Barcelona Mum

Lucie Bloor - Tender Loving Canguros

What does Tender Loving Canguros offer?
Tender Loving Canguros is an international Nanny and Babysitting agency based in Barcelona.  We can find you a babysitter for that one-off night out or nannies for a more regular or permanent childcare solution. 
The Agency has always been run by mothers who understand parents and their childrens’ needs.  I am very proud of the screening process.  I only interview girls who have good previous nanny experience.  If they are interested in applying for one of my permanent jobs I will then speak with a minimum of two childcare related references.  As a result, none of the girls are casual babysitters and nearly all have held permanent positions here in Barcelona through the agency.  Some of the girls have police checks and some have worked in American schools so have been through their stringent checks. 

How is the business going?
TLC was established by Julie and Julia in 2005 (now of the renowned ‘Fish and Chips’ in Rambla de Raval) and was set up as a S.L. which proved too costly.  I took over the Agency in June 2007 and it was on a renewed growth path … until I had my second baby Talula in March this year.  She is now 6 months and I am getting the agency back on track and expanding the service to Castelldefels and Sitges, Costa Brava and Ibiza.

Who are your main clients?
Most of the clients are Spanish families looking for native English speakers to practice with their children, or expats looking for native Catalan and Spanish.  Both Spanish and expat families need holiday nannies in July and August, or temporary nannies until they get a child into school or guarderia.
Then I have residents or tourists in town who want a one-off babysitter and if they want someone who can speak languages such as Russian, Dutch or Mandarin, I can usually help.  
 
What are the majority of your clients looking for from TLC?
I think the Agency has a good reputation which comes from being run by mothers who care about the standard of care they are providing and understand the difficulty as a parent employing a childminder.  The Agency also has a reputation as the only agency in Barcelona specialising in nannies from international backgrounds and most of my requests are for native English speaking nannies.
 
What kind of concerns do parents have when looking for a nanny/babysitter?
Along with choosing a child’s school, employing a nanny is one of the hardest decisions there is.  Parents want to know that a potential candidate has been efficiently vetted and are usually concerned about how a nanny interacts and communicates with children.  Parents want someone who will be personable, fun, creative and a mentor to their child.

How can parents be sure that the nanny/babysitter is suitably qualified?
A lot of the nannies have CPR and basic First Aid training.  If a parent likes a candidate who does not have this, they can offer to send her on a course themselves.  Many girls have police checks from their country of origin and it is easy to get a police check here in Barcelona, but this will only cover their time spent in Spain.
Otherwise, experience counts for a lot and I recommend that you have your child present at the interview if possible, to see how they interact and ask the nanny what creative elements they would bring to the job. 
When a family need a babysitter for one night they will not have a chance to interview her.  This is where using a reputable Agency is so worthwhile, as the nannies are suitably experienced (according to age and language needs of your child) and are very well vetted.

Do parents from the International Community prefer to have spanish or english-speaking nannies/babysitters?
It depends on the language mix at home, the age of the child and if they are in a Catalan or International school.  It seems everyone wants their kids to have a happy balance; some people with mixed languages at home and a child at Catalan school will want a nanny speaking their mother tongue to give their kids a break.  Others who may not speak so much Catalan in the day will want a Catalan or Spanish nanny.  I recently helped a Catalan mum married to an English man find a Chinese nanny/tutor.  She thought her child needed some language stimulation! 

Do you have many Catalan parents looking for nannies/babysitters? 
Yes, they always want native English speakers.  People are very particular about the ‘native English accent’.

Culturally, what do you see as the main difference vis-a-vis attitudes to childcare from Catalan parents and parents from the International Community?
Everyone wants the same thing.  What is best for their child.

Have you seen a change in what parents expect from a nanny since you took over the business? 
I have more Catalan and Spanish parents wanting native English speakers now.  With English becoming more prevalent on the school curriculum, everyone wants their child to practice English and develop a good accent.

What are your goals for the next year?
To advertise further and reach more families from both Spanish and expat communities.  Improve the website and make it more of a resource tool.  To offer more services such as Childrens Parties/Entertainers and to extend into certain Concierge Services. I began the process of expanding the nanny agency to Costa Brava, Ibiza, Sitges and Castelldefels earlier this year and will continue with that.

What are the main challenges you face running your own business? 
Dealing with the Hacienda, tax and social security in Spanish was a challenge but once you have braved it, it gets easier.  Luckily my Spanish families will usually speak English to me if need be, but I am actively trying to improve my Spanish and start with the Catalan.  And running your own business doesn’t take account of maternity leave and holiday pay which can be hard but has its other benefits such as flexibility.
 
How does running a business in Catalunya compare to running a business in the UK (if relevant)? 
There are a lot more childcare laws and restrictions in the UK and USA than in Spain.  However as with any Agent/Consultant I am recommending girls who can look after your child.  The decision whether to take them on and pay them rests with the parent, as it would in the UK. 
 
Do you think the system in Catalunya is sympathetic to entrepreneurs/the self-employed? 
I don’t think any system is particularly sympathetic to entrepreneurs, but there seem to be less taxes/rates/charges here than the UK.  If you are doing something actively educational in Catalan you can get a grant and they offer free Catalan lessons which is pretty generous.  In a Catalan way.  Great link for free classes http://cpnl.cat/ensenyament/cercador_cursos.html
 
What do you think the main advantages and disadvantages of running your own business are?
Flexibility/Autonomy/Achievement versus Risk/Worry/Holidays?
 
What advice would you give to other women who are thinking of 'going it alone' in Catalunya?
If you are not fluent in Spanish, get a gestor (accountant) who can speak good English.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained … but having someone help you understand the money side lessens the risk.
 
How can people find you?
www.tlcanguros.com       info@tlcanguros.com        Tel 647 605 989