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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Can I use a childminder for wrap around care?

33 replies

ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 21:31

DH works shifts, and I work 9-5.

50% of the time, DH will be able to do pick up and drop off. The other 50%, because the nursery is 8-4:30 (and it's really good so am reluctant to choose another), would it be possible to drop DS at a childminder to be dropped off at nursery, and for the CM to pick him up and keep him until 6pm?

It's just an extension of the care, so 2.5 hours a day, possibly less, 50% of the time.

Is this acceptable? Can you do this?

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DoingItForMyself · 18/12/2013 10:26

This was several years ago so I can't actually remember the agency we used, but I'm sure there are lots of people on here with more recent experience, who can point you in the right direction.

It will be nice for your DS to have a mix of nursery and one to one time, rather than all day at nursery.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 10:16

doing can you recommend any agencies?

The trouble is I could send him to a nursery with longer hours, but I don't want to. The nursery I've picked out is really outdoorsy and just lovely, so I don't really want to compromise on that because I think it'll do wonders for his confidence.

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DoingItForMyself · 18/12/2013 10:08

That sounds ideal then, and would give you more flexibility and someone to tidy your house and cook you dinner sometimes too!

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:53

doing the agency I've looked at this morning seems to suggest they can match you with more experienced au pairs, and they've all done first aid courses as a requirement to be listed with them.

But I'll look into this further and see whether this is actually the case!

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Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:49

artandco this was what I was thinking. It would be much less than 20 hours a week. If they could fill in if DS was poorly that'd be great, but again; if DH is off (50% chance) then she need not bother.

I wonder if she'd be able to provide perhaps 1 Saturday a month at extra cost? Or babysitting in the evening? He sleeps like a log, and never gets up so it's really just a matter of having someone there!

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DoingItForMyself · 18/12/2013 09:49

Yes, au pair is a good idea. I had one once for my 5 y/o.

Again though, it might be worth considering getting her on a basic childcare course if she's new to it & paying for a first aid course to put your mind at rest (especially if she's very young).

My AP was never really alone with my son as I worked form an office in the grounds of our house, so was always on hand, but if she'd been in sole charge of him I'd have liked her to be a bit more experienced.

DoingItForMyself · 18/12/2013 09:47

If its under 2 hours a day then you don't need an OFSTED registered CM, so technically a student or retired person could do it, but if its 2.5 then legally the person has to be OFSTED registered.

But even so, would you really be comfortable regularly leaving your 2 year old with someone who isn't accountable, with no training and no recent experience of providing childcare for pre-schoolers?

I know he'll get the education aspect of care from nursery, but even so, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable leaving a young child with someone who hadn't done the basics such as a paediatric first aid course and an introductory course about child development etc.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:46

doingitformyself that's interesting, thank you. I hadn't realised there were separate registers Thanks

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Artandco · 18/12/2013 09:46

Yes I would agree with an au pair. They are only suppose to do 20 ish hrs a week anyway, so many would like your arrangement. You could add an evening babysit as less hours in week generally, and also they are usually willing to work a full day occasionally ( for extra obv) if childs off school sick/ staff development day etc

Around £100 a week depending on area.

DoingItForMyself · 18/12/2013 09:43

I think the problem is that wraparound CMs are generally looking after school age children and may not be familiar with the early years foundation stuff that is needed for under 5s. They may also not be OFSTED registered for under 5s as there are separate registers for different ages. As a wraparound/holiday CM I am only on the childcare & voluntary (over 8s) registers, not the EYFS one.

I would be happy about the hours (most of mine will only be 2-3 hours after school) but as others have said, I don't think you could specify a random 8-15 days a month, you'd have to book her for set days e.g. Mon/Tues/Weds every week or every day, not Monday one week and then Tuesday the next, as she won't be able to fill the free days with anyone else and CMs are limited on the numbers they can take with little ones.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:40

Good thought FE I'll do that actually.

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NoSquirrels · 18/12/2013 09:22

Or advertise at a local FE college for a student? It's the type of job a retiree might like too.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:15

twinkle yes I'd be willing to be flexible with that as I appreciate the timing can be a bit difficult!

I might have a look at au pair agencies to see if that might suit us more; I suppose then at least if a train was running late it wouldn't be as big an issue. It's only pick up and drop off between 8 - 15 days a month, depending on DH's shift pattern.

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Original poster
ziggiestardust · 18/12/2013 09:05

I wonder whether in this case, an au pair might be a better option? She could more or less be a full time student, so a good opportunity for her as the hours would be so low.

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Waggamamma · 18/12/2013 08:03

I've just tried to find exactly the same thing op (although different area) and out of twelve child minders in my catchment, none wanted the job as it's too few hours Sad .

I needed pick up from school attached preschool at 3pm and look after him until 6pm. set days no shift pattern.

I've had to call in favours from friends and rearrange my working hours.

HSMMaCM · 18/12/2013 07:05

Ah ... Of course I'm not suggesting you go for poor quality care. Just that it might have been easier to find an all day CM than a few hours.

How about a student, who could fit it around classes? (But might not be around in the holidays)

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 18/12/2013 01:11

As a cm I wouldn't like to do a 4.30 pick up but if I had a spare space would maybe suggest a 3.45/4pm pick up to fit with school runs and save taking the others back out. You may struggle with the few hours though.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 23:09

HSMMaCM I think that because up until now, where I've lived there's been such poor CM provision. Nurseries are the only option, really.

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Original poster
ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 23:04

Yes it is pancake. I would be happy if the CM wanted to pick up along with the other children at primary school kick out time, as like I say; it wouldn't be all the time. Between 8 and 15 days a month depending on DH's pattern and when it fell.

This would normally be where a family member stood in, but we don't have anyone to help us out.

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Pancakeflipper · 17/12/2013 23:01

Is the nursery near a school? If so ask there about possible CM's - our school has a list of local ones who do drop/collection. Worth an ask.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 22:59

To be honest I've never really considered a CM all day. I don't know why!

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HSMMaCM · 17/12/2013 22:36

How about a CM all day - we follow the same curriculum as nurseries?

lovelynannytobe · 17/12/2013 22:34

From an ex childminder pow I would not offer the space mostly because of the timing. 4.30 is dinner timeish and I would have to drag all the other children with me to collect yours.
Also that would be very few hours I would have to charge a higher fee and want paying all days you might need as otherwise it just wouldn't be worth keeping the space open.

Original poster
ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 21:51

Would a nanny service be a better bet, do you think?

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Original poster
ziggiestardust · 17/12/2013 21:50

nicknacks no that's fair enough given the number of hours

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