) to the postcode entered. Click on a childminder name for more information.
2) Read the childminder's profile
If you're unfamiliar with the childminder, you can read a little about them, their opening times and facilities. We add answers to questions we get asked a lot from parents in a Commonly Asked Questions tab. It's a handy way to check if you're unsure about something.
3) Enter the day(s) you'd like to request, and for which child
Subject to availability you can book the days you require, up to 3 months in advance or when you need it most. If you need a childminder space on the same day, you may prefer speaking to our team on 0345 241 5306 (7:30am to 7:00pm, Monday to Friday).
4) Choose the hours your require
Please note there's a minimum booking time of 4 hours for an emergency childminder. Unlike nurseries, many emergency childminders offer weekend or an extended-hours service. This will vary from childminder to childminder - so we recommend having a look at a number of different childminders in order to find the one that can best accommodate your needs.
5) Confirm any childcare options
If you have any specific requirements, whatever they may be, please remember to let us (and therefore the childminder) know at this stage.
6) Check details
The FIS contribution to your care costs will clearly be shown on the booking form.
If you're booking for personal reasons (or if your subsidy for the year has been used), you can pay yourself using a credit/debit card - we only take payment once we have secured a childminder for your booking.
6) Alternative childminders
Once you've completed your request, we ask for your alternative childminder (or nursery) preferences in the unlikely event that the one you've selected doesn't have availability. We can then book with your alternative choices on your behalf.
What happens after requesting a childminder space?
1) The childminder and our team are alerted
The childminder receives a text message and email. They also receive a form corresponding to the one parents get, ensuring that no important issues are overlooked and your child has everything needed for the day.
2) Availability is checked
Our team and system will check with the childminder if they have availability.
3) Your booking is confirmed
Our team will let you know that the childminder has accepted your request, and will be able to take the booking.
In the unlikely event the childminder doesn't have availability our team will book with one of your alternative preferences. You'll be kept informed at every stage of the booking.
4) Your childminder booking takes place
5) After your booking has taken place
Once the childminder booking has been completed, only then will your credit card be debited. This allows flexibility of hours (i.e. you may require the emergency nanny for more/less hours than previously expected) and also ensures that you are happy with the service provided before you pay any money.
6) Let us know how we did
We'll send you an email asking for some feedback. We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your booking. We measure ourselves by the feedback we receive from parents.
