To ask for emergency childcare ideas…

[Namechange1772]

I’m looking inspiration about what to do when the kids (young primary age) are sick and can’t go to school but I need to work.

Obviously if there are seriously unwell then I would drop everything to be with them. What I’m talking about is when they are better but still not able to go back to school.

I’m a self employed lawyer. Because I’m self employed I have a lot of flexibility and often can move meeting/work from home, but sometimes I have to go to court and its these times that are an issue.

As i’m self employed there is no one who can step in for me at court and the consequences for my clients can be huge if I don’t turn up.

Family help where they can but hours away.

Any ideas on other options? I feel like I’m going to have to give up work…

(Assume dad not in the picture - that’s for another post…)

I have used the Bubble babysitting app during emergencies and it's always been really good

There must be emergency nannys through agencies?

There's a company called emergency childcare that my husband gets access to free through work. But you can also pay a subscription. Its like an insurance policy I suppose. You can book same day nannies. They open at 7am I think. Maybe this would work for you. Sounds like it might be worth the investment.

There are emergencies childcare options, I’d look this up as probably your best option or can you ask a SAHM or retired person you know to do it if you pay them generously? Assuming it’s nothing hugely contagious. It is hard though, I’m not a lawyer but raised 3 kids and worked full time most of it with no family nearby. It’s far easier for me now I don’t need it as we can WFH - but mine are older now and don’t need looking after unless very unwell

Put out an advert for a fully retired teacher or something who is very local and normally home.

Get them to baby sit even when you’re not at work to get a feeling about them.

Be specific about what you need in an emergency and offer lots of money for when it does happen.

We met someone from the childcare app. We also tried sitters before that with less success. Pay well, develop a relationship, be incredibly honest about every illness, what it is and what advice you have had, if it might be contagious etc so they can say what they're happy with etc.
we have someone now and she is absolute gold dust.

Is moving closer to family an option?

Local older woman in late fifties or early sixties who lives nearby and who has previously worked in childcare or paediatric nursing or who has been active grandparent - in good health and reliable - who would be happy to step in at short notice.

Start paying her to baby-sit regularly once a week either on an evening or at weekends so she builds up a good relationship with your dc and so she is guaranteed a minimum income per week. If you get the sort of person who has run her own home they can prepare a simple meal, bake with your dc, supervise hwk, and put on the odd load of washing.

Leave adverts in leisure centres, yoga centre, hairdressers,local Facebook, maybe supermarkets.

A friend uses this agency - I am sure there are other similar ones

www.wimbledonbabysitting.co.uk/

Basically she uses them regularly enough for various things including school holidays that she has a couple of babysitters her kids are very familiar with

Sahm at your kids school would be your best bet, there's probably someone who could really do with extra money unofficially

Otherwise perhaps an older lady. I've helped my barrister neighbour out!

i've used EmergencyChildcare.com years ago but it wasn't great. Later, I found a local older lady who worked for me as an after-school nanny (3-7pm 3 days per week) so she knew the kids and the house well. she was my backup plan for emergencies because she was always around, and she was great for that.

I've used my cleaner in the past - do you have one you could ask?

Whatever you do, don’t take the child to court with you…I’ve seen counsel do that once…very weird…🤣