Childminder for a couple of hours every afternoon. Is there such a thing?

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

DD starts school in September '12. I currently work up in London (part time) and the commute is too long for me to continue working there once she starts school. I could arrange my hours to start later and drop her at school but that's it. So, am starting to think through my options, which I've always assumed will involve me quitting my job.

But several people over the last couple of days have asked why I don't look into a childminder to pick DD up from school and look after her till 6. Knowing very little about cms except that there are only a certain amount of places each person can offer, would a childminder seriously use one of these places for a child for only 2 or so hours per day? (the school in question runs about a million after school clubs until 4 which nearly all of the children go to).

I'm really surprised, shows what I know!

Blimey, so we might not have to be paupers after all... I was really resigned to having to quit, didn't think there were many other options. Thanks :)

Some childminders only pick up from certain schools so it's worth doing your homework before to see what's available.

Bear in mind that some cm's will pick up after school, but not from the after school clubs that finish at 4. This is so that they don't spend the whole afternoon back and forth he school.

I did wonder about that, a cm having possibly two school runs and all that, so obviously that wouldn't be a possibility. But still, food for thought.

Some schools don't have many minders collecting from them... if any at all. So your first step I feel is to establish if any childminders do collect from the school. Then ask them about what time they collect - at school day finish, or are clubs possible.

Childminder may also be able to care for your DD during school holidays and on other occasions when the school is closed. They may also be able to provide afternoon care during the first term if your DD does not start school full time (though it will depend on the number and ages of children already in the childminder's care, as your DD would then be classed in the Early Years age group).

Yes my childminder has a few after-school children as well as my DS who is 2. In fact he is her only under-5 aside from her own children.

I'd look at the list of local childminders - can't remember the website now (anybody know?) and ring around them all to see if any are willing to collect from your DD's school, then you'll have a shortlist to follow up. There is a section on the website where they can list which schools they pick up from, but people don't always update it or fill it in, so I wouldn't set too much store by that.

I'm not sure what will happen when DS starts school as the school he'll likely go to is a different one to the one her mindees go to (and a different pre-school to the one her DC go to)

You could ask at the school office as well if any CMs pick up from there already and ask for their details. They might not be able to give that info out though, I don't know. Perhaps post on a school noticeboard if there is one?

And just to add there might be a after school club at the school until later than 4 - or some private nuseries do pick up from primary school, or some parents do swappsies -and i am guessing if all the children go to the after school clubs any chilminder might pick up then - best thing is to ask around at toddler groups/parents which kids already at the school - but nearer the time!

One website to look at is www.childcare.co.uk. You can find someone in your local area. Plenty of cm's do after school care in my area.