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Original poster

If Your School Doesn't Have After School Club What Are You Doing?

34 replies

roses2 · 05/09/2022 10:47

My two children go to a small school in London which doesn't have after school facilities.

There used to be a fitforsport at the school opposite and a walking bus service but this has shut down.

There is another local school 500m away which runs but doesn't offer a walking bus service to get the kids there (they used to offer the walking bus but stopped this due to lack of staff).

I used to use an after school nanny but she resigned two weeks ago. I've spoken to three more nannies but the entitlement is just jaw dropping (one wants zero hours type contract but based on when she is free, not me; one wants £20/hour and another wants 15 hours per week at £14/hour which I just don't need and I don't want to pay them to sit their on their phone whilst the kids watch tv and wind down).

I am guessing many others have the same problem. What are you doing to resolve this?? I need ideas :(

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Fizzgigg · 06/09/2022 16:42

Have you looked at places like Koru Kids? Great for after school pick up and childcare. I doubt they're any cheaper than what you've been quoted but at least you'll find someone

passport123 · 06/09/2022 16:31

an after school nanny is very restricted in what work they can find in the rest of the day - £14/hour for London sounds quite reasonable.

JudgeRindersMinder · 06/09/2022 16:31

I did a job where dh worked during the day and when he came in, I went to my work so no childcare needed. It cost a hell of a lot in my lost earnings, but was worth it

MoreTeaLessCoffee · 06/09/2022 16:27

Most care-related roles are very difficult to recruit for right now, including childcare. Brexit, covid and cost of living increases all make these types of jobs unappealing, people who used to do them have either left the country or found better paid work. I work in social care and finding carers for any age group is extremely challenging now, we have to pay more and offer more hours just as you are finding.

I can understand wanting 15 hours a week, it's not worth it for someone to commute for just 1 hour a day, they might spend more time traveling than working. Plus they could easily find something else.

AquaticSewingMachine · 06/09/2022 13:51

I'm paying my after-school nanny £15ph.

Like it or not, that's what the market rate is right now in London.

QforCucumber · 06/09/2022 13:47

Childminder at £10 per child per day - picks up at 3:20 and I collect at 5:30

jannier · 06/09/2022 13:38

roses2 · 05/09/2022 10:47

My two children go to a small school in London which doesn't have after school facilities.

There used to be a fitforsport at the school opposite and a walking bus service but this has shut down.

There is another local school 500m away which runs but doesn't offer a walking bus service to get the kids there (they used to offer the walking bus but stopped this due to lack of staff).

I used to use an after school nanny but she resigned two weeks ago. I've spoken to three more nannies but the entitlement is just jaw dropping (one wants zero hours type contract but based on when she is free, not me; one wants £20/hour and another wants 15 hours per week at £14/hour which I just don't need and I don't want to pay them to sit their on their phone whilst the kids watch tv and wind down).

I am guessing many others have the same problem. What are you doing to resolve this?? I need ideas :(

Use a childminder. Depending on where in London you are they are around £12 to £15 for a session often including food.

CapturedLeprechaun · 05/09/2022 10:52

The 15 hours a week @ £14ph Nanny sounds about right, no?!

Childcare/childminders in london are all approx £7 per child per hour, so the £14ph is reasonable to me, and what I'd expect to pay.

And 3-6pm is 3 hours. Doing that mon-Fri is 15 hours, so again, what I'd be expecting a Nanny to want.

What sort of hours were you looking for?

Theyellowshorts · 05/09/2022 10:48

I WFH so I just pick my kids up now.

Most people I know use a childminder for wraparound care. I used to use a childminder before WFH.

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