Help please! Need an afterschool nanny/childminder but no idea where to start!

[suburbandream]

Hi all, I have two boys, 9 and 10 and am currently very unwell so I can't pick up my boys from school as I usually would.

I've been a SAHM for the last 10 years so I have no experience of using childcare and just have no clue where to start looking - or even if what I want is available.

I need someone who can pick up my boys from school and bring them home (I'll be home) and basically help me cook tea, do homework etc, from about 3.30pm til 7pm when DH gets in. I've looked on the local government childminder list but there is nothing available and I don't know what to do next. Any ideas greatly appreciated! I'm assuming I'll have to look at nanny agencies but wouldn't know the good from the not so good.

Have you tried putting a profile on childcare.co.uk? Maybe worth a try.

You need more of mothers help I would have thought but i may be wrong. No idea about nanny agencies maybe look on gumtree?

Well, if you are there, then you might want a 'mother's help' rather than an experienced Nanny ? Would a student work for you ? Are you in a town with a college? Would be cheaper, and probably appeal to a student, whereas I suspect a Nanny would want full time work.
CMs work in their own homes, so that's not what you are looking for by the sounds of things.

If I were you I would put the word out among school gate friends. One of them might want this role, or know someone else who does. Also advertise in local paper, and in PO window etc. Are you in a studenty area? A student would quite like this opportunity to earn some money. Also sixth-formers. As you are going to be present when they are in your house you can probably get away with cheaper unqualified care.

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Gumtree, nannyjob, the local boards here and netmums are also worth trying. It would probably be very appealing for someone with only a little experience as you would be around. I don't know how long you'd need someone for?

Even if you used a nanny agency you would need to carry out checks on potential nannies - ask to see proof of ID, a CRB check, any certificates and all references. You'll also need context details if references to call them up and verify them. The plus of an agency is they should only send you afterschool candidates.

The other option, more long term, would be an au pair who might be able to help to you a bit around the house, but that means you someone living in and all the additional stress that brings. I only memtion it because it is an option, although not necessarily the best.

Where are you located, OP?

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies. I hadn't thought of students, the boys' school goes up to A level so maybe a responsible 6th former might be an idea. Yes, it's more of a mother's help than a fully qualified nanny I need, just wasn't really sure if that kind of thing existed. I will try to put word out and have a look on the websites suggested. Once again thanks all.

It was a few years ago, so not sure if they would do it now, but when I had just moved to a new area and knew no-one I asked the school if they would print a little 'ad' in their weekly newsletter, a lovely lady replied, she was brilliant and it worked out well.