After school childcare for 11 year old daughter

[SJTH]

We live in Islington - about 10 mins from Highbury & Islington tube and are looking at child care options for after school care for our 11 yr old daughter. She will be starting at SHHS next week and will make her way back to the station (with other girls in the area) most days but may have after school activities some days. We did have a live-in au pair sorted but due to a sudden (and serious) illness, that has unfortunately fallen through. So we are now (last minute!) looking at the following options:

1. a live-in au pair who would do the school pick up as well as some housework and ironing etc. as well as some babysitting OR

1. a live out au pair doing the same role with or without the housework OR

1. a person (au pair or nanny or otherwise) just to do the school pick up (and live out)

AnNy thoughts/suggestions would be most welcome including any recommendations for good childcare agencies dealing in this sort of thing (our previous au pair was through word of mouth). Both myself and my partner work quite long hours, generally not getting back till about 7pm so we do need someone to pick up/be at home durng the school term (which starts next week!).

I've just found someone (a school leaver wanting to become a nanny) to do a similar job for me. I found her through Findababysitter.co.uk

I had loads of applicants so I really could pick the person who I thought was right for DS. You will probably find as I did that there are quite a few middle aged women with older children who are looking to supplement their income for 12-15 hours a week

Many thanks DowagersHump - that is really helpful.