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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Does this childcare exist?!

38 replies

Wigeon · 13/01/2016 19:07

DH and I currently share a lot of the childcare of our DDs (Reception and Y3 aged). We've been thinking about future options as they grow up, and we potentially increase our working hours, and wondering if this ideal form of childcare even exists:

Someone who picks up your DC from school, but only 3 days a week, walks to your home, looks after them and sometimes cooks them dinner, but is also flexible enough to take them to, or collect them from, after school activities (eg singing club), play dates at other children's houses and birthday parties in the local area (sometimes walking distance, sometimes driving). Parent returns home between 5pm and 6pm and person can leave.

I guess this is a nanny, because it's in your home, but presumably most nannies want whole days? And au pairs live in your house, right? We don't have any room for an au pair (and would only need a bit of after school help).

The main issue, which means a childminder or after school club isn't ideal, is that I'd be sad if the DDs missed out on after school activities, which they can currently do because DH or I always collect them from school. I know that this is the reality for many DC, and the world doesn't fall in and they have perfectly fine lives, but I've been mulling over the options.

Any thoughts?

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HSMMaCM · 16/01/2016 11:53

My mum used to do this for one of my sisters friends. Kind of like a borrowed granny.

Akallabeth · 15/01/2016 20:04

Don't rule out after school clubs without asking if they will meet your requirements. The one I work for does regular pick-ups from 6 local schools but we also go back to collect again later from various clubs and are able to forward children onwards to Brownies/Beavers etc. later in the evening. Not sure we have ever been asked to take a child to a birthday party, but before Christmas we did take several back to school for the carol concert.

Our fees are £8 per session (£7 for siblings) which includes a cooked tea. Also we try to make the clubs as 'home like' as possible for the children e.g. they get to choose which activities they want (or don't want) to do and have plenty of children who just want to chill and 'zone out' or chat with their friends in the sofa area after a hard day at school.

Original poster
Wigeon · 15/01/2016 19:09

Thanks again for replies! This is good that some people might actively like this kind of childcare. We do have a college which does BTECs and higher education diploma things, and I've had a look and they do do childcare qualifications, so someone from there could be really good and they might like the experience.

OP posts:
justmemeandi · 15/01/2016 12:26

Hi op, so this is how I got into nannying. I did this exact arrangement as a student. But when I say student. .. I mean university student. It was fab because I used to do around 3 afternoons a week and I came with a DBS check due to the nature of my course. About a year in they paid for me to become ofsted registered because it was more financially viable for them. I slowly increased my hours and am now a full time nanny but with a new family as I moved cities. One thing I will say though, if you want someone from say 3 til 5/6 please just pay for 3 hours. I think if you're fair them the nanny is happier etc... I'm regards to pay, I was paid £8 per hour initially, which was fab as a student who just needed a little extra money. I'm not on a fair bit more but that's because I'm into my 4th year nannying and am much older now!

Picklesauage · 14/01/2016 21:32

Try asking at childcare courses? If you have a further education provider nearby many of hem are already DBS checked and would be great and ready for any behaviour challenges.

gutzgutz · 14/01/2016 21:28

I was one of these in the 1990s (age 18) Just put an ad in the local newsagent (made sure I included the name of my private school so they knew I was a nice middle class girl). Nobody ever considered DBS checks then! I suppose I could have been anybody...

More helpfully could you put a few flyers through local doors as somebody may have an older teenager wanting a bit of extra cash.

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/01/2016 19:52

Thanks elf

Op I think you will find someone :)

RudeElf · 14/01/2016 19:24

Nanny with own child Smile

Original poster
Wigeon · 14/01/2016 19:21

This is encouraging!

Blondes - what's a nwoc? (Google isn't helping)

OP posts:
allegretto · 14/01/2016 18:14

We had someone who did just this - advertise what you want and you will probably find it will suit somebody.

BackforGood · 14/01/2016 18:13

whois - I meant, per head Smile

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/01/2016 15:32

Sounds like you need an after school nanny

Maybe a nwoc if you are happy with that

What happens in holidays or do you only need term care

And needs to make persons while so I would suggest £12 gross for 3hrs of if you would like a bit of extra help with washing etc get them to come in an early early and put washing on and cook tea and for 4hrs

Donge13 · 14/01/2016 15:22

Op we had this arrangement with a student when my dcs were little.
We put a add in the local college and loads of childcare students applied and they all had crb checks. We paid £7 a hour at the Time and she was a lovely girl, was always up for a bit of baby sitting and helping out in the holidays, was sorry to see her go! She is now a teacher

99percentchocolate · 14/01/2016 15:04

Sorry, missed all the replies! 6 hours a week is about what I was doing. We didn't have CRBs, but our teachers had known us for years. They knew we weren't doing anything illegal or into anything dodgy. They knew we were very responsible, which is why they recommended us. The parents met with us beforehand too so they weren't just going on the references.
In terms of payment, we got £3.50-£4.50 p/h cash in hand. I was in Oxfordshire working in a very affluent area. This was over ten years ago though so I'd probably pay £5-£6 per hour now.

whois · 14/01/2016 13:53

Re cost, I'd look at what local CMs are charging, and what afterschool clubs near you charge, and then go from there..... in some ways you might think slightly less as you are using your house not their's,

You obviously need to pay more - because an after school club and CM will have multiple charges.

CurlsLDN · 14/01/2016 06:42

I used to have this sort of childcare when I was at school. My family approached a lady they knew who was a leader at my brownie pack, she was happy to take it on three days a week, and was already crb checked etc. She only cared for my sister and I, so she took us to clubs etc

ceeveebee · 13/01/2016 23:30

Isn't this called an afterschool nanny?
My nanny used to do this on her days off (she did 3 full days for me, then 2 afterschool days for another family, cooking tea, taking DCs to swimming etc)

BackforGood · 13/01/2016 23:23

I would definitely let people know (when the time comes) that it is something you are thinking about, and ask all sorts of folk if they know anyone who might be interested rather than a random stranger placing an ad on Gumtree though - it just feels safer to me.

Re cost, I'd look at what local CMs are charging, and what afterschool clubs near you charge, and then go from there..... in some ways you might think slightly less as you are using your house not their's, but OTOH, they will have to travel a bit and 'to and fro' a bit so you might think a bit more, but it will give you a starting price to think about, for your area. Of course if you were using an afterschool place or CM, it would be price per child, whereas if you were paying a Nanny it would be price per hour.

writingonthewall · 13/01/2016 23:18

Around the £10 per hour mark I'd say. Wanting a driver may significantly narrowly your options, worth thinking if that is necessary or would occasional use of a minicab work?

Original poster
Wigeon · 13/01/2016 21:01

Had a quick look on Gumtree - doesn't seem to be anyone advertising what we'd be looking for, but SummerMonths above placed an ad and got lots of responses. And at the moment this is a theoretical issue rather than an immediate pressing issue.

Anyone else got an idea of costs?

OP posts:
florentina1 · 13/01/2016 20:52

I did this when I first retired. It was a family of 4 daughters.

I picked up the primary age and gave her tea. Listened to her read and helped with homework. Got tea for the three young teens when they got in.

Took youngest to brownies. I worked 4 until 7, 5 days a week.

Original poster
Wigeon · 13/01/2016 20:48

Yes, you're right BackforGood, I shouldn't stereotype all students (or all retired ladies!) Smile

OP posts:
BackforGood · 13/01/2016 20:07

I suppose it depends on the student Smile

My ds would love this, and she says immodestly would be very good at it.
He's spent years being a Young Leader in the Scouts, is first aid trained, has 2 DBS's (is a lifeguard and as a Scout Leader). He's also always just been 'a natural' with smaller dc. I think he'd be fine with a couple of school age dc.

My dd already has a weekly babysitting gig with a 7 yr old (I lie - he was 7, he must be at least 8 now as she's been doing it more than a year Grin) where the Mum needs to go out early and the Dad doesn't get in until about 7.30. suits everybody.

Going back to when I was a student, I did this for somebody 2 afternoons a week.

Generally, finding someone through someone you know is the best way, but what about enquiring at a teacher training college where they would all be police checked and have some idea you'd like to think. Of course, it wouldn't work whilst they were on teaching prac.....

Original poster
Wigeon · 13/01/2016 19:47

A 'retired' lady would be ideal - my 7 yr old can be quite...spirited..., especially if she's tired, so someone who has had children and who can be firm bit fair would be lovely. Normal 7 yr old behaviour, but possibly a bit full on for a student...?

This is very reassuring that people do want this kind of work. I shall have a browse on Gumtree - had no idea.

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stoopstofolly · 13/01/2016 19:45

I have this! It's what keeps me sane and working. One of the TAs at the school next door to my DC's school only works 9.30-3.00, so comes in the mornings to get them breakfast and walk them to school. She also picks them up 3 evenings a week, taking them to clubs etc. I pay £12 per hour (£160 per week plus NI etc) in London.