After school nannies - do they exist?

[edoli]

Has anyone managed to find someone good to do after school care only? If yes, how/where did you advertise?

Our lovely nanny has decided to move on to a family with younger kids and I really only need after school care. But wondering if anyone will actually do it...

Please tell me it's possible!

Yes but they are called childminders.

Or au pairs if you have the space.

my mum had after school nannies for us when we were young. They weren't usually nannies, but older women, usually with either grown up or late teenaged children who lived locally and would be there for us when we got home and make an evening meal for us until my parents got home. That was at least twenty years ago. There must be such a thing still.

Headfairy, that is what I need! Don't think a cm would work because school is a quite a drive away. Just need to work out where to find older lady / empty nester with some spare time.

My mum used to put an ad in The Lady. Not sure if it still exists though...

ooh yes they do, and they've gone all 21st century! :o

Hi Elodi,

We do exist, I am one. I used to be a full-time nanny until i had my own child. If you are willing to employ someone like myself, there are a fair few of us out there.

I currently work as one and I really enjoy my job, but my employer has made it very easy for me - she accepts that my son is a 2yr old little boy, is relaxed about "naughty" behaviour that he may display (which i do discipline him for), she's moved dangerous/sentimental objects out of harms way and has allowed me to set up an evening routine that compliments her daughter as well as my son.

Would you be willing to have a nanny's baby/toddler in the house for a few hrs each day? If yes, then I would ask around some of the local nannies see if they have any contacts, contact agencies (making clear you are happy to accept a nanny with own child) maybe even place advert on nannyjob.co.uk.

If you would prefer older lady/empty nester maybe your local Women's Institute or something similar may be able to help.

Good luck in your search, we are out there

I advertise on Gumtree and usually get 50-80 replies. You can cut out half of them for not having the right to work/not being in the UK/living 3 hours away etc, but last time I tried I still got a reasonable selection of applicants. They are mostly students, nannies with own children and/or other jobs, or people with no or little experience trying to get into the field. My current one was a full time nanny for 10+ years but is now studying for a degree - it's perfect! I do pay her quite a lot -£13 gross in suburban London, but it's worth it. The only real problem is the high turnaround, because of the fact that most people who do this are in a transient phase of their lives.

Thanks all for your replies. I am pleased to say I found a lovely nanny, a bit overqualified if anything, who works mornings only in a health club creche. And she lives only 5 mins walk from me. She was actually looking for an after school job.

Would be interested in knowing how to structure a term time only contract, Novstar if you have any tips then do let me know.