Help! Best childcare solution for age range 4 - 12

[Stepmumm]

Bit of background, got 3 ds', eldest at secondary school but not very mature or wise. Middle ds is 7, youngest is 4 and due to start school in sept. been using a childminder up to this point but she is finishing from sept. struggling to find another childminder as we live in a village. So thinking of before and after school for the younger 2 which is fine apart from the school holidays. The school doesn't do holiday club and sports centre will only take the older one as they have to be age 8. What can i do? I can't find any childminder or affordable holiday club.

Have you considered a nanny who will do before and after school and then school holidays??

Au pair?

Check further away for holiday clubs, schools, private schools,forest schools,private nurseries and local sports clubs,football etc they often run them and they will take the younger one if ofsted registered often giving sibling discounts.

Courtney/bonsoir-would a nanny or au pair do just those hours? I thought they would want more regular work? Where can i find someone?

If you advertise with very precise requirements, you will see whether you get any replies.

As a nanny myself & knowing a few nannies - some are happy to take that with all the hours added up and then divided by 12months so they are paid an average. Also im sure but i think Au pairs dont tend to have that much sole charge. Also another option would be a student as a nanny as the hours would probably suit well.

To find some one - advertise on Nannyjob, childcare.co.uk, gumtree..
Also where about are you?

Thanks courtney, i'm in telford.

An AP will be fine for before after school of 3 school aged children, especially if your eldest is relatively self sufficient. If you plan activities and have one with their head screwed on and aren't an A2 national or on a student visa you could probably leave them for half terms and possibly by next summer if they've proven themself over the year for a few weeks in conjunction with various holiday activities.

APs are made for this kind of role (not school hols though). The only snag is you need room for them and be up for having what is essentially a teenager around.

Sorry that's not clear / I mean that they aren't an A2 national. You nationality has nothing to do with it!

Au-Pair would need a room at your home to stay in - they live with you. So that may or may not be an option for you, do you have a spare room? Do you want a young person say in their late teens/early 20's staying at your home?

We haven't room for anyone to stay, so an au pair is out

Looking like a split shift nanny - may suit someone with their own child who doesn't want to work FT all year - or a CM who doesn't mind an older child too really.

I agree with courtney - advertise and see what you get.

Also contact your local agencies -
www.telfordsunshineagency.co.uk/
Tinies

Has anyone got any experience of sunshine agencies?